Super-Agers: Older People with Amazing Memories
Warm-up Questions: (1) Do you think of yourself as old or young? (2) Do you think your memory is good or bad? Why?
Super-agers are special people. They are 80 years old or older, but they have amazing memories. A super-ager's ability to remember is like someone 20 to 30 years younger.
Super-agers are very different from each other. They don't all eat the same food or do the same exercise. But scientists found one thing they all share. They think social relationships are very important. Most super-agers are also extroverted people who like being with others.
This discovery doesn't surprise brain scientists. People who spend time with others are more protected from memory problems as they get older. They also have bigger brains.
Scientists think socializing helps protect the brain. When people are lonely, their body makes stress hormones. If stress hormones stay high for a long time, they can cause swelling in the brain. This can damage brain cells and cause memory loss.
Almost all 80-year-olds have signs of brain disease, but super-agers have very little. Scientists who study healthy 100-year-olds say they are also extroverted and have a positive attitude about life.
However, there is still a question. Do people socialize more because they have good memories? Or does socializing give people better memories? Scientists are still trying to answer this.
Scientists believe that genetics and biology are the most important factors for becoming a super-ager. While being social helps protect the brain, you probably can't become a super-ager just by spending more time with people. The amazing memory ability seems to come mainly from the genes you are born with.
Published:
Sources: nytimes.com, sciencefocus.com
For source links, see the article on ESLNewsStories.com
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Super-agers are very (2) __________ from each other. They don't all eat the same food or do the same exercise. But scientists found one thing they all share. They think social relationships are very important. Most super-agers are also extroverted people who like being with others.
This discovery doesn't surprise brain scientists. People who spend time with others are more (3) __________ from memory problems as they get older. They also have bigger brains.
Scientists think (4) __________ helps protect the brain. When people are lonely, their body makes stress hormones. If stress hormones stay high for a long time, they can cause swelling in the brain. This can damage brain cells and cause memory loss.
Almost all 80-year-olds have signs of brain disease, but super-agers have very little. Scientists who study healthy 100-year-olds say they are also extroverted and have a positive attitude about life.
However, there is still a question. Do people socialize more because they have good memories? Or does socializing give people better memories? Scientists are still trying to answer this.
Scientists believe that genetics and (5) __________ are the most important factors for becoming a super-ager. While being social helps protect the brain, you probably can't become a super-ager just by spending more time with people. The amazing memory ability seems to come mainly from the genes you are born with.
Comprehension
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click Check Answers to see your results.
Comprehension
1. Super-agers are people who are 70 years old or older. TRUE/FALSE
2. Super-agers have amazing memories like someone 20 to 30 years younger. TRUE/FALSE
3. All super-agers follow the same diet and exercise plan. TRUE/FALSE
4. Scientists think socializing helps protect the brain. TRUE/FALSE
Vocabulary n = noun, v = verb, adj = adjective, adv = adverb, prep = preposition, phr. v = phrasal verb, pl = plural
Drag each vocabulary word to its matching definition:
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Vocabulary
Match each vocabulary word with a definition:
1. Memory (n)
2. Genetics (n)
3. Extroverted (adj)
4. Protected (adj)
5. Decline (n)
6. Swelling (n)
7. Hormones (n)
8. Socialize (v)
a) To spend time with other people in a friendly way.
b) Natural chemicals in the body that control how it works and grows.
c) When part of the body becomes bigger because of injury or sickness.
d) A gradual decrease or becoming worse over time.
e) Safe from harm or danger.
f) Enjoying being with other people and talking to them.
g) The genes that parents pass to their children.
h) The ability to remember things from the past.
Discussion
- Do you spend more time alone or with other people? Which do you prefer?
- Why is memory important?
- How can people stay social as they get older?
- Are you an extroverted or introverted person? How do you know?
- Which relationships are most important to you?
- Do you agree that being lonely is stressful? If so, why?
- Do you know someone who is old, but still has a great memory? Talk about them.
- Will you try to socialize more after reading this article? How?
- Besides socializing, what can we do to improve our ability to remember things?
- What do you think is more important for health: genes or lifestyle choices?
Answers
Listening:
- memories
- different
- protected
- socializing
- biology
Comprehension:
- False. Super-agers are people who are 80 years old or older, not 70.
- True. A super-ager's ability to remember is like someone 20 to 30 years younger.
- False. Super-agers don't share a magic diet or exercise plan - they are very different from each other.
- True. Researchers believe socializing helps protect against brain decline that happens with age.
Vocabulary:
- Memory (n): The ability to remember things from the past.
- Genetics (n): The genes that parents pass to their children.
- Extroverted (adj): Enjoying being with other people and talking to them.
- Protected (adj): Safe from harm or danger.
- Decline (n): A gradual decrease or becoming worse over time.
- Swelling (n): When part of the body becomes bigger because of injury or sickness.
- Hormones (n): Natural chemicals in the body that control how it works and grows.
- Socialize (v): To spend time with other people in a friendly way.