题目内容
For many people, being on the job might just sound like a picnic compared to a day at home filled with housework, meals and childcare. Even for those with a happy family life, home can sometimes feel more taxing than work.
In a new study, researchers at Penn State University found significantly and consistently lower levels of cortisol(皮质醇) released in response to stress, in a majority of subjects when they were at work compared to when they were at home. This was true for both men and women, and parents and people without children.
Both men and women showed less stress at work. But women were more likely to report feeling happier there. Men were more likely to feel happier at home. Experts say there are other reasons why work is less stressful than home for many. “Paid work is more valued in society,” says Sarah Damaske, the lead researcher on the study. “Household work is boring and not particularly rewarding.”
We get better at our job with time and the increased competence means less stress and more rewards. Yet none of us, no matter how long we’ve been doing it, ever truly feels like an expert at parenting or even at marriage.
The support and friendship of co-workers also offer stress relief. At home, meanwhile, stress spreads and accumulates quickly. “That’s the reason why most housewives wish they were the bread earners,” Dr. Damaske says.
Much of the advice to families and couples include the warning to “leave work stress at the office” and even to change our mind-set from work to home, for example, a walk around the block. The recent findings, though, suggest our home life, not our attitude, might be due for some change.
1.Which of the following can replace the underlined word “taxing”?
A. stressful. B. cheerful. C. worthwhile. D. rewarding.
2.What did the research in the second paragraph prove?
A. Men felt better at home.
B. Women felt they had less time.
C. Women were easier to feel happier.
D. Most people felt more stress at home.
3.What do most people think of work at office?
A. It is competitive. B. It improves ability.
C. It can’t relieve stress. D. It doesn’t always pay off.
4.According to the recent findings, what should we change to solve the problem mentioned?
A. Our attitude. B. Our mind-set.
C. Our home life. D. Our working style.
