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 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.

2. What is important for successful small talk according to Carducci?

A．Showing good manners.	B．Relating to other people.
C．Focusing on a topic.	D．Making business deals.

3. What does the coffee-shop study suggest about small talk?

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.

4. What is the best title for the text?

A．Conversation Counts	B．Ways of Making Small Talk
C．Benefits of Small Talk	D．Uncomfortable Silence

2 . It was raining. I went into a café and asked for a coffee. _________ I was waiting for my drink, I realized that there were other people in the place, but I sensed _______. I saw their bodies, but I couldn’t feel their souls _________ their souls belonged to the _________.

I stood up and walked between the tables. When I came to the biggest computer, I saw a thin, small man _________ in front of it. “I’m Steve”, he finally answered after I asked him a couple of times what his name was. “I can’t talk with you. I’m _________”, he said. He was chatting online with somebody—probably someone he didn’t know—and, _________ , he was playing a computer game—a war game. I was_________.

Why didn’t Steve want to talk with me? I tried _________ to speak to that computer geek (怪人), ________ not a word came out of his mouth. I touched his shoulder, but no reaction. I was __________. I put my hand in front of the monitor, and he started to shout, “ __________!” I took a few steps back, wondering if all those people in the café were looking at me. I __________, and saw nobody showed any interest.

________ , I realized that the people there were having a nice conversation with their machines, not with people. They were more __________ having a relationship with the __________, particularly Steve. I wouldn’t want to __________ the future of human beings if they preferred sharing their lives with machines ____________ with people.

I was worried and I sank in my thoughts. I didn’t even ________ that the coffee was bad, __________ Steve didn’t notice there was a person next to him.

1.

A．Before

B．Since

C．Although

D．While

2.

A．pain

B．loneliness

C．sadness

D．fear

3.

A．because

B．when

C．until

D．unless

4.

A．home

B．world

C．net

D．café

5.

A．sleeping

B．laughing

C．sitting

D．learning

6.

A．busy

B．thirsty

C．tired

D．sick

7.

A．first of all

B．just then

C．at the same time

D．by that time

8.

A．surprised

B．delighted

C．moved

D．frightened

9.

A．once

B．again

C．first

D．even

10.

A．but

B．so

C．if

D．or

11.

A．excited

B．respected

C．afraid

D．unhappy

12.

A．Shut up

B．Enjoy yourself

C．Leave me alone

D．Help me out

13.

A．walked about

B．walked out

C．raised my hand

D．raised my head

14.

A．From then on

B．At that moment

C．In all

D．Above all

15.

A．interested in

B．tired of

C．careful about

D．troubled by

16.

A．computer

B．soul

C．shop

D．geek

17.

A．tell

B．plan

C．imagine

D．design

18.

A．other than

B．instead of

C．except for

D．as well as

19.

A．pretend

B．understand

C．insist

D．realize

20.

A．as if

B．just as

C．just after

D．even though

3 . Who is your role model? Normally the answer to this question would be anyone around you who you find truly inspiring. It could also be someone like J. K. Rowling or Martin Luther King. Jr. , who have proven to be strong and intelligent people.
However, in today’s world, stars are regarded as role models along with the heroes listed above, despite their intentions or actions. Teens attempt to imitate their actions for two major reasons. Firstly, to be fashionable and accepted by popular culture, and secondly because stars’ actions are so well documented by the media that it seems to grab our attention and turns it to following stars’ lives. Much of the reports about stars is shocking and exhibits bad morals or lifestyles that aren’t right for teenagers. In addition, almost everything stars do is described beyond truth to make a shocking story by taking it to the next level.
However, teens must take responsibility for their actions. We can’t always blame stars for influencing us. Only you have control over yourself and only you choose to do something. Our bodies and actions are in the hands of no one else.
Now, whoever said stars are role models? Whether they choose to be or not, stars set examples as soon as they step into the spotlight. With reporters following and recording every move they make, it is impossible not to be watched and then be imitated. These people influence teens whether or not they want to. Why should someone who doesn’t want to be setting an example set one? So，should we look up to them or to people who are true and good role models? It’s our responsibility as teens to know right from wrong, and it’s time for us to take responsibility for our actions. In doing so，we will lean toward those inspiring people that want to be setting an example, and follow in their steps to be like them.
1. According to the first paragraph, _______ can usually be role models.

A．political leaders

B．wealthy writers

C．people inspiring others

D．people with great intelligence

2. What are the major reasons for the teens to imitate stars?

A．Interest in stars’ life and expectation of getting rich.

B．Motivation for being fashionable and inspiration from popular examples.

C．Intentions to gain acceptance and encouragement from stars’ lifestyle.

D．Desires to be stylish and great influence from the mass media.

3. The author writes the passage mainly to advise the teenagers to _______.

A．have a control over their own bodies and actions

B．be responsible for their own choices and behaviors

C．follow fashionable stars’ steps to be more popular

D．choose right role models according to different reports

4. It can be inferred from the passage that _______.

A．stars have the responsibility for teenagers’ actions

B．not all famous stars choose to influence teenagers

C．teenagers choose those inspiring people as their role models

D．stars set examples immediately they stepped into the spotlight