During a state of deep relaxation, several physiological changes take place in the body: the body's oxygen consumption is reduced; the heart beat decreases; muscle tension and sweating ease,and there is decreased sympathetic(交感的)nervous system activity. This restful state not only allows the body to repair and restore itself, but it has a calming effect on the consciousness.
How to achieve this state of relaxation, however, is a matter of opinion, and in some medical circles, a matter of controversy. A recent report by Dr. David Holmes of the University of Kansas in the journal American psychologist said that simply sitting in an armchair has just as many beneficial characteristics for the body as meditation(沉思)does. Researchers of other relaxation techniques disagree. These experts believe that more structured techniques, such as meditation, lead to a condition of deep relaxation.
The debate goes on, but one thing appears to be clear: the relaxation response can be reached by a number of methods, and the methods themselves are not as important as getting there. One day, one method may work best; on another day,an alternative method may be more appropriate. Once you are aware of all the methods, you can find the one that works best on you.
Some of the relaxation techniques are meditation, autoanalysis(自我心理分析)and progressive muscle relaxation response. More than just sitting quietly in a chair, they have the added benefit of structure and discipline,and for these reasons appear to be more effective for most individuals.
The passage indicates that a state of deep relaxation is not only good for one's body, but also beneficial to_____.
根据第一段最后一句"This restful state not only allows the body to repair and restore itself, but it has a calming effect on the consciousness."可知，这种平静的状态不仅能让身体自我修复，也对意识产生镇定的效果。故选B。
People seem to agree that______.
根据第三段第一句"The debate goes on, but one thing appears to be clear:the relaxation response can be reached by a number of methods, and the methods themselves are not as important as getting there.”可知，争论还在继续，但有一件事似乎是明确的：放松反应可以通过许多方法实现，而那些方法本身并不像达到目的那样重要。由此可推知，人们似乎会同意实现深度放松的状态可能有各种不同的方法。故选C。
In the third paragraph, the phrase "getting there"most probably means ____.
根据第三段第一句“.and the methods themselves are not as important as getting there.”可知，放松反应可以通过许多方法实现，而那些方法本身并不像达到目的那样重要。由此可推知，getting there与reached相对应，表示“实现放松的状态”。故选C。
选C。As far as relaxation is concerned, the author indicates that _________.
根据第三段第一句"..and the methods themselves are not as important as getting there.”可知，放松反应可以通过许多方法实现，而那些方法本身并不像达到目的那样重要。由此可推知，目的比方法更重要。故选A。
The author's attitude toward relaxation is best described as______.
通读全文可知，本文先介绍了达到深度放松状态的表现和益处，接着介绍了关于放松方法的两种不同观点，并说明目的比方法更重要。作者并没有给出自己的观点，所以作者对放松的态度是客观的。critical:批评的；objective:客观的；optimistic:乐观的；subjective:主观的。故选B。