Our brains respond to language expressing facts differently

　　Our brains respond to language expressing facts differently than they do to words conveying possibility, scientists at New York University have recently found. Their work offers new insights into the impact word choice has on how we ___26___ between statements expressing what is real versus what is merely possible. The researchers assert their findings are important because we are presented with false information all the time. Some of this is ___27___, as is the case with deceptive advertisements, but the problem is ___28___ by individuals who believe they are sharing correct information. Thus, it is more important than ever to separate the factual from the possible or merely ___29___ in how we communicate. This is especially true as the study makes clear that information presented as fact ___30___ special responses in our brains, which are distinct from when we process the same content with clear indicators of ___31___.

　　In their new study, the scientists intended to ___32___ how the brain computes possibilities as expressed by words such as "may," "might,” and "if.” The researchers compared brain responses to statements expressing factual ___33___ and those expressing possibility. "There is a monster under my bed" exemplifies a factual statement. "I will stay home,” is also factual. This is opposed to statements that express possibility, like "There might be a monster under my bed,” or "If it rains, I will stay home." The results of the study showed that factual language ___34___ a rapid increase in brain activity, with the brain responding more powerfully and showing more engagement with factual phrases compared to those communicating possibility. Thus, facts rule when it comes to the brain. Brain regions involved in processing ___35___ rapidly distinguish facts from possibilities. Further, these regions respond in a much more robust fashion to factual statements.

　　（本题出自2023年12月六级真题卷二）

　　答案&解析

　　26.E)differentiate

　　27.D)deliberate

　　28.B)aggravated

　　29.M)speculative

　　30.G)evokes

　　31.O)uncertainty

　　32.C)ascertain

　　33.L)scenarios

　　34.A)activated

　　35.F)discourse

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