The author of a book tracing the relationship of work-related stress to productivity loss in small business argues that most workers underestimate the harmful physical effects of unprocessed anxiety. Powerful hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, which are released in stressful situations, raise heartbeat and blood pressure, priming the body for physical activity. However, since most business is conducted in a relatively restrained environment, workers find few opportunities to respond to stressful situations as their hormones seem to demand.
If all of the above statements are true, it can be most directly inferred from the passage that
A. Most productivity loss in small business is due to unprocessed stress hormones.
B. Increased physical activity would be helpful in processing stressful situations and increasing productivity.
C. Hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine stimulate critical thinking as well as raising blood pressure.
D. The restraint of business environments contributes to the stress experienced by workers.
E. Workers in more physically demanding jobs have fewer problems with work-related stress.
The passage talks about the relationship between work related stress and productivity. Workers find few oppurtunities to cope up with the stress because of the restrained environment. They are unable to perform physical activities.
a) The author does not speak about the magnitude of productivity loss. Hence this is out.
b) This is correct. The passage clearly mentions that physical activity helps.
c) The passage doesnt tell us anything about critical thinking due to the hormones.
d) This is good one. The passage does not explicitly talk about the factors contributing to the stress. It could be the type of work, intensity of work or the environment. We dont know for sure.
e) This is a good one too. But the passage doesnt mention this. Just because x is caused by y doesnt mean when y occurs it is caused by x.
Hope it helps