Recent advances in neuroimaging have revealed that the human brain undergoes significant structural changes during adolescence, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making and impulse control. However, contrary to popular belief, these changes do not necessarily lead to irrational behavior. Instead, researchers argue that adolescent risk-taking is often a calculated response to uncertain environments, shaped by social cues and peer influence. A study by Johnson et al. (2021) found that teenagers who received training in probabilistic reasoning showed reduced risky choices in laboratory tasks, suggesting that cognitive development can be enhanced through targeted intervention. This finding challenges the deterministic view of brain maturation, implying that educational programs could play a pivotal role in fostering adaptive decision-making skills among youth.
❓ What is the main implication of the study mentioned in the passage?
A. Adolescent brain development is solely determined by biological factors.
B. Risk-taking in teenagers is always irrational and uncontrollable.
C. Targeted training may improve decision-making in adolescents.
D. Peer influence has no effect on adolescent behavior.
✅ 正确答案
Targeted training may improve decision-making in adolescents.
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)
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