* 用英語自身來理解和學習英語是最好方式，《英讀廊》是《滿庭說英語》中的拓展閱讀系列，這一系列的文章力求幫助大家在英語閱讀能力上有所提升，並樹立英語思維；* 推薦的閱讀的方法是：先原文，適當看解析閱讀，還有疑惑再看雙語對照。* 解析中英語單詞的音標用Dictcom和IPA雙音標標註，如果需要了解Dictcom音標，請參看我們的《dictionary.com所用的音標體系》一文。* 本篇文章難度係數7.6，由《小仙英語伴讀》人工智慧難度分析系統提供評分。
#英語#
【編者按】這不一定是終極的答案，人類一直在探求這個；這也不是雞湯，但應該是對你有用的。
What makes people clever and why are some smarter than others?【譯】是什麼讓人聰明？為什麼有些人比其他人聰明？【語法】smarter than 形容詞或副詞比較級 + than，是「比...更...」的意思；例句：He is younger than me. 他比我（更）年輕。He runs faster than me. 他比我跑得（更）快。【單詞】clever ['klev-er]['klev] adj. 聰明的；靈巧的【單詞】smarter 原型：smart [smahrt][smɑt] adj. 時髦的；漂亮的；聰明的；敏捷的；整潔的；厲害的
I am currently doing my GCSE's in high school and I have to revise every night to stay at the level I am working at.【譯】我目前正在高中念普通中等教育證書，我必須每晚複習，以保持我目前的水平。【用法】have to do sth. 表示「必須」、「不得不」、「只好」、「（被迫）很勉強」去做某事，後面跟動詞原形，與情態動詞 must 近義但區別在於：have to 表示客觀的需要，must 表示說話人主觀上的看法，既主觀上的必要。例句：My brother was very ill, so I had to call the doctor in the middle of the night. 我弟弟病得很厲害，我只得半夜裡把醫生請來。(客觀上需要做這件事) He said that they must work hard. 他說他們必須努力工作。（主觀上要做這件事）【單詞】currently ['kur-uhnt-lee, 'kuhr-]['krntli] adv. 現在；通常；當前【單詞】revise [ri-'vahyz][r'vaz] n. 校訂；修正；再校稿 v. 校訂；修正；校正【專有名詞】GCSE [disies'i] abbr. 英國的普通中等教育證書(=General Certificate of Secondary Education)，相當於中學畢業的學歷證明
However, there is another person in my year who is one of the smartest people in the country.【譯】然而，在我這一屆中，還有一個人是這個國家最聰明的人之一。【單詞】smartest 原型：smart 形容詞最高級 [smahrt][smɑt] adj. 時髦的；漂亮的；聰明的；敏捷的；整潔的；厲害的 vi. 刺痛；難過；煩惱 n. 刺痛；苦惱 adv. （=smartly）
Seriously, in the national math test thing he was the 1% of 100 marks out of everybody in the country who took the test.【譯】說真的，在全國數學考試中，他在全國參加考試的人中排在前百分之一。【單詞】Seriously 原型：seriously 副詞 ['seer-ee-uhs-lee]['srisli] adv. 嚴肅地；認真地；嚴重地【單詞】math [math][mθ] n. 數學【單詞】everybody ['ev-ree-bod-ee, -buhd-ee]['evribdi] pron. 每人；人人；各人
He never has to study for exams and knows everything.【譯】他從來不必為考試而學習，什麼都會。【單詞】exams 原型：exam [ig-'zam][ɡ'zm] n. 考試
What does he have different from me?【譯】他和我有什麼不同？
He almost certainly does study.【譯】他幾乎可以肯定地保持不斷學習。
However, he's probably been studying more consistently than you since a very young age.【譯】而且，他可能從很小的時候就比你更能堅持學習。【單詞】consistently [kuhn-'sis-tuhnt-lee][kn'sstntl] adv. 一致地；始終如一地
