Kane Tanaka, the world’s oldest person, has died in Japan aged 119, according to a statement released by the country’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Guinness World Records said they were saddened to hear of Tanaka’s passing, and said the news of her death had been confirmed by Robert Young, who also helped confirm her record as the oldest person alive back in 2019.

Guinness World Records said: “She became the oldest living person in January 2019 at the age of 116 years and 28 days. She is also the second oldest person ever recorded, behind only Jeanne Calment who lived to the age of 122.”

Tanaka’s family said earlier this month that she had been frequently sick recently and “in and out of hospital.” Tanaka married a rice shop owner at the age of 19, and worked in the family store until she was 103. She twice survived cancer and lived through a large number of historical events, surviving two world wars and the 1918 Spanish flu—as well as the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was reported that Tanaka once prepared to join the Olympic torch relay(火炬接力) ahead of the postponed Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. The plan had been that she would take the flame as it passed through Shime, but ultimately she did not take part, because of concerns about Covid-19.

Tanaka had been living in a nursing home. Her family said she kept her mind and body engaged by doing math and remaining curious. Tanaka’s great-granddaughter Junko Tanaka set up an account in January 2020 to celebrate the super centenarian’s life. She shared photos of her great-grandmother enjoying treats such as cake and soda pop, and shared her achievements and the exchanges she had with her relatives. She said, “I wanted to share that with the world and for people to feel inspired and to feel her joy.”

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1.When was Kane Tanaka born?

A In 1901.

B In 1903.

C In 1907.

D In 1913.

解析：选B。B 数字计算题。根据第一段第一句“Kane Tanaka, the world’s oldest person, has died in Japan aged 119”可知，Kane Tanaka享年119岁，即她出生于(2022-119=)1903年。故选B。

2.Why did the author mention “a large number of historical events”?

A To explain Tanaka’s bad experiences.

B To tell us Tanaka’s poor health.

C To share Tanaka’s happy marriage.

D To show Tanaka lived a long life.

解析：选D。D 推理判断题。根据第三段的“She twice survived cancer and lived through a large number of historical events, surviving two world wars and the 1918 Spanish flu—as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.”可知作者提到“众多历史事件”意在表明Kane Tanaka的长寿。故选D。

3.Why didn’t Tanaka carry the Olympic torch?

A The torch was too heavy for her.

B The Tokyo Olympics was postponed.

C The Covid-19 spread widely.

D The Spanish flu was very terrible.

解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第四段最后一句的“but ultimately she did not take part, because of concerns about Covid-19.”可知，由于新冠病毒疫情的原因Kane Tanaka没参加火炬接力。故选C。

4.What could people know from Junko Tanaka’s account?

A The daily life of the old lady.

B The achievements of the relatives.

C The joy of living with Kane Tanaka.

D The place where Junko Tanaka lived.

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。根据最后一段“She shared photos of her great-grandmother enjoying treats such as cake and soda pop, and shared her achievements and the exchanges she had with her relatives.”可知，Junko Tanaka在该账户上分享曾祖母享受美食的照片，分享曾祖母的成就和曾祖母与亲戚的交流。即人们从中可以了解到Kane Tanaka的日常生活。故选A。