"How are you?" is a nice question. It's a friendly way people in the United States greet each other. But "How are you? " is also a very unusual question. It's a question that often doesn’t have an answer.

When a person meets a friend on the street and asks "How are you?" the person doesn't really expect to hear an answer such as "I really, don't know what's wrong with me. I thought I had a cold. I took some medicine, but that didn't help much, so I have a doctor’s appointment." The person who asks "How are you?" expects to hear the answer "Fine," even if the other person isn't! The reason is that "How are you?" isn't really a question and "Fine" isn't really an answer. They are simply ways of greeting people and saying "Hello."

Sometimes, people also don't say exactly what they mean. For example, when someone asks "Do you agree?", the other person might be thinking "No, I disagree. I think you're wrong." But it isn't very polite to disagree so strongly, so the other person might say, "I'm not so sure." It's a nicer way to say that you don't agree with someone.

People also don't say exactly what they are thinking when they finish conversation with other people. For example, many conversations over the phone end when one person says, "I've got to go now." Often, the person who wants to hang up gives an excuse: "Someone's at the door." "I've got to put the vegetables away." "Something is burning on the stove!" The excuse might be real, or it might not be. Perhaps the person who wants to hang up simply doesn't want to talk any more, but it isn't very polite to say that. The excuse is more polite, and it doesn't hurt the other person's feelings.

Whether they are greeting each other, talking about an opinion, or ending a conversation, people often don't say exactly what they are thinking. It's an important way that people try to be nice to each other, and it's all part of the game of language!

1.Why is“How are you? ”an unusual question?

A. It is a nice question.

B. It is a question that has no answer.

C. People can’t not answer when they hear it.

D. It is used everywhere in English-speaking countries.

2.What will the person who asks“How are you?”expect to hear ?

A. Just something like“Fine”.

B. I really don’t know what’s wrong with me.

C. I have taken some medicine but it doesn’t help.

D. It is simply a way of saying “Hello”.

3.How can we make other people feel better if we don’t agree with them on something?

A. By telling them directly what we think.

B. By saying“I’m not quite sure about that ”.

C. By asking them“How are you? ”

D. By giving more good examples.

4.Why do people sometimes choose a roundabout way to end the telephone conversation?

A. They want other persons to feel nice. B. They are afraid of telling lies.

C. They try to find some polite excuses. D. They want the others feel their excuses real.

5.Which of the following is not right according to the passage?

A. When people ask "How are you?" they don't expect to hear about the other person's health.

B. "I'm not so sure" is a polite way to say you disagree.

C. "I've got to go now." is the only way to end all telephone conversations.

D. It's impolite to say "I don't want to talk to you any more."

One afternoon in April 1912, a new ship set off from England to America . It was the largest and finest ship at that time, and on it there were 2,200 people. The weather was very cold , but the trip was pleasant and people were enjoying______ The next day it was even _____, people could see icebergs(冰山) here and there.

It was night, suddenly the man on watch _____. “Look out! Iceberg! Iceberg in front!”

It was too late. The ship hit the iceberg and came to a stop. There was a very big ____in the ship and water was going to come inside._____the ship started to sink.

People had to leave the ship. Women and children were the first to get into the lifeboats(救生艇). Suddenly a woman shouted. “Please make ____for me. My children are in that boat. I ____go with them! Please!”

“There’s no more room here.” Someone shouted back. The children wanted their mother and began to cry.

A young woman was sitting near the poor children. She stood up. “Here.” She shouted. Take my place! I’m not married and I have no children.”

She got up and the thankful mother joined her children in the lifeboat.

Soon after that, the ship sank. More than 1,500 people lost their lives. Among those was the young _____.Who was_____? Her name was Miss Evans and she was going home to Boston. But _____knew more about her than that.

1.A. himself B. herself C. themselves D. ourselves

2.A. hot B. cold C. hotter D. colder

3.A. said B. told C. shouted D. talked

4.A. room B. hole C. table D. bottle

5.A. Slowly B. Carefully C. Easily D. Usually

6.A. room B. a desk C. a room D. a piece

7.A. can B. may C. needn’t D. must

8.A. man B. girl C. boy D. woman

9.A. her B. she C. he D. him

10.A. somebody B. nobody C. everybody D. anybody

What makes a successful speech? First, you should have a good speech script(稿子)so that your ideas and language can attract people's attention.And some skills are necessary, too.

  Here are some suggestions on giving great speeches:

  ◆Beat nerves

  Relax yourself before and when making a speech.Practice your opening sentence three or four times.This will help make a sure start and a successful speech.When you stand on the stage, think of the audience(观众)as your family members and friends.

  ◆Keep it natural

  Natural body languages will help your speech:smile, stand straight and look at the audience.Do not drop your head or play with a pen.Also, dressing yourself nicely will help the audience feel respected.

  ◆Pace and pause(节奏和停顿)

Pace and pause add color to your speech.Speak fast enough to keep people excited and slowly enough for people to fully understand you.After an important point, pause for a moment.It'll change the atmosphere(气氛)in the audience.

1.Why should a speaker have a good speech script?

__________________________________________________________

2.When you giving a speech some skills aren’t necessary, are they?

__________________________________________________________

3.What helps to make a sure start of the speech?

__________________________________________________________

4.If you don’t dress yourself nicely, how will the audience feel?

__________________________________________________________

5.What does this passage talk about?

_________________________________________________________

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