1 . The bonds of female friendship run deep and strong, so are they the new encouraging relationship, or idealized?     1    

In many ways, my close friendships with women are what you’d expect from TV shows like The Golden Girls: emotionally close and involved, fierce and rude. What these shows get right about girl friendship is that our bonds run deep and strong.     2     In those shows, we can see friends whose lives are so deeply mixed that they appear at each other’s doors whenever needed; a ride-or-die girl group who are at your side for life.

    3     This phenomenon is called friendship jealousy, and it’s pretty common. “We feel friendship envy because so much of our confidence is gained from us knowing who we ‘belong’ to,” psychologist Lilly Sabir said. If we don’t have access to the sisterhood we think we’re supposed to as women, we can feel rejected and lonely.     4    

There’s no fixed way for these relationships. You might have a group of girls who meet for lunch once a week, or you might have a few friends who aren’t part of the same group.     5     Maybe you don’t see yourself in either of those situations, but love your friends all the same. All of this is fine—it’s the quality of your connections that counts.

Healthy friendships are about trust and being able to be vulnerable with each other, not to prove you’re living life the right way. There’s nothing quite like having friends who really understand you, so let’s enjoy our mates without overthinking it, shall we?

A．Are we supposed to give way to each other?

B．But they also tend to idealize these relationships.

C．So how should we enjoy our female friendships?

D．The ways we show up for each other can truly be beautiful.

E．Tolerating friends’ characters is a good way to maintain the friendship.

F．Whatever they are, enjoying friendships and not overthinking them is key.

G．Ever seen a group of girl-friends smiling over lunch and had a feeling of envy?

2 . Some people look as if they are simply born with the certain social skill that enables them to make friends with such ease that it seems pretty unbelievable. They end up having tons of friends in no time.     1    . Some have to work a bit harder in order to gain someone’s attention and friendship. The good thing is, there are many ways to improve your social skills and make your friend circle even bigger.

◎    2    

Having fun on your own is the first step towards making a good basis for a future friendship. If you learn how to have fun on your own, it is more likely that you will meet someone who has similar interests and also needs a friend.

◎Expand your view and find new things to do

When you have many things you like doing, the better chances are that you will be meeting people who are also into the same things. You can also make friends with someone without the same hobbies. There is no rule that you have to be friends with those who like the same things.     3    .

◎Social gatherings are the best way of meeting friends

Every time you have a chance to get together with others, don’t miss it.     4    . Or, if you really prefer staying at home, there are always online groups with people, who prefer hanging out with others from the comfort of their homes as well.

◎Make the circle of your friends with confidence

After doing everything above, you will notice at one point how you’ve got your confidence back.     5    . Just being confident, satisfied and happy will make you a friend magnet and bring you friend circles.

A．It’s just easier, nothing else

B．Still, not all people are like that

C．Get out of your comfort zone a bit

D．Learn how to entertain yourself first

E．No one else is going to make it happen for you

F．Almost any social party is suitable for making friends

G．That is the most important in improving your social skills

3 . 阅读短文，按照题目要求用英语回答问题。

It’s break time. Molly sat at the picnic table alone while the rest of the students were running freely. The new girl was once again excluding herself from the midday celebration. Even though the school had been in session for several weeks already, she remained awkward around her classmates.

Brianna, the class clown, was standing near the playground and making the other students laugh as usual. I interrupted her fun and asked her to come to talk with me. “Brianna, do you see Molly down there?” I asked. “She looks very lonely. Would you mind walking down there and inviting her to come here to be with the rest of us?” I patted her on the shoulder.

Brianna sighed. I could tell she didn’t want to waste her precious time on what I was saying, but I also knew her heart. She was sweet and kind and often thought of others, so I chose her for this task on purpose.

Seeing that this choice pained her, I took a D-buck, our class currency, from my pocket. Though it was not the best way to handle this situation, I needed to ensure her cooperation. “Here, I’ll pay you for your time,” I said. She smiled, grasped the green paper, and headed towards Molly.

