文章大意:这是一篇说明文。文章主要说明了慈善组织Age UK发起了“旅伴”试点项目,旨在帮助那些可能感到孤独的老年人自信地走出家门。解释了这么做的原因以及老人对此的看法。
Maria Jones had just finished teaching a yoga class when she happened to notice an elderly man walking around by himself in the city centre of Aberdeen, Scotland.
As they shared a packet of chocolate bars over a coffee, Maria learned that Tom Smith, who was 83, had left his home that day for the first time in three years. Driven by extreme loneliness, he decided to take a ride on the bus. He’d taken two different buses that day.
According to Age UK, 1.1 million older people rely on using public transport for company. While health and mobility issues can lead to social isolation, the COVID-19 lockdown, coupled with the upsetting effect of the cost of living crisis, has contributed to a loneliness epidemic among the UK’s older population.
Senior expert Sally Baker sees the necessity of establishing a programme to reconnect the older people with their local communities. And helping them access local transport links is the first step. She says that she understands why travelling on public transport can help to reduce loneliness. It offers a setting for conversations to spark up. “Sitting side by side is often less inhibiting than direct eye contact,” she said.
However, Age UK is aware that many older people feel worried about getting out and about, with 38 percent saying they don’t feel confident using public transport.
That’s why the charity has initiated the Travelling Companions’ pilot programme, designed to help older people who might be feeling lonely to get out and about confidently. Each older person is matched with a volunteer who will help them achieve their travel goals.
One man at 80, who has been helped by Age UK’s new project, says, “The programme is making my world a lot bigger and brighter.”
33. Why is Tom Smith’s experience mentioned in the text?
A.To give an example of someone getting lost. |
B.To introduce the major topic to be discussed. |
C.To illustrate the boring daily life of 80-year-olds. |
D.To stress the value of chatting with older people. |
34. What can we learn from paragraph 4?
A.Older people need help to rebuild social connections. |
B.Travelling alone on buses can be unsafe for older people. |
C.Many older people take buses to ease anxiety. |
D.It’s necessary to offer older people free bus rides. |
35. What is Age UK according to the text?
A.A research institute. | B.A senior citizen care centre. |
C.A bus company. | D.A charity organization. |
36. What is the text mainly about?
A.The widespread old age problem in the UK. |
B.Loneliness among the UK’s older population. |
C.A programme to help older people use public transport. |
D.Volunteers who accompany the elderly people on their trips. |