1 . 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 (有压力的) 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 (转移注意力) 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.
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．Lessens 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 conditions.

2 . There were smiling children all the way.Clearly they knew at what time the train passed their homes and they made it their business to stand along the railway,wave to complete strangers and cheer them up as they rushed towards Penang.Often whole families stood outside their homes and waved and smiled as if those on the trains were their favorite relatives.This is the simple village people of Malaysia.I was moved.

I had always traveled to Malaysia by plane or car,so this was the first time I was on a train.I did not particularly relish the long train journey and had brought along a dozen magazines to read and reread.I looked about the train.There was not one familiar face.I sighed and sat down to read my Economics.

It was not long before the train was across the Causeway and in Malaysia.Johore Baru was just another city like Singapore,so I was tired of looking at the crowds of people as they hurried past.As we went beyond the city,I watched the straight rows of rubber trees and miles and miles of green.Then the first village came into sight.Immediately I came alive;I decided to wave back.

From then on my journey became interesting.I threw my magazines into the waste basket and decided to join in Malaysian life.Then everything came alive.The mountains seemed to speak to me.Even the trees were smiling.I stared at everything as if I was looking at it for the first time.

The day passed fast and I even forgot to have my lunch until I felt hungry.I looked at my watch and was surprised that it was 3:00 pm.Soon the train pulled up at Butterworth.I looked at the people all around me.They all looked beautiful.When my uncle arrived with a smile,I threw my arms around him to give him a warm hug (拥抱).I had never done this before.He seemed surprised and then his weather-beaten face warmed up with a huge smile.We walked arm in arm to his car.

I looked forward to the return journey.

1. The author expected the train trip to be　　　.

A．adventurous	B．pleasant
C．exciting	D．dull

2. What did the author remember most fondly of her train trip?

A．The friendly country people.

B．The mountains along the way.

C．The crowds of people in the streets.

D．The simple lunch served on the train.

3. Which of the following words can best take the place of the word “relish” in the second paragraph?

A．choose	B．enjoy
C．prepare for	D．carry on

4. Where was the writer going?

A．Johore Baru.	B．The Causeway.
C．Butterworth.	D．Singapore.

5. What can we learn from the story?

A．Comfort in traveling by train.

B．Pleasure of living in the country.

C．Reading gives people delight.

D．Smiles brighten people up.

3 . I am a social worker. I wanted to tell everyone about my very dear friend who passed away a few months ago. I met him many years ago while doing my internship（实习期的工作）in the county prison. He was _____ a program he had designed to help prisoners with drug and alcohol problems. He was always _____ new ways to bring hope and help to these men and their _____. One of his favorite _____ was the Toy Drive he would run every Christmas for the children of the prisoners. He did this for twenty years _____ his sudden death. As the Christmas _____ ，I decided that this tradition had to be   _____，for the children as well as in _____ of my friend.

But the file where he kept the names of the people who had helped him over the years had gone _____. I had to start anew（重新）and with very little ______ ！I started making phone calls，explaining the project and my   ____ . I prayed every night that the event would，______，be worthy of my friend. To my great ______，individuals，organizations and businesses began to come on board and，______，I had enough toys to give to all the children of the prisoners with some left over for the local community ______！

When Christmas Eve finally arrived，I felt very happy，thinking I had done all I could do and reflecting（认真思考）on what a（n）______ it had been for me. I was bagging up the remaining toys ______ if there was anyone left who might like them. Then my phone rang.

It was my daughter. She ______ to explain about a woman she knew in Kentucky who had five children，one seriously ill，no husband，no heating in the home，no toys！Ohh—how could we not help her？

My daughter and I drove all night，from New York to Kentucky，and those children woke up in a nice warm house with plenty of ______！My friend's ______ of kindness lived on that year，reaching all the way to Kentucky！

1.

A．recording

B．directing

C．attending

D．improving

2.

A．coming up with

B．catching up with

C．keeping up with

D．puting up with

3.

A．company

B．family

C．group

D．club

4.

A．hobbies

B．sports

C．events

D．games

5.

A．until

B．after

C．for

D．since

6.

A．finished

B．arrived

C．followed

D．approached

7.

A．lived on

B．relied on

C．carried on

D．carried out

8.

A．pleasure

B．memory

C．benefit

D．favor

9.

A．extra

B．hiding

C．Active

D．missing

10.

A．energy

B．time

C．pressure

D．confidence

11.

A．difficulties

B．impressions

C．fears

D．dreams

12.

A．however

B．though

C．otherwise

D．somehow

13.

A．disappointment

B．curiosity

C．puzzlement

D．relief

14.

A．absolutely

B．eventually

C．generally

D．occasionally

15.

A．as well

B．at first

C．in particular

D．once more

16.

A．pity

B．honor

C．burden

D．discovery

17.

A．wondering

B．realizing

C．predicting

D．evaluating

18.

A．came

B．drove

C．called

D．returned

19.

A．candies

B．flowers

C．chocolates

D．toys

20.

A．courage

B．spirit

C．position

D．attention