Unit Review & Progress Test

Unit review — Neuroscience & Brain Research

Al finalizar esta unidad, deberías ser capaz de discutir temas complejos relacionados con la neurociencia y el funcionamiento del cerebro utilizando un léxico especializado y preciso. Habrás desarrollado la habilidad de navegar entre registros formales (académicos) e informales, permitiéndote tanto comprender artículos científicos como participar en debates intelectuales.

En cuanto a la gramática, deberías dominar la consistencia de los tiempos verbales al narrar descubrimientos científicos o plantear hipótesis complejas. Serás capaz de alternar con naturalidad entre el pasado (para describir experimentos realizados) y los condicionales (para especular sobre implicaciones futuras o teóricas), manteniendo la coherencia estructural en todo momento.

Grammar consolidation

Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. Use between three and six words.

1. If we hadn't discovered neuroplasticity, our understanding of recovery would be limited. WITHOUT Our understanding of recovery would have been limited ________ the discovery of neuroplasticity.

2. I didn't know the brain was so adaptable, so I was surprised by the results. HAD If I ________ the brain was so adaptable, I wouldn't have been so surprised by the results.

3. The researchers were in the middle of the experiment when the power went out. WHILE The power went out ________ the researchers were conducting the experiment.

4. It is possible that the patient's memory loss was caused by the lesion. MIGHT The patient's memory loss ________ by the lesion.

5. Scientists thought the brain stopped developing in adulthood, but they were wrong. TURNED The belief that the brain stopped developing in adulthood ________ to be false.

Identify and correct the error in each sentence.

6. If the stimulus was stronger, the neurons would reacted more quickly.
7. By the time the study was published, many scientists already discovered the link.
8. I wish I would have known about the implications of the research earlier.

Rewrite the sentence using the word provided to maintain the same meaning.

9. UNLESS We will not understand consciousness if we don't map every neural pathway. We will not understand consciousness ________ every neural pathway is mapped.

10. SUPPOSE What would happen if we could upload human consciousness to a computer? ________ we could upload human consciousness to a computer, what would happen?

Vocabulary activation

A. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the word in capital letters.

1. The _____ of the brain remains one of science's greatest mysteries. (MYSTERY)
2. Recent studies have highlighted the _____ between sleep and memory consolidation. (CORRELATE)
3. The patient showed significant _____ after the rehabilitation programme. (IMPROVE)
4. Scientists are working to _____ the complex processes of the human mind. (DECIPHER)

B. Choose the correct collocation to complete the sentence.

5. The study provided _____ evidence that the prefrontal cortex is involved in decision-making. a) heavy / b) overwhelming / c) tall
6. Researchers are trying to _____ the link between genetics and behaviour. a) bridge / b) make / c) connect
7. There is a _____ understanding of how neurotransmitters work. a) broad / b) wide / c) vast
8. The discovery of new neurons challenged the _____ belief that we are born with all the brain cells we will ever have.

C. Match the term to its definition.

9. Synaptic pruning | A. The ability of the brain to change and adapt.
10. Neuroplasticity | B. The process of eliminating extra neurons to increase efficiency.
11. Cognitive decline | C. The physical structure of the brain.
12. Brain anatomy | D. The gradual loss of mental faculties.

Integrated skills task

Source Text: The Myth of the Static Brain

For decades, the prevailing scientific consensus was that the adult brain was a static organ. It was believed that once we reached adulthood, our neural networks were fixed, and no new neurons could be generated. This "static brain" theory suggested that cognitive decline was an inevitable, irreversible process.

However, groundbreaking research into neuroplasticity has completely overturned this notion. We now know that the brain is incredibly dynamic, capable of reorganising itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This plasticity allows the brain to compensate for injury and to learn new skills even in old age. While this discovery offers immense hope for rehabilitation, it also raises complex ethical questions regarding how we might eventually "engineer" intelligence or manipulate memory.

Writing Task

Instrucciones: Basándote en el texto anterior, escribe un ensayo de respuesta (180-220 palabras). Debes analizar las implicaciones de la neuroplasticidad tanto para la medicina como para la ética. ¿Crees que el potencial de "manipular" la inteligencia es un riesgo que la humanidad debería asumir? Utiliza un registro formal y vocabulario de nivel C1.

Speaking checkpoint

1. Compare: Compare the traditional view of the brain (as a static organ) with the modern understanding of neuroplasticity.
2. Speculate: If humans could significantly enhance their neuroplasticity through technology, how might society change?
3. Evaluate: Evaluate the importance of neuroplasticity in the field of stroke rehabilitation.
4. Justify: Some argue that mapping the brain is an invasion of privacy. Justify whether you think brain research should be strictly regulated.
5. Speculate: How might our understanding of the brain change in the next fifty years?
6. Evaluate: Discuss the pros and cons of using neurotechnology to boost cognitive performance in students.

Self-assessment rubric

Answer key

Grammar consolidation 1. without the 2. had not known 3. while 4. might have been caused 5. turned out 6. would react (should be: would have reacted) 7. already discovered (should be: had already discovered) 8. I wish I had known (should be: I wish I had known) 9. unless every 10. Suppose

Vocabulary activation 1. mysteries 2. correlation 3. improvement 4. decipher 5. b) overwhelming 6. a) bridge 7. b) wide 8. long-held (or established) 9. B 10. A 11. D 12. C