D Skim the whole text quickly and tick the reasons that are given in the second column in exercise C.
Still dancing at 100 in the Blue Zones A So-called Blue Zones are pockets in the world where people live longer, many surpassing
Researcher Dan Buettner wanted to understand. He worked in conjunction with the National Institute on Ageing to investigate the connection between the four zones. The people and cultures in question could not be more disparate, but once the prevailing lifestyles are analyzed, it is not difficult to recognize common lifestyle choices which contribute to the longevity experienced.
B Ovodda has a population of only around 1,700, but it is home to several centenarians.
A typical Sardinian diet consists of wholegrain bread, beans, vegetables, fruit and pecorino cheese. Meat consumption is infrequent, reserved for Sundays or special occasions. People drink goat’s milk in moderation. Life is uncomplicated in this sheep-herding community, where men walk seven or eight kilometres a day over mountainous terrain. Women may not be quite so active, but they are far from sedentary. Communities have strong family values and ensure every member of the family is cared for. In Ovodda, elders are respected and celebrated, and grandparents play an important role, providing childcare, wisdom, financial help and ties to traditions.
C Okinawa can boast that of its 1.5 million inhabitants, around 1,000 are centenarians. That
is a longevity rate 33% higher than most other parts of the world. Here, as in Ovodda, diet appears to be central to the equation. Okinawans enjoy a plant-based intake, consisting of stir-fried vegetables, sweet potatoes, tofu and other soy-based fare. Also common is goya, a bitter melon, high in antioxidants. Meat is on the menu, but only occasionally and in very small quantities.
Perhaps, more importantly, Okinawans practice hara hachi bu – an ancient Japanese tradition that means eat until you are 80% full. These people never overindulge and, all in all, consume 20% fewer calories each day than westerners do. Older Okinawans remain active and regularly exercise. They embrace ikigai – a purpose for living, which they can readily articulate. They have clearly defined roles and responsibilities well into their senior years. Family and community bonds are strong.
D Nowhere else in the United States do people live as long as they do in Loma Linda, and
here longevity may be connected with faith. The small community is home to America’s largest population of Seventh-Day Adventists. As in the other zones, these people eat healthily. They also renounce caffeinated drinks and alcohol. Of more significant impact, however, could be the spiritual side of life. Adventists encourage members to volunteer well into old age. It provides a sense of purpose and an opportunity to socialize. Adventists also take a weekly 24-hour break for the Sabbath to focus on God, family, friends and nature. They spend most of their time with those who share their values, and they support one another in times of need.
E Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula has the world’s lowest middle-age death rate. Here, a
traditional diet is tortillas, beans, rice and a variety of fruits and vegetables. Meat and dairy products are less common. The water is calcium rich, and people consume a great quantity.
Exam tip: Some tasks involve skimming a whole passage while others involve skimming each paragraph to identify its purpose or the point made in it.
14 Pathway to IELTS 6.0
the average life expectancy by several years. It is this phenomenon that links Ovodda, a small town in the mountains of Sardinia, Okinawa, a remote Japanese island, Loma Linda, a city in the hills of California and the Nicoya Peninsula, a neck of land on the coast of Costa Rica. In fact, in these four otherwise unrelated places, people have three times the chance of living to 100 than they do anywhere else the world, and what is more, they are still active and content with life.
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