1.Read the text and answer the questions.
Theories about how brain works remain a topic of debate. It is agreed, though, that the hippocampus, a part of the brain, is undeniably important for memory. When we experience something, the information is sent via our senses to the hippocampus, where it is processed. Scientists believe that brain cells called neurons first transform the sensory stimuli we experience into images in our immediate memory. Then, these images are sent to the hippocampus and stored temporarily in short term memory. In the hippocampus information is organized, and it is during this process that parts of the image of our experience fade away. Finally, certain information is then transferred to long term memory in a section in the frontal lobe of the brain known as the cerebral cortex. Scientists think this process may happen while we are sleeping, but exactly how the information is transferred from one area of the brain to another is a mystery.
1. This reading is mainly concerned with —-.
A) how to improve our memory
B) why some of the information in short term memory fades away
C) illness that results in severe memory loss
D) how human brain processes and stores information
E) the importance of neurons in transferring sensory stimuli
2. According to the passage scientists —-.
A) know that information is sent from the long term memory to the hippocampus
B) have found out why some of the information is lost in the hippocampus
C) don’t know exactly how the information is transferred from one area of the brain to another
D) agree on how the brain works
E) still debate whether the hippocampus is important for memory
3. It is pointed out in the reading that —-.
A) the brain was not considered as a highly complex organ in the past
B) damage to hippocampus doesn’t cause memory loss
C) all of the information stored in the short term is transferred to long time memory
D) hippocampus is in the frontal lobe of he brain
E) scientists agree that the hippocampus is important in processing information.
1.2. People With Extraordinary Abilities
Fictional stories about people who have extraordinary abilities have always attracted people’s attention. One of them is the story of Vera Petrova, who is able to perceive things with different parts of her skin, and through solid walls. One day she comes into his father’s office and puts her hands on the door of a locked safe. Suddenly she asks her father why he keeps so many old newspapers locked away there. Vera’s curious talent is brought to the notice of a scientific research institute and she is given a series of tests by a special commission. During these tests she manages to read a newspaper through an opaque screen and then she describes the figures and colors of a picture hidden under a carpet. During all these tests Vera is blindfolded; and, indeed, except when blindfolded she lacks the ability to perceive things with her skin. It was also found that although she could perceive things with her fingers, this ability ceased the moment her hands were wet.
1. As we understand from the reading, Vera Petrova —-.
A) can only perceive things with her fingers
B) is a curious child
C) is not the only fictional character who has extraordinary abilities
D) fails most of the tests administered by a special commission
E) perceives the objects only when her fingers are wet
2. It is pointed out in the reading that Vera Petrova loses the ability to perceive objects with her fingers —-.
A) when her father first notices this ability
B) when she is asked to read a newspaper through an opaque screen
C) after she is given a series of tests
D) as soon as her hands get wet
E) when the object is hidden under a carpet
3. According to the reading, —-.
A) Vera Petrova’s father asks her why she keeps the old newspapers in the locked safe
B) the scientific research institute is not interested in Vera Petrova’s talent
C) Vera can’t perceive objects with her skin unless she is blindfold
D) there are several scientific research institutes which examine people like Vera
E) the special commission is made up by people who can also perceive objects with their skin
2. Fill in few or little into the gaps.
1. He likes a little sugar for his tea.
2. My parents will be home in a fill minutes.
3. She told me a fill about her life in Los Angeles.
4. I can’t come because there’s still a little work to do.
5. They only sang a fill songs on the festival.
6. She invited a lot of girls and a little boys to her party.
7. There’ll probably be a little rain on Sunday.
8. They are good students, but they have a fill problems with maths.
9. A little of his movies became very successful.
10. We get a little extra pocket money from our grandma.
11. I’m going to meet a fill friends this afternoon.
12. There were only a fill rainy days in January.
13. Little do we know about his early years in Paris.
14. There’s little crime in the country where I live.
15. They need a fill luck to win the final.
16. We stayed only for a fill days before moving on.
17. There were only a little cars on the highway last night.
18. They had little new ideas, but I didn’t like any.
19. Your mum needs a fill help with the housework.
20. I read a little chapters last night before I fell asleep.
5.Talking Points, answer the questions below.
- What do you use the computer for?
I use computers mainly for gathering information about lessons and material. And when I listen to music and so on, I use the phone.
2. Does the computer save time?
Not for me. Explain why. Since downloading important documents or gathering information about any material I spend a lot of time on what I can’t say about the phone.
3. On the desert island, would you pefer a human or a computer for company, why?
4. Has you life changed since you started using computers
In my opinion yes and many. Explain why. Creating a computer has both good and bad sides. It’s good that people have the opportunity to study people, animals, creatures, etc., whatever they want, without any difficulty. But it also has its disadvantages, people have forgotten about interdependence and relationships. In everyday life, people use cybercrime, the Internet, but forget about that relationship in one place.
7. Speak about your future plans.
Questions that will help you:
1.Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’ve been thinking for a long time about what I want to be when I grow up. I had a lot of thoughts about dance as well as design, but my choice fell on the translator. Immediately after graduating from high school, I will study at Yerevan State University of Linguistics and Social Sciences after Valery Brusov.
2.Do you want to study and work here in Armenia or abroad?
After mastering my profession, I will continue to work in Armenia, because I don’t think I will get more knowledge and money abroad. And if every Armenian thinks that his education will continue well abroad, because there are no conditions in Armenia that are abroad, then the Armenians will gradually decrease.
3.What are you doing this year to move you toward your dreams?
To achieve my goal, I try to work hard, learn to achieve my goals and dreams, and live up to my parents’ hopes.
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