When going through major life changes, like changing careers, I would change the people with whom I spent the most time. We’ve all gone through periods when the people in our lives have changed—graduation, moving to a new city, getting a new job, joining a new club, etc. I don’t think I need to convince you just how much influence other people can have over your identity. If you’ve ever experienced a major switch in your people environment, then you know that you change as well.
Most people don’t make these choices consciously though. You might consciously decide to spend more time with a certain friend, or you may ask someone out on a date to begin a new relationship. But few people choose their existing friendships deliberately.
There’s no “getting rid of people”. People are always dropping into and out of each other’s lives. Associations grow into friendships, and friendships fade into associations. You don’t get rid of anyone. The truth is that in order to make room for new people and new experiences, you may need to loosen up some of your existing connections.
What about loyalty? Shouldn’t you always be loyal to your friends? Once you have a close friend, even if their influence on you is slightly harmful, shouldn’t you stick by them?
Loyalty to a friend sometimes means having to let go. It means being loyal to their highest and best as well. If someone is destroying his health by smoking, for example, you aren’t showing loyalty by smoking right along with him. True loyally sometimes requires that you break damaging connections, get yourself back on solid ground, and then decide what you can really do to help your friend.
It can take a lot of courage to tell someone, “I’m sorry, but I can’t have you in my life anymore." But even though this might seem like a selfish act at times, it’s often the best thing for the other person too. If a relationship is holding you back in some way, understand that it is also hurting the other person. For example, if you work for a violent boss, your acceptance of that situation is considered to be silent approval, encouraging your boss to continue to behave violently.
1．When experiencing major life changes, people may ________.
A．join a new social community B．influence their friends around
C．choose their friendships purposely D．have their people environment changed
2．What can be concluded from Paragraph 3 in the passage?
A．Everyone has at least one friend.
B．Friendship still exists though there’s less connection.
C．It is unnecessary to make new friends.
D．You ought to treat your old and new friend equally.
3．What is the author’s opinion on the loyalty to friends?
A．Never betray your close friends whatever happens.
B．Correct their mistakes while you guard their goodness.
C．Stick by your friends even though they do harm lo you.
D．Break up with your friends immediately if they smoke.
4．How should we behave when employed by a violent boss?
A．We should accept what we are told to do.
B．We should stay silent and be in favor of it.
C．We should bravely disobey him if he is wrong.
D．We should give our boss courage to continue.
1．D
2．B
3．B
4．C
【分析】
本文是一篇议论文，人们经历生活中的重大变化时，也会改变他/她周围的人，其中就包括我们的朋友关系。文章介绍了在这种情况下，对待朋友我们应该有的正确态度和方法。
1．细节理解题。根据第一句“When going through major life changes, like changing careers, I would change the people with whom I spent the most time.”可知当人们经历生活中的重大变化时，也会改变他/她周围的人。故D项正确。
2．推理判断题。根据第三段前三句“There’s no “getting rid of people”. People are always dropping into and out of each other’s lives. Associations grow into friendships, and friendships fade into associations.”可知当我们做出改变的时候，和别人的联系变成了友谊，这时双方的关系得到了升华；然后友谊变成了联系。但是虽然关系不如之前紧密，但友谊仍然是存在的。故B项正确。
3．推理判断题。根据第五段第二句“It means being loyal to their highest and best as well.”和最后一句“True loyally sometimes requires that you break damaging connections, get yourself back on solid ground, and then decide what you can really do to help your friend.”可知对朋友的忠诚意味着要认可他们的优点同时帮助他们改正缺点。故B项正确。
4．推理判断题。根据最后一段前两句“It can take a lot of courage to tell someone, “I’m sorry, but I can’t have you in my life anymore." But even though this might seem like a selfish act at times, it’s often the best thing for the other person too.”可知告诉别人不再做朋友是需要勇气的，但是即使这似乎是自私的行为，但对别人来说却常常是最好的事情。如果你被一个粗鲁的老板雇佣，如果在他犯错的时候，我们要勇敢地反对他的意见。故C项正确。
