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Egzamin maturalny z języka angielskiego dla absolwentów klas dwujęzycznych

TASK 5. (4 points)

Rcad the article. Four fragments have bcen removed from the text. Complete cach gap (5.1.-5.4.) with the fragment which iits 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 tliat the advantages of bilingualism are morę fundamental than being able to converse with a wider rangę 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. Rescarchers and cducators long considcrcd 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 rctricving words from the depths of memory. But this interference, rescarchers say, is indeed a blessing in disguise. Leaming 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 intemal 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 seąuence of directions while driving. Executive fiinctioning allows us to kecp a goal in mind, takc actions to achieve that goal, and to ignore other infonnation that might distract us from that goal.

The key difference between monolinguals and bilinguals is a heightened ability to monitor

the cnvironment. 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 morę efficient at it.

abridgedfrom www.nytimes.com

A. There is ample evidence that in a bilinguaTs 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 mcntally 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 nonnally make extra efforts to keep the mind sharp by solving crossword puzzles, bilingual brains are constantly exerciscd by using another language.

D. By knowing two languages, the regions of the brain that govem generał attention and cognitive control are morę 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.

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