2023年12月四级第2套仔细阅读 Passage 2 原文翻译及答案解析

A multitasker is one who can perform two or more tasks effectively at the same time, which- apart from the obvious differences- is similar to what a computer does. The concept does indeed come from the realms of technology, where it is used to refer to an operating system that can execute multiple tasks at the same time. However, the question is: can a person really be a multitasker?

一个多任务处理者是指能够同时有效执行两项或更多任务的人，这——除了明显的差异——类似于计算机所做的。这个概念确实来自技术领域，在那里它指的是能够同时执行多个任务的操作系统。然而，问题是：一个人真的能成为多任务处理者吗？

For most scientists, the answer is no. So much so that, according to experts in neuroscience (神经系统科学), our brains do not handle multitasking situations well. As soon as two tasks require our attention, productivity suffers. What we call multitasking, therefore, is in reality the ability to move more or less quickly from one task to another. This requires two essential conditions: that one of the tasks needs to be automatic, like walking or eating, and that they both need different mental processes. Answering the phone and writing at the same time, for example.

对于大多数科学家来说，答案是否定的。事实上，根据神经系统科学专家的说法，我们的大脑并不善于处理多任务情况。一旦两项任务需要我们的注意力，生产力就会受到影响。因此，我们所谓的多任务处理，实际上是能够或多或少快速地从一个任务切换到另一个任务的能力。这需要两个基本条件：一项任务需要是自动化的，比如走路或吃饭，并且两项任务都需要不同的心理过程。例如，同时接电话和写作。

However, on the other side of the coin there are people who maintain that it is possible to be, or at least seem to be, multitasking. A recent study concluded that regardless of whether people are actually handling several tasks or not, the mere fact that they perceive this activity as multitasking has a positive effect on their performance.

然而，硬币的另一面是，有些人坚持认为，可以成为，或者至少看起来像是多任务处理者。最近一项研究得出结论，无论人们是否真的在处理多项任务，只要他们认为这种活动是多任务处理，就会对他们的表现产生积极影响。

The business perspective offers a different view: multitasking is understood as the ability to adapt to all types of environment within a company and effectively undertake different activities within a set time frame. Indeed, many companies look for people who are skilled in multitasking to improve their productivity. From this different perspective, you can not only be multitasking but this ability can also be taught: something that is easier in fluid organisations, which favour flexibility in their working practices.

商业视角提供了不同的观点：多任务处理被理解为能够适应公司内各种环境，并在设定的时间范围内有效承担不同活动的能力。确实，许多公司寻找擅长多任务处理的人来提高生产力。从这个不同的视角来看，你不仅可以成为多任务处理者，而且这种能力也可以被传授：这在灵活的组织中更容易实现，因为它们的工作实践倾向于灵活性。

The benefits of multitasking are clear. Being quicker and more efficient increases our performance and the number of tasks completed. But having to pay attention to several things at once means that the powers of concentration are reduced and that can lead to more mistakes.

多任务处理的好处是显而易见的。更快、更高效提高了我们的表现和完成的任务数量。但是，必须同时关注多件事情意味着注意力集中能力下降，这可能导致更多错误。