STRESS LESS
Read STRESS LESS and check the IELTS Reading answers. How busy is too busy? For some it means sometimes having to have a short lunch; for others it may mean missing lunch altogether. For a few, it is not being able to take a day off once a month. Then there is a group of people for whom working eve…
Passage preview
How busy is too busy? For some it means sometimes having to have a short lunch; for others it may mean missing lunch altogether. For a few, it is not being able to take a day off once a month. Then there is a group of people for whom working every evening and weekend is normal, and feeling stressed is taken for granted. For most senior executives, workloads swing between extremely busy and frenzied. Neil Plumridge, vice-president of a management consultancy company, says that his weeks vary from a 'manageable' 45 hours to 80 hours, but average 60 hours.
Vocabulary from this passage
12 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- allocate verb
To distribute resources or duties for a particular purpose; to assign specific staff to a project
To manage an overwhelming workload, an executive might need to allocate extra staff to the most demanding tasks.
- autonomy noun
The right or condition of self-government; the freedom to act independently and make one's own decisions
The most satisfying jobs are those that combine challenging tasks with a high level of professional autonomy.
- biochemistry noun
The branch of science concerned with the chemical and physicochemical processes that occur within living organisms
Regular meditation has been shown to alter the biochemistry of the brain to better manage stress responses.
- confine verb
To keep or restrict someone or something within certain limits of space, scope, or quantity
The issue of professional burnout is not confined to large corporations; small business owners suffer as well.
- consecutive adjective
Following each other continuously and in an unbroken or logical order; back-to-back occurrences
Missing adequate sleep for three consecutive nights is a major warning sign of an unmanageable workload.
- highly subjective adjective
Based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions rather than objective facts
The definition of being 'too busy' is highly subjective and varies greatly from one individual to another.
- misapprehension noun
A mistaken belief or a failure to understand a situation correctly; a common misconception about a fact
The belief that we will be significantly less busy in the future is often a psychological misapprehension.
- predictor noun
A variable or factor that can be used to forecast a future outcome or result
The level of control a person has over their work is a major predictor of job-related stress.
- resilience noun
The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties or toughness; the ability of a person to adapt well
Positive psychological experiences can help individuals build mental resilience to handle negative events in the future.
- stimulation noun
The action of arousing interest, enthusiasm, or excitement in something; a source of mental energy
Some business owners thrive on the intense mental stimulation that comes with managing a fast-growing enterprise.
- systemic stressors noun
Environmental or organizational factors within a workplace system that consistently cause tension or pressure for employees
Researchers argue that systemic stressors in the organization have a greater impact on health than individual personality traits.
- unrealistic expectations noun
Hopes or requirements that are not aligned with reality or what is actually possible to achieve
Many executives experience high stress because they set unrealistic expectations for their daily output and deliverables.
Answers with explanations
- 14. C
The statement matches the findings of **Jan Elsner**. She observes that **senior executives** (high-level workers) often perform well and even **thrive** under pressure or 'high-adrenaline periods'. This suggests they have a **positive reaction** to demanding, stressful environments, aligning with her 'positive psychology' framework. Answer: C.
- 15. A
The correct speaker is **Neil Plumridge**. He identifies that his stress comes from **unrealistic expectations** related to **promising** results to **clients** (customers) too quickly. This desire to satisfy/please the client leads to over-commitment and increased stress levels. Answer: A.
- 16. A
This point is made by **Neil Plumridge**. He specifically mentions relying on **colleagues** and **peers** to 'coach each other'. He notes that this **support** and having a 'fresh pair of eyes' helps him manage business problems and related stress. Answer: A.
- 17. D
The research by **Tony LaMontagne** focuses on **job control** as a major predictor of stress. He links 'low control' and a lack of **autonomy** (independence) to high probabilities of depression and stress-related illnesses, placing the responsibility on systemic job roles rather than individuals. Answer: D.
- 18. B
The authors **Gal Zauberman and John Lynch** describe a **misapprehension** where individuals believe they will be **less busy** in the future than they are today. This matches the idea that workers commonly **expect** their **workloads to lessen** over time. Answer: B.
- 19. C
The correct answer identifies a factor **not mentioned**. Plumridge lists exactly three signs: **insufficient sleep** (less than 6 hours), **rescheduling appointments** (inability to keep to a schedule), and **missing family events**. He does not mention **lack of concentration** on tasks as a specific warning sign. Answer: C.
- 20. D
The question asks for a method **not suggested**. Plumridge suggests **reassessing workloads**, which involves **changing expectations**, **allocating extra staff**, and **allowing more time** (extending deadlines). He explicitly says *not* to focus on physical relief like **sport (golf)** or **massage**. Answer: D.
- 21. B
According to **Jan Elsner**, meditation is effective because it **alters the biochemistry** of the brain. This change affects the **physical response** (how brains and bodies react) to stress. Other options like taking breaks or resting are not the primary biological mechanism she highlights. Answer: B.
- 22. injury
The blank requires a noun that categories 'stress' in the context of compensation. The text defines workers' compensation as insurance against **injury**, and then states stress causes the most lost time of any **workplace injury**. This grammatically and contextually fits the summary. Answer: injury.
- 23. 16.6 weeks
The summary asks for the duration workers 'stay away'. The passage provides a specific figure: **16.6 weeks**. This number represents the **average** period of absence for employees suffering from stress-related injuries. Answer: 16.6 weeks.
- 24. [7% ,seven percent, 7 percent]
The summary needs the percentage of total claims attributed to stress. The text states that stress-related claims accounted for **7%** (or seven percent) of all **insurance claims**. This highlights the disparity between the low number of claims and their high cost. Answer: 7%.
- 25. massage
The blank requires a physical therapy similar to sport. The text mentions **a game of golf** (sport) and **a massage**. 'Massage' is the noun that fits the context of physical therapies used as attempts for stress relief. Answer: massage.
- 26. workloads
The final blank asks what should be reviewed instead of therapies. The text suggests that people should **reassess** (review) their **workloads**. This is presented as the essential 'key' to actually dealing with the root cause of stress. Answer: workloads.