But，sadly，many of us lack close ties.At a time when we are more connected digitally than ever before，rates of social isolation(孤立) are rising.The results of an Age UK poll published recently suggest that half a million people over the age of 60 usually spend each day alone，and it's not unusual for another half a million people to go without someone to speak to for five or six days.

　　All these figures reveal more than a rise in loneliness-they reveal a lack of meaning in people's lives.In surveys，we list our close relationships as our most important sources of meaning.Research shows that people who are lonely and isolated feel their lives are less meaningful.

　　While close relationships are critical for living a meaningful life，they are not the only important social bonds we need to cultivate(培养).Psychologists have also discovered the value of small moments of intimacy(亲昵行为)."High­quality connections"，as one researcher calls them，are positive，short­term interactions between two people when a couple holds hands on a walk or when two strangers have an empathetic(移情作用的) conversation on a plane.High­quality connections have the potential to unlock meaning in our interactions with acquaintances，colleagues and strangers.We can't control whether someone will make a high­quality connection with us，but we can all choose to start one.We can say hello to a stranger on the street rather than look away.We can choose to value people rather than devalue them.We can invite people to belong.

Passage outline Supporting details The need to belong ◆Everyone hopes to develop a 1. of belonging in a group.

◆People's self­respect is 2. by other people's opinion. The changing 3. to belonging ◆Many famous experts in the first decades of the 20th century 4. that people had the need to belong.

◆Experts later came to realize that people，regardless of their age，needed 5. to enjoy full and healthy lives. Consequences of 6. close ties ◆Many people are cut off from the world and feel 7. .

◆People who do not have enough close relationships find their lives are less 8. . Another way to meet the need ◆High­quality connections make a 9. in helping satisfy our need to belong.

◆We should 10. to make a high­quality connection.

III.　书面表达(满分25分)(周围的环境)

请阅读下面短文，并按照要求用英语写一篇150词左右的文章。