Instructions:
Read the article. For each numbered blank, choose the word that best fits the sentence from the two options. All the options are either opposites or similar in meaning.
Looking after both your body and your mind is important. Many people think these areas are (1)
a. connected
b. separate,
but actually they work together.
Doing physical exercise doesn’t only make you stronger — it also helps your brain. When you move your body, your brain makes chemicals that help you feel (2)
a. positive
b. negative,
and reduce stress. Sitting still too much, on the other hand, can lead to mental (3)
a. decline
b. progress
and tiredness.
Your mood also affects your body. Stress or sadness can have a big (4)
a. impact
b. insignificance
on how your body works. These effects are often (5)
a. harmful
b. beneficial,
and can make it harder to stay healthy.
Activities like meditation or talking to a therapist are not (6)
a. destructive
b. helpful.
They support your mind and body at the same time.
Getting enough sleep is also very important. If you don’t have (7)
a. adequate
b. insufficient
rest, it’s harder to think and stay calm. You may feel more (8)
a. stable
b. unpredictable,
and your body may get sick more easily.
Eating well helps too. Good food keeps your mind (9)
a. sharp
b. dull,
while too much junk food can make you feel (10)
a. energized
b. sluggish.
To stay healthy, it’s best to take a (11)
a. holistic
b. narrow
approach—caring for your mind and body together. If you don’t, the problems can (12)
a. grow
b. shrink
over time.
