黄连英 钟翠频

Many of our memory systems are driven by one single， powerful urge： to survive. We seem to be hard-wired to remember routes， so we can navigate our local environments safely. We’re also naturally talented at recognizing faces. Ever since we lived in groups， we humans have needed to know who’s “part of the pack”， and who isn’t， as a vital part of staying safe.

And we’re excellent at remembering things that might put our wellbeing at risk. A recent research study showed that we’re remarkably accurate at recalling anything connected with infection. “Negative feelings can nudge your brain，” says our memory expert， Jonathan Hancock. Even imaginary dangers can sharpen our memory skills.

In the study， volunteers were shown a set of objects that they would be tested on later. But there was a twist. Some of the items were held by a researcher who was said to have COVID. And guess what？ Those “infected” objects proved to be significantly easier to recall. None of the volunteers would ever have to touch those things themselves. But their minds still prioritized them， locking in the information for later—just in case it could keep them safe.

And it’s a reflex （反射作用） that you can use to your advantage. When you’ve got something important to remember， why not “tag” it with one of those unpleasant feelings that your brain can’t help holding on to？ Worried about forgetting the milk from your shopping list？ Picture the bottle， and imagine opening it only to discover that it’s weeks out of date. Think about how it would look—and smell！ Thanks to the power of disgust， you’ll have a much better chance of remembering the fresh milk you need.

Don’t try this technique too often， though， or you’ll end up always feeling on edge！ But， in those moments when your memory needs a boost， a small bit of revulsion （反感） can be very healthy for your recall.

（材料出自Reader’s Digest，有刪改）

1. Why can we remember faces？

A. To show the talent. B. To be more sociable.

C. To train our memory. D. To get rid of dangers.

2. What can we infer about a better memory of buying milk？

A. It’s second to none to make a shopping list.

B. It’s beneficial to recall the pretty milk bottle.

C. It’s alternative to draw a picture of delicious milk.

D. It’s effective to imagine the smelly milk out of date.

3. What does the text mainly tell us？

A. Unpleasant feelings can boost our memory.

B. Imaginary dangers can benefit us completely.

C. Those “infected” objects may be hard to recall.

D. People may touch the items with infection to keep safe.

4. In which section of a newspaper may this text appear？

A. Sports. B. Health.

C. Literature. D. Entertainment.

【参考答案】

1. D。解析：细节理解题。根据文章第一段最后一个句子“...as a vital part of staying safe.”，我们可知，自从我们开启集体生活，我们人类就需要知道谁是“群体的一部分”，这是保持安全的重要组成部分。因而，我们能记住人们的面孔，是为了保持安全，远离危险。故选D。

2. D。解析：推理判断题。根据文章第四段最后一个句子“Thanks to the power of disgust， you’ll have a much better chance of remembering the fresh milk you need.（多亏了厌恶的力量，你更有可能记住你需要的鲜奶。）”，我们可知，想象过期的臭牛奶，对更好地记住买鲜奶是有效的。故选D。

3. A。解析：主旨大意题。根据文章第二段，我们可知，我们非常善于记住那些可能危及我们健康的事情。比如，一项研究表明，我们在回忆任何与感染有关的东西时都非常准确。由此推测，本文应该是告诉我们“消极的情绪会刺激我们的大脑，有利于增强人们的记忆”。故选A。

4. B。解析：推理判断题。根据篇章首句“Many of our memory systems are driven by one single， powerful urge： to survive.（我们的许多记忆系统都是由一种强大的冲动驱动的：生存。）”和尾句“But， in those moments when your memory needs a boost， a small bit of revulsion can be very healthy for your recall.（在你的记忆需要增强的時候，一点点的厌恶对你的回忆是非常有益的。）”，我们可知，本文最有可能出现在一份报纸的健康版块。故选B。