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    Most don’t work anymore, but Americans age 70 and older have seen their share of collective wealth surge during the pandemic. As a group, they have accumulated more than $14 trillion in additional net worth since the end 2019, based on Federal Reserve data. Their share of the country’s wealth has jumped to a record 30%, even though they account for 11% of the population.

    The aging population helps explain some of the gains: there are about 2.3 million more people over 70 in the country than in 2019. But one major driver was the surge in home values and stocks during the pandemic, which benefited older generations most likely to own a house — or two — and hold equities or mutual funds.

    Although people who are over 70 are typically retired, a rising portion of that age group is still working. The share of adults age 65 and more in the labor force reached a historic low of 10% in the mid-1980s but has since almost doubled, even after many retired early at the onset of the covid-19 health crisis.

    Older Americans also have been the beneficiaries of good timing with the stock market, despite recessions along the way. Since 2019, those age 70 and older have collectively gained about $5 trillion in equity gains. Close to 38% of the nation’s corporate equities and mutual fund shares were held by people in that age group, the highest share on record in data going back to 1989.

(Alex Tanzi. www.bnnbloomberg.ca, 2023. Adaptado.)

The main purpose of the text is to

HOW NEUROPLASTICITY WORKS

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd. Updated on May 17, 2024

 

Neuroplasticity is an umbrella term referring to the brain’s ability to change, reorganize, or grow neural 
networks. This can involve functional changes and adaptation due to brain damage or structural changes 
due to learning or experience.

The first few years of a child’s life are a time of rapid brain growth. At birth, every neuron in the cerebral 
[5] cortex has an estimated 2,500 synapses, or small gaps between neurons where nerve impulses are relayed. 
By the age of three, this number has grown to a whopping 15,000 synapses per neuron. The average adult, 
however, has only about half that number of synapses. This happens because as we gain new experiences, 
some connections are strengthened while others are eliminated. This process is known as “synaptic pruning”.
 While plasticity occurs throughout the lifetime, certain types of changes are more predominant at specific 
[10] ages. The brain tends to change a great deal during the early years of life, for example, as the immature brain 
grows and organizes itself. Generally, young brains tend to be more sensitive and responsive to experiences 
than much older brains. But this does not mean that adult brains are not capable of adaptation. Genetics can 
have an influence as well. The interaction between the environment and genetics also plays a role in shaping 
the brain’s plasticity.
 [15] Modern research has demonstrated that the brain continues to create new neural pathways and alter existing 
ones in order to adapt to new experiences, learn new information, and create new memories. In instances of 
damage to the brain, such as during a stroke, the areas of the brain associated with certain functions may be 
injured. Eventually, healthy parts of the brain may take over those functions and the abilities can be restored.
 Brain changes are often seen as positive, but this is not always the case. In some instances, the brain’s structure 
[20] and function can be negatively influenced or changed. For example, brain plasticity can be problematic 
when it allows detrimental changes caused by substance use, disease, or trauma – including brain injury 
or traumatic experiences that result in post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Even lead poisoning can 
negatively impact brain plasticity.
 The brain has an amazing ability to change throughout the course of our life, allowing us to learn new things 
[25] or recover after sustaining a brain-based injury and this is of great help. Without neuroplasticity, it would be 
difficult to learn or otherwise improve brain function. However, there are still limits to how much the brain 
can adapt. 

Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-plasticity-2794886. Accessed in: 2nd apr. 2025. (Adapted).

Regarding the role of neuroplasticity, in the conclusion, the author demonstrates that she feels:

HOW NEUROPLASTICITY WORKS

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd. Updated on May 17, 2024

 

Neuroplasticity is an umbrella term referring to the brain’s ability to change, reorganize, or grow neural 
networks. This can involve functional changes and adaptation due to brain damage or structural changes 
due to learning or experience.

The first few years of a child’s life are a time of rapid brain growth. At birth, every neuron in the cerebral 
[5] cortex has an estimated 2,500 synapses, or small gaps between neurons where nerve impulses are relayed. 
By the age of three, this number has grown to a whopping 15,000 synapses per neuron. The average adult, 
however, has only about half that number of synapses. This happens because as we gain new experiences, 
some connections are strengthened while others are eliminated. This process is known as “synaptic pruning”.
 While plasticity occurs throughout the lifetime, certain types of changes are more predominant at specific 
[10] ages. The brain tends to change a great deal during the early years of life, for example, as the immature brain 
grows and organizes itself. Generally, young brains tend to be more sensitive and responsive to experiences 
than much older brains. But this does not mean that adult brains are not capable of adaptation. Genetics can 
have an influence as well. The interaction between the environment and genetics also plays a role in shaping 
the brain’s plasticity.
 [15] Modern research has demonstrated that the brain continues to create new neural pathways and alter existing 
ones in order to adapt to new experiences, learn new information, and create new memories. In instances of 
damage to the brain, such as during a stroke, the areas of the brain associated with certain functions may be 
injured. Eventually, healthy parts of the brain may take over those functions and the abilities can be restored.
 Brain changes are often seen as positive, but this is not always the case. In some instances, the brain’s structure 
[20] and function can be negatively influenced or changed. For example, brain plasticity can be problematic 
when it allows detrimental changes caused by substance use, disease, or trauma – including brain injury 
or traumatic experiences that result in post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Even lead poisoning can 
negatively impact brain plasticity.
 The brain has an amazing ability to change throughout the course of our life, allowing us to learn new things 
[25] or recover after sustaining a brain-based injury and this is of great help. Without neuroplasticity, it would be 
difficult to learn or otherwise improve brain function. However, there are still limits to how much the brain 
can adapt. 

Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-plasticity-2794886. Accessed in: 2nd apr. 2025. (Adapted).

    This happens because as we gain new experiences, some connections are strengthened while others are eliminated. (l. 7-8)

 

    While plasticity occurs throughout the lifetime, certain types of changes are more predominant at specific ages. (l. 9-10)

 

The underlined words in these fragments express, respectively, the following ideas:

HOW NEUROPLASTICITY WORKS

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd. Updated on May 17, 2024

 

Neuroplasticity is an umbrella term referring to the brain’s ability to change, reorganize, or grow neural 
networks. This can involve functional changes and adaptation due to brain damage or structural changes 
due to learning or experience.

The first few years of a child’s life are a time of rapid brain growth. At birth, every neuron in the cerebral 
[5] cortex has an estimated 2,500 synapses, or small gaps between neurons where nerve impulses are relayed. 
By the age of three, this number has grown to a whopping 15,000 synapses per neuron. The average adult, 
however, has only about half that number of synapses. This happens because as we gain new experiences, 
some connections are strengthened while others are eliminated. This process is known as “synaptic pruning”.
 While plasticity occurs throughout the lifetime, certain types of changes are more predominant at specific 
[10] ages. The brain tends to change a great deal during the early years of life, for example, as the immature brain 
grows and organizes itself. Generally, young brains tend to be more sensitive and responsive to experiences 
than much older brains. But this does not mean that adult brains are not capable of adaptation. Genetics can 
have an influence as well. The interaction between the environment and genetics also plays a role in shaping 
the brain’s plasticity.
 [15] Modern research has demonstrated that the brain continues to create new neural pathways and alter existing 
ones in order to adapt to new experiences, learn new information, and create new memories. In instances of 
damage to the brain, such as during a stroke, the areas of the brain associated with certain functions may be 
injured. Eventually, healthy parts of the brain may take over those functions and the abilities can be restored.
 Brain changes are often seen as positive, but this is not always the case. In some instances, the brain’s structure 
[20] and function can be negatively influenced or changed. For example, brain plasticity can be problematic 
when it allows detrimental changes caused by substance use, disease, or trauma – including brain injury 
or traumatic experiences that result in post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Even lead poisoning can 
negatively impact brain plasticity.
 The brain has an amazing ability to change throughout the course of our life, allowing us to learn new things 
[25] or recover after sustaining a brain-based injury and this is of great help. Without neuroplasticity, it would be 
difficult to learn or otherwise improve brain function. However, there are still limits to how much the brain 
can adapt. 

Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-plasticity-2794886. Accessed in: 2nd apr. 2025. (Adapted).

The main aim of the 4th paragraph is:

HOW NEUROPLASTICITY WORKS

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd. Updated on May 17, 2024

 

Neuroplasticity is an umbrella term referring to the brain’s ability to change, reorganize, or grow neural 
networks. This can involve functional changes and adaptation due to brain damage or structural changes 
due to learning or experience.

The first few years of a child’s life are a time of rapid brain growth. At birth, every neuron in the cerebral 
[5] cortex has an estimated 2,500 synapses, or small gaps between neurons where nerve impulses are relayed. 
By the age of three, this number has grown to a whopping 15,000 synapses per neuron. The average adult, 
however, has only about half that number of synapses. This happens because as we gain new experiences, 
some connections are strengthened while others are eliminated. This process is known as “synaptic pruning”.
 While plasticity occurs throughout the lifetime, certain types of changes are more predominant at specific 
[10] ages. The brain tends to change a great deal during the early years of life, for example, as the immature brain 
grows and organizes itself. Generally, young brains tend to be more sensitive and responsive to experiences 
than much older brains. But this does not mean that adult brains are not capable of adaptation. Genetics can 
have an influence as well. The interaction between the environment and genetics also plays a role in shaping 
the brain’s plasticity.
 [15] Modern research has demonstrated that the brain continues to create new neural pathways and alter existing 
ones in order to adapt to new experiences, learn new information, and create new memories. In instances of 
damage to the brain, such as during a stroke, the areas of the brain associated with certain functions may be 
injured. Eventually, healthy parts of the brain may take over those functions and the abilities can be restored.
 Brain changes are often seen as positive, but this is not always the case. In some instances, the brain’s structure 
[20] and function can be negatively influenced or changed. For example, brain plasticity can be problematic 
when it allows detrimental changes caused by substance use, disease, or trauma – including brain injury 
or traumatic experiences that result in post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Even lead poisoning can 
negatively impact brain plasticity.
 The brain has an amazing ability to change throughout the course of our life, allowing us to learn new things 
[25] or recover after sustaining a brain-based injury and this is of great help. Without neuroplasticity, it would be 
difficult to learn or otherwise improve brain function. However, there are still limits to how much the brain 
can adapt. 

Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-plasticity-2794886. Accessed in: 2nd apr. 2025. (Adapted).

The following statement is in accordance with the text:

    Life

 

That it will never come again

Is what makes life so sweet.

Believing what we don’t believe

Does not expel the fleet.

Dickinson, E. Disponível em: https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/114/the-poems-of-emily-dickinson-series-one/2323/life poem-6/. Acesso em: 25 Abr 2025.

 

Nesse poema, Emily Dickinson discute, principalmente, que a vida