Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

There is a well-known expression in English: “Stop the world, I want to get off!” It captures the sense of panic or pressure that makes someone long to step back, catch their breath, and regain control. Stress-essentially mental or emotional strain - is now one of the most common triggers of illness in modern life. Left (631) ___ , it can wreak disorder on both body and mind.

Physically, stress (632) ___  its toll in many ways. It can speed up the heartbeat, cause palpitations, and push blood pressure through the roof. The respiratory system is equally vulnerable: stress can trigger asthma or make people breathe too fast, upsetting the body’s delicate balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide. (633) ___  with digestion, leading to stomach pain and poor absorption of food. These examples highlight how stress can easily snowball into a host of physical ailments.

Emotional health suffers too. Stress often leaves people on edge - anxious, exhausted, and prone to overreact. Small (634)  ___ may spark outsized anger: a normally calm parent may snap at a child over a minor accident. Over time, stress can fuel mood swings, irritability, and nervous tension.

The long-term consequences can be even more alarming. Chronic stress is a breeding ground for depression, addictions, and eating disorders. Many people turn to alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviors in a misguided attempt to cope, but these only compound the problem.

In short, stress is a silent enemy. It undermines the body, clouds the emotions, and jeopardizes mental health. The lesson is clear (635) ___, take time out, and, when necessary, stop the world and rest awhile.

Left (631) ___ , it can wreak disorder on both body and mind.