My eyes focused on Brianna as she neared the picnic table. After talking for a while, Molly turned to a standing position. Then I felt a sense of relief. The girls walked back together. Several minutes later, Brianna walked to me and handed me the D-buck, saying, “I shouldn’t keep this, because I don’t want Molly to think I only went to her for a D-buck. She is my friend.”

Then Brianna went back to her group. A moment later, they were all laughing again, and Molly was one of them.

1. What did the author ask Brianna to do? (no more than 15 words)
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2. Why did the author select Brianna to finish the task? (no more than 5 words)
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3. What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 4 refer to? (no more that 5 words)
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4. Why did the author feel a sense of relief? (no more than 10 words)
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5. What do you think of Brianna? Please explain the reason. (no more than 20 words)
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4 . If you’ve ever been in a cheerful mood, then met up with a bad-tempered friend, you’ll know how infectious emotions can be. Before you know it, you realize that you’re feeling down too.    1    . When you’ve been sad, perhaps your friend’s liveliness has helped to lighten your mood.

You might wonder who wins out—if you’re feeling happy and your friend is feeling sad, do you yield to their sadness or do they catch your happiness? Part of the answer is likely depending on their and your levels of expressiveness and receptiveness.     2    . If you smile a lot when you’re happy, you’re more likely to infect your friend. Likewise, if your friend is impressionable and more prone (有做...倾向的) to copying facial expressions, then they’ll be more likely to catch your smiles and start feeling happier.

    3    . For instance, there’s evidence that fear has a smell, and that smelling the sweat of an anxious person can initiate activity in parts of the brain involved in empathy (共情) and processing emotions. In fact, there doesn’t need to be any physical contact at all. Researchers have shown that emotions can spread through social media.     4    .

If and when you encounter an opposite emotion to your own, the experience will likely vary depending on how invested you are in that other person or people.     5    . And if you’re feeling sad and a bunch of strangers surrounding you were laughing their heads off, you’re likely to find it really annoying.

A．Happily, it can work the other way around too.

B．This is especially true when we’re interacting with someone we care about.

C．Everyone varies in how emotionally expressive and impressionable they are.

D．That isn’t to say that facial expressions are the only way for emotions to spread.

E．These processes have to do with effective communication and mutual understanding.

F．If you care about them, you’ll be more motivated to shift emotionally to match their state.

G．People exposed to more negative posts are more likely to post something negative themselves.

5 . While it’s true that introverts tend to enjoy alone time, it’s not true they dislike people or social environments. Just because you show more reservation than enthusiasm in these settings, it doesn’t mean you need to change or that you can’t make new friends. Kat Vellos, a speaker and connection coach, advises introverts to “Resist pressure from the outside world and don’t hide your true nature or force yourself to be extroverted.”

Danielle Bayard Jackson, a friendship coach, says that introverts can be good friends. “I think we sometimes joke about them being incapable or not knowing what to do…and they actually have a lot of superpowers that we don’t give credit(赞扬)to. They’re very observant. They’re really good listeners. And I think that makes for really good friends.” So, how can introverts use their strengths and make new friends in the process?

“One of my favorite ways to do this is by going to a social event, then camping out on the edge with other highly sensitive people who don’t want to be in the center of the action.” Vellos, who is an introvert herself, says. “The kitchen and the edge of the yard are where I’ve often found the best conversations and feelings of connection at an otherwise overwhelming(令人难以应对的)party.”

The key for introverts is to be mindful of how they spend their energy so that when they spend it, they spend it well. “If you know you have a small social battery and you can show up for one hour after which it’ll be overwhelming for you, make good use of that information about yourself.” Jackson says. “If you know you only have an hour to spend, choose carefully the things that you say yes to.”

As an introvert, you feel and think deeply, so this means that you have the rare(罕见的)ability to go deeper more quickly with someone new. An hour or two nay be just the amount of time you need.

1. What is Vellos’ suggestion for introverts?

A．Change yourself to make personal relationships better.	B．Make friends with more extroverts.
C．Organize various social events.	D．Accept who you really are.

2. What does Jackson say about introverts in paragraph 2?

A．They prefer to enjoy alone time.

B．They are incapable of making new friends.

C．They have many advantages that are often ignored.

D．They are more popular than extroverts in the workplace.