Because of this, his brain has been trained over many years to be able to take in information more quickly.【譯】正因為如此，他的大腦經過多年的訓練，能夠更快地接收信息。【固定用法】be able to do sth. 能夠，會(做)；有能力(或辦法、機會)做某事；例句：I am able to pick you up on the short wave radio. 我能用短波收音機收聽到你的信號。【短語】take over 表示「接管；接收」。如：I intend you to take over. 我打算讓你來接管。【單詞】brain [breyn][bren] n. 腦；智力；智者【單詞】trained 原型：train [treyn][tren] vt. 訓練；培訓；vi. 進行鍛鍊，接收訓練；練習
Of course, there is a genetic element to the ability to learn... but I guarantee he wasn't born with an understanding of trigonometry, nor with an ability to analyse Shakespeare.【譯】當然，學習能力有遺傳因素。。。但我保證他不是天生就懂得三角學，也沒有分析莎士比亞的能力。【短語】of course 當然【單詞】genetic [juh-'net-ik][d'netk] adj. 遺傳的；基因的；起源的【單詞】element ['el-uh-muhnt]['elmnt] n. 要素；元素；【單詞】ability [uh-'bil-i-tee]['blti] n. 能力；才能【單詞】learn [lurn][ln] v. 學會；學習；得知【單詞】guarantee [gar-uhn-'tee][ɡrn'ti] vt. 保證；擔保【單詞】born [bawrn][bn] adj. 出生的；與生俱來的 動詞bear的過去分詞.【單詞】trigonometry [trig-uh-'nom-i-tree][trɡ'nmtri] n. 三角法【單詞】analyse ['an-l-ahyz]['nlaz] vt. 分析；細察【專有名詞】Shakespeare n. 莎士比亞（英國詩人、劇作家）
It only comes with practice.【譯】（這些能力）只有在實踐、練習後才會有。
But the amount of practice it requires will vary from one person to another, and a key part of that is how used to learning your brain has already become.【譯】但是，它所需要的練習量會因人而異，其中一個關鍵部分就是如何習慣在擋牆大腦的狀態下進行學習。【短語】part of ... （某事物的）一部分；例句：He received part of his education in England. 他有一部分教育是在英國接受的。【單詞】requires 原型：require [ri-'kwahyuhr][r'kwa] v. 要求；需要；命令；規定【單詞】vary ['vair-ee]['veri] v. 改變；變化；使多樣化
The good news is that the brain is constantly adapting - the phrase that you can't teach an old dog new tricks has been proven to be wrong.【譯】好消息是大腦在不斷地適應——不能教老狗新技能的說法已經被證明是錯誤的。【單詞】constantly ['kon-stuhnt]['knstntli] adv. 不斷地；經常地【單詞】adapting 原型：adapt [uh-'dapt]['dpt] vt. 改編；使適應 vi. 適應；適合【單詞】phrase [freyz][frez] n. 短語；習語；措辭【單詞】teach [teech][tit] vt. 教；教導；教授；教訓 vi. 給予指導【單詞】tricks 原型：trick [trik][trk] n. 花招；把戲；訣竅【單詞】proven 原型：prove [proov][pruv] v. 證明；檢驗
So if you want to train your brain to be able to do the same, then just take every learning opportunity you have from now on.【譯】所以，如果你想訓練你的大腦，使之能夠做到同樣的事情，那麼就從現在開始抓住你所有的學習機會。
Over the course of the next few years your brain, too, will be adapted to learn, and you will find the task relatively easy by the time you finish your degree, if that's the path you choose to take.【譯】在接下來的幾年裡，你的大腦也會適應學習，當你完成學業時，你會發現這項任務相對容易，如果你選擇了這條路的話。
【單詞】task [task, tahsk][tɑsk] n. 任務；工作 vt. 交給某人（任務)；使做艱苦的工作【單詞】relatively ['rel-uh-tiv-lee]['reltvli] adv. 相對地；比較地【單詞】finish ['fin-ish]['fn] v. 完成；結束【單詞】path [path, pahth][pɑθ] n. 路線；小路；路程【單詞】choose [chooz][tuz] v. 選擇；決定
