Question

【题目】Put a group of strangers in a room together, and they’ll probably start a conversation. “Hot today, isn’t it?” one might say. “You said it,” another replies.

Why do we talk so much about the weather? When we meet new people, we don’t begin by telling them our life story. We start with small talk, a polite conversation about something like traffic or weather.

Research suggests that small talk can build new friendships. When we begin conversations with new people, we want to feel comfortable, and so do they. We use small talk to find common interests. Once we have a common interest, a friendship can begin.

Small talk even helps people get a job. In order to impress at a job interview, you need to bond with the interviewer right away. Proper small talk can make that first impression get you the job.

So, how can you make small talk lead to a new friendship or job? First off, find common ground. Select something around you that you share with the other person.

Next, keep the conversation going. Compliment (赞美) the other person to make him or her feel comfortable, and ask questions to show interest.

Third, keep eye contact. When you loop people in the eye, they feel you appreciate what they are saying. It makes you appear honest and build trust.

Naturally, shy people might not have enough confidence to start up conversations with strangers. Talking to someone you don’t know is not the easiest thing to do! Some experts say with more practice, small take does get easier.

Some people avoid small talk because they dislike discussing things like traffic or weather. For them, they are just too small. However, when you think about it, small talk is anything but small. In fact, it is actually a very big deal!

Title	Small Talk: A Big (76) _________
Introduction	We are likely to make small talk when we (77) _______ meet people.
(78)___________	Small talk can help people form (79) ________ friendships.
	Small talk can also help people get (80) __________.
Advice	Find some topics (81) ________ with the other person.
	Keep the talk going by making compliments and (82) __________ questions.
	Keep eye contact in conversation to build (83) ________.
	(84) _________ more in order to make small talk easier.
Conclusion	Small talk really (85) _________ a lot to us.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】 Deal

【2】first

【3】Benefits/Advantages

【4】new

【5】hired/employed

【6】shared

【7】asking

【8】trust

【9】Practice/Practise

【10】matters/means

【解析】

试题分析：请认真阅读下列短文，并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词。注意：每个空格只填1个单词。

【1】 Deal 根据句意：一次大的交易。可知此空填Deal。

【2】first 句意：当我们首次遇到人的时候，我们很可能有一个短暂的谈话。可知填first。

【3】Benefits/Advantages 根据句意可知是：好处或优势。故填Benefits/Advantages。

【4】new 根据常识：短暂的谈话可以帮助人们建立新的友谊。故填new。

【5】hired/employed 根据句意：短站的谈话也能帮助人们被雇佣。故填hired/employed。

【6】shared 根据第五段Select something around you that you share with the other person.可知发现一些话题和另一个人分享。故填shared。

【7】asking 句意：通过到贺和问问题保持谈话的继续。故填asking。

【8】trust 句意：在谈话中眼神交流，建立信任。故填trust。

【9】Practice/Practise 句意：为了使小谈话更容易，要多实践。故填Practice/Practise。

【10】matters/means 句意：小谈话真的对我们很重要。故填matters/means。