Hurry Sickness by Alyson Geller, MPH Reading Answers

Sep 24, 2025

Hurry Sickness by Alyson Geller, MPH Reading Answers contains 13 questions and belongs to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. Hurry Sickness by Alyson Geller, MPH. Reading Answers must be answered within 20 minutes. In this IELTS reading section, question types include: Do the following statements agree with the information given, and choose the correct letter. Also, Hurry Sickness by Alyson Geller, MPH, Reading Answers offers a comprehensive overview of hurry sickness, a stress-driven condition marked by constant rushing and impatience, which affects both adults and children, but can be managed through mindfulness, balanced lifestyles, and supportive workplace practices. To practice similar reading tests, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Topic:

A.In today’s fast-paced world, many people suffer from a condition known as “hurry sickness.” It is characterized by a constant feeling of rushing, impatience, and an inability to slow down. Although not officially recognized as a medical diagnosis, hurry sickness can have serious impacts on a person’s physical and mental health. The term was first introduced in the 1950s by cardiologists who observed that some patients exhibited symptoms of stress caused by the fast pace of modern life.

B.People experiencing hurry sickness often find themselves multitasking excessively, trying to do several things at once, and feeling frustrated when things do not move quickly enough. This lifestyle can lead to increased stress levels, elevated blood pressure, and an overall decline in wellbeing. Researchers have linked hurry sickness to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart disease.

C.One of the key signs of hurry sickness is a sense of time urgency. Individuals feel pressured to meet deadlines, rush through tasks, and often become irritable or anxious if they perceive any delay. This constant hurry can prevent them from enjoying the moment or engaging fully in social interactions. Instead of relaxing, their minds are always racing ahead to the next task or event.

D.Interestingly, hurry sickness is not confined to adults or people with demanding jobs. Studies have shown that children and teenagers can also display symptoms, especially those involved in multiple extracurricular activities or high academic expectations. The increasing use of smartphones and digital devices has amplified this problem by creating constant connectivity and reducing downtime.

E.Several psychological theories attempt to explain hurry sickness. One theory suggests that it stems from a cultural obsession with productivity and achievement, which values speed over quality. Another perspective focuses on individual personality traits such as Type A behavior—characterized by competitiveness, impatience, and a sense of urgency—which makes some people more susceptible.

F.Managing hurry sickness requires a conscious effort to slow down and prioritize wellbeing. Techniques such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and scheduled breaks during work can help reduce stress and improve focus. Experts recommend setting realistic goals and avoiding overcommitment to allow time for relaxation and recovery.

G.Employers and organizations are also recognizing the dangers of hurry sickness. Some companies have introduced wellness programs, flexible working hours, and policies aimed at reducing employee burnout. These initiatives not only improve mental health but also increase productivity and job satisfaction in the long term.

Questions 1-7

Choose the correct letter, A-G, for each.

1. Which paragraph explains the physical health risks linked to hurry sickness?

Answer: B

Supporting statement: "This lifestyle can lead to increased stress levels, elevated blood pressure, and an overall decline in wellbeing. Researchers have linked hurry sickness to a higher risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart disease."

Keywords: stress levels, blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, heart disease

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, lines 2–4

Explanation: The paragraph clearly outlines physical health risks such as heart disease, making B correct.

2. Where is hurry sickness first described historically?

Answer: A

Supporting statement: "The term was first introduced in the 1950s by cardiologists who observed that some patients exhibited symptoms of stress caused by the fast pace of modern life."

Keywords: first introduced, 1950s, cardiologists

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, lines 4–6

Explanation: This shows the historical origin of hurry sickness, so A is the answer.

3. In which paragraph are the signs of hurry sickness detailed?

Answer: C

Supporting statement: "One of the key signs of hurry sickness is a sense of time urgency. Individuals feel pressured to meet deadlines, rush through tasks, and often become irritable or anxious if they perceive any delay."

Keywords: key signs, time urgency, pressured, irritable, anxious

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, lines 1–4

Explanation: The paragraph lists the detailed signs and behaviors, so C is correct.

4. Which paragraph talks about hurry sickness in young people?

Answer: D

Supporting statement: "Studies have shown that children and teenagers can also display symptoms, especially those involved in multiple extracurricular activities or high academic expectations."

Keywords: children, teenagers, symptoms, extracurricular activities

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, lines 1–3

Explanation: The paragraph highlights hurry sickness among young people, making D correct.

5. Where are the cultural and personality causes of hurry sickness discussed?

Answer: E

Supporting statement: "One theory suggests that it stems from a cultural obsession with productivity and achievement... Another perspective focuses on individual personality traits such as Type A behavior."

Keywords: cultural obsession, productivity, personality traits, Type A

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, lines 1–5

Explanation: This discusses cultural and personality-based causes of hurry sickness, so E is correct.

6. Which paragraph offers advice on how to deal with hurry sickness?

Answer: F

Supporting statement: "Managing hurry sickness requires a conscious effort to slow down... Techniques such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and scheduled breaks..."

Keywords: managing, mindfulness, breathing exercises, scheduled breaks

Keyword Location: Paragraph F, lines 1–4

Explanation: Practical advice to deal with hurry sickness is given here, so F is correct.

7. Where does it mention workplace efforts to combat hurry sickness?

Answer: G

Supporting statement: "Some companies have introduced wellness programs, flexible working hours, and policies aimed at reducing employee burnout."

Keywords: companies, wellness programs, flexible working hours

Keyword Location: Paragraph G, lines 1–3

Explanation: Workplace initiatives are mentioned in this paragraph, making G the answer.

Questions 8-13

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? Write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the passage

FALSE if the statement contradicts the passage

NOT GIVEN if there is no information about this

8. Hurry sickness is officially recognized as a medical condition.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: "Although not officially recognized as a medical diagnosis, hurry sickness can have serious impacts..."

Keywords: not officially recognized, medical diagnosis

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, lines 2–3

Explanation: The passage clearly denies official medical recognition, so the answer is FALSE.

9. Multitasking can increase stress levels.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: "This lifestyle can lead to increased stress levels, elevated blood pressure, and an overall decline in wellbeing."

Keywords: lifestyle, stress levels, decline in wellbeing

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, lines 2–3

Explanation: Multitasking lifestyle is directly linked to stress, making this statement TRUE.

10. People with hurry sickness enjoy social events more than others.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: "This constant hurry can prevent them from enjoying the moment or engaging fully in social interactions."

Keywords: prevent, enjoying, social interactions

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, lines 3–4

Explanation: Instead of enjoying social events, they struggle with them, so it’s FALSE.

11. Digital devices contribute to hurry sickness by limiting downtime.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: "The increasing use of smartphones and digital devices has amplified this problem by creating constant connectivity and reducing downtime."

Keywords: smartphones, digital devices, constant connectivity, reducing downtime

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, lines 3–4

Explanation: Devices reduce rest and add to hurry sickness, so it is TRUE.

12. Type B personality is mainly associated with hurry sickness.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: "Another perspective focuses on individual personality traits such as Type A behavior..."

Keywords: Type A, personality, susceptibility

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, lines 3–5

Explanation: The passage links Type A (not Type B) personality to hurry sickness, so FALSE.

13. Flexible working hours can help reduce symptoms of hurry sickness.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement: "Some companies have introduced wellness programs, flexible working hours, and policies aimed at reducing employee burnout."

Keywords: flexible working hours, reducing burnout

Keyword Location: Paragraph G, lines 1–2

Explanation: Flexible hours are mentioned as workplace strategies to reduce hurry sickness, so TRUE.

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