How old is “old”? The answer has changed over the years. Two Hundred years ago, you were old at 35. At the beginning of the 20th century, the average life span (平均寿命) was 45. In 1950, 70-year-olds were really old. Today, a healthy 70-year-old is still thought young.

          So, how old is “old”? The answer is one you’ve heard many times, from all kinds of people. “You are as old (or young) as you feel.” Your age simply tells you how many years you have lived. Your body tells you how well you’ve lived.

         “Nobody grows old by living a number of years,” wrote a writer. “People grow old when they don’t have their ideals (理想).” People shouldn’t have the wrong ideas about aging. Sometimes, older minds can be as bright as young minds. Alice Brophy once said, “It makes me unhappy when people say, ‘You look young for your age.’ What does that mean? You know you can die old at 30 and live young at 80.”

1.About 100 years ago, the average life span was __________.

A. 35                   B. 45    C. 70  D. 80

2. The meaning of the word “aging” is __________.

A. growing old     B. staying young    C. keeping healthy                  D. feeling unhappy

3.According to the passage, which of the following is true?

A. Old people are not as bright at young people.      

B. All older people are healthy and strong.

C. Aging does not mean you become unhealthy.       

D. Most older people are unhealthy and poor.

4. The passage is mainly(主要地) about _________.

A. the average life span              B. aging

C. the 20th century                     D. older people and young people