Question

A new, first-of-its-kind study examines the connection between teacher burnout and students’ stress levels. Researchers from the University of British Columbia collected saliva (唾液) samples from over 400 elementary school children, grades four to seven, at 17 public schools. Cortisol (皮质醇) levels were then assessed from the samples as the hormone is commonly used as a biological indicator of stress. Correspondingly, teacher burnout was determined through survey results.

Investigators found that in classrooms in which teachers experienced more burnout, or feelings of emotional exhaustion, students’ cortisol levels were elevated (提升). Higher cortisol levels in elementary school children have been linked to learning difficulties as well as mental health problems. The study appears in the journal Social Science & Medicine. “This suggests that stress contagion (蔓延) might be taking place in the classroom among students and their teachers,” said Eva Oberle, Ph.D., the study’s lead author.

Indeed, the relationship between student stress and teacher burnout is a chicken and egg question. “It is unknown what came first, elevated cortisol or teacher burnout. We consider the connection between student and teacher stress a cyclical problem in the classroom.” Oberle said a stressful classroom climate could be a result of inadequate support for teachers, which may impact teachers’ ability to effectively manage their students. A poorly managed classroom can contribute to students’ needs not being met and increasing stress. This could be reflected in elevated cortisol levels in students.

Alternatively, stress could originate from students, who may be more challenging to teach because of increases in anxiety, behavioral problems, or special needs. In this case, teachers could feel overwhelmed and report higher levels of burnout.

“Our study is a reminder of the systemic issues facing teachers and educators as classroom sizes increase and supports for teachers are cut,” said Oberle. “It is clear from a number of recent research studies that teaching is one of the most stressful professions, and that teachers need adequate resources and support in their jobs in order to battle burnout and relieve stress in the classroom,” said University of British Columbia education professor Kimberly Schonert Reichl, Ph.D., the study’s co-author. “If we do not support teachers, we risk the damage of students.”

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Answer

A new research shows that student strain often coexists with teacher exhaustion. (要点1) Students, who find their requirements unsatisfied as a result of teachers’ low-level management over class, may feel overwhelmingly stressed. (要点2) Conversely, teachers, who encounter great teaching challenge from students, tend to be burned out. (要点3) Therefore, more sufficient resources and support to teachers should be guaranteed, or students are likely to be ruined. (要点4) (63 words)

【解析】本文是概要写作，其写作步骤如下：

1）细读原文。首先要仔细阅读短文，掌握文章主旨和结构，明确各段的大意。

2）弄清要求。是写全文概要，不是写某一部分的概要，或者就某些问题写出要点。

3）列出原文要点。分析原文的内容和结构，将内容分项扼要表述并注意在结构上的顺序。在此基础上选出与文章主题密切相关的部分。

要点分析：由第一段的第一句话概括出本文的第一个要点：A new research shows that student strain often coexists with teacher exhaustion. (要点1)，使用一个shows引导的宾语从句。要点2中使用了非限制性定语从句：Students, who find their requirements unsatisfied as a result of teachers’ low-level management over class, may feel overwhelmingly stressed. (要点2用一个副词Conversely(相反地)引出第三个要点：Conversely, teachers, who encounter great teaching challenge from students, tend to be burned out. (要点3)在要点3中再次使用定语从句完成。最后用连词therefore结束了第4个观点：more sufficient resources and support to teachers should be guaranteed, or students are likely to be ruined. (要点4)，在要点4中使用了由“or”的并列句。

总之，文章涵盖了全部要点，在写作中注意使用宾语从句，定语从句和并列句，句式多样化，同时能正确地使用连词，如hence, or等及副词conversely把文章有机地联合起来。作者也抓住了关键词，准确使用相应的语法结构和词汇，用复杂流畅的语言概括了文章重要的信息。