Test1

The Sense of Smell

1 Smell is the most direct of all the senses. It is thought to be the oldest sense in terms
of human evolution, which may explain why smell is hard-wired into the brain. The olfactory
nerve, which manages the perception of smells, is essentially an extension of the brain. The
olfactory nerve provides a direct link from receptors at the top of the nose to the portion of
the brain that controls memory, emotion, and behavior.
2 The olfactory system detects certain airborne chemicals that enter the nose and then
transmits this chemical information to the limbic system in the brain. The olfactory region at
the upper end of each nostril is yellow, moist, and full of fatty substances. The shade of yellow
indicates the strength of the sense of smell: the deeper the shade, the keener and more acute
it is. Animals have a very strong sense of smell, so their olfactory regions are dark yellow to
reddish brown, while those of humans are light yellow.
3 When an odorous substance enters the nose, it binds to olfactory receptor cells, the
neurons lining the yellow upper portion of the nasal cavity. Olfactory receptor cells contain
microscopic hairs called cilia that extend into the layer of mucus coating the inside of the
nose. Odor molecules diffuse into this region and are absorbed by the cilia of the olfactory
receptor cells. What this means is that when we hold a rose to our nose and inhale, odor
molecules float up into the nasal cavity, where they are absorbed by five million olfactory
receptor cells. The receptor cells alert the olfactory nerve, which sends impulses to the brain's
olfactory bulb, or smell center. Thus, olfactory information about the rose enters the brain5s
limbic system, where, in most of us, it stimulates a feeling of pleasure.
4 The limbic system of the brain integrates memory, emotion, and behavior. The system
is composed of a group of related nervous system structures that are the functional center of
emotions such as anger, fear, pleasure, and sadness. The components of the limbic system are
linked to the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain involved in complex learning, reasoning,
and personality. The cerebral cortex makes decisions about the emotional content of these
unique human qualities after "consulting" the limbic system and other brain centers in
processing and retrieving memories. It may, in turn, use memories to modify behavior.
5 Scent may be the strongest trigger of memory and emotions. When we inhale a scent,
receptors in the brain's limbic center compare the odor entering our nose to odors stored in
our memory. Along the way, memories associated with those odors are stimulated. A smell
can be overwhelmingly nostalgic because it triggers powerful images and emotions. The waxy
fragrance of crayons can instantly transport us to our second-grade classroom, or the scent of
freshly mown grass can flood us with the joy of summer freedom, What we see and hear may
,fade quickly in short-term memory, but what we smell is sent directly to long-term memory.
6 Smells can increase alertness and stimulate learning and retention. In one study,
children memorized a word list, which was presented both with and without accompanying
scents. The children recalled words on the list more easily and with higher accuracy when
the list was given with scents than without, showing the link between smell and the ability to
retain information. In another study, researchers examined how various smells can increase
alertness and decrease stress. They found that the scent of lavender could wake up the
metabolism and make people more alert. They also found that the smell of spiced apples
could reduce blood pressure and avert a panic attack in people under stress.

Glossary:
nostalgic: causing a desire for things, persons, or situations of the past; causing homesickness
retention: the act of retaining; keeping, holding, or maintaining

2S
 Test1

26. Why does the author use the term hard-wired 31. The word integrates in paragraph 4 is closest in
in describing the sense of smell and the brain? meaning to

Q) To describe the texture and feel of the predicts

olfactory nerve connects
d) To emphasize the close connection damages
between smell and the brain (v) slows
(e) To compare the power of smell with that
of other senses 32. When a scent is inhaled, all of the following
(v) To explain how the sense of smell evolved occur in the limbic system EXCEPT 5
in early humans T
(D The scent is compared to other scents
27. The word detects in paragraph 2 is closest in stored in memory.
meaning to (D The scent is transmitted to the other
sensory organs.
notices (O The brain stimulates memories associated
destroys with the scents.
fights (v) The person may feel an emotion related
compares to a memory.

28. Of what significance is the color of the 33. Why does the author mention crayons and
olfactory region at the upper end of each freshly mown grass in paragraph 5?
nostril?
(D To give examples of smells that can trigger
(Q The color changes with different airborne memories and emotions
chemicals. (8)To compare typical responses to two
(8)The significance of the color is little common sm이Is
understood. (e) To explain why smells are likely to affect
(e) The color becomes darker when an odor a person's behavior
is present. (D To identify smells that can increase
(o) The color shows the strength of the ability alertness and work efficiency
to sm이 1.
34. Which sentence below best expresses the
29. The word diffuse in paragraph 3 is closest in essential information in the highlighted sentence
meaning to in paragraph 5? Incorrect choices change the
meaning in important ways or leave out essential
information.

(D We can accurately remember things that we

see and hear, but we eventually forget
things that we smell.
30. What happens when the cilia of the olfactory (D Short-term memory contains unimportant
receptor cells absorb odor molecules? information, and long-term memory
contains sensory information.
Q) The tiny hairs inside the nose become (O Smells go straight to long-term memory,
darker in color. while sights and sounds may be held only
(⑥)The nervous system activates the digestive briefly.
system. (v) It is difficult for us to use short-term
(o) The olfactory nerve sends impulses to the memory, but we remember things in
brain. long-term memory.
O Some receptor cells die and are replaced
by new cells.

Six Practice Tests for the iBT 39

Test1

35. The word which in paragraph 6 refers to

으 learning
study
list
smell

36. What can be inferred from paragraph 6 about learning?

0) Learning cannot take place unless all of the senses are stimulated.
d) Scents can strengthen the ability to hold new information in the memory.
(0) It is easier to recall previous learning than it is to retain new information.
(Q) Children will not learn much if they are distracted by offensive odors.

37. Look at the four squares, Q, Q, Q, and [가, which indicate where the following sentence could
be added to the passage. Where would the sentence best fit?

One of these structures is a kind of central processing unit that connects memory with
physical functions.

The limbic system of the brain integrates memory, emotion, and behavior. The system is
composed of a group of related nervous system structures that are the functional center of
emotions such as anger, fear, pleasure, and sadness. Q The components of the limbic system
are linked to the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain involved in complex learning, reasoning,
and personality. 피 The cerebral cortex makes decisions about the emotional content of these
unique human qualities after "consulting" the limbic system and other brain centers in processing
and retrieving memories. Q It may, in turn, use memories to modify behavior, [1]

솨。
 TesiT

38. Read the first sentence of a summary of the passage. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE
answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in
the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the
passage. This question is worth 2 points.

Smell, the oldest and most direct of all the senses, is connected with memory and emotions.

Answer Choices
(D Every time we inhale, airborne chemicals (v) The sense of smell is stronger in animals
enter the olfactory regions of our nose. than it is in humans.
(D The olfactory nerve links the nose to the (D Olfactory receptor cells contain microscopic
part of the brain that integrates memory, hairs called cilia that absorb odor molecules.
emotion, and behavior. (D Smells can trigger emotions, increase
© The brain5s limbic center stimulates
(O alertness, and improve the ability to learn.
memories and emotions associated with
a particular scent.

41