英语四级阅读练习与参考答案

　　"No man is an island." In other words, we are all parts of society. We all need the love, admiration, respect and moral support of other people. If we are fortunate, our friends will provide us with all of these necessary aspects of life.

　　As most people observe, there are many levels of friendship. The degree or intensity of friendship varies depending on the personality of the individuals involved and the context of the relationships. Extroverts enjoy being surrounded by many people whereas introverts are perhaps content with fewer but more intense friendships.

　　Everyone is not equally open with all their friends. The degree of intimacy is determined by many factors. Close friends can be formed at any stage in one's life but they are usually very rare. 　　Not very many people have more than a few really close friends. Irrespective of the level of intimacy, all friendships are based on reciprocity, honesty and a certain amount of love and affection.

　　56. The second paragraph implies that________

　　A) teenagers without friends will suffer from psychological problems

　　B) a widow or a widower will die very soon without companionship

　　C) human beings need companionship and a sense of belonging

　　D) some people need friendship

　　57. "No man is an island"(Line 1, Para.3) implies that________

　　A) everyone is a part of an island

　　B) man cannot be an island

　　C) everyone is just a part of society

　　D) society is an island

　　58. The degree of intimacy of friendship mainly depends on________

　　A) age

　　B) belongings

　　C) personality

　　D) culture

　　59. The author thinks that close friends________

　　A) can be easily formed when one is young

　　B) cannot be long-lasting

　　C) are not rare for everyone

　　D) are rare for most people

　　60. The word "irrespective"(Last sentence, Para.5) means________

　　A) not respecting

　　B) dishonoring

　　C) regardless

　　D) considering

　　Questions 61 to 65 are based on the following passage.

　　Sixteen years ago, Eileen Doyle's husband, an engineer, took his four children up for an early morning cup of tea, packed a small case and was never seen or heard of again. Eileen was astonished and in a state of despair. They had been a happy family and, as far as she knew, there had been nothing wrong with their marriage.

　　Every day of the year a small group of men and women quietly pack a few belongings and without so much as a note or a goodbye close the front door for the last time, leaving their debts, their worries and their confused families behind them.

　　Last year, more than 1,200 men and nearly as many women were reported missing from home the highest in 15 years. Many did return home within a year, but others rejected the past completely and are now living a new life somewhere under a different identity.

　　To those left behind this form of desertion is a terrible blow to their pride and self-confidence. Even the finality of death might be preferable. At least it does not imply rejection or failure. 　　Worse than that, people can be left with an unfinished marriage, not knowing whether they will have to wait seven years before they are free to start a fresh life.

　　Clinical psychologist Paul Brown believes most departures of this kind to be well planned rather than impulsive. "It's typical of the kind of personality which seems able to ignore other people's pain and difficulties. Running away, like killing yourself, is a highly aggressive act. By creating an absence the people left behind feel guilty, upset and empty."

　　61. When her husband left home, Eileen Doyle________

　　A) could not forgive him for taking the children

　　B) had been expecting it to happen for some time

　　C) could not understand why

　　D) blamed herself for what had happened

　　62. Most people who leave their families behind them________

　　A) do so without warning

　　B) do so because of their debts

　　C) come back immediately

　　D) change their names

　　63. Some people would even prefer the death to the running away of their spouse because________

　　A) their spouse would feel no pain during the death

　　B) their spouse's death would not blow their pride and confidence

　　C) a desertion would not bring a feeling of rejection or failure

　　D) their spouse's death would make them feel less painful

　　64. The man or woman left behind with an unfinished marriage usually________

　　A) admits responsibility for the situation

　　B) wishes the person who has left were dead

　　C) comes back within a year

　　D) will have no legal marriage life for seven years

　　65. Paul Brown regards leaving home in such circumstances as________

　　A) an act of despair

　　B) an act of selfishness

　　C) the result of a sudden decision

　　D) the result of the enormous sense of guilt