2026届英语一轮复习：外刊打卡 day 8 织毛衣：年轻人健脑新选择 任务单

How knitting may be rewiring your brain

织毛衣：年轻人健脑新选择

词量：320词

Article

Main idea

The rhythmic（有节奏的） click of knitting needles and the softness of yarn（纱线） running over fingertips bring a sense of calm and satisfaction. Knitting, once seen as a “grandma hobby,” is now making a comeback, especially among younger generations. According to Eventbrite data, Gen Z’s interest in “grannycore” activities, such as knitting circles and needlework workshops, has surged in recent months, driven partly by a search for relief from digital burnout.

段落大意：编织带来的愉悦感以及其在年轻一代中的重新流行趋势。

文章逻辑：作为引言部分，引入主题，为后续探讨编织的益处奠定基础。

But the benefits of knitting go beyond nostalgia（怀旧）. Recent studies suggest that slow, tactile tasks like knitting may activate brain systems in ways that support long-term cognitive health. Knitting engages memory, attention, and motor function while helping to regulate stress. In other words, whether you are young or old, male or female, engaging in hands-on, mentally demanding hobbies may be one of the simplest ways to support brain health.

段落大意：指出编织的好处不仅在于怀旧，还在于其对大脑健康的长期益处，强调了编织对记忆、注意力和运动功能的积极影响。

文章逻辑：阐述编织对大脑健康的积极影响，为后续深入探讨其科学依据做铺垫。

Knitting uniquely combines fine motor coordination, creative planning, and rhythmic bilateral movement, all of which engage different brain systems at once. This kind of creativity is helpful, says Emily Sharp, a licensed therapist. The bilateral stimulation created by the alternating use of both hands is similar to what’s used in EMDR therapy, and it is linked to reduced cortisol levels, increased serotonin and dopamine, and improved emotional regulation.

段落大意：进一步说明编织如何结合多种技能（如精细运动协调、创造性规划和双边运动）来同时激活大脑的不同系统。

论证方法：通过引用专业人士（艾米丽·夏普）的观点进行权威论证。

A 2024 study in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience shows how

段落大意：引用2024年的研究，

creative activities activate the brain’s reward network, especially in areas related to pleasure, motivation, and mood. Unlike the dopamine spikes from scrolling or sugar, knitting provides a slower, steadier reward. This steady functioning is better than a binging of chemicals, says Alvaro Pascual-Leone, a professor of neurology.

说明创意活动如何激活大脑的奖励网络，并与愉悦、动机和情绪相关联。

论证方法：通过对比论证，将编织带来的稳定奖励与滑动屏幕或吃糖带来的短暂多巴胺激增进行对比。

Plus, activities like knitting require planning, sequencing, and problem-solving, which activate executive function alongside motor and emotional systems. This full-brain engagement helps reinforce neural connectivity, a crucial tool for maintaining the brain’s flexibility and resilience as we age.

段落大意：总结编织如何通过全脑参与来加强神经连接，强调其对大脑灵活性和恢复力的重要性。

一、阅读理解

1. According to the passage, why is knitting becoming popular among younger generations?

A. It is a traditional hobby.

B. It helps reduce digital burnout.

C. It is easy to learn.

D. It is a social activity.

2. What are the cognitive benefits of knitting mentioned in the passage?

A. Improved memory and attention.

B. Increased physical strength.

C. Enhanced artistic skills.

D. Better social interaction.

3. How does knitting help with emotional regulation?

A. By increasing cortisol levels.

B. By reducing serotonin and dopamine.

C. By providing a steady reward.

D. By creating a sense of accomplishment.

4. Why is novelty important in activities like knitting?

A. It makes the activity more interesting.

B. It challenges the brain to create new pathways.

C. It provides a sense of accomplishment.

D. It makes the activity easier to learn.

5. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. Knitting is a hobby that is only suitable for older people.

B. Knitting provides cognitive and emotional benefits for people of all ages.

C. Knitting is a popular activity because it is easy to do.

D. Knitting is a hobby that requires a lot of practice.

【答案解析】

1.B (定位句：driven partly by a search for relief from digital burnout. 同义替换：helps reduce digital burnout. 干扰项错因：A 项未提及传统；C 项未提及易学；D 项未提及社交。)

2.A (定位句：engaging memory, attention, and motor function. 同义替换：Improved memory and attention. 干扰项错因：B 项未提及力量；C 项未提及艺术；D 项未提及社交。)

3.C (定位句：This kind of creativity is helpful... linked to reduced cortisol levels, increased serotonin and dopamine, and improved emotional regulation. 同义替换：By providing a steady reward. 干扰项错因：A 项错误，应是降低；B 项错误，应是增加；D 项未提及。)

4.B (定位句：When you challenge the brain with unfamiliar tasks... it lights up new pathways. 同义替换：It challenges the brain to create new pathways. 干扰项错因：A 项未提及挑战；C 项未提及路径；D 项未提及学习。)

5.B (定位句：Knitting... may be one of the simplest ways to support brain health. 同义替换：Knitting provides cognitive and emotional benefits for people of all ages. 干扰项错因：A 项错误，适合所有年龄段；C 项未提及简单；D 项未提及练习。)

1. benefit

重点：词义：益处、好处；词性：名词；固定搭配（benefit from...）。

近义词：advantage, profit

反义词：disadvantage

形近词：beneficial（形容词，有益的）

拓展：