Question

Supporting Others

We’re always being told that the secret to happiness lies in helping others, Indeed, it’s natural to want to support those we care about, especially if we are in a position to do so. 1.

When we offer support, it may not always be wanted. 2. In this case, offering support in the manner of “... if l were you, I would …” can feel like a scolding rather than support. If our support feels conditional, it can feel burdensome.

3. When someone is trying to manage illness or a house move, just saying, “What would help you today?” can be amazingly supportive. Or, suggest what you can do for them: picking up some shopping, taking the dog for a walk. Even if it’s not needed, just knowing you’ve been thought of can be supportive in itself.

Try to be mindful of offering support that is disabling, rather than enabling. My son, when aged five, wanted to make a cup of tea. I could see how inspiring it was to him to be able to do this. So I filled the kettle and took him through the safety measures. It felt like a huge risk but it worked. His pleasure was immeasurable. The same principle applies when we offer support that increases someone else’s capacity.4.

Sometimes the only support that’s needed is to listen without judgement. 5. This reassures (使安心) them that someone cares enough to listen while they ground themselves. When times are tough, remember to keep things stable. Waiting until the storm has passed is all it takes.

Support often works best when it’s a two-way process. It is good to know how to accept help from others as well as offer support to them.

A.Walk alongside someone and make comments.

B.Come up with a couple of ideas for your friends.

C.Ask what support is needed and provide a practical one.

D.This can often be a bigger gift than just doing it for them.

E.But we can do more by thinking about the support we offer.

F.Sometimes people arc trying to manage life in their own way.

G.Just be there, occasional while someone lets out their feeling.

Answer

1.E

2.F

3.C

4.D

5.G

【解析】

这是一篇议论文。文章介绍了我们应该如何支持别人及在支持别人的过程中应注意什么。

1.由上一句“确实，想要支持那些我们在乎的人是很正常的，特别是如果我们有能力这么做的话。”可知，E选项“但是，通过考虑我们提供的支持，我们可以做的更多。”承接上文，且选项中“thinking about the support we offer.”与下文“When we offer support, it may not always be wanted.”相呼应，符合语境。故选E。

2.由上一句“当我们提供支持时，它可能并不总是被需要的。”和下一句“在这种情况下，以一种“如果我是你……，我会……”的方式提供帮助，感觉像是一种斥责而不是支持。”可知，此空承上启下。F选项“有时人们想用自己的方式管理生活。”与上文“it may not always be wanted”和下文“In this case”相呼应。故选F。

3.由下文“当别人正试图处理疾病或者搬家的时候，只是说一句“有什么能帮你的吗？”就是一种极大的支持。”可知，C选项“询问需要什么支持并提供一个实际的。”符合语境，选项中“Ask what support is needed”与下文“just saying, “What would help you today?””相呼应。故选C。

4.由上一句“同样的原则也适用于，当我们提供支持以增强一个人的能力时。”可知，D选项“与为他们做这件事相比，这往往是一个更大的礼物。”符合语境。D选项中“This”指代上文“when we offer support that increases someone else’s capacity.”。故选D。

5.由上一句“有时，唯一需要的支持就是聆听，不加评判。”可知，G选项中“Just be there”承接上文“to listen without judgement”。G选项“只是在那里，偶尔有人发泄他们的感情。”切题，故选G。