The word "competition" in paragraph 3 refers to ______.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 29 to 35.

 As health care costs continually rise in most developed countries, many people are looking for alternative forms of health therapy. Two of the most popular forms of alternative therapies in the West today are acupuncture and herbal medicine, both of which have been used for centuries in Asia and are rooted in ancient Chinese medicine. In essence, they attempt to treat the source of the health problem rather than simply get rid of symptoms, which is something that many argue is the flawed crux of western medicinal techniques.

 Acupuncture is based on ancient Chinese medicine and the importance of ki, a kind of life force that pulsates through every human's body. Ki runs through various pathways in the body and is fundamental in giving human strength and energy as well as bolstering the immune system. But, at times, these pathways might suffer blockage or be disrupted, so ki is unable to flow smoothly through the body. When this occurs, the body becomes vulnerable to illness and pain. This is where acupuncture comes in. Acupuncturists are well versed in the mapping of the ki pathways throughout the body and are able to locate and stimulate certain areas on the surface of the body in order to relieve pressure and allow ki once more to flow freely, eliminating pains and illnesses in the process.

 One of the most common and successful methods of acupuncture is described as ear acupuncture. This technique is involved solely with the ear and its numerous activation points. The ear is considered a highly sensitive area of the human body because it contains a strong, healthy flow of blood as well as numerous nerve points that connect it with the rest of the human body. Acupuncturists place tiny needles in the surface of the skin at certain points, depending on the desired result. In general, ear acupuncture is considered an excellent therapy, especially for treating individuals with psychological or physical dependency issues such as eating disorders and drug or alcohol abuse.

 A second form of alternative therapy based on Chinese traditional medicine is herbal therapy, in which special herbs are prescribed by the doctor to be taken in a hot liquid form, usually tea. Traditionally, herbal teas are imbibed to boost the immune system and prevent illnesses from being able to enter the body. Herbs also have a more direct influence than acupuncture on the body's physical system, as they can aid in normalizing blood pressure. One excellent example of an herbal remedy is mushroom tea, which is an excellent antioxidant. Other benefits attributed to the use of traditional Chinese herbs are that they build stamina and are good for digestive purposes. Sometimes, herbal medicines are used in conjunction with acupuncture to magnify its effects.

(Adapted from How to master skills for the Toefl Actual Test)

 Alternative forms of health care are becoming more popular because _______.

Mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the underlined part that needs correction in each of the following questions.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 1 to 5.

 The placebo effect is far more powerful than most people realize. It's fascinating, and it has been (1) _____ studied by medical science. We know that four placebo sugar pills a day will clean up an illness quicker than two sugar pills, we know that an injection is a more effective treatment for pain than a pill, we know that green pills are more effective (2) _____ stress than red pills, and we know that brand packaging on painkillers increases pain relief.

 But if homeopathy users are being deceived by the placebo effect, is that so bad? Maybe not. There are often situations (3) _____ people want treatment but medicine has little to offer - back pain, stress at work, medically unexplained fatigue, and (4) _____ commonly colds. Trying every known medication will only give you side effects. A sugar pill in these circumstances seems a very (5) _____ option.

(Adapted from Unlimited B2 - student's book)