1 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. appreciate B. consequences C. emotional D. habits E. hold F. outbursts G. overlooked       H. quieten       I. stuck       J. sweetly K. unfulfilling

How to tell if you’re living with ‘quiet stress’

The term “quiet stress” is gathering pace among experts. According to them, it’s an often     1     form of the more widely known version, which is characterized by visible     2    : swearing shouting, and anger.

“We quietly     3     our stress within: we don’t speak up about how we actually feel, because of which we become inactive. We stay in unhappy relationships and     4     jobs. We feel overwhelmed, yet ignore important tasks. Quiet stress creates a form of emotional paralysis (麻痹) that keeps us     5     in unhappy situations,” says Jillian Lavender, who runs the London Meditation Centre.

Cary Cooper, a professor of psychology and health at the University of Manchester, compares the effects of quiet stress to shrapnel (散弹): “You can learn to     6     your stress responses, but eventually the stress will emerge: as well as an immune system that stops working well, you may withdraw socially, isolate yourself and begin to engage in unhealthy     7     like comfort eating or drinking too much. Despite getting a bad reputation over the years, expressing anger of frustration is far healthier than smiling     8     while feeling quietly stressed.

A recent study from Stanford University in the US backs this theory up. The researchers found that seeing stress as a helpful part of dealing with life’s challenges, rather than as something to be avoided, was associated with better health,     9     wellbeing and productivity at work.

“Stress isn’t always harmful” said Kelly McGonigal, a business school lecturer at Stanford who worked on the study. “Once you     10     that going through stress makes you better at it, it can be easier to face each new challenge.”

2 . Directions: Fill in each blank with a proper word chosen from the box. Each word can be used only once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A. behaviors   B. boundary   C. truth   D. ashamed   E. intentionally        F. presence G. acknowledges   H. tough   I. negatively       J. judgmental K. objective

People hold different views on almost anything, mainly because of the culture we are familiar with or the education we have received. We live in a/an     1     world where people are quick to point out the faults and imperfections of others, yet seem unaware of their own. Some misguided souls believe they have a duty to help you to be a better person by telling you what a failure you really are first and then offering suggestions as to how you can improve.

So what is the possible solution to criticism? If you are the one forcing others to feel     2     of themselves, STOP. Make a conscious decision rather than focus on the negative aspect of a person’s performance or     3    . You’ll offer helpful suggestions from the beginning. If I’m painting our living room and making a mess in doing so, I would like my husband to say to me, “This is a/an    4     job. Can I offer a suggestion that might make it easier for you?” rather than have him point out what a careless painter I am and then tell me how I should be doing it.

If you are on the receiving end of criticism, the “OK” response is a perfect solution. When someone comments     5     on a task you are doing or a personality issue of yours, a natural response is to defend and attack. However, this approach is rarely effective as it puts both parties on the defensive. Instead, simply reply with “OK”. This brief one-word response     6     the other person’s comment without agreeing with it or feeling necessary to engage in a debate about it.

It is important to remain emotionally attached to what the other person is saying, but to listen without feeling, to be a/an     7     observer. In fact, there is much that one can learn from a negative review. You can ask yourself: Did I make a mistake? Could I have done better? Did I give 100% of myself to the task at hand? If so, how can I improve myself? As for chronic (习惯性的) criticizers: It is important to set strict     8     with them. Remove yourself from their     9     when necessary.

In any case, one can learn to be “OK” with criticism and not allow it to negatively impact your life or relationship with the other party. Examine it for any potential     10    , and then let it go and just be “OK”.

3 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.

A question B. favor   C. satisfaction   D. claims   E. acceptable F. general   G. employed   H. expected I. recommend J. threaten   K. promise

When a consumer finds that an item she or he bought is faulty or in some other way does not live up to the manufacturer’s     1    , the first step is to present the warranty (保修卡), or any other records which might help, at the store of purchase. In most cases, this action will produce results. However, if it does not, there are various means the consumer may use to gain     2    .

A simple and common method     3     by many consumers is to complain directly to the store manager. In general, the “higher up” his or her complaint, the faster he or she can expect it to be settled. In such a case, it is usually settled in the consumer’s     4    , supposing he or she has a just claim. Consumers should complain in person whenever possible, but if they cannot get to the place of purchase, it is     5     to phone or write the complaint in a letter.

Complaining is usually most effective when it is done politely but firmly, and especially when the consumer can demonstrate what is wrong with the item in     6    . If this cannot be done, the consumer will succeed best by presenting specific information as to what is wrong, rather than by making     7     statements. For example, “The left speaker does not work at all and the sound coming out of the right one is unclear” is better than “This stereo does not work”.

The store manager may     8     the consumer to write to the manufacturer. If so, the consumer should do this, stating the complaint as politely and firmly as possible. If a polite complaint does not achieve the     9     result, the consumer can go to a step further. She or he can     10    to take the seller to court or report the seller to a private or public organization responsible for protecting consumer’s rights.