The concept of 'neuroplasticity' has revolutionized our understanding of the human brain. Historically, it was believed that the brain's structure was fixed after a critical period in childhood. However, recent research demonstrates that the brain remains capable of substantial reorganization throughout adulthood. This plasticity is not merely a passive response to injury but is actively engaged during learning and memory formation. For instance, studies on London taxi drivers have shown that navigating complex city streets leads to a measurable increase in the volume of the hippocampus, a region crucial for spatial memory. Such findings suggest that the brain's adaptability is a fundamental mechanism for acquiring new skills, but also imply that maladaptive plasticity could contribute to chronic pain or phantom limb sensations. Therefore, while neuroplasticity offers hope for rehabilitation after stroke or trauma, its double-edged nature necessitates careful therapeutic interventions.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 다음 중 신경가소성의 개념을 정확히 반영하는 진술은 무엇인가?
A. A) 뇌의 구조는 아동기 이후 완전히 고정되며 성인이 되어서는 변화할 수 없다.
B. B) 신경가소성은 뇌 손상에 대한 반응으로만 발생하며, 정상적인 학습 중에는 발생하지 않는다.
C. C) 뇌는 스스로 재조직할 수 있지만, 이러한 능력은 초기 발달 시기에만 국한된다.
D. D) 뇌의 적응성은 학습과 같은 유익한 과정과 만성 통증과 같은 잠재적으로 해로운 과정 모두에 관여한다.
✅ 正确答案
D) The brain's adaptability is involved in both beneficial processes like learning and potentially harmful ones like chronic pain.
IELTS Reading Tips
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Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
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