As the UN International Day of Older Persons is drawing near, Help Age International’s Global Age Watch Index measures the social and economic welfare of those over 60. The index measures four areas - income security, health, personal capability and whether the person lives in an “enabling environment”. 

Norway is the best place to grow old, according to the index of the quality of later life in 96 countries. Hot on the heels of Norway comes Sweden, closely followed by Switzerland, Canada and Germany. The report says that by 2050, some 40 countries in the index will have populations where 30% are aged 60 or over.

The report predicts that by 2050, 21% of the global population will be over 60, and the number of those aged 60 or over will reach 1.4 billion by 2030.

Experts point out that the increasing numbers of people surviving into older age are, a cause for celebration - advances in healthcare and in nutrition, better sanitation, and more economic prosperity are all contributory factors. Add in other factors like falling birth rates and it is clear why we see not just more people living longer, but countries with higher percentages of older people as well.

But the question is whether this can be turned into more positive aging for those who have little or no social protection or savings – a sharp challenge for many in the developing world. There is change taking place. The growth of “social pensions” is seen as key to helping to deal with inequality for the older age group.

Several Latin American countries - particularly Mexico and Peru - have leapt up the index as a result of their efforts in ensuring “social pensions” for the poorest older people. In Mexico, nearly nine out of every 10 people aged 65 and over receive a social pension. Because of this, Mexico ranks at 30 on the index, surpassing the BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. 

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1.What does HelpAge International’s Global AgeWatch Index focus on?

A Social protection and savings.

B The economic development.

C Healthcare, nutrition and sanitation.

D Secure income for elderly people.

解析：选D。D 细节理解题。根据文章第一段The index measures four areas - income security, health…可知，“全球关心关注老年人指数”侧重统计保障的收入，健康状况等四个方面。

2.What can we infer from the passage?

A An “enabling environment” leads to more people’s older age.

B Europe has the best environment for the old in the world.

C The falling of birth rate leads to the larger older population.

D The inequality lies in the increase of “social pensions”.

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。根据文章第Experts point out that the increasing numbers of people surviving into older age are …可知由于保健、营养、卫生等方面的改善，更多的老年人享受长寿生活。而这些条件的改善，创造了适于老年人生活的“有利环境”。故选A。

3.What do the underlined words most probably mean in the second paragraph?

A Standing very close to each other.

B Feeling hot because of long walk.

C Following closely with almost no gap.

D Having a great difference from.

解析：选C。C 猜测词义题。根据排名可知，挪威第一，瑞典第二。根据语境可知，两个国家之间差距很小，后面的几个国家与瑞典之间几乎是不分伯仲。由此判断，hot on heels of意为“紧跟着，接踵而至的”。

4.What is the challenge for the developing world?

A Old people have little or no protection or savings.

B More and more people are getting older.

C There is inequality for the older age group.

D It is hard to grow “social pensions” for the old.

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据文章第五段But the question is whether…have little or no social protection or savings – a sharp challenge…可知，发展中国家面临的挑战是解决老年人的社会保护和收入问题。

5.What does Peru have in common with Mexico in ensuring older people’s life?

A Economic prosperity.

B Income security.

C Advances in healthcare.

D Decrease in birth rate.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据文章最后一段as a result of their efforts in ensuring “social pensions” for the poorest older people可知，墨西哥和秘鲁在保证老年人“社会养老金”方面做了很多努力，改善了他们的生活状况。social pensions即指前文的income security。故选B。