Name : Laudy Novia

Nim : G1B118064

Being an Optimist May Help People Live Past 85

Individuals who scored higher on an optimism
assessment were likely to live significantly longer lives, a
new study finds
By Jacquelyn Corley, STAT on August 27, 2019

A. Write your summary from these reading text!

A new study published Monday by researchers at

Boston University adds to the evidence that optimistic
men and women may live longer than those who are
pessimistic. Researchers found that people who scored
higher on an optimism assessment were more likely to
live past the age of 85. Those with higher optimism levels
at the start of the study were more likely to have
advanced degrees and be physically active, and less likely
to have health conditions like diabetes or depression.

The study, published in Proceedings of the National

Academy of Sciences, involved long-term follow up of
women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study and men in
the Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study. The women
have been followed since 1976, and in 2004 they
completed a six-question optimism assessment. Their
survival was tracked until 2014. The men have been
followed since 1961, and in 1986 they completed a
baseline assessment with 263 true or false statements
about their experiences and their outlook on life. Survival
outcomes were tracked through 2016. A report from the
Brookings Institution in May 2018 reached a similar
conclusion.

The authors of the new study said they believe that

optimism is a modifiable attribute and could be a
potential target to promote healthy aging. Graham
suggested that communities could boost optimism by
increasing access to the arts or providing volunteer
opportunities, which might help create a sense of
purpose and foster social connections.

While the association is clear, scientists still do not

fully understand why optimism might lead to longevity. It
may simply be that people who are optimistic are more
likely to invest in their health and avoid risky health
behaviors. But there may be more biology than what it
seems on the surface.
 The findings provide a launching point for future
research, Lee said. She hopes to investigate potential
pathways between optimism and longevity and look for
explanations for these findings.
B. Write T if the statements that are true, according to
the reading text. Write F if the statements that are
false.
1. When researchers accounted for these
variables, they still not found that optimism was
associated with people living significantly
longer. (…….)
2. Researchers focus on finding risk factors the
heighten the likelihood of
falling ill (……)
3. These findings reinforce the value of looking at
psychosocial assets and not just deficits in
overall health and health outcomes. (……)
4. A new study published Monday by researchers

at Boston University adds to the evidence that

optimistic men and women may live longer than
those who are pessimistic.(……)
5. Survival outcomes were tracked through 2004.
(……)
 C. Write the missing word in the phrases. Choose from
these words:
Target Disease
Processes Assessment
Longer Degrees

Living Longer Potential Target

Advanced Degrees Cardiovascular Disease
Optimism Assassment Aging Processes

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