Reading Comprehension
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Readning Comprehension | |
Living longer
Scientists know that there are two basic approaches to prolonging life. One approach is the elimination of the diseases that generally affect older people – diseases such as cancer, heart attacks, and strokes. The other is the delay of the process of growing old – the deterioration of the body.
In recent years scientific researchers have spent much time in the study of the process of aging. They believe that, within a few year they will develop the knowledgeand the ability to delay the aging process for 10 to 15 years. The result will be that more people will live longer, more healthful lives. At present, scientists believe that with the right diet, exercise, medical advice, and mental attitude many people can live to be 100 years old.
Gerontologists, people who specialize in studies of the problem of growing old, are investigating why body cells slow down and eventually die. They feel that delaying this slowing down process would help postpone death. In a number of American universities, scientists are studying the activity of cells, the immunities of cells, and the effects of diet and internal body temperature on aging. If their studies are successful, the result should help to improve the quality of life for older people in the next generation. What will some of the effects of longer life be? For one thing, by adding extra, more healthful years to a person’s life, youth and middle-age will be prolonged. A person’s productivity and efficiency will be increased. In addition, it is possible that such persons will contribute more to the benefit of society and will, in turn, enjoy more of the benefits society has to offer.
Longer lives for more people would affect the life styles of a society. Persons who retire in middle-age might want education and training to begin new careers; thus, colleges and universities would have to offer classes to help such people. Communities especially planned and built for older people would greatly increase in number and might even serve as "second-career" communities in which older persons could work in their second or even third career after retirement!
One major problem that longer lives for more people would bring is that of money. Pensions would have to last longer which means that governments would have to plan to provide adequate funds to meet the increased costs of pensions. Otherwise, tragedy could be the result of if men were to live longer but not have any financial stability!
Today, gerontologists think that by the end of this century the results of their research into ageing will be apparent and that there will be a significant increase in the number of longer lives among the general population.
(After: English Teaching Division, Washington, D.C.)
1. What can help people to live longer, healthful lives?
2. What is necessary to prolong life?
3. Who is a gerontologist?
4. What is the subject of studies by gerontologists?
5. What factor may postpone death?
6. What are the possible effects of living longer on an individual?
7. What are the possible effects of living longer on a society?
8. What is understood by a "second-carer" community?
9. What problem/s may be caused by people’s living longer?
10. When do gerontologists expect to see the result of their research?
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