Anxiety is an integral part of the human experience; it can be a motivator that drives us to get things done or a warning signal that helps us escape danger. However, when it appears as an IELTS reading topic, it demands composure and sharp analytical skills. This article by ECE will guide you through every aspect of the “Anxiety” passage, providing accurate answers, thorough explanations, and vocabulary analysis so you can confidently tackle one of the most complex psychological topics.
Reading Passage and Detailed Questions: Anxiety
Reading Passage
(A) Anxiety is a common experience that can be a useful motivator or even lifesaver in situations that are objectively dangerous. However, when the anxiety is out of proportion to the danger inherent in a given situation, is persistent and is markedly disabling, an anxiety disorder can be developed.
(B) Anxiety is an emotion that all people experience from time to time… in general, anxiety has a survival function. If there is a real danger for a primitive man, then anxiety kicks in in an adaptive way. We freeze… our bodies react with a big release of adrenalin… getting us ready to run as fast as we can or fight as fiercely as we can.
(C) So some anxiety is adaptive, not only for primitive man, but in modern society as well. It helps us to focus on things when we have deadlines… So, there is nothing wrong with anxiety in general… but of course it can get problematic if the danger is one that is imagined rather than real, or the danger is something that is exaggerated… About 17 per cent of the population will have an anxiety disorder at some stage in their life.
(D) Anxiety can be caused in a variety of different ways… Scientists are looking at what role genes play… and are also investigating the effects of environmental factors… Using brain imaging technology and neurochemical techniques, scientists have discovered that the amygdala plays a significant role in most anxiety disorders.
(E) Anxiety disorders are a very costly problem in terms of society…
(F) Given all of this, it is rather worrying that anxiety also has a rather low treatment-seeking rate. Only 10 per cent of people with an anxiety disorder will seek treatment. That seems to be largely because people do not realise there are effective treatments available. Most people tend to think they have had it for most of their lives, so it is just their personality and they cannot change their personality…
(G) The first psychotherapy treatment that was shown to be effective was exposure therapy, which essentially encourages people in a graded way to go into their feared situations… Often, the therapist will accompany the person… Group cognitive behaviour therapy has also been shown to be effective. This is a talking therapy that helps people to understand the link between negative thoughts and mood and how altering their behaviour can enable them to manage anxiety and feel in control.
(H) There are, of course, drugs that can help… Medication will not cure an anxiety disorder, but it can keep it under control while the person receives psychotherapy. The principal medications used for anxiety disorders are antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and beta-blockers…
(I) There is plenty of evidence that exercise can help… Exercise and other physical activity produce endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers. In addition to this, getting physically tired can help people fall asleep faster… As many people suffering from anxiety often have problems with insomnia…
(J) Anxiety is a normal, but highly subjective, human emotion. While normal anxiety serves a beneficial and adaptive purpose, anxiety can also become the cause of tremendous suffering for millions of people. It is important that people recognise excessive anxiety in themselves as soon as possible, as treatment can be very successful…
Questions
Questions 1-3 (Matching Endings)
- Experiencing small doses of anxiety can
- Imagining or exaggerating problems can
- Nearly one in five people can
Questions 4-6 (Short Answer Questions) Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the text for each answer.
4. Which area of the brain have scientists identified as being significant in anxiety problems?
5. What proportion of people look for treatment for their anxiety?
6. What part of themselves do most people blame for their anxiety?
Questions 7-13 (Table Completion) Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the text for each answer.
Reading Passage Summary
The passage provides a comprehensive overview of anxiety. Initially, the author explains that anxiety is a normal emotion with a survival function that offers benefits in modern life. However, it becomes a disorder when it is excessive and persistent.
The text discusses the complex causes of anxiety disorders, the role of the brain (specifically the amygdala), and the economic burden it places on society. A concerning issue is that very few people seek treatment because they mistakenly believe it is an unchangeable part of their personality. Finally, the passage introduces effective treatment methods, including psychotherapy (exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy), medication, and the benefits of exercise.
