Directions:

 

Read the following text. Choose the best word(s) for each numbered blank and mark [A], [B], [C] or [D] on the ANSWER SHEET. (10 points)

 

 

Fluid intelligence is the type of intelligence that has to do with short-term memory and the ability to think quickly, logically, and abstractly in order to solve new problems. It    1     in young adulthood, levels out for a period of time, and then     2     starts to slowly decline as we age. But     3      aging is inevitable, scientists are finding that certain changes in brain function may not be.

One study found that muscle loss and the  4   of body fat around the abdomen are associated with a decline in fluid intelligence. This suggests the    5     that lifestyle factors might help prevent or 6 this type of decline.

The researchers looked at data that 7measurements of lean muscle and abdominal fat from more than 4,000 middle-to-older-aged men and women and     8      that data to reported changes in fluid intelligence over a six-year period. They found that middle-aged people

9     higher measures of abdominal fat     10      worse on measures of fluid intelligence as the  years 11 .

For women, the association may be    12    to changes in immunity that resulted from     excess abdominal fat; in men, the immune system did not appear to be  13   . It is hoped that  future studies could      14       these differences and perhaps lead to different       15       for men and women.

      16   , there are steps you can    17    to help reduce abdominal fat and maintain lean muscle mass as you age in order to protect both your physical and mental    18    . The two    highly recommended lifestyle approaches are maintaining or increasing your     19      of      aerobic  exercise  and  following  a  Mediterranean-style  20   that  is  high  in  fiber  and eliminates highly processed foods.