A.overall B.flooding C.secure D.invested E.concentrated F.consisted G.expense H.prospects I.narrowly J.stood K.factor |
By some measures, South Korea is the most educated country in the world.Observers,however,have described Korean society as having an“almost cult(邪教)-like devotion to learning". Studying long hours at hagwons(辅导机构)has become so ubiquitous(普遍存在的)and excessive that Korean authorities in the 2000's deemed(认为)it necessary to impose curfews(宵禁令),usually at10 p.m.,and patrol prep schools in areas like Seoul's Gangnam district,where many of these schools are
This extreme competitiveness has created a number of social problems:Suicide,for instance,is the leading cause of death among teens in Korea,which has the highest suicide rate
Social pressures to succeed in the labor market,meanwhile,have given rise to a phenomenon called “employment cosmetics'"--one of the driving factors behind Korea's boom in cosmetic surgery,since job applicants are commonly required to submit an ID photo,and many employers
Social pressures are further amplified by Korea's relatively high youth unemployment rate,which
While a university degree used to be a solid foundation for social success in Korea,observers have noted that many current graduates lack the skills needed for employability in a modern information society,and that the education system is too
3 . We’ve all been there: in a lift, in line at the bank or on an airplane, surrounded by people who are, like us, deeply focused on their smartphones or, worse, struggling with the uncomfortable silence.
What’s the problem? It’s possible that we all have compromised conversational intelligence. It’s more likely that none of us start a conversation because it’s awkward and challenging, or we think it’s annoying and unnecessary. But the next time you find yourself among strangers, consider that small talk is worth the trouble. Experts say it’s an invaluable social practice that results in big benefits.
Dismissing small talk as unimportant is easy, but we can’t forget that deep relationships wouldn’t
even exist if it weren’t for casual conversation. Small talk is the grease(润滑剂) for social communication, says Bernardo Carducci, director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast. "Almost every great love story and each big business deal begins with small talk," he explains. "The key to successful small talk is learning how to connect with others, not just communicate with them."
In a 2014 study, Elizabeth Dunn, associate professor of psychology at UBC, invited people on their way into a coffee shop. One group was asked to seek out an interaction(互动) with its waiter; the other, to speak only when necessary. The results showed that those who chatted with their server reported significantly higher positive feelings and a better coffee shop experience. "It’s not that talking to the waiter is better than talking to your husband," says Dunn. "But interactions with peripheral(边缘的) members of our social network matter for our well-being also."
Dunn believes that people who reach out to strangers feel a significantly greater sense of belonging, a bond with others. Carducci believes developing such a sense of belonging starts with small talk. "Small talk is the basis of good manners," he says.
1. What phenomenon is described in the first paragraph?A.Addiction to smartphones. |
B.Inappropriate behaviours in public places. |
C.Absence of communication between strangers. |
D.Impatience with slow service. |
A.Showing good manners. | B.Relating to other people. |
C.Focusing on a topic. | D.Making business deals. |
A.It improves family relationships. | B.It raises people’s confidence. |
C.It matters as much as a formal talk. | D.It makes people feel good. |
A.Conversation Counts | B.Ways of Making Small Talk |
C.Benefits of Small Talk | D.Uncomfortable Silence |