1. (2021高一上·桂林开学考) 阅读理解

If English means endless new words, difficult grammar and sometimes strange pronunciation, you are wrong. Haven't you noticed that you have become smarter since you started to learn a language?

According to a new study by a British university, learning a second language can lead to an increase in your brain power. Researchers found that learning other languages changes grey matter. This is the area of the brain which processes information. It is similar to the way that exercise builds muscles.

The study also found the younger people learn a second language, the better the effect is. A team led by Dr. Andrea Mechelli, from University College London, took a group of Britons who only spoke English. They were compared with a group of "early bilinguals" who had learnt a second language before the age of five, as well as a number of later learners. Scans showed that grey matter density (密度) in the brain was greater in bilinguals than in people without a second language. But the longer a person waited before mastering a new language, the smaller the difference was.

"Our findings suggest that the structure of the brain is changed by the experience of learning a second language," said the scientists. It means that the change itself increases the ability to learn.

Professor Dylan Vanghan Jones of the University of Wales, has researched the link between bilingualism and math skills. "Having two languages gives you two windows on the world and makes the brain more flexible.(灵活的) " he said, "You are actually going beyond language and have a better understanding of different ideas."

The findings were matched in: a study of native Italian speakers who had learned English as a second language between 2 and 34. Reading, writing.and comprehension were all tested. The results showed that the younger they started to learn, the better. "Studying a language means you get an entrance to another world." explained the scientists.

1. （1） The main subject talked about in this passage is ________.

   A . science on learning a second language B . man's ability of learning a second language C . findings that language learning can help brain power D . language learning and math study
3. （2） The last sentence of the second paragraph is intended to ________.

   A . say language learning is also a kind of physical labor B . prove that one needs more practice when he (she) is learning a language C . show the importance of using muscles when you learn a language D . make people believe language learning helps grey matter work well
5. （3） We may know from the scientific findings that ________.

   A . the earlier you start to learn a second language, the higher the grey matter density is B . there is no difference between a later second language learner and one who doesn't know a second language C . the experience of learning a second language has bad effects on people's brain D . the ability of learning a second language is changing all the time
7. （4） The underlined word "bilinguals" probably means ________.

   A . researchers on language learning B . people who are good at learning foreign languages C . people who can speak two languages D . active language learners