Reading practice

Anxiety in life
(Anxiety also known as stress)

Stress is the body's reaction to harmful and happy situations -- whether they’re real or perceived.
Stress is not always perceived as negative effects but can be positive as well, such as getting married,
going on a vacation, or even moving to a new home. However, most of people perceived stress as a
negative. When you feel threatened, a chemical reaction occurs in your body that allows you to act in
a way to prevent injury. Stress can affect all aspects of your life, including your emotions, behaviors,
thinking ability, and physical health. But, because people handle stress differently, symptoms of
stress can vary. Symptoms can be vague and may be the same as those caused by medical conditions.
You may experience any of the following symptoms of stress.

Emotional symptoms of stress include:

- becoming easily agitated, frustrated, and moody
- feeling overwhelmed, like you are losing control or need to take control
- having a difficult time of relaxing your mind
- feeling lonely, worthless, and depress
- avoiding others
Physical symptoms of stress include:
- nervousness and shaking
- insomnia
- clammy hands
- churning stomach, constipation, or diarrhea
- weigh loss or weigh gain

There is also a stress which is called an exam stress that most young adults encountered during
school times. Exam stress is a feeling of pressure that many young people feel coming up to
exam time. It usually occurs during the revision period before exams and immediately before
the exams themselves. For example, it sometimes makes you feel nausea, headache, or even
tense muscles. There are several ideas that students are able to cope with stress before taking the
exam, including preparation for a plan action, learning study groups, making study plans, and
understanding fully materials. Furthermore, relaxation could help students managing stress
before the exam; and for instance listening to a meditation tape which will soothe the mind can
be considered as one of relaxation techniques. Finally, eating proper diet and getting enough
sleep would help relaxing of the body which contributed to concentration for the exam.

Nonetheless, the best and most effective way is to remember that exams are not the only thing in
the life. There is a life after the exams.

A. Write in your own words the MAIN IDEA of the article.

B. According to the article, say if the following statements are TRUE (T), FALSE (F), NO
EVIDENCE GIVEN (N), or WRITE OUT YOUR ANSWER.

1. According the article, people believe there is only a negative stress in life.

2. A positive stress is considered as going on a trip or moving to a new neighborhood.

3. What are the most TWO types of stress that most people had encountered in their life?

4. List 2 or 3 symptoms of physical stress?

5. According to the passage, inability to focus, constant worrying, and poor judgment are
the symptoms of exam stress.

6. Indicate TWO symptoms of stress during the exam?

7. What is the first suggestion for the students to manage stress before taking the exam?

8. What are TWO other methods that would help the students coping with exam stress?

9. Listening a meditation tape can be contributed to soothing the mind.

10. Eating snacks and drinking beverages will help the students concentrate more during the
exam.