The concept of neuroplasticity, once a controversial hypothesis, has now become a cornerstone of modern neuroscience. It refers to the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This adaptability is not uniform; it varies significantly across different brain regions and developmental stages. For instance, the hippocampus, crucial for memory formation, exhibits a higher degree of plasticity in young adults compared to the elderly, yet even in later life, environmental enrichment and cognitive training can induce measurable synaptic changes. However, the extent of this plasticity is constrained by critical periods, during which the brain is particularly receptive to specific types of learning, such as language acquisition. Beyond these periods, learning becomes more effortful but not impossible, suggesting that plasticity operates on a spectrum rather than as an all-or-nothing phenomenon. This nuanced understanding challenges earlier deterministic views and has profound implications for rehabilitation after brain injury, where targeted therapies aim to harness residual plasticity to restore function.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es una limitación clave de la neuroplasticidad?
A. Cesará por completo después de la adultez joven.
B. Es uniforme en todas las regiones del cerebro.
C. Está restringido por períodos críticos para ciertos aprendizajes.
D. Solo ocurre en respuesta a una lesión.
✅ 正确答案
It is restricted by critical periods for certain learning.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first