By the early 1970s, hundreds of similar studies had followed Holmes and Rahe. And millions of Americans who work and live under stress worried over the reports. Somehow, the research got boiled down to a memorable message. Women’s magazines ran headlines like “Stress causes illness!” If you want to stay physicallyand mentally healthy, the articles said, avoid stressful events.
But such simplistic advice is impossible to follow. Even if stressful events are dangerous, many—like thedeath of a loved one—are impossible to avoid. Moreover, any warning to avoid all stressful events is a prescription (處方) for staying away from opportunities as well as trouble. Since any change can be stressful, a person who wanted to be completely free of stress would never marry, have a child, take a new job or move.
The notion that all stress makes you sick also ignores a lot of what we know about people. It assumes we’re all vulnerable (脆弱的) and passive in the face of adversity (逆境). But what about human initiative and creativity? Many come through periods of stress with more physical and mental vigor than they had before.We also know that a long time without change or challenge can lead to boredom, and physical and metal strain.
練習題：
Choose correct answers to the question:
1. The result of Holmes-Rahe’s medical research tells us ________.
A. the way you handle major events may cause stress
B. what should be done to avoid stress
C. what kind of event would cause stress
D. how to cope with sudden changes in life
2. The studies on stress in the early 1970’s led to ________.
A. widespread concern over its harmful effects
B. great panic over the mental disorder it could cause
C. an intensive research into stress-related illnesses
D. popular avoidance of stressful jobs
3. The score of the Holmes-Rahe test shows ________.
A. how much pressure you are under
B. how positive events can change your life
C. how stressful a major event can be
D. how you can deal with life-changing events
4. Why is “such simplistic advice” (Line 1, Para. 3) impossible to follow?
A. No one can stay on the same job for long.
B. No prescription is effective in relieving stress.
C. People have to get married someday.
D. You could be missing opportunities as well.
5. According to the passage people who have experienced ups and downs may become ____.
A. nervous when faced with difficulties
B. physically and mentally strained
C. more capable of coping with adversity
D. indifferent toward what happens to them
1.[C] 事實細節(jié)題。根據(jù)文章的第1句話可知，這兩位科學家對造成人們壓力的事件列了一個清單,故C與此相符,為正確答案。
2.[A] 事實細節(jié)題。根據(jù)文章第2段第2句“…millions of Americans... worried over the reports.”可見此研究報告引起了 widespread concern,故選A。
3.[A] 事實細節(jié)題。根據(jù)第1段第4句中的does not reflect..., it only shows...可知本題答案應為破折號后的內容，其中how much指的是how much stress,故可知A為正確答案。
4.[D] 推理判斷題。這里的建議是指第2段末尾提出的“避免帶來壓力的事”。根據(jù)第3段第3句“而且，警告人們遠離壓力，這個處方不僅使人避免麻煩，同時也使人放棄了機會”,故選D。
5.[C] 推理判斷題。根據(jù)文章倒數(shù)第2句“很多人經歷一段時間的壓力后，無論是身體還是精神都比原來更有活力”，故選C。
