根据一项研究结果显示，过分依赖使用电脑和搜索引擎会使人脑的记忆力减退。以下是 Oliver Farrimond 的报道。

　　Scientists spoke to 6,000 adults in eight European countries and found that while many were able to recall phone numbers from their childhood, fewer could remember their current work numbers, or the contact details of family members.

　　About a third turned first to computers to recall information.

　　British adults seemed to be the worst affected. Only about half knew their partners' phone numbers, compared with four fifths of Italians.

　　Researchers say people have become accustomed to using digital devices as extensions of their brains, and that repeatedly looking up information does not create a lasting memory in the same way as simple recollection.

　　词汇表

  recall 回想起
  four fifths 五分之四
  accustomed to 习惯了，习惯于
  extensions 延展部分
  lasting 持久的
  recollection 记忆

　　测验

　　请听报道并回答下列问题。

1. Why are people's memories getting worse?

2. Which word means 'machines'?

3. True or false? People found it easier to remember phone numbers from long ago.

4. What percentage of Italians knew their partners' phone numbers? 

　　答案

1. Why are people's memories getting worse?
   People's memories are getting worse because they rely on using computers to look up information, which affects their ability to form new memories.

2. Which word means 'machines'?
   Devices.

3. True or false? People found it easier to remember phone numbers from long ago。
   True. They found it easier to remember numbers from their childhood.

4. What percentage of Italians knew their partners' phone numbers?
   80% of Italians knew their partners' phone numbers (four fifths).

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