Make Your Brain Smarter (1)

Tips for developing an exercise plan for your brain
You know that eating a sensible diet and getting plenty of exercise help make your body healthy and strong.
But did you know that there are ways to make your brain healthier and smarter?

Studies show that when the brain is compelled to do something new, it creates new neural pathways. The more pathways you have, the faster you can think and the better memory you will have.

Ten steps toward a smarter brain

Limit your TV viewing
Watching an average TV show requires very little brain power and brings the same result as neglecting physical exercise. Your brain will become weak just as your muscles do. If you watch TV, choose something educational and informative.

Travel
Traveling to a new country forces you to see and do things in a new way, providing stimulation to the brain.

Learn a new language
Acquiring a new language involves different learning methods. Learning a language sharpens your brain and helps prevent memory problems in later years.

Master a new subject
Each week, select an animal, a bird or a fish, and read everything you can about it.
Stretch your brain as you become an expert on the subject.

Grammar Gym
"Watching an average TV show requires very little brain power and brings the same result as neglecting physical exercise."
[doing something] requires [something] and brings the same result as [doing something else].
- The new kind of artificial lawn requires very little care and brings the same result as having real grass.
- Taking care of a cactus requires very little effort and brings the same result as having other kinds of plants.

Info cloud
Teaching Topic: All About Brains
Teaching Topic: All About Brains

As we go through today's lesson, I'm sure we all hope to have a healthy and smart brain.
But maybe you are already a brain.

Ahh... there's something for thought. We all have a brain, but can we also be a brain?

Well, if you're super smart, get straight A's in school, then people will probably call you "a brain."

Or even a "super brain" which is a highly intelligent person, like Albert Einstein.

Yes, Einstein was definitely a brain.
But if you're not a brain, don't worry.
Most of us aren't.
You may still have "the brains."
Changing brain to the plural forms brains, we get a different meaning, intelligence.

That's right, Ken.
And "brains" with an "s" is often used in context of brains versus brawn.
Now, Ken, what is brawn?

Brawn refers to strong, well-developed muscles.
So, in the case of brains versus brawn, you are deciding between the use of intellect or brute strength to solve a problem.

And, finally a "no-brainer".
Ken, do you feel like having Japanese food or Italian food for lunch today?

That's a no-brainer Steve.
Italian of course, nothing beats casa della pasta.

So, a no-brainer is just an informal expression that means something is so obvious that a person shouldn't even have to think about it.
OK, pasta, it is.

Language Lab
compel v. [past tense and past participle compelled, present participle compelling ]
to force someone to do something
- The company complled all their employees to work overtime on weekends.
- The goverment was complled to lower the tax rate during the recession.

informative adj.
/ɪnˈfoɚmətɪv/
inform v.
to officially tell someone about something or give them information
- The film is not only informative, but also very entertaining.
- The tour book is quite informative and practical.

involve v.
if an activity or situation involves something, that thing is part of it or a result of it
in-to the inside of (a room, container, etc.)
-volve
- The project involves several departments and hundreds of workers.
- Many politicians were involved in this scandal.

sharpen v.
to make something have a sharper edge or point;
to make a feeling stronger and more urgent;
also sharpen something ↔ up to improve something so that it is up to the necessary standard, quality etc
to become clearer or more distinct
- Scott's presentation skills were sharpened at the conference.
to become more severe
- The girl's voice sharpened when her sister argued with her.


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