If you do not use your arms or your legs for some time,they become weak; when you start using them again,they slowly become strong again.Everybody knows this,and nobody would think of questioning this fact.Yet there are many people who do not seem to know that the memory works in the same way.When someone says that he has a good memory,he really means that he keeps his memory in practice by exercising it regularly,either consciously or unconsciously.When someone else says that his memory is poor,he really means that he does not give it enough opportunity to become strong.The position is exactly the same as that of two persons,one of whom exercises his arms and legs by playing tennis,while the other sits in a chair or a motorcar all day.
If a friend complains that his arms are weak,we know that it is his own fault.But if he tells us that he has a poor memory,many of us think that his parents are to be blamed,or that he is just unlucky,and few of us realize that it is just as much his own fault.Not all of us can become extremely strong or extremely clever; but all of us can,if we have ordinary bodies and brains,improve our strength and our memory by the same means——practice.
Have you ever noticed that people who cannot read or write usually have better memories than those who can? Why is this? Of course,because those who cannot read or write have to remember things; they cannot write them down in a little notebook.They have to remember dates,times and prices,names,songs and stories; so their memory is the whole time being exercised.
So if you want a good memory,learn from the poor and humble: practice remembering.
1.Which of the following is true,according to the first paragraph?()
A.It is a fact that some people do not use their arms or legs.
B.To have a good memory,one has to exercise it regularly.
C.Everybody knows that memory of words is the same way as the arms or legs.
D.To keep fit,one should not sit in a chair or a motorcar.
2.In the author’s opinion,poor memory results from().
A.poor health B.lack of remembering practice
C.unlucky fortune D.insufficient education
3.The author seems to advice us().
A.to play tennis to improve our memory
B.to complain about nothing but our health
C.to blame ourselves rather than our parents for the poor memory
D.to learn from those who cannot read or write
4.The author comes to the conclusion that().
A.the poorer one is,the better his memory
B.memory can be improved by practicing it
C.the poor and humble people may help you remember things
D.if you want a good memory,do not read or write anything
5.Which of the following may best serve as the title of the article?()
A.Poor and Good Memory.
B.How to Improve Your Memory.
C.Your Arms,Legs and Brain.
D.Learn from the Poor and Humble.