The concept of 'neuroplasticity' has revolutionized our understanding of the human brain. Historically, 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 varies by brain region and is influenced by factors such as age, intensity of training, and the nature of the stimulus. For instance, adults who learn a new language show increased grey matter density in the left inferior parietal cortex, while those recovering from stroke often exhibit functional reorganization in adjacent cortical areas. Such findings have profound implications for education and rehabilitation, suggesting that targeted interventions can harness this plasticity to enhance cognitive function or promote recovery. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying these changes are complex, involving synaptic strengthening, neurogenesis, and the pruning of unused connections, and further research is needed to fully exploit these capabilities in clinical and educational settings.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 성인의 신경가소성에 대한 주요 발견은 무엇인가?
A. A) 뇌의 구조는 아동기 이후 완전히 고정된다.
B. B) 성인의 뇌는 언어 학습과 같은 경험에 반응하여 신경 경로를 재구성할 수 있다.
C. C) 신경가소성은 좌측 하두정피질에서만 발생한다.
D. D) 뇌의 적응성 부족으로 인해 뇌졸중 회복은 불가능하다.
✅ 正确答案
B) Adult brains can reorganize neural pathways in response to experiences such as language 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