英语博客：Analysis Time - Social Activities Prolong Life.

 　　In a study in The Harvard University Gazette called 'Social Activities Found to Prolong¹ Life', scientists talk about the great importance of socializing as we get older. A healthy diet and regular exercise are the foundations of good health, but scientists now say that socializing is just as important. Thomas Glass, an assistant professor at the Harvard School of Public Health says, "Social and productive² activities that involve(1) little or no physical fitness³ lower the risk of all causes of death as much as exercise does." So, how did the scientists reach this conclusion(2)? They studied 2,761 elderly(3) men and women for 13 years. Activites such as going to church, restaurants, and sports events, taking short trips, playing cards, gardening, cooking for others, community work, and paid employment can all impact a person very positively⁴. Ideally, the elderly would also exercise, preferably(4) with friends or in small groups. That way they would get double the benefits(5). It is best to do both: to exercise and to socialize. Scientists admit they don't know exactly why socializing is so beneficial. Glass says he believes that keeping social and busy causes, "changes in the brain that protect against damage and keep the immune⁵ system healthy." Knowing this affects not only the individual, but also society(6) because in most societies people are living longer. Programs are developing in the U.S. to keep the elderly active in society, helping⁶ in schools, volunteering, and exercising. This way, society benefits from the wisdom and experience of the elderly, and the elderly benefit by staying healthy and happy.

　　1. 'To involve' is a concise⁷ verb that means 'to have something to do with' or 'to work with'.

　　a. Teaching involves preparing, communicating, and correcting.

　　b. The community project involves hundreds of people, lots of money, and lots of time.

　　2. 'To reach a conclusion' can also be expressed as 'to come to a conclusion'.

　　a. They came to the same conclusion/ they reached the same conclusion.

　　b. We came to the conclusion that the house had to be pulled down.

　　3. 'Elderly' is a polite way of saying 'old' when we are talking about people. 'Old' can give a negative impression.

　　a. The elderly are a great source of wisdom for the community.

　　b. She is elderly now and needs extra help.

　　4. 'Preferably' is like saying 'ideally'.

　　a. Arrive at the office for the interview prepared, and preferably 10 minutes early.

　　b. I need an internet connection for my home, preferably a wireless⁸ one.

　　5. 'Double the + noun' is similar to saying 'twice as much .......'

　　a. In his new job, he'll get double the pay that he gets now/ twice as much pay as he gets now.

　　b. Compared to that computer, this one has double the speed/ is twice as fast.

　　6. 'Not only..., but also...' remember we had this the other day; it's worth practicing again.

　　a. Encouraging the elderly not only affects their feelings, but also how active they are.

　　b. Socializing not only improves the brain, but also the immune system.

　　Join me on FACEBOOK at Anna Fromacupofenglish; you're all invited. Download my app that's in iTunes for instant downloads, and send questions and comments to [email protected].

1 prolong   

vt.延长，拉长，拖延

参考例句：

• He has decided to prolong his visit through the weekend.他已决定把他的访问延长到过完周末。
• People have all along been seeking to prolong life.人们一直在寻求长寿之道。

2 productive   

adj.能生产的，有生产价值的，多产的

参考例句：

• We had a productive meeting that solved some problems.我们开了一个富有成效的会议，解决了一些问题。
• Science and technology are part of the productive forces.科学技术是生产力。

3 fitness   

n.适合，适当，健康，健身

参考例句：

• They're doing exercises to improve their fitness.他们为增强体质而做体操。
• No one questions her fitness for the job.没人怀疑她能胜任这项工作。

4 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。

5 immune   

adj.免疫的，有免疫力的，不受影响的，免除的

参考例句：

• I am immune from the disease,for I had it once.我对这病有免疫力，因为我已得过一次了。
• Be immune from corruption.拒腐蚀，永不沾。

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

7 concise   

adj.简洁的，简明的

参考例句：

• The explanation in this dictionary is concise and to the point.这部词典里的释义简明扼要。
• I gave a concise answer about this.我对于此事给了一个简要的答复。

8 wireless   

adj.无线的；n.无线电

参考例句：

• There are a lot of wireless links in a radio.收音机里有许多无线电线路。
• Wireless messages tell us that the ship was sinking.无线电报告知我们那艘船正在下沉。