Remembering names is an important social skill. Here are some ways to master it.

l  Recite and repeat in conversation.

When you hear a person's name, repeat it. Immediately say it to yourself several times without moving your lips. You could also repeat the name in a way that does not sound forced or artificial.

l  Ask the other person to recite and repeat.

You can let other people help you remember their names. After you've been introduced to someone, ask that person to spell the name and pronounce it correctly for you. Most people will be pleased by the effort you're making to learn their names.

l  Admit you don't know.

Admitting that you can't remember someone's name can actually make people relaxed. Most of them w ill feel sympathy if you say. "I'm working to remember names better. Yours is right on the tip of my tongue. What is it again?"

l  Use associations.

Link each person yon meet with one thing you find interesting or unusual. For example, you could make a mental note: "Vicki Cheng - tall, black hair." To reinforce your associations, write them on a small card as soon as possible.

l  Limit the number of new names you learn at one time.

When meeting a group of people, concentrate on remembering just two or three names. Free yourself from remembering every one. Few of the people in mass introductions expect you to remember their names. Another way is to limit yourself to learning just first names. Last names can come later.

l  Go early.

Consider going early to conferences, parties and classes. Sometimes just a few people show up on time. That's fewer names for you to remember. And as more people arrive, you can hear them being introduced to others - an automatic review for you.

1.How will most people feel when you try hard to remember their names?

A. They will be moved.                   B. They will be annoyed.

C. They will be delighted.                D. They  will be discouraged.

2. If you can't remember someone's name, you may _______.  

A. tell him the truth                         B. tell him a white lie

C. ask him for pity                       D. ask others to help you

3.When you meet a group of people, it is better to remember ______

A. all their names                        B. a couple of names first

C. just their last names                      D. as many names as possible

4. What does the text mainly tell us?

A. Tips on an important social skill.         B. Importance of attending parties.

C. How to make use of associations.         D. How to recite and repeat names.

There are good Santas and there are bad Santas. The good Santas all realize one thing: In the mind of a child, Santa Claus is perfect.

That’s difficult. And so they come from around the world to attend the Charles W. Howard School in Midland, Mich. The school offers a three-day, 40-hour course for Santas hoping to be excellent. A former Macy’s Santa named Charles Howard founded the Michigan school in 1937. “Many people will think if you have a suit and you’re a Santa,” said Tom Valent, the school’s current dean. “It’s more than that.”

The school teaches everything from breathing techniques for carol singing to the beard maintenance. There are lessons in child psychology, sign language and even media training for talk-show appearances and call-in shows. Santas also need to make sure they know all the names of the reindeer(驯鹿). What’s harder to deal with, however, is children who ask for Christmas gifts like bringing daddy home or making mommy happy again.

After spending time in the classroom, Weir went to the mall to test his training. However, at one point, his hat fell off, and he was unsure how to react. “You’re the real Santa,” Valent said. “Pick that hat up, slip it back on, keep smiling and do your job. You’ve got to stay on top of your game. Even the last one at night, when you’re tired, you’ve got to remember: This one’s forever, so do a good job.”

According to the passage, good Santas should be the ones that ______.

A. can offer the children some gifts  

B. help adults look after their children

C. have ability to make children happy

D. should be perfect in the mind of children

The Michigan school was founded by Charles Howard with the purpose to ______.

A. train the pet reindeer for the Santas  

B. earned money from its students

C. train perfect Santas for the world

D. show the world’s concern to the poor

According to Weir’s performance, we can conclude that ______.

A. Weir was short of experience 

B. Weir was not fit for the job as a Santa

C. Weir did very badly in the game  

D. Weir was not a good student in school

There are good Santas and there are bad Santas. The good Santas all realize one thing: In the mind of a child, Santa Claus is perfect.

That’s difficult. And so they come from around the world to attend the Charles W. Howard School in Midland, Mich. The school offers a three-day, 40-hour course for Santas hoping to be excellent. There’s a real range to what Santas earn, from big bucks for large events to no pay for charities^①. One thing for them all is a pure love for children.

A former Macy’s Santa named Charles Howard founded the Michigan school in 1937. “Many people will think if you have a suit and you’re a Santa,” said Tom Valent, the school’s current dean. “It’s more than that.” So with a pet reindeer^②, his properly named wife Holly and a workshop full of wonder.

The school teaches everything from breathing techniques for carol singing to the beard maintenance. There are lessons in child psychology, sign language and even media training for talk-show appearances and call-in shows. Santas also need to make sure they know all the names of the reindeer. What’s harder to deal with, however, is children who ask for Christmas gifts like bringing daddy home or making mommy happy again.

After spending time in the classroom, Weir went to the mall to test his training. However, at one point, his hat fell off, and he was unsure how to react. “You’re the real Santa,” Valent said. “Pick that hat up, slip it back on, keep smiling and do your job. You’ve got to stay on top of your game. Even the last one at night, when you’re tired, you’ve got to remember: This one’s forever, so do a good job.”

