Small talk is an essential part of our daily life, and is an essential skill to make you more popular as well to make other people happy. However it can be a big challenge. Here are some tips to improve small talk skills. Of course, making effective small talk means lots of practice, but keeping these tips in mind should improve overall conversational skills.

Stay away from religious/ strong political beliefs

While you may firmly believe in something, beginning conversations and making small talk about your own personal beliefs may abruptly end the conversation. Keep it light, and don’t try to convince the other person that you have the “correct” information about a higher being, political system or other belief system.

Use the Internet to gain the specific vocabulary

If you have a business meeting, or are meeting people who share a common interest, take advantage of the Internet to learn the specific vocabulary. Almost all business and interest groups have glossaries(詞匯表) on the Internet.

Find common interests

Once you have a subject that interests both of you, keep to it! You can do this in a number of ways: talking about travel, talking about the school or friend you have in common, talking about the difference between your culture and the new culture(just be careful to make comparisons and not judgments) and so on.

Listen

This is very important. Listening carefully will help you understand and encourage those speaking to you. You might be nervous, but letting others state their opinion will improve the quality of the discussion and give you some time to think of an answer!

36. When you make small talk, you should NOT “       ”.
A. keep to the subject that interests both of you    
B. avoid some topics about personal beliefs
C. use special vocabulary from the Internet
D. try to make others agree with your own opinion

37. The underlined word “abruptly” in the second paragraph can be replaced by “       ”.
A. steadily               B. happily              C. suddenly           D. expectedly

38. According to the passage, listening carefully is very important because       .
A. it will make conversations go smoothly           
B. it can help us find more common interests
C. it will help others feel relaxed
D. we may avoid unpleasant topics by doing so

39. What is the passage mainly about?
A. Small talk, a very important part in our daily life.
B. Making effective small talk through a lot of practice.
C. The importance of common interests during small talk.
D. Some tips on improving overall conversation skills.

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科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源： 題型：閱讀理解

You Did More Than Carry My books

Mark was walking home from school one day when he noticed the boy ahead of him had dropped all of the books he was carrying, along with a baseball bat and several other things. Mark___1___ down and helped the boy pick up these articles. ___2___ they were going the same way, he helped to carry some of them for him. As they walked Mark ___3___ the boy’s name was Bill, that he ___4___ computer games, baseball and history, that he was having a lot of ___5___ with his other subjects and that he had just broken ___6___ with his girlfriend.

They arrived at Bill’s home first and Mark was ___7___ in for a Coke and to watch some television. The afternoon passed ___8___ with a few laughs and some shared small talk, and then Mark went home. They ___9___ to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice, and then both ended up from the same high school. Just three weeks before ___10___, Bill asked Mark if they ___11___ talk.

Bill ___12___ him of the day years ago when they had first met. “Do you ___13___ wonder why I was carrying so many things home that day?” asked Bill. “You see, I ___14___ out my locker because I didn’t want to leave a mess(臟亂) ___15___ anyone else. I had planned to run away and I was going home to ___16___ my things. But after we spent some time together ___17___ and laughing, I realized that ___18___ I had done that, I would have ___19___ a new friend and missed all the fun we would have together. So you see, Mark, when you picked up my books that day, you did a lot more. You ___20___ my life.”

1. A. fell B. sat      C. lay      D. knelt

2. A. Although       B. Since  C. After   D. Until

3. A. discovered     B. realized      C. said    D. decided

4. A. played    B. loved  C. tried   D. made

5. A. questions       B. ideas   C. trouble       D. doubt

6. A. up  B. out     C. off      D. away

7. A. called     B. helped C. invited       D. allowed

8. A. peacefully     B. willingly    C. freely  D. pleasantly

9. A. continued      B. agreed C. forced D. offered

10. A. graduation   B. movement  C. separation   D. vacation

11. A. would   B. should C. could  D. must

12. A. demanded    B. reminded    C. removed     D. asked

13. A. ever     B. usually       C. even   D. never

14. A. checked       B. took    C. cleaned      D. put

15. A. over     B. into    C. with    D. for

16. A. find     B. pick    C. pack   D. hold

17. A. talking B. playing      C. reading      D. watching

18. A. before  B. if C. while  D. as

19. A. forgotten     B. passed C. left     D. lost

20. A. helped  B. recovered   C. improved   D. changed

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科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源： 題型：閱讀理解

Meeting people from another culture can be difficult．From the beginning, people may send the wrong signal （信號(hào)）．Or they may pay no attention to signals from another person who is trying to develop a relationship．

Different cultures emphasize （強(qiáng)調(diào)） the importance of relationship building to a greater or lesser degree．For example, business in some countries is not possible until there is a relationship of trust．Even with people at work, it is necessary to spend a lot of time in "small talk", usually over a glass of tea, before they do any job．In many European countries -- like the UK or France -- people find it easier to build up a lasting working relationship at restaurants or caf6s rather than at the office．

