How Does Watching Sport Influence the Brain?
Read How Does Watching Sport Influence the Brain? and check the IELTS Reading answers. During the epoch when the poet Homer unveiled his grand epic, the ancient Greeks initiated a festival where men contended in a race of roughly 200 metres. The victor would be rewarded with a symbolic olive branch…
Passage preview
During the epoch when the poet Homer unveiled his grand epic, the ancient Greeks initiated a festival where men contended in a race of roughly 200 metres. The victor would be rewarded with a symbolic olive branch. This event, known as the Olympics, has transcended its humble origins to embody the human quest for progress. The captivating nature of these games raises an intriguing question: what exactly draws us in as spectators? Is it the thrill of competition, the beauty of human movement, or something happening within our brains?
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- delineate verb
To describe or portray something precisely; to indicate the exact position of a border or boundary
The study attempts to delineate the factors contributing to economic inequality.
- groundbreaking adjective
Innovative; pioneering; introducing new ideas or methods
The scientist received an award for her groundbreaking research in genetics.
- harness verb
To control and make use of (natural resources), especially to produce energy; to utilize effectively
The organization hopes to harness the creativity of its employees to solve the crisis.
- ingrained adjective
Firmly fixed or established; difficult to change (often referring to habits, beliefs, or attitudes)
Cultural values are often deeply ingrained in an individual from a young age.
- internalise verb
To make (attitudes or behaviour) part of one's nature by learning or unconscious assimilation
Children often internalise the values and prejudices of their parents.
- intricate adjective
Very complicated or detailed; having many complexly interrelating parts or elements
The watch mechanism was an intricate assembly of tiny gears and springs.
- meticulously adverb
In a way that shows great attention to detail; very thoroughly and precisely
The laboratory samples were meticulously labelled to ensure the accuracy of the experiment.
- repository noun
A place, building, or receptacle where things are or may be stored; a central location for data
Libraries serve as a vast repository of human knowledge and history.
- resonance noun
The quality in a sound of being deep, full, and reverberating; figuratively, the power to evoke enduring images or emotions
The politician's speech had a strong resonance with working-class voters.
- transcend verb
To go beyond the range or limits of a field of activity or conceptual framework; to surpass
Great literature often transcends the cultural context in which it was written.
Answers with explanations
- 27. F
The question asks for reasons why watching sport brings **emotional satisfaction**. The paragraph discusses how spectators tune in for the 'emotional roller coaster' and 'human drama', and explains that this **emotional connection** is rooted in mirror neurons that allow us to share in the emotion of triumphs.
- 28. B
The question asks for an explanation of why **beginners** struggle. The text explains that **novices** find the tasks to be a 'nearly impossible challenge' because they rely on **conscious effort** and use different brain regions compared to experts, directly explaining the source of their struggle.
- 29. E
The question asks for a factor that helps **maintain peak performance** or enhance ability alongside mirroring. The text states that mirror neurons enable observers to **enhance their athletic abilities** through observation, acting as a factor that improves performance (e.g., bolstering running speed).
- 30. C
The question asks for a **comparison** between human and primate mirror neurons. The text explicitly contrasts primates with **humans**, stating that humans possess an **even more intricate** mirror neuron system. This direct comparison matches the question requirements.
- 31. E
The question asks about **integrating visual and motor processes**. The text describes the 'direct matching hypothesis' where we must **align** (integrate) the **visual representation** of an action with our own **motor representation**. This perfectly matches the concept of integration described.
- 32. D
The question asks for a reference to the **first discovery** of this brain activity. The text states that the neural mirroring was **initially identified** in **1954**, providing the specific historical reference to the first discovery.
- 33. D
The correct answer states they perform actions **without conscious contemplation**. The text confirms that for experts, the swing requires **no conscious control** and occurs like an 'autopilot'. Distractors referring to planning (A) or analysis (C) are incorrect as the text emphasizes the lack of conscious thought.
- 34. B
The correct answer is that it illustrates the **improvement of sporting ability**. The text uses the example to show that watching a golfer **improves our own golfing skills**. Other options about consciousness or love for golf are not the specific point being illustrated by this example.
- 35. C
The correct answer is to **experience intense positive emotions**. The text explicitly states the **principal motivation** ('Most spectators tune in for...') is the **emotional roller coaster** and **human drama**. This outweighs motivations like technical analysis or professional ambition.
- 36. YES
The statement claims Homer's poetry emerged in the **same historical period** as the Olympics. The text confirms this by stating the festival was initiated **during the epoch** when Homer unveiled his epic. Answer: YES.
- 37. NO
The statement claims there is **no discernible link** to unrelated neurons. The text contradicts this by stating actions are **intertwined** with neurons in the premotor cortex and mentions novices use **adjacent** brain regions. This suggests a complex connection, not a lack of links. Answer: NO.
- 38. NO
The statement claims spectators can achieve **flawless golf swings merely by watching**. The text directly **contradicts** this, stating that for **novices** (who watch), the task remains a **nearly impossible challenge** requiring conscious effort. Watching alone is insufficient for flawless performance. Answer: NO.
- 39. NG
The statement discusses what **some neuroscientists believe** about specific experimental conditions. The text simply states that mirror neurons **remain silent** with static images. It does not confirm or deny the existence of scientists who believe otherwise under specific conditions. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 40. YES
The statement claims the mu system is **suppressed** during **dynamic activity**. The text confirms the signal is active during stillness but **dissipating** (suppressed) when we undertake **active pursuits**. Answer: YES.