Since we are social beings, the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships.One strength of the human condition is our possibility to give and receive support from one another under stressful 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 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．
1. 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
2. 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
3. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the underlined word “cushions”?
A. takes place of
B. makes up of
C. reduces the effect of
D. gets rid of
4. 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
5. 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 condition.
答案
A B C C A
解析
【文章大意】既然人有社会性，那么我们生活的质量就靠人与人之间的关系。稳固的社会人际关系对于人的身心健康大有帮助，对于减缓压力也大有裨益。
(1)细节理解题。第一段提到，有坚固的社会关系的人活得长久，身体健康，而且能解决生活的变化和日常问题，故选A，而其他三项只是文章叙述的几个方面，不足以概括总体原因。本题较难。
(2)细节理解题。根据第一段可知，有很坚固的社会关系的人活得长久，身体健康；社会支持帮助你预防疾病，故选B。本题易。
(3)词义猜测题。该单词出现在主题句中。从下文叙述的四点来看，都是缓解压力的做法，所以猜测这个单词是“缓解压力”的意思，故选C。本题稍难。
(4)细节理解题。在第二段第三条中提到，我们尤其发现社会上的伙伴关系很有帮助。和其他人一起参加业余活动帮助我们满足自己的社会需求，同时分散我们的担忧和烦恼。所以在业余时间帮助病人做一些修理的活是社会伙伴关系的一个例子，故选C。本题稍难。
(5)主旨大意题。文章主要叙述社会关系对人的帮助，故选A。本题稍难。