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 his influence on you is slightly harmful, shouldn’t you stick by him?
Loyalty to a friend sometimes means having to let go. It means being loyal to his highest and best self as well. If someone is destroying his health by smoking, for example, you aren’t showing loyalty by smoking right along with him. True loyalty 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’s 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.
9. 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
10. What does the underlined sentence in Paragraph 3 mean?
A. Everyone is supposed to have at least one friend.
B. It is unnecessary for you to make new friends.
C. You ought to treat your old and new friends equally.
D. Friendships still exist though there are fewer connections.
11. What is the author’s opinion on the loyalty to friends?
A. Never betray your close friends whatever happens.
B. Stick by your friends even though they do harm to you.
C. Correct their mistakes while you guard their goodness.
D. Break up with your friends immediately if they smoke.
12. How should we behave when employed by a violent boss?
A. We should accept what we are told to do. B. We should bravely disobey him if he is wrong.
C. We should stay silent and be in favor of him. D. We should give our boss courage to continue.
DDCB
A. Profits enlarging B. Technology developing C. Education investing D. Benefits transferring E. Dominance disappearing F. A nation rising |
The following is an imaginary diary entry written by US president. This diary is part of Global Trends 2025, which was written by the US National Intelligence Council
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The
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The
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Global wealth and economic power will shift from West to East.
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The transition from old fuels to new will be slow, as will the development of new technologies that present feasible alternatives to fossil fuels or help eliminate food and water problems. All current technologies are inadequate, and new ones will probably not be commercially possible by 2025