A new study has found that mentally stimulating activities like using computers, playing games, making crafts and participating in social activities are linked to a lower risk or delay of age-related memory loss called mild cognitive impairment (MCI). They may struggle to complete complex tasks or have difficulty understanding information they have read, while people with dementia have trouble with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing and eating independently. However, there is strong evidence that MCI can be a sign of dementia’s coming.
Some studies took a close look at how often people participated in mentally stimulating activities in both middle-age and later life, with a goal of examining when such activities may be most beneficial to the brain.
Researchers found that using a computer in middle-age was associated with a 48 percent lower risk of MCI. Engaging in social activities, like going to movies or going out with friends, or playing games, like doing crosswords or playing cards, in both middle-age and later life were associated with a 20 percent lower risk of developing MCI. Craft activities were associated with a 42 percent lower risk, but only in later life. Those who engaged in two activities were 28 percent less likely to develop memory and thinking problems than those who took part in no activities, while those who took part in three activities were 45 percent less likely, those with four activities were 56 percent less likely and those with five activities were 43 percent less likely.
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1.What’s the Chinese meaning of the underlined word “stimulating” in paragraph one?
A 刺激的.
B 悠闲的.
C 智力的.
D 娱乐的.
解析：选A。词义猜测题。根据第一段A new study has found that mentally stimulating activities like using computers, playing games, making crafts and participating in social activities...可知活动包括使用电脑、玩游戏、手工制作和参加社交活动等，综述其几项活动的特点，并结合mentally 和age-related memory loss可推断应该是精神上的“刺激性的”活动，因此A选项较符合，故选A。
2.Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A Some studies examined when such activities may be most good for the brain.
B Going to movies was associated with a 20 percent lower risk of developing MCI.
C Craft activities were associated with a 42 percent lower risk, but only in middle-age.
D It’s not sure how many activities we should participate in exactly in our daily life.
解析：选C。细节理解题。根据第三段Craft activities were associated with a 42 percent lower risk, but only in later life.可知，不是 in middle-age，故选C。
3.Which of the following activities is not beneficial to the brain for people according to the passage?
A Using computers or making crafts.
B Going out with friends.
C Sleeping or sitting still.
D Doing crosswords or playing cards.
解析：选C。综合理解题。综合全文可知只有C项未提及，故选C。
4.What’s the main idea of this passage?
A How to prevent MIC.
B Studies on MIC .
C Useful activities in life.
D How to live healthily.
解析：选B。主旨大意题。综合主要内容和中心主旨可知本文主要讲了关于“轻度认知障碍”的相关研究。选项A太片面；选项C太含糊；选项D太宽泛，故选B。
