Question

Since we are social beings, the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships. One strength of the human conditions is our possibility to give and receive support from one another under stressful(有壓力的) conditions. Social support makes up of the exchange of resources among people based on their interpersonal ties. Those of us with strong support systems appear better able to deal with major life changes and daily problems. People with strong social ties live longer and have better health than those without such ties. Studies over types of illnesses, from depression to heart disease, show that the presence of social support helps people defend themselves against illness, and the absence of such support makes poor health more likely.

Social support cushions stress in a number of ways. First, friends, relatives and co-workers may let us know that they value us. Our self-respect is strengthened when we feel accepted by others in spite of our faults and difficulties. Second, other people often provide us with informational support. They help us to define and understand our problems and find solutions to them. Third, we typically find social companionship supportive. Taking part in free-time activities with others helps us to meet our social needs while at the same time distracting(轉移注意力) us from our worries and troubles. Finally, other people may give us instrumental support — money aid, material resources, and needed services — that reduces stress by helping us resolve and deal with our problems.

Interpersonal relationships are important because they can _______.

A. make people live more easily

B. smooth away daily problems

C. deal with life changes

D. cure types of illnesses

The researches show that people's physical and mental health _______.

A. lies in the social medical care systems which support them

B. has much to do with the amount of support they get from others

C. depends on their ability to deal with daily worries and troubles

D. is related to their courage for dealing with major life changes

Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “cushions” ?

A. takes place of                                B. makes up of

C. lessens the effect of                        D. gets rid of

Helping a sick neighbor with some repair work in spare time is an example of _______.

A. instrumental support                       B. informational support

C. social companionship                      D. the strengthening of self-respect

What is the subject discussed in the text?

A. Interpersonal relationships.             B. Kinds of social support.

C. Ways to deal with stress.                 D. Effects of stressful conditions.

Answer 1

【小題1】A

【小題2】B

【小題3】C

【小題4】C

【小題5】A

解析:

現代社會中的人們各方面的壓力很大，所以融洽的人際關系顯得很重要。它可以緩解部分壓力，增加信息，幫助解決一些日常困難。

【小題1】主旨題。雖然選項B、C、D的內容在文章中都談到了，但選項A更全面。另一方面，根據文章第1段的第1句也可推知答案為A。

【小題2】判斷題。從第 1 段的最后一句話可以做出正確判斷。

【小題3】。語義猜測題。文章第2段告訴我們人與人之間互相支持和幫助可以從幾個方面緩解人的壓力。注意文章最后一句中的 reduce 與選項C中的 lessen 大致同義。

【小題4】細節題。從文章第 2 段內容，采用排除法，可以得知答案為 C。

【小題5】主旨題。通讀全文可知答案。