The Causes, Diagnosis and Prevention of Stress Reading Answers

Sep 16, 2024

The Causes, Diagnosis and Prevention of Stress Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. The Causes, Diagnosis and Prevention of Stress Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total,1-4 you have to state whether the statements are true or false, 5-13 you have to choose the correct letter.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers, which feature topics such as The Causes, Diagnosis and Prevention of Stress Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

READING PASSAGE - 1

THE CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS AND PREVENTION OF STRESS

In prehistoric times, the physical changes in response to stress were an essential adaptation for meeting natural threats. Even in the modern world, the stress response can be an asset for raising levels of performance during critical events such as sports activities, important meetings, or in situations of actual danger or crisis. If stress becomes persistent and low level, however, all parts of the body's stress apparatus (the brain, heart, lungs, vessels and muscles) become chronically over or under activated. This may produce physical or psychological damage over time. Acute stress can also be harmful in certain situations.

Psychological effects of stress: Studies suggest that the inability to deal with stress is associated with the onset of depression or anxiety. In one study, two thirds of subjects who experienced a stressful situation had nearly six times the risk of developing depression within that month. Some evidence suggests that repeated release of stress hormones disrupts normal levels of serotonin, the nerve chemical that is critical for feelings of well being. Certainly, on a more obvious level, stress diminishes the quality of life by reducing the feelings of pleasure and accomplishment, and relationships are often threatened. Nevertheless, some stress may be beneficial. For example, although some research has suggested that stress may be a risk factor for suicide (a 2003 study found a higher risk for suicide in women reporting both low and very high stress), those with moderate stress had the lowest risk.

Heart disease: The effects of mental stress on heart disease are controversial. Stress can certainly influence the activity of the heart when it activates the sympathetic nervous system (the automatic part of the nervous system that affects the nerve organs including the heart). Such actions and others could theoretically negatively affect the heart in several different ways. Nevertheless, evidence is still needed to confirm any clear cut relation between stress and heart disease. For example, a 2002 study in Scotland found no greater risk for actual heart disease or heart events, although men with high stress levels did tend to complain of chest pain and go to hospital for it more often than those with lower stress levels. Evidence has linked stress to heart disease in men particularly in work situations where they lack control. The association between stress and heart problems in women is weaker and there is some evidence that the ways women cope with stress may be more heart protective. In one study, for example, men were more apt than women to use alcohol or eat less healthy in response to stress than women, which might account for their higher heart risks from stress. Different stress factors may affect genders differently. In one study, work stress was associated with a higher risk of heart disease in men, but marital stress - not work stress was associated with more severe heart disease in women with existing heart problems.

Eating problems: Stress can have varying effects on eating problems and weight. Often stress is related to weight gain and obesity. Many people develop cravings for salt, fat and sugar to counteract tension and, thus, gain weight. Weight gain can occur even with a healthy diet in some people exposed to stress. In a 2000 study, lean women who gained weight in response to stress tended to be less able to adapt to and manage stressful conditions. The release of cortisol, a major stress hormone, appears to promote abdominal fat and may be the primary connection between stress and weight gain in such people. In contrast some people suffer a loss of appetite and consequently lose weight. In rare cases, stress may trigger hyperactivity of the thyroid gland, stimulating appetite but causing the body to burn up calories at a faster than normal rate. Chronically elevated levels of stress chemicals have been observed in patients with anorexia and bulimia. Some studies, however, have not found any strong link between stress and eating disorders.

Pain: Chronic pain caused by arthritis and other conditions may be intensified by stress. However, according to a study on patients with rheumatoid and depression to back pain, although it is still unclear if stress is a direct cause. Tension type headaches are frequently associated with stress arthritis, stress management techniques do not appear to have much effect on arthritic pain. Some studies have clearly linked job dissatisfaction and stressful events. Some research suggests that headache sufferers may actually have some biological predisposition for translating stress into muscle contractions.

Sleep disturbances: The tensions of unresolved stress frequently cause insomnia, generally keep the unstressed person awake or causing awakening in the middle of the night or early morning. In fact evidence suggests that stress hormones can increase during sleep in anticipation

of a specific waking time. However, there is some hope for sufferers in this area as relaxation therapy has been found to reduce stress levels and consequently improve the quality of sleep.

Questions 1-4

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

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information

FALSE if the statement contradicts the information

NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

Stress was originally an important way of keeping humans safe.

Answer:True

Supporting statement:In prehistoric times, the physical changes in response to stress were an essential adaptation for meeting natural threats.

Keywords:response, physical changes, stress

Keyword Location:1st paragraph, 1st line

Explanation:In prehistoric times, the physical changes in response to stress were an essential adaptation for meeting natural threats.Stress was originally an important way of keeping humans safe. Thus the statement is true.

If stress continues for a long time, all the body's organs are affected.

Answer:True

Supporting statement:If stress becomes persistent and low level, however, all parts of the body's stress apparatus (the brain, heart, lungs, vessels and muscles) become chronically over or under activated. If stress continues for a long time, all the body's organs are affected.

This may produce physical or psychological damage over time. Acute stress can also be harmful in certain situations. Thus the statement is true.

