When Does 'Old Age' Begin? People Can't Decide
Vocabulary
Repeat each word, definition, and example sentence after your tutor.
reach
Verb
riːtʃ
to get to a particular level, rate, amount, etc.
Summer temperatures in Dubai can reach 50 degrees Celsius.
period
Noun
ˈpiːriːəd
a length of time
The restaurant has been closed for a long period of time.
perception
Noun
pərˈsɛpʃən
the way in which something is understood, considered, etc.
Many people's perception of health and hygiene changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
positive
Adjective
ˈpɑːzɪtɪv
constructive, optimistic, helpful, etc.
She has a very positive attitude.
view
Noun
vjuː
an opinion or belief
We don't share the same political views.
life expectancy
Noun
ˈlaɪf ɪkspektənsi
the number of years a person or animal is expected to live
Women in Italy have a life expectancy of over 85 years.
Article
When Does 'Old Age' Begin? People Can't Decide
At what age do we become "old?"
This is a question a team of European researchers has been asking.
The age at which people think old age begins has moved in time, according to a new study.
Many people also like to believe they haven't yet reached old age, even as they get older.
The research team looked at data from the German Ageing Survey, which included more than 14,000 participants.
The participants were born between 1911 and 1974, and answered survey questions over a 25-year period between 1996 and 2021.
They were aged between 40 and 85 when they began answering the questions, and more participants joined the survey in time.
People were asked a lot of questions, including: "At what age would you describe someone as old?"
The researchers found that when people born in 1911 got to the age of 65, they thought old age began at 71.
But when those who were born in 1956 got to 65, they thought old age began at 74, on average.
However, the study also found that people's perceptions of old age changed as they got older.
At the age of 64, the average participant said old age began at about 75. But at the age of 74, the average participant said old age began at about 76.
Study author Markus Wettstein said he wasn't sure if this meant people had a positive or negative view of old age.
Better health care and increased life expectancy in recent years may also have affected people's perceptions, he said.
Questions
Answer the following questions about the article.
1.
How many people took part in the German Ageing Survey?
A.More than 14,000
Correct
B.More than 16,000
2.
How old were the participants when they began answering the questions?
A. Between 25 and 50
B. Between 40 and 85
Correct
3.
At what age did the average 64-year-old say "old age" begins?
A.75
Correct
B.70
4.
What are your thoughts on the German Ageing Survey's findings?
5.
In your opinion, when does "old age" begin?
6.
Do you find it surprising that people's view of old age changes as they get older?
7.
In what ways do you think people's perception of old age is changing?
8.
Do you think your country's life expectancy will continue to increase over the next few decades?