A

I think a close friend is someone you get on really well with, who helps you when you have problems, who gives you advice, and who always has time for you. I didn't have many close friends when I was at school or at university, for I was very shy, but now I have several. They are all women—I think it's difficult to make a close friend with the opposite sex (ÒìÐÔ) .

—Marie

I don't really have any close friends. I know a lot of people but mainly through work, and the kinds of social occasions (³¡ºÏ)  when we meet are business dinners and evening parties. I think if you come from a really close family, then friends are a bit unnecessary. I like spending my free time with my family.

     —Richard

I think a close friend is someone who you've known for a long time, and who you still get on with. They probably share similar hobbies with you so you can do things together. I've got three close friends who I was at high school with and we often go away together (without our parents of course). We always go camping, play football, or walk outside in the open air.

 —David

 For me close friends are the people you spend your free time with. I go out at weekends with a group of people—there are about seven of us, and I'd say we are all close friends. We also live near each other. I don't think you can have close friends far away from you; you need to be able to see each other often. But I don't think you need to be doing the same things. I mean I'm at university but none of my friends are.

—Ana

21£®What does Richard say about friends?

   A£®It's hard to make friends at work.        B£®They're less important than family.

   C£®Friends need to have a lot in common.     D£®Women and men can't be close friends.

22£®What does David enjoy?

   A£®Physical activities.          B£®Parent­child camps.

   C£®Going to evening parties.     D£®Playing out in the open air alone.

23£®Who has more friends now than before?

A£®Ana.¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ B£®David.¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡C£®Richard.¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡D£®Marie.