New findings suggest that brainy card games such as contract bridge may temporarily(临时地) raise production of a key blood cell including in fighting off illness. After 90 minutes of play, bridge players had increased levels of immune(免疫) cells, according to the research reported last week.
A researcher, Diamond, studied bridge players from a women’s bridge club. She chose bridge players because the game includes skills stimulating(刺激) a part of the brain called the dorsolateral cortex. Earlier animal research suggests that this part of the brain may play a role in the immune system.
The findings are based on blood samples drawn from 12 women players. Their blood samples showed a rise in levels of white blood cells called T cells after they played bridge for 90 minutes. T cells are produced by the thymus gland(胸腺) and used by the immune system against diseases.
The T cell count jumped significantly in eight of the bridge players, and slightly in the other four. The findings contribute to the field of neuroimmunology(神经免疫学), whose name reflects the fact that the nervous system and the immune system are not considered separate and isolated(独立的) systems. What isn’t clear is whether the help to the immune system from an activity like contract bridge is lasting or temporary. It is also not clear whether the increase in T cells could finally be targeted against special illnesses.
1. Playing bridge can help one to fight off diseases because it can _______.
A. raise production of a key blood cell B. make people joyful
C. aid digestion D. make break away from the bad habits
2. Diamond chose to study bridge players for the research because _______.
A. the players are good friends of hers B. she loves playing bridge
C. this game stimulates a part of the brain that has something to do with immune system
D. she is a clever manager, who operates her bridge club well
3. A T cell is _______ cell.
A. a brain B. a white blood C. a red blood D. a kind of dangerous blood
4. Which of the following is true according to this article?
A. The immune system and the brain system used to be considered separate and isolated systems.
B. The help to the immune system that is brought about by playing bridge can last for a long time.
C. Cortex is a kind of blood cell. D. The new findings are impossible.
【答案与解释】Diamond 通过对打桥牌的12名女士的血液抽样调查研究，发现神经系统与免疫系统不是分别独立的。人们从事智力游戏时，白细胞大量增加，对免疫系统有促进作用。
1. A。主旨题。从文章的第 1 句话中可知答案。
2. C。细节题。从第 2 段第 2 句话中可知答案。
3. B。细节题。从第 3 段第 2 句话中可知答案。
4. A。判断题。从第 4 段第 2 句中可找到正确答案。
热点推荐：
公共英语等级考试PETS1-PETS5模拟试题汇总（680套）
备考有问题？加入公共英语考试群535346739
有专业的老师提供备考指导，助你通关拿证，还可以和考友一起交流！
取证热点：
：2020年公共英语不用盲目备考，网校教研团队精心打造高通关套餐班，密训锁分，保障快捷通关!2020年公共英语锁分套餐班强势推出，精锐老师分题型专项辅导，听说读写稳步质变>>课程试听！
