A study made by University of Sussex found that men and women who frequently used several types of technology at the same time had less grey matter in a key part of the brain . The researchers said : " Simultaneously , using mobile phones , laptops and other media devices could change the structure of our brains . " Worryingly , the part of the brain that shrinks is involved in processing emotion . The finding has linked multi-tasking with a shortened attention span , depression , anxiety and lower grades at school . The researchers began by asking 75 healthy men and women how often they divided their attention between different types of technology . This could mean sending a text message while listening to music and checking email , or speaking on the phone while watching TV and surfing the web . The volunteers were then given brain scans which showed they had less grey matter in a region called the anterior cingulated cortex ( ACC ) . The findings held even when differences in personality were taken into account . The study , published in the journal PLOS ONE , is the first to make a link between multi-tasking and the structure of the brain . Researcher KepKeeLoh said : " Media multi-tasking is become more popular in our lives today and there is growing concern about its impacts on our cognition and social-emotional well-being . " He added that more researches are needed to prove that multi-tasking shrinks the brain . This is because it is also possible that people with less grey matter in the ACC are more likely to use lots of devices simultaneously . Scientists have previously described brain structure can be altered on prolonged exposure to new environments and experience . Other studies have shown that training - such as learning magic or taxi drivers learning the map of London - can increase grey matter densities in certain parts . What's the purpose of the passage ? A) To inform people of the findings of a research . B) To stress the importance of grey matter in our brain . C) To advise people to do more training about our brain . D) To warn people of the possible danger of media devices .
A
(Question)
Parents at one Connecticut elementary school say they are angry over the use of so-called "scream rooms" to discipline special needs students. The two rooms at Farm Hill Elementary School in Middletown, Conn., came under fire after several students complained about the sounds of children yelling coming from the rooms, while building keepers reported having to clean up blood and urine from their floors and walls. Tricia Belin, whose two children attend the school, described the rooms as 6-by-4-foot space with concrete walls used to isolate special needs students who are disruptive in the classroom. "Closet is pretty much what it is," Belin said and her children are regularly subjected to "screaming"coming from inside the rooms. Belin said she complained to the school's principal when she first learned about them last October, and was told they were considered and "alternative learning environment," but he did not say whether students were placed in them alone or with a teacher. Shawn Archer, whose 10-year-old daughter also attends the school, said parents were never notified about the rooms and claims his child and others are fearful of them. Board of Education Chairman Gene Nocera acknowledged in an interview that the reports about the rooms were "disturbing" and said school officials were investigating their use. "We understand the parents' concerns and we take their concerns very seriously," Nocera said. "We want to be sure our students are being treated safely." He stressed that under school policy, no child is to be left alone at any time. He said the school district is looking to give more resources to the school, including hiring full-time psychologists and providing more training to all the teachers. By saying "Closet is pretty much what it is", Belin means the "scream rooms" _ . A) are very small in size B) are made out of a closet C) are in a normal classroom D) are specially built for some students
(Answer)
A
Ques: Annabelle Smith and her two best friends, Samantha and Kristy, loved going to Sand City School. Mrs. Lemming, their teacher, would read them a story. That Monday afternoon, Mrs. Lemming read them a story called Super Sophie Saves the Day. After school, Annabelle, Samantha and Kristy walked home together. "I decide that from now on I'm going to be a superhero like Sophie," Annabelle told her friends. "You mean heroine," Kristy said. "You're a girl, Annabelle." The next day Kristy and Samantha picked Annabelle up on their way to school. Annabelle had a red towel taped to her blue shirt. "I am Super Annabelle," Annabelle said. "I'll save someone on the way to school." Charlotte, another second-grader, walked past the girls. Her sweater was tied around her waist. She ran a little faster, and her sweater was nearly on the ground. Annabelle wondered what she would do. Giving her a dirty look, Charlotte ran away. Annabelle walked into her father's study when she got home. She had a homework question for him. A note on her father's desk said he was lending some books to Charlotte's father. She noticed a magazine on his desk that said Go Green. "Homework can wait," Annabelle thought. "Maybe Charlotte goes green!" In the woods, Annabelle saw a man cutting down a tree. Trees were good for the environment. She prevented him from cutting down the tree, and then she fell on the hard ground. Annabelle walked farther in the woods, where she found Charlotte picking up litter. Annabelle said, "You are the second-grade's hero, Charlotte." Charlotte stared at Annabelle. "I'm picking up litter to make the earth a better place," she said. "I don't care about being famous." Annabelle felt slightly ashamed of herself. What did Annabelle learn from Charlotte? A) It is cool to be a superhero in life. B) Real heroes don't mind being famous. C) A hero has a better place in the world. D) A famous person is also a hero.
Ans:
B