STUDY CLAIMS AGATHA CHRISTIE HAD ALZHEIMERS

An in-depth analysis of Agatha Christie's novels has suggested that the much-loved author of
more than 80 mysteries was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Academics at the University of
Toronto studied a selection of Christie's novels written between the ages of 28 and 82, counting
the numbers of different words, indefinite nouns and phrases used in each. They found that the
vocabulary size of the creator of Poirot and Miss Marple decreased sharply as she neared the
end of her life, by 15 to 30%, while repetition of phrases and indefinite word usage (something,
thing, anything) in her novels increased significantly. "We found statistically significant drops in
vocabulary, and increases in repeated phrases and indefinite nouns in 15 detective novels
from The Mysterious Affair at Styles to Postern of Fate," said the academics, Dr Ian Lancashire
from the English department and computer scientist Dr Graeme Hirst. "These language effects
are recognized as symptoms of memory difficulties associated with Alzheimer's disease."
The most abrupt decline was seen in a novel Christie wrote aged 81, Elephants Can Remember.
The book showed, they said, 30% fewer word types than Destination Unknown, which she
wrote aged 63, 18% more repeated phrases, and almost three times as many indefinite words.
Lancashire told Canadian current affairs magazine Macleansthat the title of the novel, a
tweaking of the proverb "elephants never forget", also gives a clue that Christie was defensive
about her declining mental powers, while the protagonist is unable to solve the mystery herself,
and is forced to call on the aid of Hercule Poirot. Although Christie, whose books have sold
over two billion copies worldwide, was never diagnosed with dementia, the authors of the study
conclude that the changes in her writing are consistent not with normal ageing, but with
Alzheimer's disease. "These signs, especially indefinite word usage, are present in her writing
from her early 70s," they said.
guardian.co.uk, Friday 3 April 2009 13.53 BST
Mark A (true) or (B) false), according to the text.
1. Agatha Christie suffered from Alzheimers disease because of her work.
( )A
( )B
2. There was a significant drop in her language caused by ageing.
( )A ( )B
3. Her writing was compared to the work of a contemporary whom dementia wasnt suspected.
( )A ( )B
4. The decline in her language complexity may be a sign of Alzheimer.
( )A ( )B
5. Agatha Christie could have been aware of her problem.
( )A ( )B
II. Grammar, vocabulary and usage
Choose the best alternative.
6. Someone that believes in his/her abilities is a person who is_____ .
A) bossy
B) ambitious C) confident D) sociable
7. Do you want to call off _____.
A) the TV?
B) the meeting? C) the mess?

D) this form?

8. Who chose your name? My mom. I was _____ after my grandmother.

A) called B) named C) made D) taken
9. Did you _____ any sports at school?
A) do B) make C) play D) go
10. My mother had lots of wrinkles on her _____ .
A) hair B) head C) face D) ear

11. Are you having a good time?

A) Yes, we have. B) Yes, we are having. C) Yes, I am. D) Yes, I have.
12. Our president _____ to Russia twice last year.
A) has been B) stayed C) has gone D) went
13. Have you ever spoken English outside your class?
A) Yes, I spoke. B) Yes, I have. C) Yes, I did. D) Yes, I speak.
14. _____ is it to PUCRS from your home? About two kilometers.
A) How long B) How far
C) How distant D) How much time
15. I think Florianpolis is _____ than Porto Alegre.
A) wetter
B) more noisy C) worst
D) much peaceful
16. _____ you like anything to drink? No, thanks.
A) Will
B) Did
C) Would
D) Do
17. _____ in this picture? Her mother.
A) Whose
B) What
C) Whos

D) Which

18. Where _____ your parents born? My mother _____ born in So Paulo, I dont know
about my father.
A) was / was B) was / were C) were / was D) were / were

19. What _____ last night at 10 oclock? I _____ sleeping.

A) was / was B) was / were C) were / was D) were / were
20. Did you _____ that chocolate cake? No, Im not a good cook.
A) made
B) make
C) hav
D) do
21. Two months ago she took a trip to Rio de Janeiro. She _____ to the beach every day and ate
a lot of seafood.

A) go

B) went

C) stayed

D) goes

22. Are you going to the boxing match tomorrow?

A) No, we dont.
B) No, we arent going.

C) Yes, I am.

D) Yes, you are.

23. Can you _____ me? No, I cant. Speak louder , please.
A) hear B) listen to C) see D) touch
24. What was the meeting _____ ? What happened _____ the end?
A) at / in
B) about / at C) of / about D) in / on
25. All the following words and expressions are used with for but _____
A) ages.
B) a month.
C) yesterday. D) years.
26. They first met a nightclub and then she found him _____ the Internet.
A) in / in
B) on / at
C) at / on
D) in / at
27. Who wrote The Old Man and the Sea?
A) Ernest Hemingway wrote.
B) Ernest Hemingway did.
C) Ernest Hemingway was.
D) Ernest Hemingway made.
28. Cars cause air pollution. Bicycles _____.
A) doesnt.
B) didnt.
C) arent.

D) dont.

29. At this moment Julie is tasting everything _____ the pots _____ the stove.
A) at / in
B) in / on
C) in / of
D) on / on
30. Which is the best opening sentence of a phone call:
A) Could I speak to Mrs Carter, please?
C) Would you mind hanging on a minute, please?

B) Whos calling?
D) Hi! How are you?

31. You are at the top of a very tall building and you would like someone to take a picture. You
say:
A) Is it O.K. if I take your picture?
B) Should I take your picture?
C) Would you mind taking my picture, please?
D) Do you know how to take pictures?
32. You are on a bus and a man has put his wet umbrella on the seat and you want him to move
it. You say:
A) Can I move your umbrella, please?
B) Would you like me to move your umbrella, please?
C) Could you move your umbrella, please?
D) Is this your umbrella?

33. A friend of yours is not feeling well. You say:

A) I was wondering if you could call a doctor.
C) Would you mind going to a doctor?

B) Should I call a doctor?

D) Is it O.K. if I go to the doctor?

34. Leave keys at the front desk.

A) You have to go to the front desk and look for your keys.
B) You dont have to take your keys out of the hotel.
C) You must not take your keys out of the hotel.
D) You must take your keys when you leave.
35. We no longer accept credit cards.
A) They are sorry that credit cards are very long.
B) They are going to accept credit cards in the future.
C) They will accept only cash.
D) They used to accept credit cards.