Notes:

charity  n. 慈善，慈善团体

reindeer  n. 驯鹿

According to the passage, good Santas should be the ones that ________.

        A. can offer the children some gifts        B. help adults look after their children

        C. have ability to make children happy     D. should be perfect in the mind of children

The underlined words “big bucks” should refer to ________.

        A. lots of money   B. many gifts    C. loves for children    D. gifts from children

The Michigan school was founded by Charles Howard with the purpose to ________.

        A. train the pet reindeer for the Santas       B. earned money from its students

        C. train perfect Santas for the world         D. show the world’s concern to the poor

According to Weir’s performance, we can conclude that ________.

        A. Weir was short of experience            B. Weir was not fit for the job as a Santa

        C. Weir did very badly in the game         D. Weir was not a good student in school

Remembering names is an important social skill. Here are some ways to master it.

Recite and repeat in conversation.

When you hear a person's name, repeat it. Immediately say it to yourself several times without moving your lips. You could also repeat the name in a way that does not sound forced or artificial.

Ask the other person to recite and repeat.

You can let other people help you remember their names. After you've been introduced to someone, ask that person to spell the name and pronounce it correctly for you. Most people will be pleased by the effort you're making to learn their names.

Admit you don't know.

Admitting that you can't remember someone's name can actually make people relaxed. Most of them w ill feel sympathy if you say. "I'm working to remember names better. Yours is right on the tip of my tongue. What is it again?"

Use associations.

Link each person yon meet with one thing you find interesting or unusual. For example, you could make a mental note: "Vicki Cheng - tall, black hair." To reinforce your associations, write them on a small card as soon as possible.

Limit the number of new names you learn at one time.

When meeting a group of people, concentrate on remembering just two or three names. Free yourself from remembering every one. Few of the people in mass introductions expect you to remember their names. Another way is to limit yourself to learning just first names. Last names can come later.

Go early.

Consider going early to conferences, parties and classes. Sometimes just a few people show up on time. That's fewer names for you to remember. And as more people arrive, you can hear them being introduced to others - an automatic review for you.

How will most people feel when you try hard to remember their names?

A. They will be moved.                      B. They will be annoyed.

C. They will be delighted.                  D. They  will be discouraged.

If you can't remember someone's name, you may _______.   

A. tell him the truth                       B. tell him a white lie

C. ask him for pity                     D. ask others to help you

When you meet a group of people, it is better to remember ______

A. all their names                          B. a couple of names first

C. just their last names                   D. as many names as possible

What does the text mainly tell us?

A. Tips on an important social skill.           B. Importance of attending parties.

C. How to make use of associations.         D. How to recite and repeat names.

How to become a Good Santa

There are good Santas and there are bad Santas. The good Santas all realize one thing: In the mind of a child, Santa Claus is perfect.

That’s difficult. And so they come from around the world to attend the Charles W. Howard School in Midland, Mich. The school offers a three-day, 40-hour course for Santas hoping to be excellent. There’s a real range to what Santas earn, from big bucks for large events to no pay for charities. One thing for them all is a pure love for children.

A former Macy’s Santa named Charles Howard founded the Michigan school in 1937. “Many people will think if you have a suit and you’re a Santa,” said Tom Valent, the school’s current dean. “It’s more than that.” So with a pet reindeer^（驯鹿）, his properly named wife Holly and a workshop full of wonder.

The school teaches everything from breathing techniques for carol singing to the beard maintenance. There are lessons in child psychology, sign language and even media training for talk-show appearances and call-in shows. Santas also need to make sure they know all the names of the reindeer. What’s harder to deal with, however, is children who ask for Christmas gifts like bringing daddy home or making mommy happy again.

After spending time in the classroom, Weir went to the mall to test his training. However, at one point, his hat fell off, and he was unsure how to react. “You’re the real Santa,” Valent said. “Pick that hat up, slip it back on, keep smiling and do your job. You’ve got to stay on top of your game. Even the last one at night, when you’re tired, you’ve got to remember: This one’s forever, so do a good job.”

60. According to the passage, good Santas should be the ones that ________.

A. can offer the children some gifts               B. help adults look after their children

C. have ability to make children happy           D. should be perfect in the mind of children

61. The underlined words “big bucks” should refer to ________.

A. lots of money         B. many gifts            C. loves for children          D. gifts from children

62. The Michigan school was founded by Charles Howard with the purpose to ________.

A. train the pet reindeer for the Santas          B. earned money from its students

C. train perfect Santas for the world            D. show the world’s concern to the poor

63. According to Weir’s performance, we can conclude that ________.

A. Weir was short of experience                 B. Weir was not fit for the job as a Santa

C. Weir did very badly in the game             D. Weir was not a good student in school