TASK 5. (4 points)
Read the article. Four fragments have been removed from the text. Complete each gap
(5.1.-5.4.) with the fragment which fits best and put the appropriate letter (A-E) in the
gap. There is one fragment which you do not need to use.
WHY BILINGUALS ARE SMARTER
Speaking two languages has obvious practical benefits in the globalized world. In recent years,
scientists have begun to show that the advantages of bilingualism are more fundamental than
being able to converse with a wider range of people. Being bilingual not only makes you smarter,
but it can also have a profound effect on your brain. 5.1. Both of these are crucial as they
make it easier to build up on a single idea and come to a conclusion after scrutinizing various
arguments.
This view of bilingualism is remarkably different from the understanding of bilingualism
through much of the 20th century. Researchers and educators long considered a second language
to cause interference that hindered a child’s academic and intellectual development. They were
not wrong about the interference. 5.2. That’s why bilinguals might often be slightly slower
at retrieving words from the depths of memory. But this interference, researchers say, is indeed
a blessing in disguise. Learning how to cope with it - having to toggle back and forth between
different forms of description - comes with lasting benefits. It forces the brain to resolve internal
conflict, giving the mind a workout.
The evidence from a number of studies suggests that the bilingual experience improves the
brain’s so-called executive function. 5.3. Another example is switching attention willfully
from one thing to another and holding information in mind - like remembering a sequence of
directions while driving. Executive functioning allows us to keep a goal in mind, take actions to
achieve that goal, and to ignore other information that might distract us from that goal.
The key difference between monolinguals and bilinguals is a heightened ability to monitor
the environment. 5.4. In a study comparing German-Italian bilinguals with Italian
monolinguals, it was found that the bilingual subjects not only performed better, but they also did
so with less activity in the parts of the brain involved in monitoring, indicating that they were
more efficient at it.
abridged from www.nytimes.com
A. There is ample evidence that in a bilingual’s brain both language systems are constantly
active even when only one language is being used. The joint activity may lead to
situations in which one system obstructs the other.
B. This is a command system that directs the attention processes that we use for planning,
problem solving and performing various other mentally demanding tasks. These processes
include, for instance, ignoring distractions when we want to stay focused.
C. Such tasks enable the brain to exercise cognitive muscles. Whereas people normally make
extra efforts to keep the mind sharp by solving crossword puzzles, bilingual brains are
constantly exercised by using another language.
D. By knowing two languages, the regions of the brain that govern general attention and
cognitive control are more stimulated, compared with someone who is monolingual.
Cognitive flexibility results in good inductive and deductive reasoning skills.
E. The latter have to switch languages quite often - you may talk to your father in one
language and to your mother in the other. It requires keeping track of changes around you
in the same way that we observe our surroundings when driving.
TRANSFER YOUR ANSWERS TO THE ANSWER SHEET!
8
Gapped text, 'Why bilinguals are smarter'. 5.1 needs a sentence introducing two reasoning skills before 'Both of these are crucial' -> D '... Cognitive flexibility results in good inductive and deductive reasoning skills.' 5.2 explains the interference just mentioned, leading into 'That's why bilinguals might be slightly slower at retrieving words' -> A 'both language systems are constantly active ... one system obstructs the other.' 5.3 defines 'executive function' right before 'Another example is switching attention...' continues the list of examples -> B 'a command system that directs the attention processes ... including ignoring distractions.' 5.4 leads into the German-Italian bilinguals study about monitoring/switching languages -> E 'The latter have to switch languages quite often ... keeping track of changes around you ... as when driving.' Unused: C (crossword-puzzle analogy).
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