Section A

(A)

We see them everywhere. “There are some things that money can’t buy… for everything else, there’s MasterCard.” We hear them everywhere. “Make life rewarding… American Express.” Whether watching television, driving down the highway, or even appearing on our Facebook page, the appeal of money is inescapable.

Growing up, my parents always emphasized the

importance of family and faith over material possessions. Yet, money and all the new, interesting things it could buy did not escape me. As I entered my freshman year, my debit card and I engaged in quite the dates. Between game-day dresses, steak dinners and wonderful downtown Athens, I quickly drained 17 years worth of savings.

By the time summer rolled around, I didn’t consider how much cash I had spent, or how much stuff I had acquired… I was focused on how much more money I would need for next fall. When I wasn’t working, I was checking my bank account, try to figure out if my next paycheck would cover those pillows that would look so cute in my new apartment. My bank account balance was becoming a major source of stress in my life,

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creating tension with my financially smart parents and causing me constant concern. Finally, after a very heated argument with my Dad, I accepted the truth: I simply could not afford money anymore.

I realized that I was much happier (and I sensed my blood pressure was much lower) when money was just something in the bank. While the clothes are pretty and those pillows are comfy, they lost their appeal right around the second a new item caught my eye. Towards the end of the summer, I let go of my financial issues – after all, I can’t buy more time with my friends and family before going back to Athens.

I still check my bank account. I still go shopping occasionally. But now, those aren’t priorities. My money sufferings taught me that I shouldn’t seek out wealth as a means of satisfaction and happiness. Instead, my happiness should come from the moments and people that cannot be bought, exchanged, or returned. I now re-word those credit card slogans to reflect the value I place on finding wealth in the love shared between my family and friends: “There are some things that money can’t buy… Seek them.” Unlike cash, this form of wealth grows the more I give.

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56. According to the passage, the author feels happy now mainly because ______.

the appeal of money is inescapable A.

B. he values the love between his family and friends

his wealth grows by working hard every day C.

he has paid off his debt in cash D.

57. The author mentions the heated argument with Dad in paragraph 3 in order to ______.

show how to settle problems with others A.

B. prove how selfish his Dad is

explain material possessions get him into trouble C.

display generation gap between Dad and Son D.

58. The word “comfy” (paragraph 4) probably means ______.

A. realistic B. individual C. gracious D. comfortable

59. Which of the following might be the best title of the passage?

Seeking a different kind of wealth A.

B. Letting go of different sufferings C. Wealth as a means of satisfaction

D. Happiness grows out of hardships

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(B)

Americans are more stressed than ever, according to an American Psychological Association survey, and nearly one-third say stress impacts their physical or mental health. If you have any of these symptoms, your stress might be making you sick. Here’s how to battle against them.

If you’ve never suffered from headaches but suddenly your head is constantly striking, you might be too stressed. Stress releases chemicals that can cause

changes to nerves and blood vessels（血管） in the brain, which brings on a headache. Stress can cause them or make them worse. It’s also common for your muscles to tense up when you’re stressed, which can also cause a headache.

WHAT TO DO:

If you don’t want to take medicine, try spreading lavender （薰衣草）

oil on your temples（太阳穴）when a headache starts. Or try one of these

home remedies for headaches.

Stress can make you mentally sick, too. Too much of the stress hormone

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cortisol （皮质醇）can make it harder to concentrate, causing

memory problems as well as anxiety or depression, says Dr. Levine.

WHAT TO DO:

Relax until you regain your concentration. Practice closing your eyes and breathing in and out slowly,

concentrating only on your breath.

Losing a few strands of hair is normal (old hair follicles （囊）are

replaced by new ones over time), but stress can disturb that cycle.

Significant stress pushes a large number of hair follicles into what’s

called a resting stage and then a few months later those hairs fall out,

according to MayoClinic.org. Stress can also cause the body’s resistant

system to attack your hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.

WHAT TO DO:

Be patient. Once your stress level returns to normal, your hair should start growing back.

60. If you’re stressed, you might have one of the following symptoms EXCEPT that ______.

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