The concept of 'neuroplasticity' has revolutionized our understanding of the human brain. Traditionally, scientists believed that the brain's structure was fixed after a critical period in childhood. However, recent research demonstrates that the brain remains malleable throughout life, capable of reorganizing neural pathways in response to learning, experience, or injury. This adaptability is not uniform; it is most pronounced in regions responsible for memory and spatial navigation, such as the hippocampus. For instance, studies on London taxi drivers revealed that their posterior hippocampus was significantly larger than average, correlating with their extensive navigational experience. Moreover, neuroplasticity has profound implications for rehabilitation after stroke, as patients can retrain unaffected brain areas to assume lost functions. Nevertheless, the mechanisms driving plasticity are complex, involving synaptic strengthening, dendritic branching, and even the generation of new neurons. Understanding these processes is crucial for developing targeted therapies for neurological disorders, yet many questions remain unanswered about how to optimally harness this inherent capacity.
❓ Theo đoạn văn, nghiên cứu về các tài xế taxi ở London minh họa điều gì?
A. A) Hồi hải mã là vùng não duy nhất trải qua sự thay đổi.
B. B) Cấu trúc não bộ có thể bị thay đổi bởi những trải nghiệm cụ thể ở tuổi trưởng thành.
C. C) Tính dẻo dai của thần kinh chỉ giới hạn trong quá trình phát triển ở thời thơ ấu.
D. D) Tài xế taxi có bộ não tự nhiên lớn hơn so với người khác.
✅ 正确答案
B) Brain structure can be altered by specific experiences in adulthood.
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