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Famous centenarians (百岁老人) still active in arts, science are in no mood to retire. "Those who
stand still, die," is one of Oliveira's favorite phrases. He knows from experience what it means, as the
Portuguese film director has reached the age of 102 and is still active in his profession. Every year,
Oliveira shoots a film and is currently working on his next project. "You have to work, work, work in
order to forget that death is not far away," he said. When asked about his age, Oliveira said with some
humility: "It's down to mother nature. It gave to me what it took from others."
Being both mentally and physically fit in old age is partly a matter of luck, but it also has something to
do with character. Not every white-haired person is wise and social skills, openness and the ability to
train the brain are essential for senior citizens.
Along with the architect Oscar Niemeyer (103), Nobel laureate Montalcini (101) and director Kurt
Maetzig (100), Oliveira is one of those people of whom it would be very wrong to think as members of
a listless elderly generation.
Another master in his profession is the architect Oscar Niemeyer. The 103-year-old Brazilian is best
known for his futuristic-looking buildings in Brasilia, but he also speaks out on behalf of the poor. "The
role of the architect is to struggle for a better world where we can develop a form of architecture that
serves everyone and not just a privileged few," said Niemeyer recently. He spends almost every day
working in his office in Copacabana, and even when he falls ill he keeps working on ideas: After a
gallbladder (胆囊) operation he composed a samba tune (桑巴舞曲) in the clinic.
Another man who could sing a song about age is 107-year-old Heesters. The Dutch-born opera singer
spent most of his life performing in Germany, where he still works. Recently Heesters said: "I want to be
at least 108-years-old." He also plans to keep performing. "Should I just sit at home and wait until they
come and pick me up?" Heesters has not given up trying to add to his tally of awards and is looking for
a "good stage role".
Italian scientist Rita Levi-Montalcini, who is 101-year-old and is still active in medical science, has
described the force that keeps driving her on: "Progress is created through imperfection." In 1986 she
and her lab colleague were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their work on nerve growth factor. She's convinced that humans grow on challenges.
With so many brilliant examples given, we can see clearly that age is no barrier to some high achievers.


1. From the first two paragraphs, we can see ______.

A. being active at 102 is achievable for everybody
B. Oliveira owes his long life to his mother's help
C. being fit in old age is a matter of luck and character
D. social skills and wisdom are difficult for the senior

2. How many centenarians are mentioned in this passage?

A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7

3. By saying "Should I just sit at home and wait until they come and pick me up?", Heesters shows
us he ________.

A. wants to sit or lie in comfort
B. is waiting for people to pick him up
C. is willing to work till he dies
D. prefers to give performance at home

4. In the passage so many examples were given to show ________.

A. old age is a big problem if you want to succeed
B. as a senior citizen, you have to be open-minded and optimistic
C. ole people should never think of themselves as old
D. old age can not prevent a great person from achieving a lot

5. In the writer's opinion, the architect Oscar Niemeyer is not ________.

A. sympathy
B. pessimistic
C. positive
D. diligent

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