Childhood trauma(精神创伤) may have lifelong consequences. Its consequences may leave long-lasting emotional wounds, which increase the potential for adult relational trauma, including feelings of deep loneliness.

Current statistics on adult loneliness are shocking. More than 58 percent of U.S. adults consider themselves lonely, even when in a relationship. Young adults are said to be twice as likely as older people to experience loneliness, with 79 percent of people between the ages of 18-24 claiming they feel lonely. Similarly, 42 percent of adults aged 18-34 say they “always” feel lonely compared to only 16 percent of people who are 55 years old or older. These statistics are representative of averages currently seen in the U.S. The rates and percentages of people who have experienced significant childhood abuse, or abandonment, or neglect(忽视) are likely to report even higher potential for loneliness.

Loneliness can breed further loneliness. Because loneliness is linked to feelings of shame and not feeling “good enough”, adults who experience feelings of chronic(长期的) loneliness can become quite skilled at masking it, and learning to hide it. They may become more depressed or feel more socially awkward by having to uphold a “social mask”. That may make them feel more lonely.

Childhood trauma is closely linked to many disorders including social phobias(恐惧), anxiety, depression, complex PTSD, and an increased risk for some personality disorders. These red flags may reduce a person’s ability to effectively socialize. Some may not want to make friends, while others may be bullied, affecting their sense of worth.

Children who experience early trauma often have challenges connecting with others, or only feel that they are wanted if they’re “helping” others. They ignore and neglect their own needs in order to put others’ needs ahead of their own.

1.What can we know from Paragraph 2?

A Few adults feel lonely when accompanied.

B Young adults are more likely to feel lonely.

C 42 percent of adults 55 and over feel lonely.

D Childhood abuse hardly leads to adult loneliness.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据第二段第三句“Young adults are said to be twice as likely as older people to experience loneliness, with 79 percent of people between the ages of 18-24 claiming they feel lonely.”可知，年轻的成年人更容易感到孤独。故选B。

2.What does the underlined word “breed” mean?

A Resign.

B Avoid.

C Relay.

D Cause.

解析：选D。D词义猜测题。根据划线词后面的内容可知，长期孤独的成年人可以非常熟练地隐藏孤独。由于不得不戴上“社交面具”，他们可能会变得更加沮丧或在社交上感到更加尴尬，这可能会加剧孤独感。由此可推测这里表达的是孤独会造成（cause）更多的孤独。可以故选D。

3.An adult experiencing relational trauma and loneliness would _________.

A try to make more friends

B first meet their own needs

C feel themselves valuable

D always feel guilty

解析：选D。D推理判断题。根据第三段第二句“Because loneliness is linked to feelings of shame and not feeling ‘good enough’”可知，孤独与羞耻感和感觉自己“不够好”有关，即总是感觉内疚和自责。故选D。

4.What’s the best title for the text?

A Childhood Trauma Can Lead to Adult Loneliness.

B Children Should Never Be Abused or Neglected.

C Children Are Likely to Grow Up with Social Masks.

D Children Who Experience Early Trauma Like to Help.

解析：选A。A主旨大意题。第一段是本文的主题段，主要描述了童年时期留下的精神创伤可能会造成终生的后果，留下持久的情感创伤，而这增加了成人关系创伤的可能性，包括深深的孤独感。故选A。