Question

【題目】Directions: Read the following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.

The Benefits of Being Bilingual

At one time being bilingual was thought to slow down brain development, although it is now known to have many benefits. Aside from professional and social benefits, studies show that the process of learning a second language actually strengthens some areas of the brain.

To start off with, a study done at the University of British Columbia shows that babies exposed to two languages before birth don’t confuse the languages. Moreover, it showed that the effort it takes to keep the languages separate improves perception.

The benefits aren’t only for people who grow up bilingual, however. Anyone who learns a second language during their lifetime will have certain advantages. For one, Swedish scientists found that the brain grows during language learning, particularly the area where memories are created.

Not only does the brain grow, but language learners also improve in many areas. They are good at multitasking while paying detailed attention to each task. Additionally they strengthen their math skills, listening skills, ability to focus, problem-solving skills, reading and vocabulary in their native language, and their memory increases. In the area of math, a study done at the University of Washington shows that bilinguals solve new math problems half a second faster than monolinguals.

Language learning also has huge benefits for old age. Brian Gold of the University of Kentucky did a study comparing the ability of bilingual seniors and monolingual seniors to do an attention-switching task. Usually this skill fails with age. However the bilingual seniors performed better than the monolinguals, and their brains worked less hard and more efficiently.

Neuroscientists (神經(jīng)系統(tǒng)科學(xué)家) think that having more brainpower at an older age helps protect us from Alzheimer’s. Current medication for Alzheimer’s only delays it for 6-12 months, while learning a new language delays it for 4-5 years. Again, this is not only for people who learn a second language from birth. Even if you don’t learn another language until after middle age it helps. Language learning keeps your brain active and “fit”.

Answer 1

【答案】Being bilingual, though once considered to be a barrier to brain development, is known to benefit those speaking two languages from birth, enhancing perception, and those learning another language later in life, improving their memories and various other skills. It also has long-term benefits for the old, keeping their brain active in thinking.

【解析】

這是一篇概要寫作。本文是說明文，主要介紹了雙語的好處。

概要寫作基本按照兩步走，一是解讀文本，二是遣詞成文。①解讀文本，梳理主旨。本文的體裁是說明文，介紹了雙語的好處。結(jié)合說明文文體特點，將主題句直觀歸納法和關(guān)鍵詞整合歸納法相結(jié)合，對文本的主旨大意進(jìn)行梳理解讀。

文章第一部分（第1段）介紹了對雙語現(xiàn)象過去和現(xiàn)在的研究情況的介紹。通過整合關(guān)鍵詞at one time, slow down ,brain development, now, many benefits.可歸納出段落大意：Bilingual, once considered to be a barrier to brain development, is now known to have many benefits.

第二部分（第2段，第3段，第4段，第5段，第6段）描述了雙語的好處。第2段談到了對孩子的好處。通過整合關(guān)鍵詞：babies, exposed to two languages before birth, don’t confuse the languages, improves perception可以歸納出段落大意：Babies involved in two languages before birth don’t confuse the languages, but also improve their perception.第3段通過關(guān)鍵詞aren’t only for, anyone, have certain advantages可以歸納段落大意：The benefits is also helpful to people learning a second language.第4段，結(jié)合首句可以得出段意：Learners not only grows the brains, but also improve in many areas. 第5段，首句為中心句，所以段意為 Language learning also has huge benefits for old age.第6段，末句為總結(jié)句，所以段意可以概括為：Language learning keeps your brain active and “fit”

②遣詞成文。綜上描述，雙語的好處應(yīng)該從孩子出生后的認(rèn)知，對第二語言的學(xué)習(xí)，對生活，對老人的幫助四個方面來描述總結(jié)。