A
One way to prevent anxiety from getting out of control is to recognize its benefits.It is a mistake to think that we'd make better decisions if we only keep our feelings under control.Instead, a mix of feelings like anxiety and logical thinking leads to sound decisionmaking. It's true that there is plenty of research showing that higher levels of anxiety can make us more likely to avoid risks in our decisionmaking.There is also evidence that anxiety can increase the attention you pay to relevant information.
Recent studies have shown that people who are anxious about their relationship (for example, they fear to be abandoned) tend to be better at recognizing people who tell lies and are more likely to raise the alarm when danger is present.
In the real world, it's worth realizing that feeling anxious once in a while is extremely common.It tells others that you care, and what's more, it's probably a sign that you are intelligent.At least two published studies have identified that people who score higher on measures of anxiety also tend to perform better on intelligence tests.This seems reasonable：if you're a thinker, you are sure to be always thinking about the future and imagine possible plots, including bad ones.
The important thing, if you are a worrywart (自寻烦恼的人), is not to let your fear destroy your dreams.And don't bury your head in the sand.Instead, act on your fears — do the research as well as preparation, so rather than walking blindly into what you fear, you will meet the challenge in full readiness.
When anxiety beats you, or casts a shadow over your life, this is a serious problem.No one is denying that.But like everyday anxiety of this kind that you feel before a presentation or an interview, you needn't see it as your enemy.Anxiety is an important feeling, developed through evolution.As for people who are fairly anxious by nature, there is reason for cheer, too.Your nerves (神经紧张) are a sign of your watchfulness.Listen to them and act on them.Then you can turn your nervousness into your advantage.
语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了焦虑能够带来一些意想不到的好处，并介绍了面对焦虑人们应该采取怎样的态度来获得这些好处。
1．What can we infer from the first paragraph about anxiety?
A．It can enable us to be more focused.
B．It can stop us from thinking logically.
C．It can make us more willing to take risks.
D．It can be the only reason for all bad decisions.
解析：选A 细节理解题。根据第一段中的There is also evidence that anxiety can increase the attention you pay to relevant information.可知，焦虑会增加你对相关信息的注意力。
2．What can we learn from the passage?
A．Anxious people are less sensitive to danger.
B．Anxious people have difficulty discovering liars.
C．Feeling anxious is more likely to put people at risk.
D．Feeling anxious occasionally is a sign of intelligence.
解析：选D 细节理解题。根据第三段中的it's probably a sign that you are intelligent和people who score higher on measures of anxiety also tend to perform better on intelligence tests可知，在焦虑测试中得分较高的人，在智力测试中往往表现得更好，也就是说焦虑可能是聪明的表现。
3．How should we deal with anxiety in the author's opinion?
A．Regard it as our enemy.
B．Take action to control it.
C．Avoid being defeated by it.
D．Treat it as a minor feeling.
解析：选C 推理判断题。根据第四段第一句The important thing, if you are a worrywart (自寻烦恼的人)，is not to let your fear destroy your dreams.可知，作者认为自寻烦恼的人最重要的是不要让恐惧摧毁梦想，C选项(避免被焦虑打败)与信息句意义一致。
4．What is the theme of the passage?
A．Effective ways to prevent anxiety.
B．Unexpected benefits of anxiety.
C．Tips on how to keep a good mood.
D．Common misunderstandings about anxiety.
解析：选B 主旨大意题。通读全文可知，焦虑有降低决策风险，让人更善于识别说谎的人，让人在危险出现时更有可能发出警报等好处，且焦虑可能是聪明、警惕的表现，由此可知，这篇文章的主题是焦虑带来的意想不到的好处。
