12．A strong memory depends on the health and vitality （活力） of your brain．They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks，but when it comes to the brain，scientists have discovered that this old saying simply isn't true．（36）G
Give your brain a workout．Memory，like muscular strength，requires you to"use it or lose it"．The more you work out your brain，the better you'll be able to process and remember information．（37）F
Don't skip the physical exercise．While mental exercise is important for brain health，that doesn't mean you never need to break a sweat．Physical exercise helps your brain stay sharp．It increases oxygen to your brain and reduces the risk for disorders that lead to memory loss．
Get enough sleep．There is a big difference between the amount of sleep you can get by on and the amount you need to function at your best．（38）E
Keep stress in check．Stress is one of the brain's worst enemies．Over time，stress destroys brain cells．Studies have also linked stress to memory loss．
Have a laugh．（39）C That holds true for the brain and the memory，as well as the body．Unlike emotional responses，which are limited to specific areas of the brain，laughter engages multiple regions across the whole brain．
（40）AJust as the body needs fuel，so does the brain．You probably already know that a diet based on fruits，vegetables，whole grains，"healthy"fats and lean protein will provide lots of health benefits，but such a diet can also improve memory．For brain health，though，it's not just what you eat-it's also what you don't eat．
A．Eat a brain-boosting diet．
B．Play games with memory．
C．Laughter is the best medicine．
D．But oversleeping is not good for your brain．
E．Even skipping a few hours makes a difference!
F．You have to shake things up from time to time!
G．The human brain has an astonishing ability to adapt and change．
分析 本文是一篇选句填空阅读，属于科普类短文，强大的内存取决于你的健康和活力大脑，有句老话说，你不能教老狗学新把戏，但当涉及到大脑，科学家们发现，这个老话说的根本不是事实．本文以此展开讨论，讲述了了增强大脑记忆力．就像锻炼身体一样，大脑也是可以通过锻炼变得更强大．
解答 36．答案：G．根据上文提到They say that you can't teach an old dog new tricks，but when it comes to the brain，scientists have discovered that this old saying simply isn't true他们说老人很难适应新的事物，当提到大脑时，科学家们发现这个谚语是不对的，故选G人类的大脑有令人吃惊的接受和改变的能力．故选G．
37．答案：F．根据上文提到The more you work out your brain，the better you'll be able to process and remember information．你用得越多，你就能记得更多的内容，故选F你需要时不时来复习．故选F．
38．答案：E．根据上文提到There is a big difference between the amount of sleep you can get by on and the amount you need to function at your best足够的睡觉是十分重要的，故选E甚至是跳跃一段时间是有重要的．故选E．
39．答案：C．根据标题Have a laugh大笑，故选C笑是最好的良药．故选C．
40．答案：A．根据下文提到Just as the body needs fuel，so does the brain身体需要能量，大脑也需要，故选A吃一些补脑食物．故选A．
点评 本文是一篇选句填空阅读，主要考查学生对文章内容理解及上下文联系，做题时，应仔细阅读原文，对照原文内容结合所给选项含义，联系上下文，从而得出正确答案．切忌胡乱猜测，一定要做到有理有据．