3. What does Vellos prefer to do when she attends a big party?

A．Stay with other introverts in less crowded places.

B．Invite other introverts to go camping with her.

C．Have conversations with sociable guests.

D．Give a hand in the kitchen.

4. Which of the following can be the best title for the text?

A．Why we need introverted friends

B．How to make friends as an introvert

C．Ways of getting along with introverts

D．Differences between introverts and extroverts

6 . Friendship makes life more enjoyable and colorful. Here are some tips for you to make friends.

Make yourself available. Put yourself out there somehow in order to meet people. If you’re still in school, sit somewhere with two other people. If you see opportunities to meet new people, take them.     1    

    2     Be open to trying new activities to meet people around you who have common interests. For example, if you love books and want to meet like-minded friends, join a book club. People who have a passion (激情) for books will end up meeting people with the same interest.

Talk to others actively.     3     You can start talking to people by simply greeting them with a “Good morning, how are you?” as you pass them by.     4    You can talk to anybody: the person sitting next to you in public, or the person in front of you in the lunch line.

Use social media wisely.     5     Social media has given us the amazing ability to connect with people on the Internet and turn them into friends. Using social media like Facebook may be a perfect way to meet people who share the same interest as you.

A．Don’t be too picky.

B．Meet new people nearby.

C．We live in a digital world.

D．Follow people and have fun.

E．If someone invites you to a party, go for it.

F．We shouldn’t make friends on the Internet.

G．If you don’t actually talk to people, you still won’t make friends.

7 . Being a good friend isn’t always easy. Nevertheless, taking the time to develop a lasting friendship is worth every ounce of effort.     1     Here are a few things you can do to be a good friend to others.

Make time for each other

    2     The mark of a good friend is someone who makes time for you and makes spending time with you a priority. A good friend will also look for opportunities to maximize the time you have together by seeking fun and unique experiences that strengthen and maintain your bond.

Open up and allow each other to be vulnerable

A good friend is someone genuine, someone with whom you can be yourself and they can be themselves around you. A good friend allows you to be vulnerable with them and vice versa, meaning you can expose your emotions and circumstances with each other and trust one another to listen, be supportive, and have each other’s best interests at heart.     3     If your friend hurt you, don’t be afraid to talk about it.

    4    

It is one of the most important aspects of being a good friend. Your friend will need you for support, especially in hard times. Nobody wants to be friends with someone who actually isn’t interested in them. It’s hard to rely on a person who doesn’t behave in a trustworthy way. We all know well-intentioned people who say, “Okay, I will...” but never follow through. If that’s you, be aware that you’re destroying your friends’ trust. Eventually, they’ll stop believing what you say.

Apologize when you’ve made a mistake.

If you want your friends to trust you, then you can’t act like you’re perfect. If you know you’ve made a mistake, own up to it instead of denying. Though your friends won’t be happy that you made a mistake, they’ll be very pleased that you’re mature enough to admit it instead of just pretending that nothing is wrong, or worse — blaming it on someone else.     5     Let your friends hear the sincerity in your voice.

A．Be dependable.

B．Be a good listener.

C．When you do so, you should mean it.

D．A good friend is willing to stick their neck out on behalf of their friends.

E．It will contribute to direct lines of communication between both of you.

F．Friendships grow through shared experiences and quality time together.

G．Because good friendships provide a sense of belonging and security, knowing you are loved.

8 . If you’re new in a school or you are shy, making new friends might seem like a challenge. Luckily, you can overcome (克服) that challenge by following the tips below.

    1    . You’re more likely to be friends with someone if you have something in common with them. Try to find clubs or groups based on your favorite hobbies and then join them to meet like-minded people. Also, pay attention to people who spend their free time doing the same things you love to do.

Introduce yourself to new people whenever possible.     2    , it can be inviting to just sit there quietly, especially if you’re shy. However, you and the other person will both be more comfortable after a simple introduction. Make eye contact with the person, smile, and try to seem warm and relaxed instead of nervous or anxious.     3    . If there is music playing, for instance, try saying something like, “I love this song, don’t you?”

