Expressions about water are almost as common as water.    【小题1】        
The expression “to be in hot water” is one of them. It is a very old expression. “Hot water” was used five hundred years ago to mean being in trouble. One story says it got that meaning from the custom of extremely throwing hot water down on enemies attacking a castle. When we are in “hot water”, we are in trouble.    【小题2】    A young boy can be in hot water with his mother if he comes into the house with dirty shoes.
  【小题3】    A company seeks to keep its head above water during economic hard times. A man who loses his job tries to keep his head above water until he finds a new job.
Another common expression, “to hold water”, is about the strength or weakness of an idea or opinion that you may be arguing about. If it can hold water, it is strong and has no holes in it. If your argument can hold water, it is strong and does not have any holes.  【小题4】   
“Throwing cold water” also is an expression that deals with ideas or proposals. 【小题5】    For example, you want to buy a new car because the old one has some problems. But your wife “throws cold water” on the idea, because she says a new car costs too much.

Expressions about water are almost as common as water.    1.        

The expression “to be in hot water” is one of them. It is a very old expression. “Hot water” was used five hundred years ago to mean being in trouble. One story says it got that meaning from the custom of extremely throwing hot water down on enemies attacking a castle. When we are in “hot water”, we are in trouble.    2.    A young boy can be in hot water with his mother if he comes into the house with dirty shoes.

  3.    A company seeks to keep its head above water during economic hard times. A man who loses his job tries to keep his head above water until he finds a new job.

Another common expression, “to hold water”, is about the strength or weakness of an idea or opinion that you may be arguing about. If it can hold water, it is strong and has no holes in it. If your argument can hold water, it is strong and does not have any holes.  4.   

“Throwing cold water” also is an expression that deals with ideas or proposals. 5.    For example, you want to buy a new car because the old one has some problems. But your wife “throws cold water” on the idea, because she says a new car costs too much.

A．It means disliking an idea.

B．You are in a difficult situation.

C．A person who breaks a law can be in hot water with the police.

D．If it does not hold water, then it is weak and not worth debating.

E. But many of the expressions using water have unpleasant meanings.

F. A man who has long been jobless will find it hard to make both ends meet.

G. “To keep your head above water” is a colorful expression that means staying out of debt.

A conversation is a personal or informal talk that takes place in our daily life. If you want to make your conversations meaningful, here are some ways to help you..

Talk with purpose

71___  Is it to get some information? To simply kill time while travelling? To get to know a person more? Knowing your purpose ahead of time allows you to direct your conversation and never get lost out of the way.

72_____

Start a topic that is very timely and appropriate. The starting point has to be depending on your relationship with the person you are talking to and the situation the person or both of you are going through.

Find common interests

Come up with something that will make both of you interested.   73___ It ties a human touch to one’s relationship even if it is at a professional level.

Listen and then validate (prove that something is true)

One of the most difficult tasks to do in a conversation is really listening.  74___ Do not just keep quiet because you want to give the other person a time to talk . The proof that you really listen to is to validate your understanding by repeating in your own words (based on your understanding) what was said.

Allow your listener to talk

After you have spoken, give the other person a time to talk. There are some people who like to talk about themselves. If you are one of them, try to be less selfish. Ask the person “What about you?” It is often lack of politeness not to ask back when someone asks how you are for example.  75___

Managing a conversation shows the kind of person you are. Try to make meaning conversations and you’ll make a difference.

A. Choose a good topic

 B. Show your interest in the topic being discussed

 C. Before starting a conversation, be sure of what you want to achieve.

D. Do not prepare for what to say while the other person is talking.

 E. Discovering common likes and dislikes opens up a connection between two people.

F. You need to make it easier for the listener to understand.

G. A conversation is not a long speech by yourself or an interview.

阅读下列应用文及相关信息，并按照要求匹配信息。请在答题卡上将对应题号的相应选项字母涂黑。

首先，请阅读以下六种社会群体的简介：

Future Foundation咨询公司对英国社会的生活方式进行了研究，发现了六种群体：

A. Transient 20s

The transient 20s are an emerging group who refuse to settle down. They regularly change jobs, and move from one area to another for adventure and travel. Driven by changes and new challenges, they reject job and home security. Areas like Manchester and Bright will see a flood of these 20-somethings over the next decade.

B. Urban Farmer

The urban farmer is a city-dweller but tries to re-create country life by growing his own organic vegetables in a garden. He may live in the busy suburbs and drive a sporty vehicle, but nothing better than a long walk.

C. Young Fogy

The young fogies are a generation of youthful Londoners who behave as if they were middle-aged. They are in their 20s, but they give up night clubs for radio programs, and trendy bars for traditional bars. They are also characterized by a love of real ale, good housekeeping and comfort-over-style clothes.

D. Brickies' Wags

These wags' (wives and girlfriends) spending power is growing. The tradesman's wife now uses his cash for designer clothes, Vogue and champagne, gold jewelry and expensive cars. This woman is most likely to be found within easy reach of central London, where her husband makes a fortune.

E. Virtual Villagers

This group of people has nothing to do with the popular online game Virtual Villagers. They are the people who are set to take advantage of major technological advances. Offices could be emptying out over the next 10 years as the number of Brits escaping to rural areas will triple because of the World Wide Web. Areas where countryside and motorways are in good supply will be key homes for these villagers.

F. The Unstoppable

The unstoppable are those people over 65 who still enjoy eating out, traveling, taking evening classes and generally having a good time.

阅读下面五个人的情况介绍，请与相应的社会群体匹配：

56. D. Gruber used to work with a foreign trade firm in central London for many years. He felt so tired physically and mentally that he was about to give his job up. Luckily, with the help of his wife, a computer programmer, he can continue his job at home by using the Internet. He enjoys the advantages technology has on his life.

57. Irene Ponbs has settled down in London after he graduated from college in 2003. Unlike his colleagues who spend most nights in a noisy place such as a club and a bar, he prefers to live a quiet life, listening to radio programs and doing housework.

58. J. Barnes had a hard time adapting himself to the retired life. Later, he found great happiness visiting different places before he was addicted to planting vegetables in his gardens. Now he is much healthier by eating such vegetables and taking a walk in the morning.

59. M. Neilson recently often quarrels with his girlfriend May. May is eager to marry and have a stable home. However, Neilson thinks it is foolish to stay in the same place and do the same job to support a family.

60. H. Wolf now is very grateful to her parents' decision. Otherwise, she would live in the countryside and struggle to make both ends meet with Jim. Now, she only needs to learn how to shop and dress herself up. Her parents chose Mr. Right for her, who could afford almost everything she dreamed of.

 He can't make both ends meet due to spending money____________.