Question

【题目】Green spaces within and around city schools improve the mental development of young children, a study has found. The. findings may partly be explained by reduced exposure to traffic pollution, experts believe. Other influences could include the psychological effect of having views of fields and trees rather than roads and buildings.

The Spanish researchers found each degree of increase in surrounding greenness led to a 5% improvement in the development of short-term, or working memory over a period of one year. It also improved the progress of "superior working memory”—the ability to update memories. with changing information—by 6%，and reduced inattentiveness. Computer analysis suggested that carbon from traffic might account for up to 65% of the trend.

The researchers carried out mental performance tests on 2, 593 children attending 36 primary schools in Barcelona every three months for a year. Over the study period, participants’ working memory increased by an average of 22.8%, and superior working memory by 15.2%, while inattentiveness decreased by 18. 9%.

The researchers wrote, "Approximately one half of the world population lives in cities, and by 2030, three in five persons will live in urban areas worldwide, Urban areas are a network of non-natural built-up structures with increased pollutant levels and less green environments. Children’s exposure to these pollutants has been associated with harmful impacts on their mental development. Our findings suggest a beneficial impact of greens paces exposure on mental development. "

British experts said the study was interesting, but pointed out some limitations. Professor Andy Jones, from Norwich medical school, said, “The measure of green space used was the number of plants in the neighborhoods of the children and their schools. It was not a direct measure of usable green spaces, like public parks, although they will be included. " Dr Ross Cameron, at the University of Sheffield, said, “The authors suggest a causal link between air quality and green space. They admit, however, that this factor only seems to explain part of their correlations(相互关系), ”

【1】The Spanish researchers’ study shows that the increase in surrounding greenness

A. made students become fond of studying .

B. developed students’ level of intelligence

C. could change students’ habit of memorizing

D. developed students’ ability to update information

【2】What is most related to the findings according to the computer analysis?

A. Architectural design.

B. Less exposure to traffic pollution.

C. Psychological effect of seeing green fields.

D. A decrease in the number of buildings and roads.

【3】According to the fourth paragraph, the researchers stressed .

A. the variety of future cities

B. the uncertainty of the city population

C. the importance of protecting the environment

D. the necessity of increasing green spaces in cities

【4】British experts’ attitude towards the study is

A. positive

B. objective

C. doubtful

D. uncaring

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】B

【2】B

【3】D

【4】C

【解析】本文是一篇说明文。本文主要讲了西班牙研究人员的研究发现，周围环境增加绿色可以发展学生的智力，但是英国专家对这个研究持怀疑态度。

【1】细节理解题。由第一段Green spaces within and around city schools improve the mental development of young children, a study has found.可知西班牙研究人员的研究表明周围环境增加绿色可以发展学生的智力，选B。

【2】推理判断题。由第二段Computer analysis suggested that carbon from traffic might account for up to 65% of the trend.可推知电脑分析这次调查结果和暴露在交通污染中有关系，选B。

【3】推理判断题。由第四段Children’s exposure to these pollutants has been associated with harmful impacts on their mental development. Our findings suggest a beneficial impact of greens paces exposure on mental development. "可推知研究人员强调了在城市中增加绿地的必要性，选D。

【4】推理判断题。由最后一段British experts said the study was interesting, but pointed out some limitations.可知英国专家对这个研究持怀疑态度，选C。