The genetic component, is far more important in this case, though as mentioned the person is achieving near the top of the country.【譯】在這種情況下，基因成分要重要得多，儘管正如之前所提到的那樣，那個人（的智力）接近於是國家的尖子。【短語】far more 多得多的，更...的；例句：A bicycle's often far more convenient than a car in busy cities. 在熱鬧的都市裡騎自行車往往比坐汽車方便得多。【單詞】component [kuhm-'poh-nuhnt, kom-][km'pnnt] n. 零部件；元件；組成部分；成分【單詞】mentioned 原型：mention ['men-shuhn]['menn] vt. 提到；說起 n. 提及；說起【單詞】achieving 原型：achieve [uh-'cheev]['tiv] v. 完成；達到；實現
When you are one of the best at anything, it is a junction of effort AND genes which are at play.【譯】當你在任何事情上都是最優秀的人之一，那就是努力和發揮作用的基因的結合。【單詞】junction ['juhngk-shuhn]['dkn] n. 連接；會合處；交叉點【單詞】effort ['ef-ert]['eft] n. 努力；努力的成果【單詞】genes 原型：gene [jeen][din] n. 基因
You can practice as much as you want.【譯】儘可能地多加練習，你想練多少就練多少。【用法】as...as 意為"和……一樣"，表示同級的比較。 其基本結構為：as adj./adv. as sth.；例如：This film is as interesting as that one. 這部電影和那部電影一樣有趣。
You're not going to become a concert violinist with mere effort.【譯】你不可能僅僅靠努力就成為一名音樂會上的小提琴手。【單詞】concert ['kon-surt]['knst] n. 音樂會【單詞】violinist [vahy-uh-'lin-ist][va'lnst] n. 小提琴手【單詞】mere [meer][m] adj. 僅僅的；純粹的
It takes will + talent to be the best.【譯】只有結合個人意願加上天賦才能成為最好的。【單詞】talent ['tal-uhnt]['tlnt] n. 天賦；才能，才藝；天才；人才
He probably has more neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain to make new connections and change ones.【譯】他可能具有更多的神經可塑性，即大腦建立新的聯繫和改變聯繫的能力。【單詞】neuroplasticity [noor-oh-pla-'stis-i-tee][njurpls'tst] 神經塑性【單詞】connections 原型：connection [kuh-'nek-shuhn][k'nekn] n. 聯繫；關係；連接
Evolution did not necessarily select for the smartest humans, just humans that are smart enough.【譯】進化並不一定選擇最聰明的人類，只選擇足夠聰明的人類。【短語】not necessarily表示「未必；不一定」。如：Frustrations are not necessarily bad things in life.【單詞】Evolution 原型：evolution [ev-uh-'loo-shuhn][iv'lun] n. 進化；發展；演變【單詞】necessarily [nes-uh-'sair-uh-lee, -'ser-][nes'serli] adv. 必然地；必定地；必需地【單詞】select [si-'lekt][s'lekt] v. 選擇；挑選
But that leaves a lot of wiggle room.【譯】但這留下了很大的迴旋餘地。【單詞】leaves 原型：leave [leef][lif] v. 離開，留下，剩下【單詞】wiggle ['wig-uhl]['wɡl] v. 扭動；擺動 n. 扭動；蠕動
Intelligence has a cost.【譯】智慧是有代價的。【單詞】Intelligence 原型：intelligence [in-'tel-i-juhns][n'teldns] n. 智力；理解力
