Some people make you feel comfortable when they are around. You spend an hour with them and feel as if you have known them half your life. These people have something in common. And once we know what it is, we can try to do it ourselves.

　　How is it done? Here are several skills that good talkers have. If you follow the skills, they’ll help you put people at their ease, and make friends with them quickly.

　　First of all, good talkers ask questions. Almost anyone, no matter how shy he is, will answer a question. One well-known businesswoman says, “At business lunches, I always ask people what they did that morning. It’s a common question, but it will get things going.” From there you can move on to other matters--sometimes to really personal questions. And how he answers will let you know how far you can go.

　　In addition, once good talkers have asked questions, they listen to the answers. This point seems clear, but it isn’t. Your questions should have a point and help to tell what sort of person you are talking to. And to find out, you really have to listen carefully and attentively.

　　Real listening at least means some things. First it means not to change the subject of conversation. If someone sticks to one topic, you can take it as a fact that he’s really interested in it. Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to tones of voice. If the voice sounds dull, then, it’s time for you to change the subject.

　　Last but not least, good talkers know well how to deal with the occasion of parting. If you’re saying good-bye, you may give him a firm handshake and say, “I’ve really enjoyed meeting you.” If you want to see that person again, don’t keep it a secret. Let people know what you feel, and they may walk away feeling as if they’ve known you half their life.

1. Which of the following is NOT the reason why good talkers ask questions?

A．To get the conversation going smoothly.

B．To continue the conversation with other matters.

C．To make more new friends.

D．To know how far the conversation can go.

2. How many skills does the author give us to be good talkers?

A．Three.            B．Four.             C．Five.             D．Six.

3. In general, good talkers are persons who __________.

A．can keep the conversation interesting

B．never talk too much or too little

C．always keep the conversation a secret

D．can change the topic of the conversation properly

4. If you are willing to meet someone again, __________.

A．you’d better let him know it

B．you’d better shake his hand firmly

C．you’d better keep it a secret

D．you’d better understand him further

Some people make you feel comfortable when they are around. You spend an hour with them and feel as if you have known them half your life. These people have something in common. And once we know what it is, we can try to do it ourselves.
　　How is it done? Here are several skills that good talkers have. If you follow the skills, they’ll help you put people at their ease, and make friends with them quickly.
　　First of all, good talkers ask questions. Almost anyone, no matter how shy he is, will answer a question. One well-known businesswoman says, “At business lunches, I always ask people what they did that morning. It’s a common question, but it will get things going.” From there you can move on to other matters--sometimes to really personal questions. And how he answers will let you know how far you can go.
　　In addition, once good talkers have asked questions, they listen to the answers. This point seems clear, but it isn’t. Your questions should have a point and help to tell what sort of person you are talking to. And to find out, you really have to listen carefully and attentively.
　　Real listening at least means some things. First it means not to change the subject of conversation. If someone sticks to one topic, you can take it as a fact that he’s really interested in it. Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to tones of voice. If the voice sounds dull, then, it’s time for you to change the subject.
　　Last but not least, good talkers know well how to deal with the occasion of parting. If you’re saying good-bye, you may give him a firm handshake and say, “I’ve really enjoyed meeting you.” If you want to see that person again, don’t keep it a secret. Let people know what you feel, and they may walk away feeling as if they’ve known you half their life.
【小题1】 Which of the following is NOT the reason why good talkers ask questions?

First lady of California, Kennedy family member, TV journalist, bestselling author Maria Shriver has had her share of fame. But when she read that kids' main goal these days is “to be famous”， she had to speak up. The speech below, delivered at her nephew's high school graduation last June, is included in her new book, Just Who Will You Be?

“Famous people always seem to look happy. They always look rich. But for whatever it's worth, fame isn't a worthy goal. Fame can't make you happy, in and of itself. It can't make you feel worthy. It can't give you a life of meaning and joy. That,_I've learned, is strictly an inside job. The only way you can come to feel good about yourself and to find a life of meaning and joy is to find your own path. Live your own life, not an imitation of someone else's.”

“We live in a world that seems to put a premium on (重视) the trappings of fame. But figuring out who you are and fulfilling your own dreams— that's a worthy goal. The people I've met who are happiest in their lives, famous or not, have done just that.”

“So ask yourself what you want to be famous for. And set your sight high—because you can be famous for doing something great in this world, something that matters, something that makes life better. We need famous people with integrity (诚实), character, and vision, people who want to lead, who want to make the world a more peaceful and compassionate place—where people feel accepted and valued for who they are.”

1．The passage is mainly about ________.

A．Maria Shriver's life

B．Maria Shriver's opinion on what a worthy goal is

C．Maria Shriver's books

D．Maria Shriver's attitude toward famous people

2．What can we know about Maria Shriver?

A．She is the wife of the governor of California.

B．She is the daughter of President Kennedy.

C．She likes traveling around the world.

D．She mainly writes children's books.

3．The underlined word “That” in the second paragraph refers to “________”．

A．fame 　　　　　 B．happiness

C．a worthy goal 　　　 D．a life of meaning and joy

4．Which of the following will Maria Shriver agree with?

A．We should learn from famous people in order to be famous.

B．Famous people are happier than rich people.

C．Doing things to make our world a better one is a worthy goal.

D．Being happy about whatever you do is important.