Section II Reading Comprehension
Part B
Directions:In the following text, some segments have been removed. For Questions 41-45, choose the most suitable one from the list A-G to fit into each of the numbered blanks. There are two extra choices, which do not fit in any of the blanks. Mark your answers on the ANSWER SHEET.
Is it an achievable goal to remain mentally sharp while aging, or is it a pipe dream? As a researcher in cognitive neuroscience and the neuropsychology of aging processes, I aim to shed light on the ways we can maintain good cognitive health in light of recent scientific advances.
One of the most effective strategies research has identified is developing and maintaining good cognitive reserve. This concept refers to the brain’s ability to resist the effects of aging or neurodegenerative diseases without resulting in significant functional decline. In its updated report, the Lancet highlighted that 45 per cent of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 modifiable risk factors. 41. ____
Education has long been considered the main indicator of cognitive reserve, reflecting prolonged exposure to intellectually stimulating activities that promote the development of effective brain networks. But this view is now considered incomplete. 42. ____ Specific examples of these activities include playing a musical instrument, mastering complex board games such as chess, or participating in volunteer activities that require sophisticated planning and problem-solving skills.
Scientific research offers several complementary models for understanding the mechanisms of cognitive reserve. Some focus on the structure of the brain itself, suggesting that characteristics such as the number of neurons influence the brain’s tolerance to damage. This is based on the idea that some people are born with a greater cellular capacity to cope with aging. 43. ____ A third set of models emphasizes the functional flexibility of the brain, which allows it to mobilize its resources differently or recruit alternative neural networks to compensate for age-related losses.
This clarification helps to harmonize research and effectively guide prevention strategies. Above all, it reminds us that far from being a fixed entity, cognitive reserve evolves due to interactions with experience and learning. A team of Québec researchers has shown that structured learning of memory strategies, including the method of loci (associating information with a familiar place) or mental visualization, can induce significant changes in brain activity. 44. ____ This observation reflects the fact that the use of memory strategies allows for greater functional flexibility in the brain.
In the same vein, the Engage study by the Canadian Consortium on Aging and Neurodegeneration investigates the behavioural and neurophysiological effects of cognitively stimulating leisure activities in older adults. This hybrid intervention combines formal cognitive training with structured leisure activities such as learning music or a second language. 45. ____ By demonstrating that these natural interventions produce effects comparable to those of traditional cognitive training programmes, which often consist of repetitive computer exercises, Engage could transform approaches to preventing age-related cognitive decline.
[A] Rather than being permanently fixed in early adulthood, it can be continuously amplified through rich social interactions and stimulating leisure pursuits.[B] Specifically, a combination of varying activation levels was observed across different neural regions during the phases of acquiring and recalling information.[C] Consequently, highly educated individuals inherently rely less on alternative neural networks, making their brains more vulnerable to unexpected structural damage.[D] Others argue that active lifestyles can slow down brain aging by strengthening biological resilience, a concept known as the brain maintenance model.[E] It ultimately provides an ecological approach that closely mirrors real-life conditions, thereby fostering sustained engagement and enjoyment.[F] While these encompass variables like physical inactivity and social isolation, having a low level of education emerges as a profoundly significant determinant.[G] This clinical intervention predominantly targets the structural deterioration of grey matter, offering a temporary reversal of severe cognitive impairment in senior patients.
