1 . Around the globe, about 1 in 4 adults says they’re lonely. And the consequences of long-term social disconnection can be everything from an increased risk of heart attacks to dementia (痴呆). The following offers a road map to make connections.

Be curious. It’s easier to connect with people if you have shared interests or experiences, so start paying attention to what’s in your mind. What motivates you? What excites you?     1     If you know what’s meaningful or fun for you, it may lead you to an activity that connects you to others.

Make something. When experts advise making something, people will say, “Well, I’m not Picasso. I don’t know how to do a fancy painting. ” Of course, you’re not!     2     You can try your grandma’s pie recipe or plant an herb garden that puts your thoughts and feelings about who you are and express those thoughts and feelings to others.

    3     Share something about yourself. It doesn’t have to be the darkest secret of your life, but just something other people might find interesting. Putting yourself out there requires a bit of a risk, and it’s the first step to real connection.

Find a group that matches your interests. Whether it’s volunteering fora cause or playing frisbee (飞盘), try to find others who share your interests. There’s even an online group that has a quirky shared interest: a fascination with brown bears in Alaska, which led to Fat Bear Week. In interactions with others, you can begin to reveal yourself and share the unique things that matter to you.     4    

Other people’s loneliness matters too.     5     If loneliness go unaddressed, people can end up in a world of hurt. If you see someone experiencing loneliness, ask them how they’re doing. Share your own experience of loneliness and how you get rid of it. Thus, helping others can also benefit yourself.

2 . “Just sign here, sir,” the deliveryman said as he handed Oscar Reyna a package.

The package consisted of a long, narrow box ________ wrapped in brown paper. Opening the box, Oscar saw an umbrella inside ---- a very old one with a beautifully carved handle. ________ he had not seen it for more than 20 years, he ________ it immediately.

Oscar was 16 when he first saw the ________ umbrella. He had gone to a concert with his grandparents. As they were leaving, he noticed an umbrella on an empty seat. Impressed by its ________, Oscar felt a strong desire to find its owner.

Oscar ________ the manager to go through the record of advance ticket sales. Just as he thought, a name matched the seat where Oscar had ________ the umbrella. The name was Mrs. Katie O'Brien.

Oscar talked his grandparents into going by Mrs. O'Brien's house on their way home. An elderly woman opened the door. “May I help you?” she asked. “I'd like to return it if it's yours,” Oscar said, ________ the umbrella ________ presenting a gift that had long been wished for. “Why, yes, it's mine,” replied Mrs. O'Brien with a ________ smile and shining eyes. “It was given to me by my father years ago. Thank you so much for returning it. May I offer you a reward for your ________?” “No, ma'am.” he said, “my grandmother says that a good deed is its own reward.” “Well, that's ________ what my father used to say. What is your name, young man?”

Years later, Oscar was staring at the finely carved handle of the umbrella as he remembered Mrs. O'Brien. It was in perfect condition, considering how ________ it was. Why had it arrived here today? As if ________, a note fell from the paper. It read: Mrs. O'Brien wanted you to accept this umbrella as a present for a kind, ________ gesture long ago.