理工类：阅读理解social beings
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 (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.
59. 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
60. The researches show that peoples 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
61. 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
62. 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
63. 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.
参考答案：59.A 60.B 61.C 62.C 63.A
1. 在第一段中我们可以找出答案。从“to deal with major life changes and daily problems. Studies over types of illnesses”可以看出，B、C、D的内容只是问题的一部分，都比较片面，所以答案选择A.
2. 首先，大家要知道researches和studies都是研究的意思，在第一段的最后一句话中“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.”可以判断答案选择B.A和C选项在文中没有提及，而D选项只提到了life changes，内容太片面。
3. 这道题可以通过查词典选出正确答案。
Cushion的动词意思是“1. 使免遭损害；使免受令人不快的影响2. (用垫子)使柔和，使松软3. (跌倒或碰撞时)起缓冲作用；缓和冲击”在ABCD四个选项中，A “代替”；B“构成组成”；C“减少影响，免受影响”；D“摆脱，除掉，去掉”。经比较得出答案选择C.
4. 在最后一段中，作者给出了几种不同的support.第一种是friends， relatives and co-workers may let us know that they value us. 即从朋友，亲戚和同事那获得的支持；第二种是other people often provide us with informational support.即别人为我们提供的信息帮助和支持；第三种是we typically find social companionship supportive-taking part in free-time activities with others.即社会关系或友情中得到的支持或帮助。最后一种是other people may give us instrumental support，即别人给我们提供的实质性支持。综上比较得出答案选择C.
5. 这道题的主要目的是考文章讨论得焦点内容。我们从第一段开头就能判断出文章中要谈论的内容“Since we are social beings， the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships.”所以答案选择A.像这样问题的答案一般作者都会在文章的开头给出来。