________, BARBARA CAN SING OUT THE NOTES CLEARLY AND ACCURATELY....

40. ________, Barbara can sing out the notes clearly and accurately.

A. Though she was a young infant

B. Young infant as she is

C. She is a young infant

D. Though a young infant

II. CHOOSE THE WORD OR PHRASE THAT BEST FITS EACH SPACE IN THE FOLLOWING

PASSAGE. (15PTS)

Psychologists have (1) _______ known that having a set of cherished companions is crucial to mental well-

being. In addition, a recent study by Australian investigators concluded that our friends even help to (2)

_______ our lives. The scientists analysed data from a decade-long survey called the Australian Longitudinal

Study of Aging, which was initiated in 1992. It concentrated (3) _______ the social environment, general

health, lifestyle and age of death of 1,477 persons older than 70 years. Study participants were asked how much

personal and telephone (4) _______ they had with friends, children, relatives and acquaintances. Researchers

were surprised to learn that friendships increase life (5) _______ to a far greater (6) _______ than, say, frequent

contact with children and other relatives. This benefit held true even after these friends had moved away to

another city and was (7) _______ of factors such as socioeconomic status, health and way of life. What (8)

_______ has this effect on longevity? Apparently, scientists posit, it is not (9) ________ the mutual buoying of

spirits that occurs among associates. What is more important is that the support (10) _______ and received by

friends is voluntary and pleasurable and not just the result of (11) _______of study or convention. In (12)

_______ to our families, we were able to choose our friends. According to the Australian scientists, the ability

to have relationships with people to whom one is important has a (13) ______ effect on physical and mental

health. Stress and tendency towards depression are reduced, and behaviors that are (14) _______ to health, such

as smoking and drinking, occur less frequently. It is speculated that in times of hardship, our support networks

can raise our (15) _______ and feelings of self-worth and offer helpful strategies for dealing with difficult

personal challenges.