单选题 Since we are social beings, the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships. One strength of human condition is our possibility to give and receive support from one another under stressful (有压力的)conditions. Social support makes up the exchanges 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 coworkers 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. (83) 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.
单选题 The author mainly talks about ______.
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】[考点] 主旨大意题
[解析] 题干的大意是：作者主要谈论了______。作者在文章开头便指出作为社会人，我们生活的质量在很大程度上取决于我们的人际关系，接下来又指出好的人际关系会带来的种种好处，并于第二段着重讲解了社会关怀可以从多方面缓解压力。所以，本文作者主要谈论的是人际关系的重要性。
单选题 Para. 2 is mainly about ______.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】[考点] 主旨大意题
[解析] 题干的大意是：第二段主要是关于______的。通读第二段会发现，本段采用的是总一分的写作结构，所以第一句话的内容就是本段的主旨。选项中只有A项与此照应，故选A。
单选题 The word "cushion" in Para. 2 means ______.
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】[考点] 词语理解题
[解析] 题干的大意是：第二段中的“cushion”一词的意思是______。cushion作为名词，是“垫子，软垫”的意思，在本句中作为动词，词义可引申为“缓和……的冲击，减轻……的效果”。只有选项B描述正确。
单选题 Lending money to a person in trouble belongs to ______.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】[考点] 事实细节题
[解析] 题干的大意是：借钱给有困难的人属于______。从文章第二段最后一句话“...other people may give us instrumental support—money aid，material resources，and needed services...”可知，钱财救助、物质资源和必要服务都属于物质性支持。故本题选C。
单选题 According to the passage, which of the following is true?
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】[考点] 事实细节题
[解析] 题干的大意是：根据文章，以下哪种说法是正确的?由文章第一段最后一句的调查内容可知，好的社会关系可以帮助病人抵御疾病，而社会关系的缺失很可能会造成人们的身体状况欠佳。故D项说法是正确的。A项中playing chess是“social companionship support”；B、C说法太过绝对。