1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow it.
The role friends play in our lives has become significantly greater than at any other time in our history.
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Today many of us live and work at great distances from where we were born or grew up and are separated
from our original families. The pain we feel when we are away from our families can be significant. The
happiness of the individual depends on friendship which forms a necessary human connection. It is perfectly
normal to need and want friends and depression is more prevalent among those who lack friends. They lack
the intimacy and richness friends can bring into our lives. Frequently friends reflect similar values as us. Yet
these values are often different from the ones we grew up with, they are the values we created for ourselves in
our adult lives.
Communication skills are fundamental in all friendships. The more friends and acquaintances one has, the
greater are one's communication skills. Some call these people skills. Like watering a plant, we grow our
friendships by nurturing them. Friendships need the same attention as other relationships, if they are to
continue. These relationships can be delightfully non judgmental, supportive, understanding and fun.
Sometimes friendship can bring out the positive side that you never show in other relationships. This may be
because the pressure of playinga 'role' (daughter, partner or child) is removed. With a friend you are to be
yourself and free to change. Of course you are free to do this in all other relationships but in friendship you
get to have lots of rehearsals and discussions about changes as you experience them. It is an unconditional
experience where you receive as much as you give. You can explain yourself to a friend openly without the
fear of hurting a family member.
How does friendship grow? The answer 1s simple. By revealing yourself, being attentive; remembering
what is most important to your friend and asking them about it; putting yourself in their position; showing
empathy; seeing the world through the eyes of your friend, you will understand the value of friendship. All
this means learning to accept a person from a completely different family or perhaps someone from a
different cultural background. This is the way we learn tolerance. In turn we gain tolerance and acceptance
for our own differences.
question ❓
1. Why has the role of friends become much more important in our lives?
2. How is tolerance important in friendship?
3. How is maintaining friendship similar to watering a plant?
4, How is friendship an unconditional experience?
5, Which word in the passage means the same as 'patient7
6, Give the noun form of 'reflect
7. Give the antonym of the word 'acceptance' from the passage.
8, Give a synonym of the word 'acquaintance
Answers
Answer:
Today many of us live and work at great distances from where we were born or grew up and are separated
from our original families. The pain we feel when we are away from our families can be significant. The
happiness of the individual depends on friendship which forms a necessary human connection. It is perfectly
normal to need and want friends and depression is more prevalent among those who lack friends. They lack
the intimacy and richness friends can bring into our lives. Frequently friends reflect similar values as us. Yet
these values are often different from the ones we grew up with, they are the values we created for ourselves in
our adult lives.
Communication skills are fundamental in all friendships. The more friends and acquaintances one has, the
greater are one's communication skills. Some call these people skills. Like watering a plant, we grow our
friendships by nurturing them. Friendships need the same attention as other relationships, if they are to
continue. These relationships can be delightfully non judgmental, supportive, understanding and fun.
Sometimes friendship can bring out the positive side that you never show in other relationships. This may be
because the pressure of playinga 'role' (daughter, partner or child) is removed. With a friend you are to be
yourself and free to change. Of course you are free to do this in all other relationships but in friendship you
get to have lots of rehearsals and discussions about changes as you experience them. It is an unconditional
experience where you receive as much as you give. You can explain yourself to a friend openly without the
fear of hurting a family member.
How does friendship grow? The answer 1s simple. By revealing yourself, being attentive; remembering
what is most important to your friend and asking them about it; putting yourself in their position; showing
empathy; seeing the world through the eyes of your friend, you will understand the value of friendship. All
this means learning to accept a person from a completely different family or perhaps someone from a
different cultural background. This is the way we learn tolerance. In turn we gain tolerance and acceptance
for our own differences.