阅读理解
In a world where bad news has become everyday news, people are turning to an ancient technique to deal with stress: meditation. At meditation centers, prayer groups and yoga studios around the United States, more and more are finding peace of mind by being quiet: Some use meditation to help deal with life changes; others, to process the painful reality of political and social unrest around the world of the type that has been experienced more recently. Stress from the September 11 terrorist attacks is "probably about 70 percent" of the reason one Chicago man started meditating and practicing yoga with his new wife. He became so emotionally affected that he realized he needed help in managing his stress. The yoga classes he takes begin and end with meditation. This "quiet time" helps him feel a lot more relaxed and gives him more breath control. The fact is,though ,that he is not alone.
Across the country, many are turning to more meditative exercise as they seek both psychological and physiological relief. In addition to helping people work out their stress, these classes bring people together, in the same way that religious services or other community activities have done in the past. Different schools of meditation teach particular techniques, but they share a common basis―focusing attention on something your mind can return to if you are distracted. This may be the rhythm of breathing, an object such as a candle flame loving kindness, or a repetitive movement, as in walking or t''ai chi (taiji). Regardless of the specific technique or mode that is followed, meditation has well-documented benefits. Medical research indicates that it causes a sharp decrease in metabolic activity, reduced muscle tension, slower breathing, and a shift from faster brainwaves to slower waves. It also reduces high blood pressure. Practitioners are convinced that meditation is good for health because it relaxes the body.
For ages, meditation has been a core practice of many groups meeting in their communal or religious centers. However, let''s not forget that this is the twenty-first century. So, for those people who are too shy or busy to go to the nearest meditation center, there are Internet sites that offer online guided meditation. One has a variety of meditations from various religious traditions. At another, Jesuit priests post meditations and readings from the Scriptures every day, and at still another, Buddhist and Hindu practitioners include music and visuals to accompany their offerings. These websites allow anyone with a computer access to meditation at any time. The fact is that whether online, at Yoga classes, or at local spiritual centers, more people are turning to the practice of meditation.
单选题
The growing popularity of meditation results from people''s need for
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】解析]研读题干可知,此题要求找出meditation(冥思,默念,相当于汉语中的“坐禅”、“打坐”,sit in meditation)(在美国)日益流行的原因。此文第一句便明确指出,人们求助于古老的冥思术是为了deal with stress(对付压力)。据此,只有A项最为概括,其中cope with=deal with;worries=stress(es)。B、C、D三项只是局部原因。
单选题
The example of one Chicago man shows
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】题干中的one Chicago man表明此题出自第1段第4句。该句表明,该男子与其妻练冥思功和yoga(瑜伽功)的原因,70%是由于9?11恐怖袭击造成的压力。
由此可知,A项与此意一致。B、C、D三项皆是常识性说法,未扣文意。
单选题
The underlying approach of meditative techniques requires
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】题干中的meditative techniques(冥思技术)见于第2段第3句。该句表明,不同学校教授的冥思术,有一共同基础,即集中精神于可重现记忆的某一事物。据此可知,D项符合此意。
A项出自第2段第2句,该句说,冥思训练班将练功者集合在一起练,类似过去的 religious services(宗教礼仪)。这里并非指meditative techniques。B项prayer文中未见。C项只是可集中精神的事物之一。其中t''ai chi=taiji(太极拳)。
单选题
The author acclaims the benefits of meditation as
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】题干中的benefits(益处)见于第2段第5句;acclaim sth.as sth.:赞誉……为……。第5句称冥思功的益处是well-documented(=having a lot of written evidence to prove…证据充分的;有大量文献证明的)。C项表述与此相符,为正确答案。
A项的official regulations(官方法规)和B项的documentary sources(文献来源)皆与文意不符。D项的therapeutic outcomes(治疗效果)只是benefits的例证,而非其性质。