一項新研究證實，兒時學習演奏樂器與日後思維能力的提高存在關聯。研究發現，會演奏樂器的人在認知能力測試中的表現略優於沒有演奏過樂器的人。
The physical and mental dexterity needed to master a musical instrument has long been associated with improved cognitive performance. But now, researchers at the University of Edinburgh have demonstrated it can also delay the mental decline associated with ageing.
長期以來，人們一直認為精通一種樂器所需的身體和思維靈敏度與認知能力的提高有關。但現在，愛丁堡大學的研究人員們已經證明精通樂器還有可能延緩與衰老相關的智力衰退。
The team tested more than 400 people from the Lothian birth cohort, a long-term study group set up in 1936, and found significantly higher levels of performance in both mental processing speed and visuospatial reasoning for those in their seventies and early eighties, who’d learnt to play an instrument in their youth.
該團隊對英國洛錫安地區出生人口隊列中的400名調查對象進行瞭測試，這個長期追蹤研究組於1936年設立，跟蹤研究發現在目前70多歲和80歲出頭的人群中，兒時學過樂器的人大腦處理信息的速度和視覺空間推理方面的表現都更好。
The results held up even when educational attainment and economic status were taken into account, and begs the question, could learning to play an instrument in later life have a similarly positive impact on ageing?
即便是將研究對象的受教育程度和經濟狀況納入考慮因素，上述研究結果依然成立，這就引出瞭一個的問題：長大後開始學習樂器是否會對衰老產生類似的積極影響？
The researchers are now appealing for people who’ve only started to play an instrument as adults to take part in a new study.
為此，這些研究人員正在尋找成年後才開始學習演奏樂器的人來參與一項新的研究。
詞匯表
dexterity 靈敏度
master 精通，掌握
cognitive performance 認知表現，認知能力
mental decline 認知能力衰退
cohort 人口隊列，（有共同特點的）一群人
set up 設立
mental processing speed 大腦處理信息的速度
visuospatial reasoning 視覺空間推理
held up （理論）成立，站得住腳
attainment 獲得
begs the question 引出問題，不得不問
閱讀理解：請在讀完上文後，回答下列問題。
1. Who was tested in this study?
2. What did the team find out about the people in their seventies and early eighties who were tested?
3. True or false? The results were different when education was considered.
4. Who are researchers planning to study next?
答案
1. Who was tested in this study?
More than 400 people from the Lothian birth cohort, a long-term study group set up in 1936, were tested.
2. What did the team find out about the people in their seventies and early eighties who were tested?
They found significantly higher levels of performance in both mental processing speed and visuospatial reasoning for those in their seventies and early eighties who’d learnt to play an instrument in their youth.
3. True or false? The results were different when education was considered.
False. The results held up even when educational attainment was taken into account.
4. Who are researchers planning to study next?
Researchers are now appealing for people who’ve only started to play an instrument as adults to take part in a new study.
免費試聽
填表領取25分鐘真人外師課＋英文程度分析
