Question

The Stressed-out Generation

Each generation has its own set of values and characters, but one thing common to all generations is that they are suffering (遭受) from stress. In a recent survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), all age groups now report higher levels of stress than in the past. However, survey results show that stress levels for Millennials (born roughly between 1981 and 2004) are clearly above average (均值). So, what’s worrying the Millennials?

Millennials are the first generation to grow up with computers in the home and the classroom. They are receiving information from everywhere all the time because of the rise of modern technology and social media. Over time, this information overload can become too much to handle and can result in continual stress, which in turn can cause serious physical and emotional problems. Another cause, according to writer Michael D. Hais, is that many Millennials have lived easy lives because of overprotective parents. These young adults are short of problem-solving skills and may have trouble dealing with fear of failure once they leave home.

However, the survey results may be a bit misleading as they don’t take into account public attitudes toward stress and mental illness. Ronald Kessler of Harvard Medical School, points out that changes in social attitudes have helped lessen the shame related to mental illness over the years. For example, the creation of health-related television programming and specialty magazines such as Psychology Today has drawn people’s attention to mental health problems. It’s possible that younger people now are more willing to admit (承认) to being stressed than in the past.

Despite the high levels of stress reported by Millennials in the APA survey, there is reason for happiness. Many happiness and well-being surveys show that happiness generally increases as people grow older. As Millennials get more life experience and develop better problem-solving skills over time, they should become better at dealing with stress.

Moreover, with deeper understanding of mental health issues today, the shame related to seeing a psychologist (心理医生) has lessened. This means that people are more likely to look

for professional help to lower their stress levels. There are now many kinds of stress management skills such as exercise and meditation (冥想). Millennials must develop these skills to deal with stress in order to be productive members of their community. Once they do, they will be able to look back with satisfaction on the world they helped create.

1.What does the survey by APA show? （ ）

A.Millennials are more stressed than most generations.

B.Millennials are worried about their own characters.

C.It’s normal for many Millennials to feel stressed.

D.Stress levels differ because of different values.

2.What is Paragraph 2 mainly about? （ ）

A.The problems caused by Millennials’ overprotective parents.

B.The results of receiving a great amount of information.

C.The ways Millennials deal with modern technology.

D.The causes of Millennials suffering more stress.

3.According to the passage, what are people like today compared to the past? （ ）

A.They are more likely to become psychologists.

B.They are more talented in using modern technology.

C.They are more willing to look for professional help with stress.

D.They are more independent and have good problem-solving skills.

4.What is the writer’s main purpose in writing this passage? （ ）

A.To draw parents’ attention to Millennials’ emotional problems.

B.To remind us of the importance of getting more life experience.

C.To offer some right ways of developing problem-solving skills.

D.To encourage Millennials to deal with stress in proper ways.

Answer 1