PART V READING COMPREHENSION [25 MIN]

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Anna Douglas was 72 years old when she started writing her newspaper column.She had been the director of a school and a camp before she retired, but she needed to keep busy. She was even willing to work without pay. That was the reason she found a volunteer job with an agency. The agency that she chose to work for was a business that helped other businesses find jobs for old people. Every day she talked with other retired people like herself. By talking, she recognized two things. Old people had abilities that were not being used. Old people also had problems――mostly problems with communication.

Mrs. Douglas found a new purpose for herself. Through the years, from time to time she had written stories about people for national magazines. Now there was a new subject: old people like herself. She began to write a newspaper column called “Sixty Plus,” which focused on getting old. She writes about the problems of old people, especially their problems with being misunderstood.

Anna Douglas uses her thinking ability to see the truth behind a problem. She understands the reasons why problems begin. She understands old people and young people, too. For example, one of her readers said that his grandchildren left the house as soon as he came to visit. Mrs. Douglas suggested some ways for him to increase understanding with his grandchildren. She told him to listen to young peoples music and to watch the most popular television shows.

“It’s important to know something about your grandchildren’s world,” says Mrs.

Douglas. “That means questioning and listening――and listening is not what old sters do best,” she continues, “Say good things to them and about them. Never criticize your grandchildren or any other youngsters, teenagers, or young adults.

Never tell them that they are wrong. Don’t give them your opinion. They have been taught that they should have respect for old people. The old should have respect for the young as well.”

66. Anna Douglas understands the problems of old people ____.

A. because she likes their music

B. because she has grandchildren

C. because she watches their television programs

D. because she is old herself

67. Anna Douglas’ newspaper column____.

A. is about how to find jobs for old people

B. spreads ideas for youngsters

C. discusses the problems of old people

D. contains mostly funny stories

68. What advice did Mrs. Douglas NOT give to the reader whose grandchildren didnt want to see him?

A. Listen to popular music.

B. Tell more interesting stories.

C. Try to understand the grandchildren.

D. Watch more popular TV shows.

69. The main point of Mrs. Douglas’ advice is____.

A. old people should understand and respect the young

B. old people have a lot to learn from the young

C. poor hearing often causes old people to misunderstand the young

D. old people should show respect for the young even when they criticize themお