Question

Beverley had been feeling dull, bored and a bit out of it. He mentioned his mood (state of mind) when going to Andrew for a sports massage. He wondered whether he should take up Tai Chi. But Andrew didn’t think so.

“Tai Chi is great for people who want to feel grounded, but that isn’t your problem,” he said. “What you need is something more exciting, like dancing.”

In future, therapists (理疗专家) may well suggest that you fight your sadness with a course in kickboxing, and family doctors might suggest that you take a rest in the mountains instead.

We’ve long been aware that exercise has benefits beyond the physical ones; that activity can relax you, and help psychological well-being by reducing stress, anxiety and sadness.

Now some trainers and sports psychologists are going further and examining how to identify the correct exercise for a client’s (当事人) specific state of mind and personality.

Professor Stuart Biddle, an exercise and sports psychologist based at Loughborough University, England, has researched the effects of exercise on moods.

One of his findings was that, if your problem is low self-esteem, weight training should be your bag. “Working with weights builds strength,” he says, “and creates a stronger body image.”

Anger management, meanwhile, demands bursts of explosive (爆发性的) activity, from sports such as boxing or tennis.

This is because anger makes the body release（释放）adrenaline (肾上腺素), which causes heart rate and blood pressure to rise and muscles to become tighter —— the physiological changes required if you are to defend yourself.

Research shows that the “punch-bag (用拳头击打沙袋)” method of releasing disappointment and anger through hitting a boxing opponent (对手) or tennis ball, can help with fighting issues.

They have also found that teamwork is good for self-esteem and that those who are brought together to work in a social setting become more lively.

Which type of exercise will best help is, of course, down to the individual. Clearly, before you can find the best physical activity for yourself, you have to know your needs.

Ask yourself a few questions such as: What do I need in my life? Which issues are difficult for me? Am I sad or troubled? Only then can you decide whether you need taking up, or taking down.

1. Why did Andrew think Beverley shouldn’t take up Tai Chi?

A. Because Beverley was too weak.            B. Because Beverley was too foolish.

C. Because Beverley’s mind was out of control.   D. Because Beverley lacked activity.

2. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. Psychologists haven’t realized the relationship between exercise and health.

B. People have already realized the relationship between exercise and spirits.

C. Boxing and tennis are the best ways to increase one’s self-esteem.

D. Trainers and psychologists don’t agree with each other on exercise.

3. Professor Stuart Biddle thinks that ____ .

A. anger should be examined by doctors        B. anger should be taken away by medicine

C. anger should be given off by activities       D. anger should be held back by oneself

4 The main idea of this passage may be ____ .

A. sports build up your body                 B. sports are helpful to your mind

C. heart trouble is due to anger               D. anxiety and sadness are harmful to you

Answer 1

【小题1】D

【小题2】B

【小题3】C

【小题4】B