Give other people some space.     4    , even if they’re your friends. Don’t expect too much of their time and attention. Be there for them when they need you and continue to extend invitations, but don’t feel upset if they turn you down because they are busy or need some time alone.

Overcome your fear of rejection. One of the biggest difficulties to reach out and make new friends is the fear that we will not be accepted. Try not to take it personally if someone does not accept your invitation. Understand that the rejection may have more to do with who the other person is than it has to do with you.     5    .

A．If you really want to find new friends

B．Spend time around people who show kindness

C．When you’re around someone you don’t know

D．Look for people who have the same hobbies as you

E．Keep in mind that other people have their own lives to focus on

F．Then, break the ice by talking about whatever is going on around you

G．Keep stepping out and you will finally find someone who is the right friend for you

9 . We all have childhood best friends and we often assume that these persons would still be our friends when we are all grown-ups and even until the day we die.     1    . However, most people just grow apart and sadly, some childhood best friends just become people who used to know each other.

    2    . There are many reasons why a best friend from childhood can be forgotten. One of the most common reasons would be distance. Moving away and growing apart from each other can have the biggest effect on friendships.

Another reason why we may forget our best friend is that we meet new best friends. The friends we made when we were young may not share the same interests that we have when we reach the teenage years.     3    . We find new people who share our new interests and leave behind people who no longer have things in common with us.

    4    . We make new best friends in high school and some in college. These friendships are often the ones that last the longest.

If we are lucky enough to have the gift of friendship, we must make sure that we do not lose it.     5    . If we want to keep our friends in our lives, we must do more than look back upon the past and make an active effort to maintain our relationship with our friends. It could be a call, a text, or even an e-mail.

A．So there is a natural falling apart.

B．What are the factors that affect friendship?

C．What do we have to do to make new friends?

D．Some people are lucky to keep their childhood best friends.

E．Like all relationships, friendships need to be worked on too.

F．As we grow older, we meet new people and build new friendships.

G．It may not be that difficult to keep friends if we never stop being one.

10 . We were talking about jeans. When we should have been carefully studying our volleyball teammates on the court, or at the very least cheering them on, Lacey and I were in a deep discussion about the suffering of trying on jeans with our moms, an unpleasant experience only two tweens forced to wear school uniforms 95% of the year could truly have. This was 1995 and if there was one thing 12-year-olds could agree on, it was how badly they were treated when it came to jeans. “My mom will be like, ‘We can make them fit!’” I told Lacey with a smile.

Inside jokes like these would become the foundation of our friendship. When you’re in middle school, finding a friend to commiserate(同情)with is a matter of survival, and I found the very best. And then in high school, whether it was buying Starbucks after class or joining after-school clubs, we rarely did anything apart. Teachers and students alike felt surprised when they’d see one of us without the other we were that connected.

So it’s amazing that even though we put 3,000 miles between us in college and have spent at least two-thirds of our friendship that far away, we’re still best friends. A real achievement for two wildly different people: I think of Lacey as calm, cool and collected, whereas I am a bit more high-strung(易激动的). She’s raising three beautiful children. I have one. She grew up in a farm family. I was raised by a doctor and an actress. Any algorithm(计算程序)would likely say we’re not a match, but I can’t imagine my life without her.

Part of it is luck. I just happened to sit next to a super girl that day in the sports center. But more likely, it’s the effort we both put into staying close even as we were physically apart.

1. What did the author and Lacey go through when they were 12 years old?

A．They had difficulty in making friends.	B．They found it hard to cheer themselves up.
C．They were forced to wear clothes they disliked.	D．They had no chance to play for the volleyball team.

2. What can we learn about the author and Lacey in high school?

A．They started a club.	B．They became best friends.
C．They set a good example to others.	D．They enjoyed each other’s company.

3. What happened after the author went to college?

A．She kept up a long-distance friendship with Lacey.

B．She suddenly realized how different Lacey and she were.

C．She became as calm, cool and self-controlled as Lacey.

D．She achieved many impressive things just like Lacey did.

4. What does the author mainly want to tell us in the last paragraph?

A．Keeping a friendship takes work.	B．A friend in need is a friend indeed.
C．Friendship is love with understanding.	D．The only way to have a friend is to be one.