For an extreme example, look at Autistic savants: super smart at some things, but at the cost of others, usually social interaction.【譯】舉一個極端的例子，看看自閉症學者：在某些事情上超級聰明，但以其他事情為代價，通常是社交。【單詞】extreme [ik-'streem][k'strim] adj. 極度的；極端的 n. 極端；極限【單詞】savants 名詞複數形式 n. 學者（savant的複數）；專家【單詞】social ['soh-shuhl]['sl] adj. 社會的；社會階層的；群居的；社交的；好交際的；合群的【單詞】interaction [in-ter-'ak-shuhn][ntr'kn] n. 相互作用；相互影響；互動交流【專有名詞】Autistic ['aw-tiz-uhm]['tstk] adj. 自閉的
So part of it is just winning the evolutionary lottery.【譯】所以部分原因就是贏得了進化的青睞。【單詞】winning 原型：win [win][wn] v. 贏；贏得；獲勝；獲得【單詞】evolutionary [ev-uh-'loo-shuh-ner-ee][iv'lunri] adj. 進化的；發展的；演變的【單詞】lottery ['lot-uh-ree]['ltri] n. 彩票
Some people are lucky enough to be born rich, some people are lucky enough to be born hot, some people are lucky enough to be born smart (and occasionally some really lucky bastard gets all of them).【譯】有些人幸運地生來富有，有些人幸運地出生就被關注，有些人幸運地生來聰明（偶爾一些真正幸運的傢伙會得到所有這些）。【單詞】lucky ['luhk-ee]['lki] adj. 幸運的；帶來好運的【單詞】rich [rich][rt] adj. 富有的；富饒的；豐富的【單詞】hot [hot][ht] adj. 熱的；辣的；強烈的 adv. 激動地；趁熱地 v. （使）變熱【單詞】occasionally [uh-'key-zhuh-nl-ee]['kenli] adv. 偶爾【單詞】bastard ['bas-terd]['bɑstd] n. 傢伙，私生子；混蛋
Part of it may also just be an inherent love of learning.【譯】它的一部分可能只是一種內在的對學習的熱愛。【單詞】inherent [in-'her-uhnt, -'heer-][n'hrnt] adj. 固有的；內在的
I love learning, I think the universe is an infinitely interesting place.【譯】我喜歡學習，我認為宇宙是一個無限有趣的地方。【單詞】universe ['yoo-nuh-vurs]['junvs] n. 宇宙；萬物；世界【單詞】infinitely ['in-fuh-nit]['nfntli] adv. 無限地；無窮地
The cost of all that is that I don't keep up with pop culture pretty much at all.【譯】所有這些的代價是我根本跟不上流行文化。【單詞】pop [pop][pp] adj. 通俗的；流行的；熱門的【單詞】culture ['kuhl-cher]['klt] n. 栽培；文化【單詞】pretty ['prit-ee]['prti] adv. 相當地
I'm also super jealous of all my creative friends who actually have the motivation to write and draw and create.【譯】我也非常嫉妒我所有有創造力的朋友，他們有寫作、繪畫和創作的動力。【單詞】jealous ['jel-uhs]['dels] adj. 妒忌的；羨慕的；嫉妒的【單詞】creative [kree-'ey-tiv][kri'etv] adj. 創造的，創造性的；創作的【單詞】motivation [moh-tuh-'vey-shuhn][mt'ven] n. 動機；動力；刺激；積極性【單詞】draw [draw][dr] v. 畫【單詞】create [kree-'eyt][kri'et] v. 創造；造成
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses.【譯】每個人都有優點和缺點。【單詞】strengths 原型：strength [strengkth][streθ] n. 力氣；強度；力量；長處【單詞】weaknesses 原型：weakness ['week-nis]['wikns] n. 軟弱；弱點；嗜好
That's good for evolution, because it means the species can adapt to more situations.【譯】這有利於進化，因為這意味著整個物種可以適應更多的環境。【單詞】evolution [ev-uh-'loo-shuhn][iv'lun] n. 進化；發展；演變【單詞】species ['spee-sheez, -seez]['spiiz] n. 種類；（單復同）物種【單詞】adapt [uh-'dapt]['dpt] vt. 改編；使適應 vi. 適應；適合