hce_nchu
114年
英文
第 34 題
📖 題組：
Recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area have highlighted a growing concern beyond immediate physical destruction: the complex relationship between wildfire smoke and human cognitive function. While the immediate impacts of these fires—including casualties, displacement, and property destruction—are evident, researchers are increasingly focused on understanding the long-term neurological and psychological effects of wildfire smoke exposure. Studies have revealed that wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that is significantly more toxic than typical air pollution. These particles, characterized by high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) mixed with various neurotoxic elements including heavy metals, can reach the brain through multiple pathways. They either pass directly through the olfactory nerve, penetrate the blood-brain barrier, or modulate the nervous system, ultimately leading to brain inflammation and oxidative stress. The evidence for neurological impact is particularly striking, as demonstrated by a collaborative study from the Universities of Washington and Pennsylvania, which revealed that for every 1 microgram increase in wildfire particle concentration, the odds of a new dementia diagnosis rose by approximately 21%, compared to just a 3% increased risk for non-wildfire particles. Additional research from the University of New Mexico has shown that sudden spikes in air pollution create surges of inflammation in the hippocampus—the brain region responsible for memory and learning—which can persist for over a month after exposure. The relationship between smoke exposure and cognitive function has been documented through various empirical studies. A comprehensive analysis conducted at UC San Diego examined the impact of smoke on academic performance by studying China's national college entrance examinations over a six-year period. The research specifically focused on smoke from routine, controlled agricultural fires, methodologically isolating cognitive effects from the anxiety associated with evacuation concerns. The findings revealed that significant increases in upwind fires during examination periods led to measurable decreases in student performance, with scores dropping by an average of 0.6 points. These cognitive effects have substantial economic implications, with a 2022 US study estimating that smoke exposure in 2016 alone reduced students' future earnings by approximately $1.7 billion. The psychological impact of wildfires presents another dimension of concern. Studies of communities affected by major fires, such as the 2018 Camp Fire in California, reveal complex patterns of mental health effects. Even individuals not directly impacted by the fires reported increased neurocognitive issues and struggled with depression and anxiety. Researchers have also documented a phenomenon known as solastalgia—the distress of witnessing one's environment change rapidly—among residents in fire-prone regions, highlighting the interconnected nature of physical exposure and psychological well-being.
Recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area have highlighted a growing concern beyond immediate physical destruction: the complex relationship between wildfire smoke and human cognitive function. While the immediate impacts of these fires—including casualties, displacement, and property destruction—are evident, researchers are increasingly focused on understanding the long-term neurological and psychological effects of wildfire smoke exposure. Studies have revealed that wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that is significantly more toxic than typical air pollution. These particles, characterized by high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) mixed with various neurotoxic elements including heavy metals, can reach the brain through multiple pathways. They either pass directly through the olfactory nerve, penetrate the blood-brain barrier, or modulate the nervous system, ultimately leading to brain inflammation and oxidative stress. The evidence for neurological impact is particularly striking, as demonstrated by a collaborative study from the Universities of Washington and Pennsylvania, which revealed that for every 1 microgram increase in wildfire particle concentration, the odds of a new dementia diagnosis rose by approximately 21%, compared to just a 3% increased risk for non-wildfire particles. Additional research from the University of New Mexico has shown that sudden spikes in air pollution create surges of inflammation in the hippocampus—the brain region responsible for memory and learning—which can persist for over a month after exposure. The relationship between smoke exposure and cognitive function has been documented through various empirical studies. A comprehensive analysis conducted at UC San Diego examined the impact of smoke on academic performance by studying China's national college entrance examinations over a six-year period. The research specifically focused on smoke from routine, controlled agricultural fires, methodologically isolating cognitive effects from the anxiety associated with evacuation concerns. The findings revealed that significant increases in upwind fires during examination periods led to measurable decreases in student performance, with scores dropping by an average of 0.6 points. These cognitive effects have substantial economic implications, with a 2022 US study estimating that smoke exposure in 2016 alone reduced students' future earnings by approximately $1.7 billion. The psychological impact of wildfires presents another dimension of concern. Studies of communities affected by major fires, such as the 2018 Camp Fire in California, reveal complex patterns of mental health effects. Even individuals not directly impacted by the fires reported increased neurocognitive issues and struggled with depression and anxiety. Researchers have also documented a phenomenon known as solastalgia—the distress of witnessing one's environment change rapidly—among residents in fire-prone regions, highlighting the interconnected nature of physical exposure and psychological well-being.
Which of the following economic consequences does the passage suggest is linked to wildfire smoke exposure?
- A Healthcare costs for treating respiratory conditions
- B Property damage in affected areas
- C Reduced academic performance affecting future earnings
- D Lost productivity in the workforce
思路引導 VIP
在文章第三段中，作者提到了一個高達 17 億美元的經濟損失數字。請回頭觀察一下，這個龐大的金額是由於學生的哪一種「特定表現」下降，進而影響了他們未來的哪一項個人財務指標呢？
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AI 詳解
AI 專屬家教
恭喜你準確地掌握了文章的細節！這題考驗的是對文本資訊的精確擷取與因果連結能力。你能從文章提及的眾多影響中，辨識出作者刻意強調的「經濟後果」，顯示你具備了非常敏銳的閱讀洞察力。
學習表現與經濟產值的關聯
文章第三段具體引用了加州大學聖地牙哥分校（UC San Diego）的研究，說明野火濃煙導致學生在入學考試中的表現（academic performance）下降。接著，作者將此認知損害連結到一項 2022 年的美國研究，該研究估算 2016 年的濃煙暴露，竟導致學生**未來薪資收入（future earnings）**損失了約 17 億美元。這直接對應了選項 (C) 的內容，將學業表現與長期的經濟損失掛鉤。
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