The famous Greek philosopher Aristotle said, "Man is by nature a social animal." What he meant was that man by instinct, seeks company of others and establishes relationships, much like most animals of the wild, for companionship and for physical and emotional support. Unlike the animals, however, man's relationships give meaning to his existence and inspires him to do well in education, in workplace or in a profession that he pursues.
Relationships are of different kinds. Some are familial and intimate, formed by blood and by marriage; some are social like the ones we have with friends and some are made in school where we form close bonds with classmates and teachers. Relationships can also be fostered in work place, which may quickly change from professional to social. There are relationships also between human beings and animals, between children and their toys that they cannot part with.
All these relationships keep us close to each other and provide us all kinds of support, love and affection. A person who has no family feels the pain of loneliness and isolation. There is no one to laugh or cry with him/her. when' we share our joy with someone, it simply redoubles, and we when we suffer a loss and someone shares our sorrow, it lessens. Relationships are thus needed for our emotional health.
To build relationships, we need to have trust and respect for each other, and love where this is needed. We cannot be selfish and possessive if we want to establish an effective relationship.
But quite often we see people quarrelling and fighting with each other which only brings misery and loss to all.
A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives
The word 'intimate' could be replaced by--