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

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

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

5. B。推断题。通读最后一段可知选项A(为雇员省钱)、B(提高雇员的工作热情)、D(使雇主高兴)在原文中均被提到，只有A未被提到。

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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.

4. C。细节判断题。从第 2 段最后 1 句 “What started out as an extra one-day-a-week benefit for employees has really become an everyday thing.” 可以做出正确判断。

3. D。细节判断题。根据最后一段中的 Only 4 percent of employers said that casual dress has a negative impact on productivity 可知还有一些雇主不赞同穿便装上班。

2. A。语义理解题。从第 1 段最后一句话 “I’m working harder than ever,” David says, “and I need to feel comfortable.” 可找到答案。

1. C。语义理解题。大卫自嘲以前是服装爱好者，衣服一起皱，他就得换上备穿的服装。

5. In this passage, the following advantages of casual office wear are mentioned in the passage except _______.

A. saving employees’ money

B. making employees more attractive

C. improving employees’ motivation

D. making employees happier

[答案解释]

从20世纪90年代起，美国许多公司开始允许员工星期五可以不统一着装上班。现在越来越多的公司许可领员工穿便装上班了，这对调节他们的心情，调动其工作热情有一定的作用。

4. According to this passage, which of the following statements is true?

A. Company workers started to dress down about twenty years ago.

B. Dress-down has become an everyday phenomenon since the early 1990s.

C. “Dress-down Friday” was first given as a favor from employers.

D. Many workers want to wear casual clothes to impress people.