Section B Trying Your Hand
Consolidation Exercises
Use context clues to determine the meaning of the underlined words.
For many entertainers， stage fright is an enemy that only willpower and experience can conquer. But those who are severely afflicted often rely on alcohol or tranquillizers to suppress stage fright's most severe symptoms， which include extreme nervousness， shortness of breath， a pounding heart and uncontrollably trembling hands. Now， many entertainers have turned to an alternative. Called propranolol （心得安，用于治疗心绞痛）， it is a drug that doctors have prescribed since the 1960s for high blood pressure， heart conditions and migraine headaches. But its success in combating stage fright has made it extremely popular among musicians. Said one member of the 10 Toronto Symphony Orchestra， who asked not to be identified，“If you have a solo performance to play，it can be very helpful.” Marketed as INDERAL by Ayerst Laboratories of Montreal， propranolol works by preventing adrenalin，which the body produces naturally in frightening situations， from affecting the heart.Musicians say it is popular because it is non⁃addicting and， unlike either alcohol or tranquillizers， it does not impair judgment or co⁃ordination. But many are concerned that it could lead to psychological dependence. Declared another Toronto performer who said he uses it only in emergencies： “It is a powerful medicine. Students are beginning to use it， and that is unfortunate.”
Still， propranolol has proved so popular among musicians that its use is spreading to other professionals who work under heavy stress. Some U.S. doctors have acknowledged using it during public speaking engagements. Said Michael Sole， a cardiologist at Toronto General Hospital who prescribes it legitimately for two surgeons with high blood pressure，“These surgeons have told me they feel more confident in the operating room during difficult operations， but every drug has a price.” For those with asthma， that price can include even more severe attacks. And long⁃term use by healthy people can lead to the elevation in blood cholesterol（胆固醇）， a fatty substance easily contributing to heart disease， vivid nightmares and impotence. But most performers who had been occasionally incapacitated by stage fright remain unmoved by the drawbacks. For them， a dose of propranolol can be a professional lifesaver.
Choose the best answer.
1. “For many entertainers， stage fright is an enemy that only willpower and experience can conquer.” （Line 1，Para.1） When you have stage fright，it is hard for you to feel________.
A. nervous B. careless C. frightened D. relaxed
2. “But its success in combating stage fright has made it extremely popular among musicians.” （Line 7， Para. 1） The underlined word is likely to mean________.
A. supporting B. suppressing C. worsening D. speeding
3. “Musicians say it is popular because it is non⁃addicting and， unlike either alcohol or tranquillizers， it does not impair judgment or co⁃ordination.” （Line 12， Para. 1） The underlined word is likely to mean________.
A. weaken B. improve C. balance D. strengthen
Explanations
1. The key is D. The whole passage builds up the general background knowledge that stage fright is the automatic nervousness and anxiety in the public speaking. It is easy to find the context clues like “which include extreme nervousness， shortness of breath， a pounding heart and uncontrollably trembling hands”.
2. The key is B. The previous sentence “But those who are severely afflicted often rely on alcohol or tranquillizers to suppress stage fright's most severe symptoms…” implies the meaning of combating as suppressing.
3. The key is A. Pay attention to the phrase， “unlike either alcohol or tranquillizers， it does not impair…”