Experts in education and gerontology（老人医学) say that the number of retired Americans wh

Experts in education and gerontology(老人医学) say that the number of retired Americans who are spending time—or planning to—on educational pursuits is growing fast. The trend is driven by such factors as increased longevity, people enjoying more years of good health, and a growing realization by many that a retirement into passivity is not only boring but can lead to atrophy(萎缩) of both mind and body. The federal government estimated in 2001 that additional life expectancy for a 65-year-old was 16.4 years for men and 19.4 years for women. That's a lot of time to fill if you're not working and in good health.

Certainly, educational opportunities aimed at the 65-and-older set aren't new. The first" lifelong learning institute" targeted specifically at retirees opened in 1962 at the New School for Social Research in New York, and there are many others that have been around for two decades or more. What's new is the tremendous variety of learning opportunities and places available for those who approach retirement. The options range from one-shot lectures, discussion classes, or day trips organized by a local college or retirement home.

Educational travel is appealing because it combines the exploration of a new place with deepening your understanding of its history, geology, or literature. For those who prefer to stay close to home, many campus-based pro grams are available that offer a college-level curriculum but don't have grades or tests. Perhaps the ultimate commitment to lifelong learning is moving into a retirement community affiliated with an educational institution. For folks who like the idea of living in a campus environment, several retirement villages are built near campuses in Ohio, New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire. The programs give residents' access to campus activities, al low them to attend or teach classes, as well as work on joint-research projects with undergrads, graduates, or faculty.

In our shorter-lived-parents' generation, people were often satisfied to define retirement in terms of what they weren't doing—namely, working. But with the possibility of 20 or more years ahead after leaving your primary job or profession, you owe it to yourself to find a positive, enjoyable way to spend your time. Continuing education might be the answer. Not only do you not have to take tests or pull an all-nighter to struggle for a good grade, you can study any topic you want, almost anywhere in the world—and on your own schedule.

More Americans are taking up education after retirements partly because ______.

A．they want to learn what they have no time to learn before retirement

B．they retire at an earlier age with more years left to learn

C．they are more wealthy to afford to continue the education

D．they find learning is a good way to fight against the process of aging