Question

With more than 100,000 people aged 100 or over, Spain is the country with the greatest life expectancy after Japan. How do you live to 100? Here 4 of the country’s centenarians (百岁老人) give their advice on staying youthful.

Francisco Nunez, 112 He is from Bienvenida, Badajoz, southern Spain. Nunez lives with his daughter. He says he doesn’t like the pensioners’ (领养老金的人) daycare center because it’s full of old people, whose negative attitude towards life affects him deeply sometimes. Despite his old age. he has always maintained (保持) a youthful outlook, and that is what has kept him going on.

Pedro Rodriguez, 106 He lives in Cangas de Onis, Asturias, northern Spain. Rodriguez plays the piano every day in the living room of the flat where he lives with his wife who is nearly 20 years younger than him. Their daughters visit them often. His hobby is something that he feels has kept him young. “The nuns (修女) taught me how to play the piano as a child,” he says.

Maximino San Miguel, 102 He lives in Leon, northern Spain. San Miguel discovered his passion (酷爱) for amateur dramatics at the age of 80 and has participated in many local productions. He didn’t go to school as a child because he was sent to work as a shepherd (牧羊人). He prefers reading books about drawing and travelling. Now this hobby, he said, has kept him full of energy.

Pilar Fernandez, 101 She lives with her daughter Pili, granddaughters Flori and Ana in Ambas, Asturias, northern Spain. Fernandez suffered hunger and hardship during the war years alongside her nine brothers and sisters. To avoid history repeating itself, she limited herself to just one child. “From pure fear, I didn’t have anymore,” says Fernandez. One of the best things for her health, she says, is tending livestock (家畜) and a vegetable garden.

1.Why does Francisco Nunez dislike living with other old people?

A. They may depend on his help.

B. He is sensitive to his old age.

C. They may affect his attitude to life.

D. He has more kids to look after at home.

2.What does Maximino San Miguel want to do most in his life now?

A. Working as a shepherd. B. Reading books.

C. Taking up painting. D. Going travelling.

3.What benefits her health according to Pilar Fernandez?

A. Doing gardening. B. Learning history.

C. Living with kids. D. Having more children.

4.What can we infer about the four old people from the text?

A. They are fond of exercising regularly.

B. They led a hard life when they were young.

C. They have the same hobbies in their free time.

D. They have their own method of staying youthful.

Answer 1