附注：根据历年考研英语真题阅读题源外刊等，摘选最新文章，模拟仿真出题。
参考答案见以下。
Quick look: FADBE
41.【正确答案】F【解析】题型：上下文衔接题定位： 第二段。空格前提到《柳叶刀》报告指出，通过解决“14个可改变的风险因素（14 modifiable risk factors）”，可以预防或延缓45%的痴呆症病例。分析： 选项 F“虽然这些（风险因素）包含了缺乏体育锻炼和社会孤立等变量，但受教育程度低下成为了一个极其重要的决定因素（While these encompass variables like physical inactivity... having a low level of education emerges...）”完美承接了前文的“14个风险因素”，同时自然地引出了下一段开头的主题——“教育（Education）”在认知储备中的核心作用。干扰项：[G] 这项临床干预主要针对灰质结构的退化……（概念错位，此时文章还在宏观介绍风险因素，尚未涉及具体的临床干预或灰质退化的逆转）。
42.【正确答案】A【解析】题型：段落主旨/转折衔接题定位： 第三段。空格前一句指出，仅将教育视为认知储备的主要指标这一观点“现在被认为是不完整的（considered incomplete）”。空格后接着列举了具体的活动（如弹奏乐器、下棋、做志愿工作）。分析： 选项 A“它并非在成年早期就永久固定，而是可以通过丰富的社交互动和刺激性的休闲活动不断放大（Rather than being permanently fixed... it can be continuously amplified through... leisure pursuits）”直接回应了前文“单纯看早期教育是不完整的”这一观点，并为后文列举“刺激性的休闲活动（Specific examples...）”做出了完美的理论铺垫。干扰项：[C] 因此，受过高等教育的人天生较少依赖替代神经网络……（强加因果与反向干扰，文中指出教育程度高的人认知储备更好、大脑更灵活，选项表述完全违背了这一科学事实）。
43.【正确答案】D【解析】题型：并列列举题定位： 第四段。本段在列举理解认知储备的几种互补模型。空格前介绍了第一种：关注大脑结构的“大脑储备模型（structure of the brain / greater cellular capacity）”。空格后介绍了第三种：强调功能灵活性的“认知储备模型（A third set of models...）”。分析： 显然，空格处需要填入“第二种模型”。选项 D“其他人则认为，积极的生活方式可以通过增强生物弹性来减缓大脑衰老，这一概念被称为大脑维护模型（Others argue that... a concept known as the brain maintenance model）”完美填补了这里的逻辑空白，构成了“Some focus on... Others argue... A third set...”的严密排比结构。干扰项：[B] 特别是，在获取和回忆信息阶段……观察到了不同神经区域的激活水平组合（张冠李戴，这是对脑部活动的具体实验观察，属于第五段的内容，不符合本段“宏观理论模型”的语境）。
44.【正确答案】B【解析】题型：例证细节题定位： 第五段。空格前提到，魁北克研究人员证明了结构化学习记忆策略（如位置记忆法或心理可视化）能引起“大脑活动的显著变化（significant changes in brain activity）”。空格后一句说：“这一观察结果（This observation）反映了记忆策略的使用允许大脑具有更大的功能灵活性。”分析： 空格处必须填入一个具体的“实验观察结果”，以承接前文的“变化”并被后文的“This observation”所指代。选项 B“特别是，在获取和回忆信息的阶段，在不同的神经区域观察到了不同激活水平的组合（a combination of varying activation levels was observed...）”正是对前文“显著变化”的具体数据化/实验现象的描述，逻辑严丝合缝。干扰项：[A] 已经在42题被选走，且其内容不属于脑电波或脑区激活层面的实证观察。
45.【正确答案】E【解析】题型：段落归纳题定位： 第六段。本段介绍了加拿大的 Engage 研究，该研究将正式的认知训练与“结构化的休闲活动（如学习音乐或第二语言）”结合起来（hybrid intervention）。分析： 选项 E“它最终提供了一种紧密反映现实生活条件的生态学方法，从而培养了持续的参与感和乐趣（provides an ecological approach that closely mirrors real-life conditions...）”对这种“音乐/语言混合训练”的性质进行了拔高和总结，且完美呼应了后文将其称之为“这些自然干预措施（these natural interventions）”的定性。干扰项：[G] 这项临床干预主要针对灰质结构的退化……（偷换概念，文章探讨的是行为和休闲干预（behavioural / leisure activities），而非医疗性质的“临床（clinical）”干预）。
