B2 Reading: The Power of Friendship (Upper-Intermediate English)
- Alex
- 15 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 44 minutes ago
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Level B2 Intermediate English Reading Practice: The Power of Friendship
Why do humans form friendships? When we first think about this question, the reason seems self-evident: to share our experiences and innermost thoughts and feelings with others, which in turn eases the pain of our loneliness. Perhaps that sounds a touch dramatic, but it strikes at the heart of friendship: We need friends for our psychological well-being. With that in mind, let's look at how friendships start.
We identify potential friends by recognizing value in others. Typically, this value is based on common ground—a shared hobby, interest, or way of looking at the world. In his book, The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis crystallized this idea by saying, "Friendship must be about something." At its heart, friendship is about mutual affinity—the idea that like naturally attracts like, even if it is just a shared appreciation for avocado toast.
So, what tangible benefits come from having someone you can talk to about your love of anime or Egyptian mythology? Research has some answers. According to a 2020 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry, people with close friends are more satisfied with their lives and are less likely to suffer from depression. In addition, Holt-Lunstad, Smith, and Layton from the Public Library of Science reviewed 148 studies and concluded that strong social connections reduce the risk of mortality, including a reduction in chronic diseases and heart conditions. Most impressively, these results remained consistent across all demographic categories, including sex, age, and initial health status. These results support the idea that humans are social animals who need to interact with other humans in order to maintain robust psychological—and physical!—health.
These results raise the question of how our quality of life is affected by the absence of strong social bonds. The answer is unsurprising: Those who lack healthy interpersonal connections are at greater risk of developing health problems and, at worst, dying prematurely. This is why we should check in with our friends, family, and community members on a regular basis, especially those who are more reclusive or socially isolated.
To sum things up, by developing meaningful relationships with others, everyone benefits. When we put in the effort to nurture our social connections, we fulfill the true purpose of humanity: to help each other and make the world a happier, healthier, and more connected place.
References
Comprehension Questions
What is the best synonym for self-evident in paragraph 1?
a) Clear.
b) Obvious.
c) Easy.
What is a more common synonym for psychological well-being?
a) Mental support.
b) Mental exercise.
c) Mental health.
The research studies mentioned in the text suggest that friendships __________.
a) benefit mental and physical health
b) are not a substitute for exercise
c) only benefit young people
According to the text, what is one potential benefit of having friends?
a) A longer life.
b) Depression.
c) More money.
Which phrase is NOT a synonym for friendships?
a) Social connections.
b) Interpersonal connections.
c) Living connections.
According to the conclusion, friendships __________.
a) improve the environment
b) benefit both people
c) help people to live alone happily
Answers
b
c
a
a
c
b
This upper-intermediate academic English text is ideal for high B2/borderline C1 learners who can talk easily about everyday topics, as well as a variety of social issues. They can use most tenses with consistent accuracy and have a high level of fluency with almost no hesitation when connecting ideas, but they need more exposure to authentic English materials to boost their knowledge of idioms and cultural references.
Read the text and answer the comprehension questions. You can also listen to the audio to practice your listening and speaking skills.
For Teachers
You can follow up this reading by asking students these questions:
Who was your first "best friend"? Do you still talk to them?
How often do you see your friends in person? Is this enough?
What is the secret to a healthy life?
English Reading Practice
A1 Reading: Beginner English Practice Texts
A2 Reading: Pre-Intermediate English Practice Texts
Note: This text was written by Alex, a human. It was not generated by AI.