We’ve all been there: in a lift, in line at the bank or on an airplane, around by people who are, like us, deeply look at their smartphones or, worse, fighting with the uncomfortable silence.

What’s the problem? It’s more likely that none of us start a conversation because it’s challenging, or we think it’s unnecessary. But the next time you find yourself among strangers, consider that small talk is worth the trouble. Experts say it’s an invaluable social practice that results in big advantages.

Small talk is the grease (润滑剂) for social communication, says Bernardo Carducci, director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast. “Almost every great love story and each big business deal begins with small talk,” he explains. “The key to successful small talk is learning how to connect with others, not just communicate with them.”

In a 2014 study, Elizabeth Dunn, professor of psychology at UBC, invited people on their way into a coffee shop. One group was asked to look for an interaction (互动) with its waiter; the other, to speak only when necessary. The results showed that those who chatted with their waiter reported higher positive (积极的) feelings and a better coffee shop experience. “It’s not that talking to the waiter is better than talking to your husband.” says Dunn. “But interactions with peripheral (边缘的) members of our social network matter for our well-being also.”

Dunn believes that people who reach out to strangers feel a greater sense of belonging (归属感), a relationship with others. Carducci believes developing such a sense of belonging starts with small talk. “Small talk is the basis of good manners.” he says.

1.What’s the main idea of Paragraph 1?

A.Interest in smartphones. B.Unsuitable behaviours in public places.

C.Absence of communication between strangers. D.Impatience with slow service.

2.What does the coffee-shop study suggest about small talk?

A.It improves family relationships. B.It raises people’s confidence.

C.It matters as much as a formal talk. D.It makes people feel good.

3.What is the best title for the text?

A.Conversation Counts B.Advantages of Small Talk

C.Uncomfortable Silence D.Ways of Making Small Talk

A young boy was walking with his father along a country road. When they came _______ a large tree branch (树枝) on the ground in front of them, the boy asked his father, "Do you think I could _______ it?"

His father replied, "If you use all your strength, I am sure you can."

The boy tried his best to lift, pull and push the branch, but it wouldn't move. _______ , he said, "Dad, you were wrong. I can't do it".

"Try again," his father said.

Again, the boy tried hard to push the branch.

He did his best but it stood _______ . "Dad, I can't do it." said the boy.

"Try again. You can't _______ you use all your strength." his father said.

This time, as the boy struggled, his father _______ him. Together they pushed the branch a side.

"Son, I advised you to use all your _______ . You didn't- ask for my help."

This is a valuable _______ . There are many things we can't do alone, but that doesn't mean we can't get _______ : done. We are not alone. ________ us there are family and friends.

We haven't used all our strength ________ we've realized the strength and support from the outside. Our real strength includes inner resources such as faith, courage and even love. It also ________ outer resources such as support, help and encouragement. Just as we should be willing to help ________ , we should be willing to ask others for help.

To ask for support what we need is not a sign of ________ , it is a sign of wisdom. When we ask for help and we are ________ , it just means we have to ask another time, another way, another person.

1.A.across B.through C.down D.along

2.A.carry B.lift C.move D.throw

3.A.Excited B.Surprised C.Expected D.Disappointed

4.A.still B.straight C.alone D.close

5.A.if B.although C.unless D.because

6.A.taught B.encouraged C.praised D.joined

7.A.time B.weight C.energy D.strength

8.A.story B.love C.lesson D.experience

9.A.it B.them C.us D.ourselves

10.A.Among B.Between C.Around D.Against

11.A.as B.until C.till D.since

12.A.controls B.includes C.counts D.decides

13.A.others B.other C.another D.ones

14.A.weakness B.success C.strength D.knowledge

15.A.stopped B.refused C.helped D.understood

The term “multitasking” was firstly used to describe a computer’s ability to do several tasks at one time. For many people, multitasking has become a way of life and even a key to success. Although checking e-mails while talking on a phone and reading the newspaper may be second nature for some people, multitasking can sometimes make us less productive(富有成效的), rather than more. Studies show that too much multitasking may bring anxiety and memory loss.

In order to multitask, the brain uses an area known as the prefrontal cortex(前额叶脑皮层). A research from volunteers performing multiple tasks shows that as they move from task to task, this front part of the brain actually takes a moment of rest between tasks. You may have experienced a prefrontal cortex “moment of rest” yourself if you’ve ever dialed(拨电话) a phone number and suddenly forgotten who you dialed when the line is answered. What probably happened is that between the dialing and the answering, your mind moved to another thought or task, and then took that “moment” to come back. The research has also shown that for many volunteers, job efficiency(效率) drops while multitasking, compared to when they perform only one task at a time.

Multitasking is easy when at least one of the tasks requires little thought. Most people don’t find it difficult to eat and read the newspaper at the same time. However, when two or more attention-requiring tasks are tried at the same time, people sometimes make mistakes.

We often don’t remember things as well when we’re trying to manage several details at the same time. We may not notice new information coming in, so it never makes it into our memory. That is one of the main reasons we forget people’s names – even sometimes right after they have introduced themselves. Multitasking can also affect(影响) our relationships. If someone checks their e-mail while on the phone with a friend, they may appear absent-minded or disinterested. It can also cause that person to miss key information being passed on to them.

1.Which of the following words has the closest meaning to “anxiety”?

A.Stress B.Development C.Death D.Confidence

2.The writing purpose of this passage is to________.

A.describe the problems of multitasking B.discover the secrets of multitasking

C.tell the stories about multitasking D.explain the importance of multitasking

3.What can we learn about multitasking?

A.It is a way of life and the only key to success. B.It can be done easily by smart people.

C.It helps build a better relationship between friends. D.It has a close connection to our brain.

4.What can we infer(推断) from the passage?

A.Multitasking helps people remember things better.

B.More mistakes are made when tasks require little thought.

C.People get low job efficiency while managing several details at the same time.

D.People forgetting who to dial need to have a good rest.

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