【词汇注释】
neurodegenerative: adjective (MEDICAL) (of a disease) causing a slow and progressive decline in the function of the brain or nervous system 神经退行性的modifiable: adjective (CHANGEABLE) capable of being modified, altered, or changed 可改变的（文中指可以通过后天干预改变的健康风险因素）amplify: verb (INCREASE) to increase the size or effect of something 放大；增强resilience: noun (STRENGTH) the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness 韧性；弹性（文中指生物学上的抵御衰老的能力）compensate: verb (BALANCE) to make up for something unwanted or missing by providing something good 补偿；弥补（文中指大脑调用替代网络来弥补因衰老造成的损失）hybrid: adjective (MIXED) composed of mixed parts 混合的（文中指结合了认知训练与休闲活动的混合干预）conducive: adjective (HELPFUL) providing the right conditions for something to happen or exist 有助于……的；促成的【参考译文】
在衰老的过程中保持头脑敏锐，是一个可以实现的目标，还仅仅是一个白日梦？作为一名认知神经科学和衰老过程神经心理学领域的研究员，我希望借由近期的科学进展，阐明我们在衰老时维持良好认知健康的方法。
研究确定的最有效策略之一是开发并维持良好的认知储备。这个概念指的是大脑抵抗衰老或神经退行性疾病影响的能力，而不会导致明显的功能衰退。《柳叶刀》在其更新的报告中强调，通过解决14个可改变的风险因素，可以预防或延缓45%的痴呆症病例。41. 虽然这些因素包含了缺乏体育锻炼和社会孤立等变量，但受教育程度低下成为了一个极其重要的决定因素。
长期以来，教育一直被认为是认知储备的主要指标，它反映了人们长时间处于能促进有效大脑网络发展的智力刺激活动中。但这种观点现在被认为是不完整的。42. 它并非在成年早期就永久固定，而是可以通过丰富的社交互动和刺激性的休闲活动不断放大。 这些活动的具体例子包括弹奏乐器、精通像国际象棋这样的复杂棋盘游戏，或参与需要复杂计划和解决问题能力的志愿活动。
科学研究提供了几种互补的模型来理解认知储备的机制。有些模型侧重于大脑本身的结构，认为诸如神经元数量等特征会影响大脑对损伤的耐受力。这基于一种观点，即有些人生来就具有应对衰老的更大细胞容量。43. 其他人则认为，积极的生活方式可以通过增强生物弹性来减缓大脑衰老，这一概念被称为大脑维护模型。 第三组模型则强调大脑的功能灵活性，这使得大脑能够以不同的方式调动其资源，或招募替代的神经网络，以弥补与年龄相关的损失。
这种澄清有助于协调研究方向，并有效地指导预防策略。最重要的是，它提醒我们，认知储备绝非一成不变的实体，它会随着经验和学习的互动而进化。魁北克的一个研究小组表明，结构化地学习记忆策略，包括位置记忆法（将信息与熟悉的地方联系起来）或心理可视化，可以引起大脑活动的显著变化。44. 特别是，在获取和回忆信息的阶段，在不同的神经区域观察到了不同激活水平的组合。 这一观察结果反映了记忆策略的使用使得大脑能够拥有更大的功能灵活性。
同样地，加拿大衰老与神经退行性疾病联盟开展的 Engage 研究，旨在调查认知刺激性休闲活动对老年人的行为和神经生理学影响。这种混合干预措施将正式的认知训练与结构化的休闲活动（如学习音乐或第二语言）结合在一起。45. 它最终提供了一种紧密反映现实生活条件的生态学方法，从而培养了持续的参与感和乐趣。 通过证明这些自然干预措施能产生与通常由重复性计算机练习组成的传统认知训练项目相媲美的效果，Engage 研究可能会改变预防与年龄相关的认知衰退的方法。
在任何年龄段保持良好的认知健康，都需要结合容易获取的、能激发动力的且具有刺激性的干预措施。认知储备绝非一成不变，而是在人的一生中不断积累起来的。
附注：
本篇 Flesch–Kincaid 可读性指标（估算英文文章纯语言阅读难度，数值越大代表难度越大，十分制）评分为7.5。参考：2026年英语（一）真题评分分别为 7.5 ，英语（二）为 7.2 。在话题熟悉度，逻辑复杂度、段落结构线索丰富度方面综合指标（数值越大代表难度越大，十分制）评分为8.0。参考：2026年英语（一）真题评分分别为8.5 ，英语（二）为6.8 。
