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6d 1 Read

Α. Discuss.
• Do you know any interesting facts about the brain?
• What do you think are some of the best ways to keep your brain healthy?

B. Read the interview and match the questions (1-4) with the answers (a-d).
Then listen and check your answers.
Then listen and check your answers.
1. What’s the best way to train the brain?
2. What do we know about the size of the human brain?
3. Which hemisphere of the brain controls language and speech?
4. Which kinds of food help the brain the most?

Human Fac s Search...

Interview Health Science Research News Contact
Ho much do

ou no bou

h br in?

Dr Robert Parker is a neuroscientist—a scientist who studies
how the brain works—and he answered some of our questions.

a © MM Publications
When we are born, the brain weighs about 400 grams; it continues to grow in size
1.4 kg until about the age of fourteen. The human brain is similar to other mammals’
brains, but if we compare brain size to body size, the human brain is larger. The
average fully grown human brain weighs about 1.4 kilos—that’s 2% of our total body
weight. An elephant’s brain, however, weighs about ive kilos, but that’s only around
0.1% of its total weight. This means that the size of the human brain is incredible!

b
Well, food is fuel for the brain. If there is a lack of it, the brain doesn’t work
properly. However, what we eat is important too. Eating a lot of ‘brain food’, like
fruit, vegetables, nuts and ish is good for the health of the brain. These kinds of
food have all the necessary vitamins for a strong brain. They help improve our
memory and mood, and they also help us concentrate better. It’s also important to
avoid food with a lot of sugar if we want to keep our brain healthy.
c

The brain is divided into two parts: the left and right hemispheres. Each hemisphere
is responsible for di ferent things. The left hemisphere controls the right side of the
body and abilities like speech, writing and language learning. The right hemisphere
controls the left side of the body as well as our feelings and creativity. However, the
hemispheres communicate with each other to help us do things.

d

Well, by staying active, of course! Exercising helps our heart and body, and it
always helps our brain too. When we exercise, more oxygen reaches the brain. We
should also do di ferent kinds of activities, like learning new languages, solving
maths problems or doing crossword puzzles. These activities are challenges for
our brain. When we use our brain like this, we’re actually giving it a workout.

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