51. What is the passage mainly about?

A. A woman’s opinion on her job and family.

B. The burden women in society have to bear.

C. The change of women’s status in and out of the family.

D. The responsibility of a couple in a family.

50. What is the best title for the passage?

A. Three Kinds of Loneliness. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. Loneliness and Diseases.

C. Loneliness and Social Contacts. 　　　　　　　　　 D. Chronic Loneliness.

D

It has become acceptable for people to say that women work less than men and therefore deserve less! It may have been true in the past when women were expected to stay at home and look after children, but women have changed over the years. They have “come out”! Gone are the days when they toiled(辛苦)the kitchen stove all day long; they are now aware of their needs and are willing to fight for them. They expect to be given the respect they deserve, both at home and at work. They have realized their intellectual potential and have determined to do something about it!

Women on two wheels have become a familiar sight on the roads of most Asian countries during the past few years. It is common to find a woman taking her children on her bicycle to school and then reach her office in time. She has become a major part in family decisions in every aspect and how those decisions are carried out. It would have been unimaginable a few years ago!

It is rather difficult to combine a career and a decent home life, “super woman” though she is. She needs to feel supported and fulfilled. She may arrive at work feeling as if she has already done a full day’s work. If colleagues doubt her commitment to her job, she will feel sad. At the same time, women of today expect their partners to contribute towards childcare and household chores.

Today’s women are learning to avoid situations that make them feel more stressed and it is a hard struggle. Despite all this, the new woman, “the superpower” has arrived. She still believes in the power and value of a family unit and she holds it in high esteem(尊重).

49. Why do psychologists want to help chronically lonely people?

A. Chronic loneliness can cause family problems.

B. Chronic loneliness can cause serious illness.

C. Chronic loneliness cannot be overcome.

D. A, B, and C are all correct.

48. The topic of the 4^th paragraph is that______.

A. one problem of loneliness is a person’s social contacts

B. we depend on various people for different reasons

C. lonely people don’t have many social problems

D. lonely people don’t have many friends

47. “It” in the last sentence of the second paragraph refers to ______.

A. temporary loneliness　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. situational loneliness

C. a new place　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. sleeplessness

46. How would you treat temporary loneliness according to the passage?

A. Talk to friends. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. Just ignore it.

C. Go to see a doctor.　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. Ask your teachers for guidance.

45. What is the best title for this passage?

A. Comparison of Clothes　　　　　　　 　　　　　　　 B. Appropriate Relations

C. Judgment of Statuses　　　　　　　　 　　　　 D. Limited Choices

C

Most people feel lonely sometimes, but it usually only lasts between a few minutes and a few hours. This kind of loneliness is not serious. In fact, it is quite normal. For some people, though, loneliness can last for years. Now researchers say there are three different types of loneliness.

The first kind of loneliness is temporary. This is the most common type. It usually disappears quickly and does not require any special attention. The second kind situational loneliness is a natural result of a particular situation. For example, a family problem, the death of a loved one, or moving to a new place. Although this kind of loneliness can cause physical problems, such as headaches and sleeplessness, it usually does not last for more than a year.

The third kind of loneliness is the most severe. Unlike the second type chronic(长期的)loneliness usually lasts more than two years and has no specific cause. People who experience habitual loneliness have problems socializing and becoming close to others. Unfortunately, many chronically lonely people think there is little or nothing they can do to improve their condition.

Psychologists agree that one important factor in loneliness is a person’s social contacts, e.g. friends, family members, co-workers, etc. We depend on various people for different reasons. For instance, our families give us emotional support, our parents and teachers give us guidance, and our friends share similar interests and activities. However, psychologists have found that, though lonely people may have many social contacts, they sometimes feel they should have more. They question their popularity.

Psychologists are trying to find ways to help habitually lonely people for two reasons; they are unhappy and unable to socialize and there is a connection between chronic loneliness and serious illness such as heart disease. While temporary and situational loneliness can be a normal, healthy part of life, chronic loneliness can be a very sad, and sometimes dangerous condition.

44. By saying that “an American is not free to choose the clothes of a Chinese peasant or that of Hindu prince” in Paragraph 3, the writer means ______.

A. our choice of statuses is limited

B. ready-made clothes may need alterations

C. statuses come ready-made just like clothes

D. different people have different styles of clothes

43. In the last sentence of the second paragraph, “it” refers to ______ .

A. constant mental process

B. selecting one’s own statuses

C. identification of other people’s statuses

D. fitting our actions to those of other people appropriately

42. According to the writer, people often assume different statuses ______.

A. in order to identify themselves with others　　 B. as their mental processes change

C. in order to better identify others　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. as the situation changes