A

　　“Opinion” is a word that is used carelessly today. It is used to refer to matters of taste, belief, and judgment. This casual (随意的) use would probably cause little puzzlement if people didn’t consider opinion to be of too much importance. Unfortunately, we often hear people make remarks such as “I have as much right to my opinion as you to yours”. In fact, anyone who would challenge (质疑) another’s opinion is likely to be thought of as intolerant (难以忍受的).

　　Is it true? Is it really intolerant to challenge another’s opinion? It depends on what you think opinion is. For example, you may ask a friend, “What do you think of the new Ford cars?” And he may reply, “In my opinion, they’re ugly.” In this case, it would not only be intolerant to challenge his statement, but foolish, for it’s obvious that by opinion he means his personal preference, a matter of taste. And as the old saying goes, “It’s pointless to argue about matters of taste.”

　　But consider this very different use of the word. A newspaper reports that the Supreme Court has delivered its opinion in a controversial (有争议的) case. Obviously the judges did not share their personal preferences, their mere likes and dislikes. They stated their considered judgment, painstakingly arrived at after careful questioning and thinking.

　　Most of what is referred to as opinion falls somewhere between these two extremes. It is not an expression of taste. Nor is it careful judgment. Yet it may be both. It is a view or belief more or less casually arrived at, with or without examining carefully. Is it right for everyone to have and stick to his own opinion? Of course. We are free to act on our opinions only so long as in doing so, we do not harm others.

　　1. According to the passage, which of the following statements is TRUE?

　　A. Everyone has a right to hold his own opinion.

　　B. Free expression of opinions often leads to puzzlement.

　　C. Most people are often careless in forming their opinions.

　　D. Casual use of the word “opinion” often brings about quarrels.

　　2. Considered judgment is different from personal preference in that ________.

　　A. it is stated by judges in the court B. it suggests public’s likes and dislikes

　　C. it is a result of a lot of argumentD. it is based on careful thought

　　B

　　In the 1960s, medical researchers Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe developed a checklist of stressful (有压力的) events. They found out that any major change can be stressful. Negative events like “serious illness of a family member” were high on the list, but so were some positive life-changing events, like marriage. When you take the Holmes-Rahe test you must remember that the score does not show how you deal with stress—it only shows how much you have to deal with. And we now know that the way you deal with these events has a great effect on your chances of staying healthy.

　　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 physically and mentally healthy, the articles said, avoid stressful events. But such simplistic advice is impossible to follow. Even if stressful events are dangerous, many—like the death of a loved one—are impossible to avoid. Moreover, any warning to avoid all stressful events is a prescription(处方) 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 idea that all stress makes you sick also takes no notice of what we know about people. It is supposed that we’re all weak and passive in the face of difficulty. But many come through periods of stress with more physical and mental strength than they had before. We also know that a long time without change or challenge can lead to boredom and physical and mental damage.

　　3. The studies on stress in the early 1970’s led to ________.

　　A. widespread worry over its harmful effects

　　B. great fear about the mental problems it could cause

　　C. a deep research into illnesses connected with stress

　　D. popular avoidance of stressful jobs

　　4. According to the passage people who have experienced ups and downs may become _______.

　　A. discouraged when faced with difficulty

　　B. physically and mentally weak

　　C. more experienced in the face of difficulty

　　D. uninterested in what happens to them

　　5. What’s the purpose of writing the text?

　　A. To tell people the discoveries about stress.

　　B. To tell people how to keep healthy.

　　C. To help people avoid stressful events.

　　D. To help people view stress properly.

　　【答案与解析】

　　1. A。细节判断题,可用逻辑推断法来解。文章第四段即本题答案出处。2. D。推理判断题,可用逻辑推断法来解。根据文章第三段可知本题答案。3. A。细节判断题,可用直接就题找文法来解。根据文章第二段可知本题答案。4. C。根据文章第三段可推出本题答案。5. D。推理判断题,可用逻辑推断法来解。认真阅读分析原文可知本文的写作目的是帮助人们正确看待压力。

　　(文/丁楠 英语辅导报高三年级版2004-2005学年第26期；版权归英语辅导报社所有，独家网络合作伙伴新浪教育，未经许可，不得以任何形式进行转载。)