READING PASSAGE 1
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13 which are based on Reading Passage 1 below.
Growing of the Aging Society
A
American scientists say that the elderly are now healthier, happier and more independent. The results of a
study that has taken place over a 14-year period will be released at the end of the month. The research
will show that common health disorders suffered by the elderly are affecting fewer people and happening
after in life.
B
Over the last 14 years, The National Long-term Health Care Survey has gathered data from more than
20,000 males and females over the age of 65 about their health and lifestyles. The group has analysed the
results of data gathered in 1994 on conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure and poor circulation;
these were the most common medical complaints for this age group. The results show that these
conditions are troubling a smaller proportion of people each year and decreasing very quickly. Other
diseases suffered by the elderly including dementia, emphysema and arteriosclerosis are also affecting
fewer people.
C
According to Kenneth Manton, a demographer from Duke University in North Carolina, “the question of
what should be considered normal ageing has really changed.” He also mentioned that diseases suffered
by many people around the age of 65 in 1982 are now not occurring until people reach the age of 70-75.
D
It is clear that due to medical advances some diseases are not as prominent as they used to be. However,
there was also be other factors influencing this change. For instance, improvements in childhood nutrition
in the first quarter of the twentieth century gave many people a better start in life than was possible
before.
E
The data also shows some negative changes in public health. The research suggests that the rise of
respiratory conditions such as lung cancer and bronchitis may reflect changing smoking habits and an
increase in air pollution. Manton says that as we have been exposed to worse and worse pollution, it is not
surprising that some people over the age of 60 are suffering as a result.
F
Manton also found that better-educated people are likely to live longer. For instance, women of 65 with
less than eight years of education are expected to live to around 82. Those who studied more could be
able to live seven years longer. Whilst some of this can be attributed to better-educated people usually
having a higher income, Manton believes it is mainly because they pay closer attention to their health.
G
Also, the survey estimated how independent people of 65 were and found a striking trend. In the 1994
survey, almost 80% of them were able to complete activities such as eating and dressing alone as well as
handling difficult tasks, like cooking and managing their financial affairs. This situation indicates an
important drop among disabled elderly people in the population. If 14 years ago, the apparent trends in
the US had continued, researchers believe that there would be one million disabled elderly people in
today’s population. Manton shows the trend saved more than $200 billion for the US’s governments
Medicare system, and it has suggested the elderly American population is less of a financial burden than
expected.
H
The growing number of independent elderly people is probably linked to the huge increase in home
medical aids. For instance, the research shows the use of raising toilet seat covers and bath seats has
increased by more than fifty per cent. Also, these developments about health benefits are reported by the
MacArthur Foundation’s research group for successful ageing. It found the elderly who are able to take
care of themselves were more likely to stay healthy in their old age.
I
Retaining a certain level of daily physical activity may also help brain function, according to Carl
Cotman, a neuroscientist at the University of California at Irvine. He found that rats exercising on a
treadmill have higher levels of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor in their brains. He believes the
hormone which holds neuron functions may prevent the active human’s brain function from declining.
J
Teresa Seeman, a social epidemiologist at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, was
conducting the same research. She found a line between self-esteem and stress in people over 70. The
elderly who did challenging activities such as driving have more control of their mind and have a lower
level of the stress hormone cortisol in their brains. Chronically high levels of this hormone can cause
heart disease.
K
However, an independent life may have negative points. Seeman knew that the elderly people that were
living alone were able to retain higher levels of stress hormones even when sleeping. The research
indicates that elderly people are happier if they can live an independent life but also acknowledge when
they need help.
L
Seeman says, “With many cases of research about ageing, these results help common sense.” Also, the
situations show that we may be ignoring some of the simple factors. She mentions, “The sort of thing
your grandmother always used to talk to you about seems to be exactly right.”
Questions 7-13
Do the following statements reflect the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 1?
In boxes 7-13 on your answer sheet, write
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
7 Smoking habits are a crucial cause in some cancers. NG
8 The better-educated elderly people tend to live longer. T
9 People over 65 can independently manage a variety of tasks. F
10 Elderly people have overcome dementia as a result of home medical aids. NG
11 Continuing physical exercises is likely to assist digestive function. NG
12 People over 70 who still do challenging things such as driving are able to lower their level of the
hormone cortisol which is linked to heart disease. T
13 Isolation may cause a higher level of stress hormones. T
