Question

Is There a Secret of Long Life?
Mankind has been seeking to unravel the mystery of long life for more than millennium, with hundreds of hypotheses and theories being suggested. It has become evident that long life comes from a whole set of factors,
such as purely genetic, but also biological factors and, of course, successful social adaptation. Whereas until quite recently long life in the scientific community was the
subject of close attention for gerontologists alone, in recent years, biologists, ethnographers, ecologists,
psychologists and sociologists have also joined in with the research.
The distinctive feature of their approach is that
rather than examining individual centenarians, the scientists today study entire populations, i.e., large groups, among whom many people have lived long lives, and what is most essential, long lives in these groups have
become a regular occurrence in the course of history.
Scientists compare «long-living» groups with control populations with shorter lives in the vicinity.
Today’s centenarians are people who were as a rule born and lived in one place, without going anywhere, without changing either habits, occupations or diets.
Moreover, it has been discovered that the studies played down the role of the psychological factor. We call it «a
psychic health factor». It deserves special attention and can prove to be one of the main reasons for longevity as a regular occurrence. What is it?
In the first place, this is what we describe as the gerontophile atmosphere, a socio-psychological milieu of marked respect for the old people. This undoubtedly has a favourable effect on the tonus and optimistic mood among the elderly and maintains their interest in life and longevity as a whole.
Secondly, and this is even more important, there are anti - stress attitudes incorporated in society. These are mutual relations which are designed to relieve stress both among
individuals and whole groups. The strong family and kinship have a strong positive effect, especially in dramatic situations following death or illness. In other
words, we must live without stresses.
So anti-stress behaviour is perhaps the most important thing. With time this will enable the geneticists to extend the natural life span. However, we should not really pin
our hopes on this. A comprehensive study of longevity can help scientists not so much to increase the time that any human being spends here on Earth, as to prolong his
active life which is worth living as much as possible.

II. Answer the following questions:
1. What factors influence our life?
2. What scientists are interested in the problem of long life?
3. How do they organize their research?
4. What people comprise today'scentenarians?
5. What factor plays a leading role in longevity?
6. What is this factor called?
7. What is meant by the gerontophile atmosphere?
8. What attitude should be incorporated in society?
9. What is the aim of geneticists?

III. Find the facts in the text to prove that:
1. A great number of scientists are engaged in theresearch of long life.
2.The gerontophile atmosphere is necessary for people to live longer.
3.Anti-stress behaviour is the most important thing.
IV.Agree or disagree with the following statements.
Give your arguments.
1.It is quite possible to live a long life.
2.Only genetic factor plays a main part in the life span.
3.In stressful situations we become strong and healthy.
4.It is necessary to create a socio-psychological milieu of
mutual respect.
V. Make up a list of problems raised in the text.
Which one do you think to be of primary importance? Why?
VI. Make up a plan of the text.

Answer 1

II. Answer the following questions:

1. Factors influencing our life include genetics, biological factors, social adaptation, and psychological well-being.

2. Scientists from various fields, such as gerontologists, biologists, ethnographers, ecologists, psychologists, and sociologists, are interested in the problem of long life.

3. They organize their research by studying entire populations or groups, comparing long-living groups with control populations with shorter lives.

4. Today's centenarians are people who were born and lived in one place without significant changes in habits, occupations, or diets.

5. The leading role in longevity is played by the anti-stress attitudes incorporated in society.

6. This factor is called "anti-stress attitudes incorporated in society."

7. The gerontophile atmosphere refers to a socio-psychological milieu of marked respect for the elderly, which has a positive effect on their mood, interest in life, and longevity.

8. Society should incorporate anti-stress attitudes, which are mutual relations designed to relieve stress both among individuals and groups.

9. The aim of geneticists is to extend the natural life span through understanding and manipulating genetic factors.

III. Find the facts in the text to prove that:

1. A great number of scientists are engaged in the research of long life. (Mention of various fields of scientists like gerontologists, biologists, ethnographers, ecologists, psychologists, and sociologists being involved.)

2. The gerontophile atmosphere is necessary for people to live longer. (Mention of its positive effects on the elderly's mood, interest in life, and longevity.)

3. Anti-stress behaviour is the most important thing. (Emphasis on anti-stress attitudes incorporated in society as a significant factor.)

IV. Agree or disagree with the following statements. Give your arguments:

1. Agree. The text discusses various factors that contribute to long life, including genetic, biological, social, and psychological factors.

2. Disagree. The text emphasizes the role of not only genetic factors but also biological, social, and psychological factors in longevity.

3. Disagree. The text highlights the importance of anti-stress behavior and attitudes in promoting longevity.

4. Agree. The text emphasizes the positive effects of the gerontophile atmosphere in contributing to a longer and more fulfilling life.

V. Make up a list of problems raised in the text. Which one do you think is of primary importance? Why?

- Factors influencing long life.

- Involvement of various scientific fields in the research of long life.

- The significance of genetic, biological, social, and psychological factors.

- The impact of a gerontophile atmosphere on longevity.

- The importance of anti-stress attitudes and behavior.

The primary importance might be given to the significance of anti-stress attitudes and behavior because stress can have a substantial impact on overall well-being and longevity. Creating a society that promotes stress reduction and healthy coping mechanisms can greatly contribute to people's quality of life and longevity.

VI. Make up a plan of the text:

I. Introduction

  - The pursuit of understanding long life.

  - The multidisciplinary interest in the topic.

II. Factors Influencing Long Life

  - Genetic, biological, social, and psychological factors.

III. Involvement of Various Scientific Fields

  - Gerontologists, biologists, ethnographers, ecologists, psychologists, and sociologists.

IV. Research Methodology

  - Study of entire populations.

  - Comparison of long-living groups with control populations.

V. Characteristics of Today's Centenarians

  - Born and lived in one place.

  - Minimal changes in habits, occupations, or diets.

VI. The Role of Anti-Stress Attitudes

  - Gerontophile atmosphere and respect for the elderly.

  - Anti-stress attitudes incorporated in society.

VII. Conclusion

  - The potential of anti-stress behavior in promoting longevity.

  - The comprehensive study of longevity's impact on active life.