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 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 heartdisease, 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 selfrespect is strengthened when we feel accepted by others in spite of our
faults and difficulties. Second, otherpeople 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 freetime 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.

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

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

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

                                                             Tips for a Green Vacation
     Ah, summer is almost upon us, and that means most American families are longing madly to get out of
town for a week.
     Never mind that the economy is in the tank, or that you'll use just under half of your vacation days at
once-it's time to go to the beach! But wait....before you put the kids in that minivan (小面包车) and speed
off: there's a greener way.
     Don't Travel as Far
     In one of those special instances where environmentalism saves you a ton of money, the simplest piece
of advice is to stay close to home, or, even stay at home, which most Americans aren't likely to follow: if
you live in a major city, there are probably loads of museums, parks, baseball games, and restaurants that
you haven't been to. But if you MUST travel-try to stay within 100-150 miles from home. Your wallet, and
the planet, will thank you.
     Find a Green Hotel
     This may seem like a strange task, but it's not-check the environmentally friendly hotels. They're standing
ready to assist in your eco-traveling and committed to reducing waste on the planet.
     Take the Train
     Rail travel isn't quite dead in the U.S.,which is good, because it features some of the lowest pollution of
any form of transport. In order of most polluting, it goes: airplanes, cars, trains, and coach buses-but I don't
believe many people think of Creyhound (美国灰狗巴士) as a good way to get around anymore.
     Buy Local Souvenirs
     This is hard, seeing how we're nationally addicted to plastic toys, but buy local goods when you travel.
Supporting a local artist doesn't just do more for the economy of the place that you're visiting, and it also cuts
the cost of transporting all of those mass-produced souvenirs. And besides, taking home art, or cooking
ingredients from a place you can't get at home, is far more interesting.

1. What does the underlined phrase "in the tank" mean?

A. In good situation.
B. Decreasing rapidly.
C. Increasing rapidly.
D. In a dilemma.

2. We may infer from the passage that the greenest way to enjoy one's summer vacation is to ____.

A. stay at home
B. get out of town
C. go to the beach
D. find a green hotel

3. According to the passage, ____ are the least polluting form of transport.

A. airplanes
B. trains
C. cars
D. coach buses

4. Buying local souvenirs cannot ____.

A. support local artists
B. do more for the local economy
C. save a ton of our money
D. cut the cost of transporting all of those mass-produced souvenirs

     Do's and Don'ts in Whale (鲸) Watching
     The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has developed guidelines for whale watching in Johnstone
Strait, where killer whales are found on a daily basis each summer. It is strongly recommended that
vessel (船只) operators follow these guidelines for all kinds of whales.
     Approach whales from the side, not from the front or the back.
     Approach no closer than 100 metres, then stop the boat but keep the engine on.
     Keep noise levels down-no horns, whistles or racing of engines.
     Start your boat only after the whales are more than 100 metres from your vessel.
     Leave the area slowly, gradually moving faster when you are more than 300 metres from the whales.
     Approach and leave slowly, avoiding sudden changes in speed or direction.
     Avoid disturbing groups of resting whales.
     Keep at low speeds and remain in the same direction if traveling side by side with whales.
     When whales are traveling close to shore, avoid crowding them near the shore or coming between
the whales and the shore.
     Limit the time spent with any group of whales to less than 30 minutes at a time when within 100 to
200 metres of whales.
     If there is more than one vessel at the same observation spot, be sure to avoid any boat position that
would result in surrounding the whales.
     Work together by communicating with other vessels, and make sure that all operators are aware of
the whale watching guidelines.

1. For whom is this text written?

A. Tour guides.
B. Whale watchers.
C. Vessel operators.
D. Government officials.

2. When leaving the observation areas, the vessel should _________.

A. move close to the beach
B. increase speed gradually
C. keep its engine running slowly
D. remain at the back of the whales

3.When going side by side with whales, the vessel should _________.

A. travel closer and closer to the shore
B. surround the whales with other boats
C. keep moving in the same direction
D. take a good viewing position

4. What is the shortest safe distance from the whales?

A. 400 metres.
B. 300 metres.
C. 200 metres.  
D. 100 metres.

     People living in the country enjoy several advantages that people living in the city cannot enjoy. 
     1______ They make friends with trees and stones. They breathe fresh air. They fight with strong winds.
2______.
     This contact with nature is good for health. There are many diseases that are common in the city, but are
not to be found in the country, For example, near-sightedness is almost unknown to country people.
     Because of the absence of cars, one can walk more freely in the country than in the city, 3______ 
     People living in the country can easily get fresh vegetables, fresh fruit and fresh milk, and they get them
at lower prices than in the city. 
     4______  There are practically no temptations to waste money. 
     5______ They say what they mean, and make and keep promises with sincerity (诚意). They do not put
on air (摆架子). They do not pretend to have those ridiculous manners which are necessary in what we call
polite society.

A. They listen to the song of birds.
B. Country people are mostly honest.
C. They are in close contact with nature.
D. Country people are far from town life.
E. Country life is economical (节俭的) in other ways, too.
F. Country life provides much more enjoyment.
G. There are no rules of the road nor traffic signs to obey.

     Advertisers tend to think big and perhaps this is why they're always coming in for criticism. Their
critics (批评家)seem to hate them because they have so much money to throw around. Why don't they
stop advertising and reduce the price of their goods? After all, it's the consumer who pays.
     The poor old consumer! He'd have to pay a great deal more if advertising didn't create mass markets
for products. It is precisely because of the heavy advertising that consumer goods are so cheap. But we
get the wrong idea if we think the only purpose of advertising is to sell goods. Another equally important
function is to inform. A great deal of the knowledge we have about household goods is largely from the
advertisements we read. Advertisements introduce us to new products or remind us of the existence of
ones we already know about. Supposing you wanted to buy a washing machine, it is more than likely you
would obtain details regarding performance, price, etc., from an advertisement.
     Lots of people pretend that they never read advertisements, but this claim may be seriously doubted. It
is hardly possible not to read advertisements these days. And what fun they often are, too! Just think what
a railway station or a newspaper would be like without advertisements. Would you enjoy gazing at a blank
wall or reading railway byelaws while waiting for a train? A cheerful, witty advertisement makes such a
difference to a dull wall or a newspaper full of the incidents and disasters.
     We must not forget, either, that advertising makes a positive contribution to our pockets. The fact that
we pay so little for our daily paper, or can enjoy so many broadcast programmers is due entirely to the
money spent by advertisers. Just think what a newspaper would cost if we had to pay its full price!
     Another thing we mustn't forget is the "small ads." What a tremendously useful service they perform for
the community! Just about anything can be accomplished through these columns. For instance, you can
find a job, buy or sell a house, announce a birth, marriage or death in what used to be called the "hatch,
match and dispatch" column (栏目) but by far the most fascinating section is the personal or "agony"
column. No other item in a newspaper provides such entertaining reading or offers such a deep insight into
human nature. It's the best advertisement for advertising there is!

1. What is the main idea of this passage?

A. Advertisements steal money from our pockets
B. The critics get the wrong idea of advertisements.
C. Advertisers perform a useful service to communities.
D. Advertisements are everywhere.

2. What is the attitude of the author toward advertisements?

A. He appreciates the role of advertisements.
B. He doubts the effect of advertisements.
C. He believes what is said in advertisements.
D. He complains too many advertisements in daily life.

3. Which of the following is Not True?

A. The personal or "agony" column makes us know more about human nature.
B. The only purpose of advertising is to sell goods.
C. A newspaper will cost us more if there is no advertisement on it.
D. Advertisement makes our life colorful.

3. Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?