Since we are social beings，the quality of our lives depends in a large measure on our interpersonal relationships．One strength of the human condition is our possibility to give and receive support from one another under stressful(有压力的)conditions．Social support makes up of the exchange of resources among people based on their interpersonal ties．Those of us with strong support systems appear better able to deal with major life changes and daily problems．People with strong social ties live longer and have better health than those without such ties．Studies over types of illnesses，from depression to heart disease，show that the presence of social support helps people defend themselves against illness，and the absence of such support makes poor health more likely．
Social support cushions stress in a number of ways．First，friends，relatives and co-workers may let us know that they value us．Our self-respect is stengthened when we feel accepted by others in spite of our faults and difficulties．Second，other people often provide us with informational support．They help us to define and understand our problems and find solutions to them．Third．we typically find social panionship supportive．Taking part in free-time activities with others helps us to meet our social needs while at the same time distracting(转移注意力)us f rom our worries and troubles．Finally，other people may give us instrumental support--money aid，material resources，and needed services--that reduces stress by helping us resolve and deal with our problems．
【小题1】What does the word“cushions”mean?A．gets rid ofB．makes up ofC．takes place ofD．lessens the effect of【小题2】The researches show that people’s physical and mental health .A．depends on their ability to deal with daily werries and troublesB．is related to their courage for dealing with major life changesC．lies in the social medical care systems which support themD．has much to do with the amount of support they get from others【小题3】Helping a sick neighbor with some repair work in spare time is an example of .A．informational supportB．social panionshipC．the strengthening of self-respectD．instrumental support【小题4】Why are interpersonal relationships important?A．They can cure types of illnesses．B．They can deal with life changes．C．they can smooth away daily problems．D．They can make people live more easily．D
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(答案→)D
解析：
【小题1】本段主要介绍了四种如何减轻压力的方法，而且在本段最后一句出现了reduces stress与本段开头一句中cushions stress呼应，所以cushions应与reduces同义，故选择D项。
【小题1】从文章第一段最后一句话可知，研究表明：社会的支持有助于抵御疾病，而缺乏这种支持则身体不健康的可能性会增加，所以人们的身心健康与他们能从别人那里得到多少支持有很大关系，因此选D项。
【小题1】从第二段Third后面的两句话可知，正确答案应为B。
【小题1】从第一段的内容可以概括出来，良好的人际的关系有助于人们应对日常生活中出现的变化和问题，使人们能消除一些身心疾病的困扰，健康长寿，因此正确答案为D项。