Keywords:stress apparatus,damage, harmful

Keyword Location:1st paragraph, 3rd line

Explanation:If stress becomes persistent and low level, however, all parts of the body's stress apparatus (the brain, heart, lungs, vessels and muscles) become chronically over or under activated. This may produce physical or psychological damage over time. Acute stress can also be harmful in certain situations.

The study into the psychological effects of stress involved people with a history of depression.

Answer:Not given

Explanation:Not given in the passage

Increased stress causes the body to produce more serotonin.

Answer:False

Supporting statement:Some evidence suggests that repeated release of stress hormones disrupts normal levels of serotonin, the nerve chemical that is critical for feelings of well being.

Keywords:disrupts,serotonin

Keyword Location:2nd paragraph,3rd line

Explanation:Some evidence suggests that repeated release of stress hormones disrupts normal levels of serotonin, the nerve chemical that is critical for feelings of well being.Increased stress disrupts the production of serotonin. Thus the statement is false.

Questions 5-6 Choose the correct letter.

The 2003 study into the link between stress and suicide found that

Fewer women suffer from stress than men
Stress reduces the risk of suicide in some women
A larger number of men commit suicide than women
Women with low stress levels are less likely to commit suicide.

Answer:B

Supporting statement:For example, although some research has suggested that stress may be a risk factor for suicide (a 2003 study found a higher risk for suicide in women reporting both low and very high stress), those with moderate stress had the lowest risk.

Keywords:research, suicide,lowest risk

Keyword Location:2nd paragraph,last line

Explanation:For example, although some research has suggested that stress may be a risk factor for suicide (a 2003 study found a higher risk for suicide in women reporting both low and very high stress), those with moderate stress had the lowest risk.The 2003 study into the link between stress and suicide found that stress reduces the risk of suicide in some women.

In 2003, a Scottish study showed that

There is a strong link between stress and heart problems
There is a link between high stress levels and hospital visits
A reduction in stress would reduce the risk of heart attacks
Men with high levels of stress felt no physical symptoms

Answer:B

Supporting statement:For example, a 2002 study in Scotland found no greater risk for actual heart disease or heart events, although men with high stress levels did tend to complain of chest pain and go to hospital for it more often than those with lower stress levels.

Keywords:Scotland,chest pain, hospital

Keyword Location:3rd paragraph,5th line

Explanation:A 2002 study in Scotland found no greater risk for actual heart disease or heart events, although men with high stress levels did tend to complain of chest pain and go to hospital for it more often than those with lower stress levels.

Questions 7-9

Classify the following characteristics as being associated with

Only men
Only women
Both men and women

Write the correct letter A, B or C.

There may be a variety of causes of stress

Answer:C

Supporting statement:In one study, work stress was associated with a higher risk of heart disease in men, but marital stress - not work stress - was associated with more severe heart disease in women with existing heart problems.

Keywords:men, women,stress

Keyword Location:3rd paragraph,last line

Explanation:In one study, work stress was associated with a higher risk of heart disease in men, but marital stress - not work stress - was associated with more severe heart disease in women with existing heart problems.

Their way of dealing with stress can protect the heart

Answer:B

Supporting statement:The association between stress and heart problems in women is weaker and there is some evidence that the ways women cope with stress may be more heart protective.

Keywords:stress,cope,women, protective

Keyword Location:3rd paragraph,6th line

Explanation:The association between stress and heart problems in women is weaker and there is some evidence that the ways women cope with stress may be more heart protective.

Increased heart disease is linked to stress at home

Answer:B

Keywords:heart disease, marital stress

Keyword Location:3rd paragraph,last line

Explanation:In one study, work stress was associated with a higher risk of heart disease in men, but marital stress - not work stress was associated with more severe heart disease in women with existing heart problems.

Questions 10-13

Classify the following characteristics as being associated with

Write the correct letter A, B or C.

Pain
Weight
Sleep

The problem is reduced if stress is lowered

Answer:C

Supporting statement:However, there is some hope for sufferers in this area as relaxation therapy has been found to reduce stress levels and consequently improve the quality of sleep.

Keywords:stress, relaxation,sleep

Keyword Location:Last paragraph, last line

Explanation:However, there is some hope for sufferers in this area as relaxation therapy has been found to reduce stress levels and consequently improve the quality of sleep.

An increase in the severity of this problem may be related to work

Answer:A

Supporting statement:Chronic pain caused by arthritis and other conditions may be intensified by stress.

Keywords:chronic pain, intensified stress

Keyword Location:5th paragraph, 1st line

Explanation:Chronic pain caused by arthritis and other conditions may be intensified by stress.

Stress may cause levels to increase or decrease

Answer:B

Supporting statement: Stress can have varying effects on eating problems and weight. Often stress is related to weight gain and obesity.

Keywords: weight, obesity

Keyword Location:4th paragraph,1st line

Explanation: Stress can have varying effects on eating problems and weight. Often stress is related to weight gain and obesity.

This problem may be the result of the body's natural reaction to stress

Answer:A

Supporting statement:Some research suggests that headache sufferers may actually have some biological predisposition for translating stress into muscle contractions.

Keywords:headache, biological predisposition

Keyword Location:5th paragraph,last line

Explanation:Some research suggests that headache sufferers may actually have some biological predisposition for translating stress into muscle contractions.

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