IELTS Reading: Stress & Judgement
How stress affects our judgement
(Q27) we are all sometimes required to weigh up information under stressful conditions. But do we become better or worse at processing information?
(Q28) Firefighters’ workdays vary… Some are relaxed… Other days can be hectic… These ups and downs presented the perfect setting for an experiment.
(Q29) We asked the firefighters to estimate their likelihood of experiencing 40 different adverse events… We then gave them either good news… or bad news… and asked them to provide new estimates.
People are normally optimistic… (Q31) This is what happened when the firefighters were relaxed [they took little notice of bad news]. But when under stress, (Q32) they became hyper-vigilant to bad news… and altered their beliefs in response. (Q33) In contrast, stress didn’t change how they responded to good news.
(Q34) students who were told they had to give a surprise public speech… cortisol levels spiked… suddenly became better at processing unrelated, yet alarming, information.
(Q30) this ‘switch’ is related to a sudden boost in a neural signal… specifically in response to unexpected warning signs.
(Q36) Studies show that if we observe positive feeds on social media… we are more likely to post uplifting messages ourselves.
(Q39) As a result, trips are cancelled… stocks are sold [unnecessary precautions]. (Q40) The good news, however, is that positive emotions… are contagious too… Being aware… can help us… become conscientious agents of change.
27. In the first paragraph, the writer introduces the topic by
28. What point is made about firefighters in the second paragraph?
29. What is the writer doing in the fourth paragraph?
30. In the seventh paragraph, the writer describes a brain mechanism which
A. made them feel optimistic | B. took little notice of bad news | C. responded same way | D. were under stress | E. put them in stressful situation | G. thought it more likely to experience bad
31. Relaxed firefighters usually:
32. Stressed firefighters:
33. Told good news, they always:
34. Students affected when researchers:
35. Bad info processed better when subjects:
36. Social media posts tend to reflect the nature of our feeds.
37. Phones have a greater impact than other electronic devices.
38. Reading more about public events makes us less able to take info in.
39. Stress from social media can lead to unnecessary precautions.
40. Tendency to be affected by others’ moods can be used positively.
20 Useful Vocabulary (Stress & Judgement)
1. Weigh up (Phrasal Verb)
Cân nhắc, đong đếm (thông tin, quyết định).
"...we are all sometimes required to weigh up information under stressful conditions."
2. Hectic (Adjective)
Bận rộn, hối hả, cuồng nhiệt.
"Other days can be hectic..."
3. Estimate (Verb / Noun)
Ước tính, phỏng đoán.
"We asked the firefighters to estimate their likelihood of experiencing 40 different adverse events..."
4. Likelihood (Noun)
Khả năng xảy ra, xác suất.
"We asked the firefighters to estimate their likelihood of experiencing 40 different adverse events..."
5. Adverse (Adjective)
Bất lợi, có hại, tiêu cực.
"...likelihood of experiencing 40 different adverse events..."
6. Optimistic (Adjective)
Lạc quan.
"People are normally optimistic..."
7. Hyper-vigilant (Adjective)
Cực kỳ cảnh giác, cảnh giác cao độ.
"...they became hyper-vigilant to bad news..."
8. Alter (Verb)
Thay đổi, biến đổi.
"...and altered their beliefs in response."
9. Contrast (Noun)
Sự tương phản, sự trái ngược.
"In contrast, stress didn't change how they responded to good news."
10. Spike (Verb)
Tăng vọt (thường là đột ngột).
"...students who were told they had to give a surprise public speech... cortisol levels spiked..."
11. Unrelated (Adjective)
Không liên quan, không dính dáng.
"...suddenly became better at processing unrelated, yet alarming, information."
12. Alarming (Adjective)
Đáng báo động, đáng lo ngại.
"...suddenly became better at processing unrelated, yet alarming, information."
13. Boost (Noun)
Sự thúc đẩy, sự tăng cường.
"...this 'switch' is related to a sudden boost in a neural signal..."
14. Neural (Adjective)
Thuộc về thần kinh.
"...this 'switch' is related to a sudden boost in a neural signal..."
15. Observe (Verb)
Quan sát, theo dõi.
"Studies show that if we observe positive feeds on social media..."
16. Uplifting (Adjective)
Nâng cao tinh thần, truyền cảm hứng vui vẻ.
"...we are more likely to post uplifting messages ourselves."
17. Precaution (Noun)
Sự phòng ngừa, biện pháp phòng ngừa.
"As a result, trips are cancelled... stocks are sold [unnecessary precautions]."
18. Contagious (Adjective)
Lây lan, dễ lây nhiễm (cảm xúc hoặc bệnh tật).
"The good news, however, is that positive emotions... are contagious too..."
19. Conscientious (Adjective)
Tận tâm, chu đáo, có lương tâm.
"Being aware... can help us... become conscientious agents of change."
20. Agent (Noun)
Tác nhân, người tạo ra sự thay đổi (Agent of change).
"Being aware... can help us... become conscientious agents of change."