2014年考研英语一完形填空原文翻译及答案解析

As many people hit middle age, they often start to notice that their memory and mental clarity are not what they used to be. We suddenly can't remember ___1___ we put the keys just a moment ago, or an old acquaintance's name, or the name of an old band we used to love. As the brain ___2___, we refer to these occurrences as "senior moments." ___3___ seemingly innocent, this loss of mental focus can potentially have a(n) ___4___ impact on our professional, social, and personal ___5___.

当许多人步入中年时，他们常常开始注意到自己的记忆力和思维清晰度不如从前。我们突然记不起刚刚把钥匙放在哪里，或者一个老熟人的名字，或者一个我们曾经喜欢的旧乐队的名字。随着大脑的衰退，我们称这些现象为“老年时刻”。虽然看似无害，但这种注意力的丧失可能会对我们的职业、社交和个人幸福造成破坏性影响。

Neuroscientists, experts who study the nervous system, are increasingly showing that there's actually a lot that can be done. It ___6___ out that the brain needs exercise in much the same way our muscles do, and the right mental ___7___ can significantly improve our basic cognitive ___8___. Thinking is essentially a ___9___ of making connections in the brain. To a certain extent, our ability to ___10___ in making the connections that drive intelligence is inherited. ___11___, because these connections are made through effort and practice, scientists believe that intelligence can expand and fluctuate ___12___ mental effort.

神经科学家，即研究神经系统的专家，越来越多地表明实际上有很多事情可以做。事实证明，大脑需要锻炼，就像我们的肌肉一样，而正确的大脑训练可以显著提高我们的基本认知功能。思考本质上是在大脑中建立连接的过程。在一定程度上，我们擅长建立驱动智力的连接的能力是遗传的。然而，由于这些连接是通过努力和练习建立的，科学家认为智力可以根据精神努力而扩展和波动。

Now, a new Web-based company has taken it a step ___13___ and developed the first "brain training program" designed to actually help people improve and regain their mental ___14___.

现在，一家新的网络公司将事情更进一步，开发了首个“大脑训练程序”，旨在实际帮助人们改善和恢复思维敏捷度。

The Web-based program ___15___ you to systematically improve your memory and attention skills. The program keeps ___16___ of your progress and provides detailed feedback ___17___ your performance and improvement. Most importantly, it ___18___ modifies and enhances the games you play to ___19___ on the strengths you are developing - much like a(n) ___20___ exercise routine requires you to increase resistance and vary your muscle use.

这个基于网络的程序允许你系统地提高记忆力和注意力技能。该程序跟踪你的进度，并提供关于你表现和改进的详细反馈。最重要的是，它不断修改和增强你玩的游戏，以基于你正在发展的优势——就像一个有效的锻炼计划要求你增加阻力和改变肌肉使用一样。