“I’d be better off dead.” he said, without any hesitation. Hearing those words come out of my best friend’s mouth tore my heart apart. He has repeated that phrase more than once, and my mind continually plays it over like a voice recording.
I met him about three years ago. After knowing me for six months, he told me about his struggles with depression. Sadness was not the only feeling that came over me; I was shocked. He seemed so outgoing and happy all the time. I soon learned that he was hurt physically and mentally as a young child, causing him to have the thought of killing himself.
He refuses to talk to others about his depression because he now distrusts adults, especially those in his family. However, he feels as if I understand him and that I know the right words to speak. Therefore, when it comes to helping him, convenience is not in my vocabulary. It does not matter where I am or what I am doing, for he always comes first.
Many students at his school laugh at him when they notice scars on his arms from cutting. As he sees it, other kids have every right to make fun of him. But no one holds such a right, so I encourage him to ignore the heartless kids who treat him badly. When he feels the weight of judging eyes or hateful voices, I always remind him that I care about him unconditionally. Just hearing me say I will always be his best friend seems to give him the safety he needs to keep on going.
My best friend once told me that if he had not had me, he would not be alive. He said that my encouraging words helped him not to take his life. Our friendship has taught me that a single kind word can influence someone’s life. Life is not easy for every one, which makes me strongly believe in the necessity of encouragement.
56. According to the first paragraph, hearing his friend’s words, the author felt______.
| A. puzzled | B. painful | C. frightened | D. hopeless |
57. By saying “convenience is not in my vocabulary”, the author means ______.
A. he is always ready to help his friend
B. he hardly spares time to help his friend
C. he has no good excuse for refusing his friend
D. he is not good at communicating with his friend
58. The author’s friend got into depression mainly because __________.
| A. he lived without his parents | B. he had poor health |
| C. he received little care at school | D. he had a terrible childhood |
59. What is the best title for the passage?
| A. I enjoy friendship | B. My friend and I |
| C. I believe in encouragement | D. The story of my friend |