Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passage coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.
Children Raised in Greener Areas Have Higher IQ
Growing up in a greener urban environment boosts children’s intelligence and lowers levels of difficult behaviour, a study has found.
The analysis of more than 600 children aged 10 to 15 showed that a 3% increase in the greenness of their neighborhood raised their IQ score 11 an average of 2.6 points. The effect was seen in both richer and poorer areas.
There is already significant evidence for green spaces’ effects on improving various aspects of children’s cognitive development but this is the first research 12 (examine) IQ. The cause is uncertain but may 13 (link) to lower stress levels, more play and social contact or a quieter environment.
The increase in IQ points was particularly significant for those children at the lower end of the spectrum, 14 small increases could make a big difference, the researchers said.
“Evidence has built up over time 15 green surroundings are associated with improved cognitive functioning, such as memory skills and attention,” said Tim Nawrot, a professor of environmental epidemiology at Hasselt University in Belgium, where the study was conducted.
“ 16 this study adds by including IQ is a more rigorous, well-established clinical measure. It is really of value to create an optimal environment for children to develop their full potential, 17 is why I think city builders or urban planners should prioritize investment in green spaces.”
The study, published in the journal Plos Medicine, used satellite images to measure the level of greenness in neighborhoods, including parks, gardens, street trees and all other vegetation.
The average IQ score was 105 but the scientists found 4% of children in areas with low levels of greenery scored below 80, 18 no children scored below 80 in areas with more greenery.
The benefits of more greenery 19 (record) in urban areas were not replicated in suburban or rural areas. Nawrot suggested this might be because those places had enough greenness for all children living there to benefit.
Behavioral difficulties such as poor attention and aggressiveness were also measured in the children 20 (use) a standard rating scale, and the average score was 46. In this case, a 3% rise in greenery resulted in a two-point reduction in behavioral problems, in line with previous studies.