Key Vocabulary and Useful Structures
- Out of proportion to (phrase): Excessive or not in proper relation to the actual situation.
- Adaptive (adj): Serving or helping in adaptation; useful for survival.
- Devise (v): To plan or invent (a plan, a system).
- Treatment-seeking rate (noun phrase): The percentage of people who look for professional help.
- Graded way (phrase): In a step-by-step or incremental manner.
- In conjunction with (phrase): Together with; in combination with.
- Endorphins (noun): Brain chemicals that act as natural painkillers.
- Subjective (adj): Based on or influenced by personal feelings or experiences.
Explore more IELTS Reading samples compiled by ECE:
IELTS Reading: Elephant Communication
IELTS Reading: Language Diversity
Answer Key and Detailed Explanations
Questions 1-3
1. A. be very beneficial.
- Reference (Paragraphs A, B, C): “a useful motivator or even lifesaver,” “survival function,” “adaptive.”
- Explanation: The passage repeatedly emphasizes that a certain level of anxiety is useful, adaptive, and good for survival. “Beneficial” is the most accurate summary of these points.
2. C. lead to unhelpful levels of anxiety.
- Reference (Paragraph C): “…it can get problematic if the danger is one that is imagined rather than real, or the danger is something that is exaggerated.”
- Explanation: Imagining or exaggerating problems can make anxiety “problematic,” meaning it reaches “unhelpful levels.”
3. D. experience anxiety at some point.
- Reference (Paragraph C): “About 17 per cent of the population will have an anxiety disorder at some stage in their life.”
- Explanation: 17% is approximately one-fifth, which matches “nearly one in five people.” “At some stage in their life” is synonymous with “at some point.”
Questions 4-6
4. The amygdala
- Reference (Paragraph D): “…scientists have discovered that the amygdala plays a significant role in most anxiety disorders.”
- Explanation: This sentence directly identifies the “amygdala” as the significant brain region.
5. 10 per cent / Only 10 per cent
- Reference (Paragraph F): “Only 10 per cent of people with an anxiety disorder will seek treatment.”
- Explanation: The text provides the exact figure of 10%.
6. their personality
- Reference (Paragraph F): “…so it is just their personality and they cannot change their personality…”
- Explanation: People blame “their personality” as the reason they do not seek treatment.
Questions 7-13
7. graded
- Reference (Paragraph G): “…encourages people in a graded way to go into their feared situations…”
- Explanation: Exposure therapy is conducted in a “graded” or step-by-step fashion.
8. therapist
- Reference (Paragraph G): “Often, the therapist will accompany the person to a feared situation…”
- Explanation: Patients are often accompanied by their “therapist.”
9. negative thoughts
- Reference (Paragraph G): “…helps people to understand the link between negative thoughts and mood…”
- Explanation: This therapy explores the link between “negative thoughts” and feelings/mood.
10. behaviour
- Reference (Paragraph G): “…and how altering their behaviour can enable them to manage anxiety…”
- Explanation: Changing “behaviour” can help patients regain control over their anxiety.
11. psychotherapy
- Reference (Paragraph H): “…it can keep it under control while the person receives psychotherapy.”
- Explanation: Medication is used in conjunction with “psychotherapy.”
12. endorphins
- Reference (Paragraph I): “Exercise and other physical activity produce endorphins…”
- Explanation: Physical exercise creates “endorphins.”
13. insomnia
- Reference (Paragraph I): “…many people suffering from anxiety often have problems with insomnia…”
- Explanation: Exercise helps with sleep, which is particularly useful for those suffering from “insomnia” caused by anxiety.
Conclusion
The “Anxiety” reading passage is more than just a language test; it is a profound reminder of the importance of mental health and the necessity of seeking help. Strategically, this passage highlights the importance of understanding synonyms and paraphrasing—such as “17%” and “nearly one in five.” We hope that with ECE’s detailed analysis, you will not only master this passage but also feel more confident facing future academic challenges.
Khai giảng Khóa học Hè cực HOT.
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