“Everyone is entitled（有權(quán)） to their opinion" is a remark commonly heard in our society． We value free speech and the rights of the individual． The private preferences we keep, as long as they do not bother with the rights and freedoms of others, are ours to do with as we wish．

Children learn this central principle early on and soon become expert 'at using it effectively to suit their own purposes． The phrase ‘‘well, it's just my opinion" can act as a get-out clause which avoids further questioning or the need to give an explanation． A student may well prefer to put up a brick wall and so avoid the difficult task of providing a justification（正當?shù)睦碛桑?for their view．They know the holy position freedom of speech holds for all of us and they know the taboo（禁忌）around challenging the opinions of others when they do not produce unfavorable effects on anyone else．

This can make things hard for the teacher． We want to promote tolerance and respect in our classrooms and give young people a sense; this is how one ought to behave． Yet, we are also seeking to develop reasoning and critical thinking． To some extent, there is an idea that people's views carry equal weight because all individuals ought to be treated equally． Treating people  equally is different from treating what they say with equal weight, though． We need to make clear  to students that the right to one's opinions does not ignore the need to support them with argument  when called to do so．

Justification is the signal difference between opinion and argument． Opinions are stated;  arguments are advanced． Opinions are given; arguments are proposed． When we ask a student to  explain themselves, we are asking them to give us something that will lend evidence to what they  have said． We are asking them to convince us, to persuade us, to show us the reasonableness of what it is they are saying．

64． According to Paragraph 2, if you offer a get-out clause, you may        .

       A． fall into a difficult situation                 B． escape being questioned

       C． raise your social position                   D． have to further explain your opinion

65． The teacher may find it hard to              .

       A． put up a brick wall to avoid giving acceptable reasons

       B． challenge the opinions ofothers to have a deep effect on them

       C． encourage tolerance and respect while developing reasoning and critical thinking

       D． tell the differences between opinion and argument

66． The underlined word "them" in Paragraph 3 refers to             .

       A． students               B． teachers               C． needs                  D． opinions

67． What would be the best title for this passage?

       A． Everyone is entitled to their opinion

       B． Never bother with the rights of others

       C．“It's just my opinion" isn't good enough

       D． Treat what people say equally

Real-life Friends
Most people know the saying: A man's best friend is his dog; and that Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. However, dogs can’t offer advice or make you a cup of tea when you need one; and precious stones are cold comfort when you need a hug, and a shoulder to cry on.
What are Friends?
There are many ways to describe a friend. Friends are the family you can choose for yourself. Friends are a much better medication（醫(yī)療）than medication is, and people who spend time with friends are happier with their lives as they are less lonely.
A good friend will put you to bed when you’re lost consciousness. Ensure you’re not laid on your back, and remember to remove your shoes. You should be able to tell a true friend anything without being judged by them.
How do Friendships Begin?
This is an easy question. Find someone else who has similar interests with you. You now have another person to talk to about your shared interest but remember they like to talk too, so be prepared to shut up and listen once in a while. Hopefully they will have other friends and will introduce you to them, thereby expanding your circle.
Friendships which begin due to location, for example, next-door neighbors or school classmates, rarely survive transitions such as moving to other neighborhoods, schools, colleges, jobs, immigration, and so forth. Attend a school reunion and you’ll wonder what on earth you ever had in common with these people other than your age, although it is possible to have a friendship with someone you met at school. Mutually maintain it, and eventually become godparent or “uncle” to each others’ children.
How Friendships are Maintained
To have a friend you must also be a friend and be prepared to be there for them should they need you. Failure in this respect would label you a fair-weather friend and you would most probably be abandoned.
Boundaries
Like every other relationship you have in your life, there are boundaries you shouldn’t cross with your friends. One of those is money: Don’t lend to your friend and don’t ask for a loan yourself.
Friends are unpaid counselors（顧問）,but phoning them at 2 am because you’re awake and would like a chat is not a good idea. Neither is phoning them at 10 am if you know they’re a shift-worker. Friends are people who need some space and quiet time. Generally, it all boils down to mutual respect and understanding.
It’s not a good plan to interrupt your friend while they’re on a date/on holiday/attending an orchestral recital/at a funeral.
Trust
Trust is the most vital element in any relationship. If you’re not trustworthy then you probably don’t deserve friends, so try to remember that you promised to see that dull film with them or applaud them at their first attempt at a karaoke or an Open Mic night. If you have promised to look after their clothes while they go for a bet, then make sure you do. You might like to carry enough cash to help them out too, as you never know when that situation might be reversed.
Don’t lie to your friend: if they know you well they’ll know you’re lying or will at least be suspicious. If you find out something that you know will hurt your friend, be tactful（圓滑）. Do they need to know? Would they appreciate knowing? Can you tell their mum so she can break the news? Cowardly, yes, but mums usually have a much better way with words. Remember, if you do decide to tell them and it’s painful, they will probably need some time alone, after lashing out at（抨擊）the closest thing—you. In that case, play the waiting game. Then don’t beat them up about it afterwards.
A Friend for Life
Strong friendships can last a lifetime with care and consideration. The benefits are multi-folds; you’ve got someone to share birthday cake with, and especially for single people, a pub meal or a trip to the cinema is no fun alone, is it? Plus it’s always nice to know there’s someone there for you, as you’re there for them, through the bad times as well as the good. Altogether now: Oh I get by with a little help from my friends. Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends.
【小題1】According to the passage we can learn that good friends should be ___________.

