Passage Three

　　Many doctors are now trained in techniques to lessen tension and stress. Here health professionals reveal their favorite methods.

　　Comfort with food. When diet expert Judith Wurtman is stressed out, she does what a lot of people do this time of year: she reaches for food. But in her case, it’s a healthy rice cake or two. “My research suggests that carbohydrates(碳水化合物) raise levels of a brain chemical, which has a calming effect on the entire body,” says the MIT research scientist. “So signs of stress—such as anger, tension, and inability to focus—are eased.”

　　Run from your problems. Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper, who popularized aerobics (有氧運(yùn)動(dòng))through his book, handles his own stress with a daily after-work run. He knows that physical activity reduces anxiety and depression. “Aerobic exercise is the best way to dissipate stress,” says Cooper.

　　Look to the light side. On his way to the hospital where his father was to have surgery, Joel Goodman shared a hotel bus with the anxious relatives of several patients. The driver began telling his stressed-out passengers a few jokes. “Then he did some magic tricks that had my mother and me laughing,” Goodman says. “In that five-minute ride he taught us that humor can lessen our stress.” The surgery was successful, and Goodman was so moved by his experience that he researched laughter’s power. “A good laugh relaxes muscles, reduces blood pressure, restrains stress-related hormones and enhances the immune system(免疫系統(tǒng)),” he says.

　　Go green. Coffee, loaded with hidden sources of caffeine(咖啡因), stimulates the nervous system and can make you feel stressed more easily. That’s why Arizona doctor Andrew Weil, author of the best seller Spontaneous Healing, does not take caffeine. “When I want gentle energy, I drink green tea. It contains a caffeine-like element”, Weil says. It also contains compounds that, some studies suggest, have anti-cancer effects.

　　46. When people have stress, Judith Wurtman suggest that they .

　　A. eat something

　　B. take medicine

　　C. go on a diet

　　D. sit for a while

　　47. By taking a run after work, a person can .

　　A. raise stress level

　　B. feel less anxious

　　C. forget about his work

　　D. finish his daily work

　　48. What is the meaning of the word “dissipate” in paragraph 3?

　　A. Disturb

　　B. Level

　　C. Reduce

　　D. Depress

　　49. Looking to the light side can .

　　A. make you anxious

　　B. stress you out

　　C. make you immune to stress

　　D. lessen your stress

　　50. Which of the following group of people can have a happier life, according to the passage?

　　A. Those who are continuously eating something.

　　B. Those who use right methods to reduce tension.

　　C. Those who study medicine or psychology

　　D. Those who are always engaged in working.

　　Passage Four

　　What you give your relatives, friends, husband, or wife can help you know yourself better. Also, what they give you can tell you something about their personality. Most gift-giving (and getting) shows nothing more than the spirit of love and friendship. But it is possible to form some associations between the kinds of things bought and the people who buy them. Here is guide to who gives what-and why.

　　The clothes you wear tell something about your personality. They tell the world not only how you want to be seen but how you see yourself as well. When someone gives you something to wear that agrees with your self-image, they’re saying, “I agree with you. I like you the way you are.” Such a gift should be taken as a form of compliment. On the other hand, a gift of clothing that does not match your personality could be an insult to your character.

　　Making something by hand has become the exception in many countries today — so much so that giving a homemade gift is sometimes considered unusual. If you receive a homemade gift, you’re lucky. It may not be made perfectly, but it will show a certain quality of love. People who give homemade gifts may be very generous because they’ve given time and emotion.

　　A person who thinks of food when thinking of a gift is a good example of what warmth means. Whether you give a box of chocolates, a bag of oranges, or a ball of cheese, all carry the same message of comfort and support.

　　51. The first paragraph is written mainly to tell readers that .

　　A. gifts should be given to relatives and friends

　　B. gifts can show friendship

　　C. gifts can tell you something about the gift-giver

　　D. gifts can show generosity

　　52. A person who likes the self-image of another person will give the latter .

　　A. a gift that matches the character of the giver

　　B. a gift that was made at home by the giver

　　C. beautiful clothes to compliment the receiver

　　D. a gift that agrees with the personality of the receiver

　　53. According to the passage, people are thought to be very generous if they give .

　　A. gifts made by hand

　　B. a gift of clothing

　　C. an object that shows warmth

　　D. a thing not found in one’s country

　　54. What kind of message is communicated by a gift for food?

　　A. Generosity

　　B. Support

　　C. Creativity

　　D. Diversity

　　55. The purpose of the passage is to .

　　A. describe

　　B. narrate

　　C. analyze

　　D. persuade