Signs of Healthy Friendships

Once in a while it's helpful to see if your friendship is as healthy as it can be. You might get used to a friendship over time to the point where you don't see the room for improvement. And since great friendships are priceless, you should always surround yourself with the kind of people who will lift your spirits, make you laugh, and remind（提醒）you that you are loved. 【小题1】 Here are characteristics that strong friendships share.

【小题2】

Friends make you feel comfortable with yourself, so you don't need to act like someone you're not. Your friends know your shortcomings and love you anyway. You are perhaps the "best version" of yourself when you're with your friends.

A healthy friendship includes plenty of gentle honesty. True friends won't pretend（假装）just to avoid an argument. 【小题3】As a result, you'll know where you stand with your friends and won't be afraid to share your true opinions.

They argue in a healthy way.

One of the biggest misunderstandings about good friends is that they never fight. But let's face it：everyone fights. 【小题4】 In fact, voicing your opinions freely will cause you to disagree from time to time and that's okay.

Healthy friendships mean you can be friends with someone else, too.

【小题5】 That's why great friends will improve your relationship yet still encourage you to meet people and try new things without them. A healthy friendship means that sometimes the two of you spend time apart, and that's okay.

   We all know that the friendship is a good thing. But do you know that friends have a great influence on your happiness and quality of life？Good friends provide comfort and joy，and even improve your health. 【小题1】 Many of us struggle to meet new friends and develop good connections. Even when we're willing to put in time and effort，we don't always know how to go about it.

Why are friends important？

Our society often places stress on romantic relationships. We think that if we can just find that right person，we'll be happy. But research shows that friends are more important to psychological（心理的）well-being than our love and family relationships. 【小题2】 Studies show that a lack of social connections can be as damaging as smoking，or as drinking too much. The quality of our friendships is even tied to longevity（长寿）.

【小题3】

Technology has changed the meaning of friendships in recent years. With the click of a button，we can add a friend or make a new connection. 【小题4】

Technology can provide social opportunities by helping you reconnect with old friends，start new relationships with people around the world who share similar interests，and keep relationships with friends who don't live nearby. However，online friends can't hug you when you're upset，or celebrate a happy event with you after work.

【小题5】 So make it the most important thing to stay in touch in the real world，not just online. You'll get a lot more out of an in-person conversation than you will over text.

As everyone knows it, people can get many information through the Internet. Meanwhile, people are also clear aware of its disadvantages, and some children don't realize they sometimes make friends with bad people online. In my opinion, people can use the Internet make friends, download useful materials and go shopping online. However, there were also many disadvantages of the Internet. If you can't use it correctly, it may be harmful for you. In junior middle school, I was once crazy about play online games and I couldn't control myself. As the result, my study results were getting from bad to worse. Besides, if you believe whichever your friends say online, you will be cheated by them some day.

   “We've been good friends for so many years. And I don't think you _______ to do that…” I said to myself,looking at Jack, my friend who was running across the _______ field.

How I _______ I could join them! But it is impossible because of the pain in my left foot, _______ by Jack.

I first met Jack in a football match in the elementary school. When my team looked as if we were beaten,Jack, who was watching, volunteered to join us. He was so _______ and skilled that we won. _______ , Jack and I often _______ together and became best friends.

But something happened before an important football match between Class 6 and my class. My class had so many good players that we had to _______ the best ones. Jack and I were in the same team. The match was close in the first half. I saw my chance and was ready to score a goal. Suddenly, Jack slid to stop the ball ,but _______ me in my left foot. I knew I had lost the ____________ to score and was carried off the field. But what really hurt me was that Jack didn't apologize to me. And when some of my teammates said he did it on purpose to ____________ me from scoring,I felt even ____________ .

Now I stand here, with tears in my eyes. I don't want to ____________ those words but I don't know how to persuade myself they are ____________ . Then everything changes when Jack scores and wins! How excited I am!

While I am still ____________ in excitement, someone pats my shoulder. It is Jack, with a smile on his face. “I'm sorry that you cannot join in because of my ____________ . But you see, Jason, we ____________ them! No matter whether you joined in or not, you've made a ____________ . Come on. Let's celebrate!” Suddenly, I am ____________ by the players. The sunshine is so bright that I close my eyes. Riding high above my teammates, I feel so happy. And I know the ____________ between Jack and me will last forever.

I am writing tell you a piece of good news. Last week our school hold a Spoken English Competition. I stood out in the competition and won a first place. In my view, it is your kind help which has helped me gain the achievement. During your spare time, you often spent such much time helping me with my speaking English that I made rapid progress. In the competition, I followed your advices on how to behave, which led to my success. I'm grateful to you for your help and decide that you will make more efforts and try to make great progress in the future.

I'm looking forward to hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Li Hua