Year 5 Science · Growing up to old age · Lesson 4.5

Year 5 Science: Adulthood and old age

Part of the Year 5 Science growing up to old age chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

4.5

Adulthood and old age

Year 5
A1: adulthood and old age, the changes to the body in the later stages of life

Story. Mr Patel’s father is in his seventies. He has grey hair, and his hands and face are more wrinkled than they used to be. “I have more time to garden and read now,” he says. “I still learn new things, and I still enjoy life.”

Adulthood is the stage when the body has usually finished growing. Adults can make their own decisions, look after themselves, and work. Many adults have children of their own.

Old age is not the end of learning. Exercise, a healthy diet and friends help people to stay well and active for longer.

The fifth figure, old age, is highlighted. It is a little shorter than the adult figure, because of changes such as a bending back.

Key ideas

Adulthood is when the body has usually finished growing.
In old age the skin may wrinkle, and the hair may turn grey or white.
In old age the bones can become weaker.
Exercise, a healthy diet and friends help people stay well in old age.

Worked example 4.5.1

In which stage has the body usually finished growing? Write the word.

Method. Read the description in section 4.5.

Read the description. Adulthood is when the body has usually finished growing.
finished growing
Name the stage. So the stage is adulthood.
adulthood
Write the answer.
adulthood

Check. Adults are fully grown in height. ✓

Worked example 4.5.2

Name one change to the hair in old age. Write the words.

Method. Read the list of changes in old age.

Read the list. In old age the hair may turn grey or white, or become thinner.
turn grey
Name one change. One change is that the hair turns grey or white.
grey or white
Write the answer.
turns grey or white

Check. Accept any one of: turns grey, turns white, becomes thinner. ✓

Worked example 4.5.3

Do the bones become weaker in old age? Write yes or no.

Method. Read the list of changes in old age.

Read the list. The list says the bones can become weaker in old age.
weaker
Decide. So the answer is yes.
yes
Write the answer.
yes

Check. Bones can become weaker, so care is needed. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: old age does not mean illness. Many older people stay active, learn new things and enjoy life. Change is normal; it is not a problem in itself.

Try it (with your teacher or a grown-up). With a grown-up, talk to an older relative or friend (if they are happy to chat). Ask them one question about a change they have noticed as they got older. Write down their answer in your own words. Thank them.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Keep the talk respectful. Let your child ask one question each. Remind them that every older person is different.

Exercise 4E Adulthood and old age

FIn which stage has the body usually finished growing? Write the word.

Done

FWhich stage of life comes after adulthood? Write the words.

Done

FFill in the gap: in old age, the skin can become thinner, and ___ can appear. Write one word.

Done

FName one change to the hair in old age, from section 4.5. Write one word.

Done

FAre the bones weaker in old age? Write yes or no.

Done

PSLook at the five figures in section 4.5. Which figure is the adult? Write the word.

Done

PSLook at the five figures in section 4.5. Which figure is the oldest? Write the word.

Done

PSTrue or false: old age is the end of learning. Write true or false.

Done

PSWorking scientifically. Compare two stages. Write one way an adult is different from an old person. Write one sentence.

Done

RExplain why exercise and a healthy diet help people in old age. Write one sentence.

Done

RExplain why change is a normal part of life, at every stage. Write one sentence.

Done