Ageing is a normal process of human development that takes place on several levels: biological, psychological and social although it is not certain what causes ageing, most gerontologists would agree that ageing is the result of a combination of both internal and external processes. The "wear-and-tear theory" compares the human body to a machine that over time wears down from use. According to this theory, bodily systems receive cumulative damage from both external forces, such as toxins, released as a result of metabolism. Cells become damaged and increasingly fail to reproduce or repair themselves. They die off in larger numbers as we age. the "combination theory" explains that influences such as stress and diet, each person is born with a genetically predetermined life expectancy that cannot be exceeded This interaction of external factors and internal programming would account for individual variations in the life span. The mystery surrounding why we age is still a topic of numerous ongoing studies. Perhaps, one day we will truly know why we age.
'Cumulative' in the passage in a /an _____ .
After help, we can use object + infinitive (with or without to).
| Can you help me (to) find my ring? (NOT | |
| Thank you so much for helping us (to) repair the car. | |
| Our main task is to help the company (to) become profitable. |
Help can also be followed directly by an infinitive without an object.
| Would you like to help pack? |
If you say that you cannot/can’t help doing something (especially in British English), you mean that you can’t stop yourself, even if you don’t want to do it.
| She’s a selfish woman, but somehow you can’t help liking her. | |
| Excuse me – I couldn’t help overhearing what you said. | |
| Sorry I broke the cup – I couldn’t help it. |
Can’t help can be followed by but + infinitive (without to), with the same meaning as can’t help verb + ing. This is common in American English.
| I can’t help but wonder what I should do next. |
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