Unit 9 — The Power of the Human Brain
About this unit
The human brain is one of the most amazing things in nature. In this unit you will learn over 30 useful words that come up often in MOFET-style texts, read a short passage about the brain, complete an interactive vocabulary quiz, watch two short TED-Ed listening clips, and write your own thoughts in a personal worksheet.
Reading: Inside the Most Powerful Computer We Know
Every person walking around with you today is carrying something extraordinary inside their head. The human brain is small — about the size of two fists — but it controls everything from your heartbeat to your thoughts, your feelings, and the way you behave with the people around you.
The brain is also the home of the mind. When you imagine a beach, when you remember a friend’s face, when you suddenly come up with an idea — that’s all happening up there. We are not always fully aware of how busy our brain is. Even when we are awake and just sitting still, it never really stops working. And while we sleep, it keeps us alive without us noticing.
Scientists who study the brain work in a laboratory. They run experiments and look at the results. Each new piece of information helps us understand a little more. Recent research has shown, for example, that learning a second language can change the way the brain grows. Speaking with people from a different environment or even traveling abroad can give your brain new experiences that strengthen it.
The brain is also where our emotions live. When you meet a stranger, your brain decides — almost instantly — if the person seems friendly or not. When you watch a scary movie, the same brain makes you feel frightened for a moment, even though you know you are safe on the sofa. When something funny happens, your brain tells your face to laugh.
One thing is certain: the more we use our brain — by reading, exercising, learning new things, talking with others, and even doing things that feel a little strange at first — the better it works. There is a clear reason for this. The brain, like a muscle, gets stronger when we challenge it. So the next time you sit down to study, remember: you are not just preparing for a test. You are training the most powerful machine you will ever own.
Vocabulary
Learn these words. Try to remember them in the context of the reading above.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| abroad | in or to a foreign country |
| awake | not sleeping |
| aware | knowing or noticing that something exists or is happening |
| behave | to act in a certain way (usually polite or correct) |
| brain | the organ inside your head that controls thinking and the body |
| certain | completely sure of something |
| control | to have power over something or someone |
| environment | the surroundings or conditions a person, animal, or plant lives in |
| experience | things that have happened to you; or to live through something |
| feelings | the emotions you have inside (happy, sad, angry, etc.) |
| friendly | kind and pleasant to other people |
| frightened | very scared |
| imagine | to picture something in your mind |
| information | facts and details about something |
| laboratory | a special room where scientists do experiments |
| laugh | to make a happy sound when something is funny |
| mind | your thoughts, memory, and intelligence — your inner self |
| reason | the cause or explanation for something |
| receive | to get something that someone gives or sends to you |
| recent | happening a short time ago, not long ago |
| regular | happening often, on a normal schedule |
| result | what happens because of something else; the outcome |
| safe | not in danger |
| scary | frightening; making you feel scared |
| scientist | a person who studies science and does research |
| screen | the flat surface of a TV, phone, or computer where you see pictures |
| strange | unusual or odd; different from what you expect |
| stranger | a person you do not know |
| study | to learn about a subject; or a piece of research |
| subject | a topic; what something is about (e.g. a school subject) |
| thought | an idea that comes into your mind |
| touch | to put your hand or finger on something |
Practice — Fill in the Blanks
Choose the word that best fits each sentence. Read the whole sentence carefully — sometimes two words seem similar but only one really fits. At the end you’ll see your score and can retest only the questions you missed.
Listening Activities
Below are two short TED-Ed videos about the brain. Watch each one (you can use subtitles if you need to), and then write your reflection in the box below the video. Your answers are saved automatically.
Listening 1 — How spontaneous brain activity keeps you alive (Nathan S. Jacobs · TED-Ed)
Watch the short TED-Ed lesson on YouTube, then come back to this page and write your thoughts.
▶ Watch on YouTubeConsider and write your thoughts: What would happen if we didn’t have spontaneous brain activity?
✓ SavedListening 2 — The benefits of a bilingual brain (Mia Nacamulli · TED-Ed)
Watch the short video below. After you finish, answer the question.
Question: Which of the benefits that you heard about is the most important for you?
✓ Saved