2 Decision thinking is not unlike poker--- it often matters not only what you think, but also what others think you think and what you think they think you think. The mental process is similar. Naturally, this card game has often been of considerable interest to people who are, by any standards, good thinkers.

　　The great mathematician John von Neumann was one of the founders of game theory. In particular, he showed that all games of “perfect information”, games like chess where the players can’t hide anything or play tricks; they don’t win by chance, but by means of logic and skills. Then there are games of “imperfect information”, like poker, in which it is impossible to know in advance that one course of action is better than another.

　　One mistaken idea about business is that it can be treated as a game of perfect information. Quit the reverse. Business, politics, life itself are games which we must normally play with very imperfect information. Business decisions are often made with many unknown and unknowable factors which would even puzzle best poker players. But few business people find it comfortable to admit that they are taking a chance, and many still prefer to believe that they are playing chess, not poker.

　　The subject discussed in this text is _____

　　a. the process of reaching decision

　　b. the difference between poker and chess

　　c. the secret of making good business plans

　　d. the value of information in winning games

　　3 Most people feel lonely sometimes, but it usually only lasts between a few minutes and a few hours. This kind of loneliness is not serious, In fact, it is quite normal. For some people, though, loneliness can last for years. Now researchers say there are three different types of loneliness.

　　The first kind of loneliness is temporary(暫時(shí)的). This is the most common type. It usually disappears quickly and does not require any special attention. The second kind, situational loneliness, is a natural result of a particular situation—for example a family problem, the death of a loves one, or moving to a new place. Although this kind of loneliness can cause physical problems, such as headaches and sleeplessness, it usually does not last for more than a year.

　　The third kind of loneliness is the most severe. Unlike the second type, chronic(長(zhǎng)期的) loneliness usually lasts more than two years and has no specific cause. People who experience habitual loneliness have problems socializing and becoming close to others. Unfortunately, many chronically lonely people think there is little or nothing they can do to improve their condition.

　　Psychologists agree that one important factor in loneliness is a person’s social contacts, e.g. friends, family members, co-workers, etc. We depend on various people for different reasons. For instance, our families give us emotional support; our parents share similar interests and activities. However, psychologists have found that, though lonely people may have many social contacts, they sometimes feel they should have more. They question their own popularity.

　　Psychologists are trying to find ways to help habitually lonely people for two reasons: they are unhappy and unable to socialize and there is a connection between chronic loneliness and serious illness such as heart disease. While temporary and situational loneliness can be a normal, healthy part of life, chronic loneliness can be a very sad, and sometimes dangerous condition.

　　The topic of the 4th paragraph is that _________.

　　a. one problem of loneliness is a person’s social contacts

　　b. we depend on various people for different reasons

　　c. lonely people don’t have many social problems

　　d. lonely people don’t have many friends

　　What is the best title for the passage?

　　a. Three Kinds of Loneliness.

　　b. Loneliness and Diseases

　　c. Loneliness and Social Contacts

　　d. Chronic Loneliness.