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During a state of deep relaxation, several physiological changes take place in the body: the body's oxygen consumption is reduced; the heart beat decreases; muscle tension and sweating ease, and there is decreased sympathetic（交感的）nervous system activity. This restful state not only allows the body to repair and restore itself, but also has a calming effect on the consciousness.

How to achieve this state of relaxation, however, is a matter of opinion, and in some medical circles, a matter of controversy. A recent report by Dr. David Holmes of the University of Kansas in the journal American Psychologist said that simple sitting in an armchair has just as many beneficial characteristics for the body as meditation does. Researchers of other relaxation techniques disagree. These experts believe that more structured techniques, such as meditation, lead to a condition of deep relaxation.

The debate goes on, but one thing appears to be clear: the relaxation response can be reached by a number of methods, and the methods themselves are not as important as getting there. One day, one method may work best; on another day, an alternative method may be more appropriate. Once you are aware of all the methods, you can find the one that works best for you.

Some of the relaxation techniques are meditation, autoanalysis（自我心理分析）and progressive muscle relaxation response. More than just sitting quietly in a chair, they have the added benefit of structure and discipline, and for these reasons appear to be more effective for most individuals.

1．The passage indicates that a state of deep relaxation is not only good for one's body, but also beneficial to____.

A．heart beat

B．consciousness

C．muscle tension

D．sympathetic nervous system

2．People seem to agree that____.

A．sitting in an armchair benefits a person as meditation does

B．what people are struggling for is a state of deep relaxation

C．to achieve a state of deep relaxation is possible through various means

D．structured consciousness relaxation techniques are more beneficial for a person

3．The phrase “getting there” （Line 2, Para. 3）most probably means____.

A．arriving at one's destination

B．getting what one wants most

C．reaching a state of deep relaxation

D．finding out a suitable relaxation technique

4．As far as relaxation is concerned, the author indicates that____.

A．aims are more important than means

B．means are more important than aims

C．some relaxation techniques are better than others

D．more and more people are interested in relaxation techniques

5．The author's attitude toward relaxation is best described as____.

A．critical

B．objective

C．optimistic

D．subjective

1．【答案】B

【精析】由第一段最后一句话“but also has a calming effect on the consciousness”可知，正确答案为B项。

2．【答案】C

【精析】由第三段第一句话“...but one thing appears to be clear: the relaxation...a number of methods”可知，正确答案为C项。

3．【答案】D

【精析】由文章第二段和短语所在的第三段的那句话“the methods themselves are not as important as getting there”可知，短语所指为“the methods”，即“finding out a suitable relaxation technique”，故D项正确。

4．【答案】A

【精析】由第三段的后半部分内容可知，方法是多种多样的，而目标只有一个，所以相比之下目标更重要一些。故A项正确。

5．【答案】B

【精析】作者对于“放松”这一生理状态的描述应该是客观的，由第二段所描述的不同人的不同见解为例就可说明这一点。