embarrassing when someone walks into a busy room and can’t remember people’s names. At this age you can’t concentrate as well, and you can’t focus and ignore distractions to the same extent that you used to.’


C The computerized tasks performed by the volunteers included tests of their reaction time, their memory of words, pictures and digits, and their ability to maintain concentration. What causes the decline in memory remains uncertain. One theory is that the problem is linked to the deterioration of the messaging system in the brain. It is understood that as people age, their brain cells lose some of their ability to communicate with each other via chemicals called neurotransmitters.


D However, researchers insisted that there was no cause for alarm. Dr James Semple, a brain specialist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, said that with age came experience, and a series of defence mechanisms. He said, ‘Old dogs have strategies that they can bring to mind and draw on to compensate for the loss of speed. Older people may be slowing down, but they have years of experience that they can rely on.’


E Clinical trials have showed that herbal remedies can help to improve memory among older people. A recent study found that the memory of people aged between 40 and 65 improved by 7.5% after taking supplements containing ginkgo and ginseng.


C Read the text again and match these headings with four of the paragraphs. 1. Nothing to panic about


2. Causes not clear 3. Help is at hand


4. Still able but not as quick


___ ___ ___ ___


D Cover the text and match the words 1–6 with words a–f to form common two-part nouns related to thinking and learning. Then look at the text to check.


1. general 2. poor


3. mental 4. reaction 5. brain


6. defence Writing task


A Work in pairs to collect data about your classmates, design a chart or graph, and write a report. Follow the steps below.


1. Decide what information you want your figure to show. It could be one of the following ideas or your own idea. a. your classmates’ hobbies and interests b. the year your classmates first went abroad c. countries your classmates have visited


2. Write some questions that you need to ask in order to collect the data. 3. Decide on the best way to show and compare the data – is a bar chart, a line graph, a pie chart or a table the best option?


4. Design your figure and then compare it with other students in the class. 5. Write a report describing what your figure shows. Compare your report with the reports that classmates have written.


150 Pathway to IELTS 6.0


a. times b. skills


c. intelligence d. cells


e. mechanisms f. focus


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