Brainy Rewards
L. Hernandez
Some people are afraid to try new sports. Maybe they’ve never played soccer before and are scared they won’t be good at it. The fact is, trying something new is good for the brain, and it feels good, too. It actually causes the brain to produce a substance called “dopamine.” This is known as the “reward chemical,” and it makes us feel happy!
Studies have also shown that trying new things makes the brain more “plastic” or stretchy. It “exercises” the brain and makes it easier to learn new things in the future. What’s more, being introduced to new things can improve your memory. That means it could actually help your test scores and make your homework easier because you will remember things better. Challenge yourself to try a sport or activity that you’ve never done before. You may be surprised by all the good things that come of it!
Which sentence from the passage shows why learning new things helps the brain?
Responses
A Maybe you’ve never played soccer before and are scared you won’t be good at it.Maybe you’ve never played soccer before and are scared you won’t be good at it.
B The fact is, trying something new is good for the brain, and it feels good, too.The fact is, trying something new is good for the brain, and it feels good, too.
C Challenge yourself to try a sport or activity that you’ve never done before.Challenge yourself to try a sport or activity that you’ve never done before.
D It “exercises” the brain and makes it easier to learn new things in the future.
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