Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:The role of friends plays in our lives has become significantly greater than at any other time in our history. Today many of us live and work at great distances from where we were born or we grew up and are separated from our original families. The pain we feel when we are away from our families can be significant.The happiness of the individual relies on friendships which form a necessary human connection. It is perfectly normal to need and want friends and depression is more prevalent among those who lack friends. Such people lack intimacy and richness, friends can bring into their lives. Frequently, friends reflect similar values to us.Yet these values are often different from the ones we grew up with; they are the values we created for ourselves in our adult lives. Communication skills are fundamental in all friendships. The more friends and acquaintances one has, the greater are one’s communication skills. Some call these, people skills.Like watering a plant, we nourish our friendships (and all our relationships) by nurturing them. Friendships need the same attention as other relationships if they are to continue. These relationships can be delightfully non-judgemental, supportive, understanding and fun.Sometimes friendship can bring out the positive side that you never show in any other relationship. This may be because the pressure of playing a ‘role’ (daughter, partner or child) is removed. With a friend, you are able to be yourself and free to change. Of course, you are free to do this in all other relationships as well, but in friendships, you get to have lots of rehearsals and discussion about changes as you experience them. It is an unconditional experience where you receive as much as you give.You can explain yourself to a friend openly without the fear of hurting a family member. How do friendships grow? The answer is simple. By revealing yourself; being attentive; remembering what is most important to your friend and asking them about it; put yourself in their position; showing sympathy; seeing the world through the eyes of your friend, you will understand the value of friendship.All this means learning to accept a person from a completely different family to your own or perhaps someone from a completely different cultural background. This is the way we learn tolerance. In turn, we gain tolerance and acceptance for our own differences.Friendships are made by being considerate which needs communication skills, e.g. active listening skills, questioning skills, negotiation skills, reflection skills, emotional skills, and editing yourself. Friendships offer a great opportunity to learn about yourself because a friend can reflect back to you how you come across in the world.They also allow you to practise skills in dealing with ‘personal boundaries’ by looking after yourself as well as your friend. They help you develop resilience in relation to the wider social world beyond your family.1. How do friendships offer a great opportunity to learn about yourself?2. What is necessary if we want to continue friendships?3. In what does the happiness of the individual rely on?4. What is fundamental in all friendships?5. How is friendship better than any others relationship?6. What kind of pressure is removed in friendship?Find out a word from the passage which means:7. A Form of practice8. Sad feelings of gloom9. Chance