Question 1

Why is it that the oldest-old are able to live long lives and considered to be hardy?

Accepted Answer

A)   because their wealth affords them excellent medical care
B)   because they have not been exposed to as many toxins during their lifetimes
C)   because they have a high threshold for disease
D)   because they have typically made more healthy lifestyle choices across their lifespans C

Question 2

Globally, by the year 2050, which age group will have more people than in any other?

Accepted Answer

A)   65 and older
B)   40-49
C)   20-29
D)   0-9 A

Question 3

Janet has decided to give up her driver's licence because she notices that she can no longer react as quickly to situations when driving. What has been affected in Janet?

Accepted Answer

A)   cognitive speed
B)   psychomotor speed
C)   metabolic rate
D)   processing rate B

Question 4

Because more seniors require assistance with activities of daily living, which of the following systems will face increasing strain in the future?

Accepted Answer

A)   education
B)   economic
C)   political
D)   healthcare

Question 5

After Winston has been diagnosed with Parkinson's, what is his doctor most likely to prescribe?

Accepted Answer

A)   levodopa
B)   an HCA
C)   amyloids
D)   thioridazine

Question 6

Familial Alzheimer's disease is linked to which one of the following causative genes?

Accepted Answer

A)   ALS8
B)   PSEN2
C)   TMG6
D)   APOE-e4

Question 7

In preparing for a date in court, Angeline commits to memory the details of the case. What type of memory is involved in this sort of preparation?

Accepted Answer

A)   implicit memory
B)   semantic memory
C)   working memory
D)   explicit memory

Question 8

Mr. Jones is a member of what gerontologist call the Fourth Age. Which of the following situations is typical for Mr. Jones?

Accepted Answer

A)   He experiences high levels of personal and emotional well-being.
B)   He is frail and has multiple chronic conditions.
C)   He has some cognitive reserves left in his aging mind.
D)   He experiences decreases in the negative effects of chronic stress.

Question 9

According to the text, why has the proportion of older adults increased tremendously during the past century?

Accepted Answer

A)   due to better overall health
B)   due to more wealth
C)   due to increased medical technology
D)   due to the knowledge of highly-educated healthcare professionals

Question 10

What is causing the number of older adults to increase in developing countries?

Accepted Answer

A)   lower birth rates
B)   improved pension programs
C)   improved health care
D)   North American influence on diet

Question 11

After a series of strokes, Jerry is unable to recognize family members and has a very difficult time understanding his native language. What is the most probable diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

A)   Huntington's disease
B)   neuritic plaques
C)   vascular dementia
D)   Alzheimer's disease

Question 12

In order to depict the number of people of different ages in the population, what graphing technique is used?

Accepted Answer

A)   demography
B)   census-taking
C)   worldometers
D)   population pyramid

Question 13

As the over-80 population increases dramatically in the next 40 years, which will probably be most affected in Canada?

Accepted Answer

A)   defence systems
B)   housing
C)   social service systems
D)   transportation systems

Question 14

Joanne is 65 years old. She has a difficult time motivating herself to get out of bed, and explains by saying sadly, "What's the point, there is nothing I can do to make it worthwhile anyway." What is Joanne exhibiting?

Accepted Answer

A)   apathy
B)   dysphoria
C)   melancholia
D)   dysthymic disorder

Question 15

Which of the following conditions does not belong?

Accepted Answer

A)   emphysema
B)   chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
C)   presbycusis
D)   asthma

Question 16

Charles has changed a great deal. He has a difficult time remembering things, even simple things like where he is or what year it is. He is having increasing difficulty understanding people, or saying things that make sense to others. In addition, he rarely cleans himself anymore, and he acts in very inappropriate ways around others. What is Charles exhibiting many signs of?

Accepted Answer

A)   depression
B)   anxiety disorder
C)   Parkinson's disease
D)   Alzheimer's disease

Question 17

Because Lynn studies free radicals and telomeres, what kind of theory is she most likely investigating?

Accepted Answer

A)   a wear-and-tear theory of aging
B)   a metabolic theory of aging
C)   a cellular theory of aging
D)   a programmed cell death theory of aging

Question 18

Which physical change associated with aging would be least likely to affect one's ability to drive an automobile?

Accepted Answer

A)   presbycusis
B)   decreased reaction time
C)   stiffening of the lenses
D)   atherosclerosis

Question 19

Which sort of memory is most unlike the others?

Accepted Answer

A)   episodic
B)   semantic
C)   implicit
D)   explicit

Question 20

Carmen has a very difficult time breathing. Even after walking only short distances, she is gasping for air. Which condition is Carmen exhibiting symptoms of?

Accepted Answer

A)   asthma
B)   emphysema
C)   tuberculosis
D)   chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Exam 15: The Personal Context of Later Life