A．paid counselors	B．money lenders
C．good listeners	D．next-door neighbors

【小題2】The author brings in the topic by ___________.

A．giving negative examples	B．raising a relative question
C．describing a natural fact	D．explaining what friends are

【小題3】The underlined phrase “a fair-weather friend” in Para 6 probably refers to a friend who _____.

A．likes only fine weather

B．will always stand by you

C．likes to make friends in fine weather

D．will run away from you when you need help badly

【小題4】What can be inferred from the passage?

A．The more friends you have, the happier you will be.

B．Medication is also a better way to maintain strong friendships.

C．You may lose a friend if you are always telling lies to him or her.

D．We should only make friends with those having similar interests.

【小題5】 From the last paragraph we can learn that the author ____________.

A．doubt whether there are true friends and friendship

B．has lost a lot of good friends without any reasons

C．has already benefited a great deal from his friends

D．has been tired of making friends with single people

【小題6】 Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A．How to make friends.	B．Friends and friendship.
C．Ways to maintain friendship.	D．Boundaries of friends.

Real-life Friends

Most people know the saying: A man's best friend is his dog; and that Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. However, dogs can’t offer advice or make you a cup of tea when you need one; and precious stones are cold comfort when you need a hug, and a shoulder to cry on.

What are Friends?

There are many ways to describe a friend. Friends are the family you can choose for yourself. Friends are a much better medication（醫(yī)療）than medication is, and people who spend time with friends are happier with their lives as they are less lonely.

A good friend will put you to bed when you’re lost consciousness. Ensure you’re not laid on your back, and remember to remove your shoes. You should be able to tell a true friend anything without being judged by them.

How do Friendships Begin?

This is an easy question. Find someone else who has similar interests with you. You now have another person to talk to about your shared interest but remember they like to talk too, so be prepared to shut up and listen once in a while. Hopefully they will have other friends and will introduce you to them, thereby expanding your circle.

Friendships which begin due to location, for example, next-door neighbors or school classmates, rarely survive transitions such as moving to other neighborhoods, schools, colleges, jobs, immigration, and so forth. Attend a school reunion and you’ll wonder what on earth you ever had in common with these people other than your age, although it is possible to have a friendship with someone you met at school. Mutually maintain it, and eventually become godparent or “uncle” to each others’ children.

How Friendships are Maintained

To have a friend you must also be a friend and be prepared to be there for them should they need you. Failure in this respect would label you a fair-weather friend and you would most probably be abandoned.

Boundaries

Like every other relationship you have in your life, there are boundaries you shouldn’t cross with your friends. One of those is money: Don’t lend to your friend and don’t ask for a loan yourself.

Friends are unpaid counselors（顧問）,but phoning them at 2 am because you’re awake and would like a chat is not a good idea. Neither is phoning them at 10 am if you know they’re a shift-worker. Friends are people who need some space and quiet time. Generally, it all boils down to mutual respect and understanding.

It’s not a good plan to interrupt your friend while they’re on a date/on holiday/attending an orchestral recital/at a funeral.

Trust

Trust is the most vital element in any relationship. If you’re not trustworthy then you probably don’t deserve friends, so try to remember that you promised to see that dull film with them or applaud them at their first attempt at a karaoke or an Open Mic night. If you have promised to look after their clothes while they go for a bet, then make sure you do. You might like to carry enough cash to help them out too, as you never know when that situation might be reversed.

Don’t lie to your friend: if they know you well they’ll know you’re lying or will at least be suspicious. If you find out something that you know will hurt your friend, be tactful（圓滑）. Do they need to know? Would they appreciate knowing? Can you tell their mum so she can break the news? Cowardly, yes, but mums usually have a much better way with words. Remember, if you do decide to tell them and it’s painful, they will probably need some time alone, after lashing out at（抨擊）the closest thing—you. In that case, play the waiting game. Then don’t beat them up about it afterwards.

A Friend for Life

Strong friendships can last a lifetime with care and consideration. The benefits are multi-folds; you’ve got someone to share birthday cake with, and especially for single people, a pub meal or a trip to the cinema is no fun alone, is it? Plus it’s always nice to know there’s someone there for you, as you’re there for them, through the bad times as well as the good. Altogether now: Oh I get by with a little help from my friends. Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends.

1.According to the passage we can learn that good friends should be ___________.

A．paid counselors	B．money lenders
C．good listeners	D．next-door neighbors

2.The author brings in the topic by ___________.

A．giving negative examples	B．raising a relative question
C．describing a natural fact	D．explaining what friends are

3.The underlined phrase “a fair-weather friend” in Para 6 probably refers to a friend who _____.

A．likes only fine weather

B．will always stand by you

C．likes to make friends in fine weather

D．will run away from you when you need help badly

4.What can be inferred from the passage?

A．The more friends you have, the happier you will be.

B．Medication is also a better way to maintain strong friendships.

C．You may lose a friend if you are always telling lies to him or her.

D．We should only make friends with those having similar interests.

5. From the last paragraph we can learn that the author ____________.

A．doubt whether there are true friends and friendship

B．has lost a lot of good friends without any reasons

C．has already benefited a great deal from his friends

D．has been tired of making friends with single people

6. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?

A．How to make friends.	B．Friends and friendship.
C．Ways to maintain friendship.	D．Boundaries of friends.