1 . 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 2021 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; he 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(外围的) 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.

Where will you choose to live, in the city or in the countryside? People have different ideas about the questions.

Some of my friends would like to live in the city. Everything     1    (be) convenient in the city. When people are thirsty, they can have boiled or bottled water at once. When a child is ill, he     2    (send) to hospital in just a few minutes. However, people have to suffer heavy traffic and air pollution anyway. On the other hand, others     3    (choose) the countryside. The reasons are simple. Nothing is better     4    (live) in fresh air, drink clean water, and enjoy free natural beauty.

Last week, I have an accident in parking lot beside my house. I was just going around the corner when a man crashed into him with his shopping basket. It was impossible to see each other after the accident because the corner was very darkness and the lights didn’t even work. So I fell, got knocked out and was serious hurt. Although the parking lot paid for the accident, but I still want to give some advices to the parking lot. Always get the lights checking at least once a week and make sure the floor is dry all the time, that would help make the parking lot a safer place.

5 . More Clarity Needed on Wage Debate

These days, the minimum wage has become something of a big issue in America.     1    For supporters, 16. 5 million low-wage workers could see an increase in their weekly earnings and 900, 000 people could rise above the poverty line.

Gap Inc, has decided to increase the minimum hourly rate it pays employees to $9 this year and then $10 next year. The company’s announcement will effect 65, 000 Gap employees by 2017. Clearly Gap officials believe the money they invest in higher wages will pay off in increased sales and customer satisfaction. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that.     2    

Also last week, Wal-Mart found itself at the center of the wages gossip when it was reported that the company was looking at supporting an increase in the minimum wage.     3    

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said the company remains neutral on the idea of a minimum wage increase, but “obviously it’s something that we look at closely, as any other company would”. She said that more than 99 percent of company associates are paid above the current minimum wage. It has been discussed how increased income for low-wage workers might translate into increased spending. So it’s reasonable to say that a company like Wal-Mart could see a jump in sales if the minimum wage rose.

Most people suffer     1    what is known as “Just-me-ism”. What is that? Well, say you leave the tap running while you brush your teeth, leave a light on when you go out or you drop a piece of litter and can’t be bothered    2     (pick) it up. You know that all those things are wrong, but so what? “What     3    (different) can it possibly make?” you say to yourself. “There are millions of people in the world and I’m just me.

The organisation is called Roots & Shoots because roots move    1     (slow) under the ground to make a firm foundation, and shoots seem small and weak,     2     they can break open brick walls to reach the light. The roots and shoots are you, your friends and young people all around the world. Hundreds and thousands of roots and shoots can solve the problems, change the world and make it a better place    3    (live) in.

10 . A 35-year-old Australian mother makes around $ 58,000 a year by hugging strangers. “As human beings, one thing we often ______ in our daily life is the physical touch. Without it, we can fall into mental health problems. To satisfy this ______, I’ve become professional in hugging treatment.” said Jessica.

Jessica says that her hugs can ______ those who are suffering from loneliness or low self-confidence. A year ago, Jessica was a popular masseuse (女按摩师). She noticed that when she ______ her customers during treatment, they became relaxed and ______ her more. “I could see their tension disappear. Then I could get to their heart and do what I could to ______ them,” Jessica said. “Everyone has a totally different story. But the most common ______ are loneliness, depression (沮丧) and anxiety. They all just have that desire to ______ with someone. I believe my hug helps me and my ______ connect on a mental level.”

Jessica says most of her customers are ______, but she has a surprising number of female customers ______. Though many people think she must be ______ to do such work, Jessica is confident that she’s made the right ______. “It’s so much more rewarding (值得做的) than just working as a masseuse,” said Jessica. “In today’s digital age, many people are ______ than ever before. For people whose lives ______ physical interaction, hugging therapy can have an obvious effect on their mental health.”