研究：智力的发展并不局限于18之前
Next time you raise an eyebrow at the views of your partner, friend, brother/sister or colleague, remember they could be helping to make you become smarter. New research shows that intelligence isn’t fixed but can be developed throughout adulthood by family members, bright friends and intellectually improving careers.
Stimulating households where people talk, make jokes and challenge each other can raise IQ levels by several points, as can jobs that mentally encourage employees. The study challenges the commonly held belief that intelligence is fixed by the age of about 18.
Current scientific common view suggests intelligence is controlled by genes, with environmental factors like schooling and nutrition playing a part up to this age. After this point, IQ scores remain stable.
But James Flynn, professor of psychology at Otago University in New Zealand, argues people can improve their own intelligence throughout their lives. He believes intellectual stimulation from other people is important as the brain seems to be rather like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets. However, the opposite is also true—so people who share a home or workplace with the intellectually challenged risk seeing their IQ levels nosedive as a result.
Professor Flynn analyzed US intelligence tests from the last 65 years and created new IQ age tables. According to the age tables, a bright ten-year-old with brothers and sisters of average intelligence will suffer a five to ten point IQ disadvantage compared to a similar child with equally bright brothers and sisters. However, children with a low IQ could gain six to eight points by having brighter brothers and sisters and special educational treatment to help pull them up.
Professor Flynn also concluded that although genetics and early life experiences determine about 80% of intelligence, the remaining 20% is linked to lifestyle. This means people can raise their IQ, or allow it to fall, by ten points or more. Professor Flynn suggests the best way to develop IQ levels is to meet with bright friends and find an intellectually challenging job.
1.It’s generally believed that __________.
A intelligence can’t be developed until one is 18
B the older one grows, the smarter he becomes
C intelligence stops changing once a person becomes an adult
D one can develop his intelligence throughout adulthood
解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第二段“The study challenges the commonly held belief that intelligence is fixed by the age of about 18.”可知，人们普遍认为，人的智力到了18岁(成年)左右就固定不变了，由此可判断选C。
2.In most scientists’ opinion, how can we become smarter?
A By working creatively.
B By going on a healthy diet.
C By overcoming challenges.
D By staying with smart people.
解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据第三段“Current scientific consensus suggests intelligence is controlled by genes, with environmental factors like schooling and nutrition playing a part up to this age.”可知，目前科学界的共识表明，智力由基因控制，教育和营养等环境因素在18岁之前也有一定的影响。由此可推断根据该共识，我们可以通过健康的日常饮食来提高智力，故选B。
3.The underlined word “nosedive” in Paragraph 4 most probably means ______.
A rise
B develop
C change
D fall
解析：选D。D 词义猜测题。教授詹姆斯•弗林认为，他人的智力刺激非常关键，因为大脑似乎和肌肉非常像，用得越多，它就越强壮，反之亦然，因此与脑筋不太好使的人同居一室或一起工作，会有智力水平直线下降的风险。由此可判断nosedive应表示“下降”，选D。
4.According to Professor Flynn,what is intelligence largely dependent on?
A Genetics.
B Lifestyle.
C Efforts.
D Schooling.
解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据最后一段可知，弗林教授也总结说，尽管基因和早年人生经验决定80%的智商，还有剩下的20%受生活方式的影响。由此可推断他也认为人的智力其实大多取决于基因，故选A。