When we say older people shrink, we don’t mean they become tiny enough to fit in

When we say older people shrink, we don’t mean theybecome tiny enough to fit in your pocket! We just mean that it’s common forolder people to become a little shorter over time. This kind of shrinking can’tbe reversed, although people can slow or stop this process. But why doesshrinking happen at all?

Because of gravity (that force that keeps your feet onthe ground) , cushions between the bones in the spine (脊骨), get compressed (压缩), whichmakes a person lose a little height and become shorter.

Another reason why some older people shrink is becauseof osteoporosis (骨质疏松). Osteoporosis occurs when bone is brokendown and not enough new bone material is made. Over time, bone is said to belost because it’s not being replaced. Bones become smaller and weaker and caneasily break if someone with osteoporosis is injured.

Older people — especially women, who generally havesmaller and lighter bones to begin with — are more likely to developosteoporosis. As years go by, a person with osteoporosis can get small breaksin bones that are called compression fractures. These breaks cause collapse ofthe spine and over time the person with osteoporosis can become hunched over (驼背).

Did you know that every day you shrink a little, too?You aren’t as tall at the end of the day as you are at the beginning. That’sbecause as the day goes on, water in the disks of the spine gets compressed dueto gravity, making you just a tiny bit shorter. Don’t worry, though. Once youget a good night’s rest, your body recovers, and the next morning, you’restanding tall again!

Smoking and drinking alcohol can make this problemworse. Want to do something right now to build strong bones? I believe what Isay will help you.

1.Which of the following statements is true?

A．Forshrinking, people can do nothing about it.

B．If someone isinjured, he will become shorter.

C．Women havesmaller and lighter bones than men.

D．We aren’t as tall at the end of the day as we are at thebeginning.

2.What should we do if we don’t want to shrink faster?

A．We should tryto reduce gravity.

B．We should becareful not to be hurt by others.

C．We shouldsleep as long as possible.

D．We shouldkeep away from smoking and drinking alcohol.

3.What is the topic of the passage?

A．How can westop shrinking?

B．Why do weshrink?

C．Some tips onhow to keep tall.

D．How to live ahealthy life.

4.About osteoporosis we know that _______.

A．gravity isone of the causes of osteoporosis

B．once our boneis broken down, osteoporosis will occur

C．women aremore likely to develop osteoporosis

D．if we developosteoporosis, we are more likely to be shorter

5.What will the author talk about in the paragraph tobe followed?

A．Tell us howto grow taller.

B．Tell us howto become healthier.

C．Tell us howto avoid being shrinking.

D．Tell us whatto do to have strong bones.

试题答案

【答案】

1.D

2.D

3.B

4.D

5.D

【解析】

试题