English Language Reading

FRIENDSHIP

What is friendship anyway.....

Some people say that friendship is the only channel that human beings can ever experience true security. A good friend is hard to come by, but when they do come you can usually expect to share some common interests - they may like the same sport, go to the same school or be on the same wave length with you. Because of these qualities some people develop many acquaintances, but only a few good friends in their life time.

It is said that companionship ends and true friendship begins when someone knows what you are really like, but still like you anyway. A true friend shows dedication and loyalty from the very beginning of the relationship. A friend will go through challenges to help you without expecting anything in return. A "friend" today may unknowingly become a "true friend" tomorrow when they get involved in unexpected circumstances together with you - such as when you are going through a difficult experience and your friend was there to help you out. On occasions it is said that you can count your true friends on one hand.

Other people seem to go through life having a multitude of friends. They may be funny or they may have a bright and pleasant personality. For these people, wherever they go, people seem to like them and welcome their company. However others seem to go through life with no friends at all. They like to be alone, to travel by themselves or to do their own thing. Others though, thought they had good friends, but when they go through challenging life experiences, their friends were not there to help them.

I guess the point is that in some cases friendship can be real, while in other cases it's merely lip service.

Vocabulary Practice

Acquaintances: A relationship that is less intimate than a friendship.
Companionship: Being with someone.
Dedication: To commit to something wholeheartedly.
Challenging: A difficult but stimulating situation. One that calls for us to use all our effort and resources.
Lip service: An agreement to be real friends, but unsupported by action and conviction.

Questions

1. What are the characteristics of true friendship?
2. According to the article, what person is liked by most people?
3. What is meant by "a real friend is someone who knows what you are really like, but still likes you anyway"

Idiom

On The Rocks

A relationship that is experiencing problems
Source: (talkenglish.com)