The Benefits of Solo Journeys
John Steinbeck once said, "People don't take trips—trips take people. A solo trip, in particular, can have lasting benefits. Generations of adventurers have set off on journeys of self-discovery—traveling alone to many breathtaking destinations. Some of the best travel memoirs tell stories of solo travelers finding themselves on their own. Apart from easing tension to boost happiness, the solitude during the trip also helps to build new relationships, allow for flexible schedules and arouse worthy reflections. Solo journeys can alleviate mild depression, thereby bringing joy. Recent research has found that the expectation of an upcoming vacation boosts feelings of happiness for up to eight weeks before the trip. Another study on adolescents suggests that time spent in solitude can help to shake off depression in young people. Free from the distractions of daily life, the traveler can focus his full attention on absorbing the present moment with all the senses.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The solo traveler can be his own master of the day, because he does not have to adhere to anyone else's schedule. He can relax as much as he wants; he can rest and loosen up as long as he likes. He might indulge in full days reading on the beach, take a leisurely hike, or sit on a bench admiring a work of art-all on his own. "The experiences are mine and mine alone, said a solo traveler. "I've really learned to enjoy spending time with myself.” Traveling solo also offers a great chance for reflection. As one travel memoir writer stated, "There is a soul-searching power in each adventure on your own." Getting to really know oneself is a wonderful by-product of a solo journey. Traveling alone allows one to witness how he reacts to different situations. Those reflections can help him to gain a deeper understanding of who he is and what matters to him. He will have a stronger sense of self and feel more self-assured. Solo travel can afford the traveler the necessary time and solitude for experiencing unexpected pleasures, building new relationships, enjoying the slow pace and the reflections of life. Aside from all the excitement and adventure it ultimately leads to self-discovery. The traveler, once hitting the road solo, will fall in love with it and the journey never ends.【正确答案】：
      WHEN TRAVELING SOLO, YOU CAN CHOOSE WHEN YOU WANT TO HAVE ALONE TIME AND WHEN YOU'D RATHER BE WITH OTHERS. THIS ALLOWS YOU TO MAXIMIZE THE STRESS-RELIEVING BENEFITS OF BOTH SOLITUDE AND FRIENDSHIP. ALTHOUGH IT CAN BE OFTEN MORE ENJOYABLE TO MAKE MEMORIES WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, TAKING OFF ALONE IS A GREAT WAY TO FOSTER NEW CONNECTIONS WITH PEOPLE YOU OTHERWISE MAY NOT HAVE MET. AS MOST SOLO TRAVELERS KNOW, VOYAGING AS A PARTY OF ONE CERTAINLY DOESN'T MEAN BEING ALONE. IT CAN ACTUALLY BE EASIER TO MEET LOCALS AND CONNECT WITH OTHER TRAVELERS WHEN YOUR ATTENTION ISN'T FOCUSED ON THE PERSON YOU CAME WITH. RESEARCH HAS FOUND THAT SOCIAL INTERACTION CAN IMPROVE COGNITIVE FUNCTION, AND PHYSICAL INTERACTION CAN DECREASE STRESS HORMONES, ACCORDING TO WEBMD—SO GET OUT THERE AND MAKE SOME NEW FRIENDS ON YOUR TRAVELS!
【题目解析】：由文章的标题可知，文章讲的是单人旅行的好处。第一段的最后一句Apart from easing tension to boost happiness, the solitude during the trip also helps to build new relationships, allow for flexible schedules and arouse worthy reflections。和最后一段第一句Solo travel can afford the traveler the necessary time and solitude for experiencing unexpected pleasures, building new relationships, enjoying the slow pace and the reflections of life.可知文章的主体部分主要讲的是单人旅行的好处有，减轻压力，尽享快乐；建立新的朋友关系；自我主宰，反思生活。其中第二段和第四段以及第五段都分别讲了减轻压力，自我主宰以及反思生活，所以缺失的第三段讲的应该是建立新的朋友关系。