Talk and silence may also be different in some cultures．I once made a speech in Thailand．I had expected my speech to be a success and start a lively discussion; instead there was an uncomfortable silence．The people present just stared at me and smiled．After getting to know their ways better, I realized that they thought I was talking too much．In my own culture, we express meaning mainly through words, but people there sometimes feel too many words are unnecessary．

Even within Northern Europe, cultural differences can cause serious problems．Certainly, English and German cultures share similar values; however, Germans prefer to get down to business more quickly．We think that they are rude．In fact, this is just because one culture starts discussions and makes decisions more quickly．

People from different parts of the world have different values, and sometimes these values are quite against each other．However, if we can understand them better, a multicultural environment （多元文化環(huán)境） will offer a wonderful chance for us to learn from each other．

In some countries, eating together at restaurants may make it easier for people to _______．

     A．develop closer relations               B．share the same culture

     C．get to know each other                 D．keep each other company

The author mentions his experience in Thailand to show that _________．

     A．the English prefer to make long speeches        

       B．too many words are of no use

     C．people from Thailand are quiet and shy by nature

     D．even talk and silence can be culturally different

According to the text, how can people from different cultures understand each other better?

     A．By sharing different ways of life．     

       B．By accepting different habits．

     C．By recognizing different values．      

       D．By speaking each other' s languages．

What would be the best title for the text?

     A．Multicultural Environment．         

       B．Cross-Cultural Differences．

     C．How to Understand Each Other．     

       D．How to Build Up a Relationship．

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科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：2011屆四川省南充市高三第二次診斷性考試英語(yǔ)卷 題型：完型填空

完形填空（共20小題；每小題1.5分，滿分30分）
閱讀下面短文，從短文后各題所給的四個(gè)選項(xiàng)（A、B、C和D）中，選出可以填入空白處的最佳選項(xiàng)，并在答題卡上將該項(xiàng)涂黑。
You Did More Than Carry My Books
Mark was walking home from school one day when he noticed the boy ahead of him had dropped all of the books he was carrying, along with a baseball bat and several other things. Mark   21  down and helped the boy pick up these articles.   22 they were going the same way, he helped to carry some of them for him. As they walked Mark   23 the boy's name was Bill, that he  24 computer games, baseball and history, that he was having a lot of   25  with his other subjects and that he had just broken  26 with his girlfriend.
They arrived at Bill's home first and Mark was   27 in for a Coke-Cola and to watch some television. The afternoon passed   28 with a few laughs and some shared small talk, and then Mark went home. They  29 to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice, and then both ended up from the same high school. Just three weeks before  30 , Bill asked Mark if they  31 talk.
　　Bill  32  him of the day years ago when they had first met. "Do you  33 wonder why I was carrying so many things home that day?" asked Bill. "You see, I  34  out my locker(柜) because I didn't want to leave a mess（臟亂）  35 anyone else. I had planned to run away and I was going home to  36 my things. But after we spent some time together  37  and laughing, I realized that  38  I had done that, I would have  39 a new friend and missed all the fun we would have together. So you see, Mark, when you picked up my books that day, you did a lot more. You   40  my life." 

【小題1】
A．fellB．satC．layD．knelt
【小題2】
A．AlthoughB．SinceC．AfterD．Until
【小題3】
A．discoveredB．realizedC．saidD．decided
【小題4】
A．playedB．lovedC．triedD．made
【小題5】
A．questionsB．ideasC．troubleD．doubt
【小題6】
A．upB．outC．offD．a(chǎn)way
【小題7】
A．putB．helpedC．invitedD．pushed
【小題8】
A．peacefullyB．willinglyC．freelyD．pleasantly
【小題9】
A．continuedB．a(chǎn)greedC．forcedD．offered
【小題10】
A．graduationB．movementC．separationD．vacation
【小題11】
A．wouldB．shouldC．couldD．must
【小題12】
A．demandedB．remindedC．removedD．a(chǎn)sked
【小題13】
A．everB．usuallyC．evenD．never
【小題14】
A．checkedB．tookC．cleanedD．put
【小題15】
A．overB．intoC．withD．for
【小題16】
A．findB．pickC．packD．hold
【小題17】
A．talkingB．playingC．readingD．watching
【小題18】
A．beforeB．ifC．whileD．a(chǎn)s
【小題19】
A．forgottenB．passedC．leftD．lost
【小題20】
A．helpedB．recoveredC．improvedD．changed

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科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：河北省肅寧縣第一中學(xué)2009-2010學(xué)年高二下學(xué)期期中考試英語(yǔ)試題 題型：閱讀理解

I was in a rush as always, but this time it was for an important date I just couldn’t be late for! I found myself at a checkout counter behind an elderly woman seemingly in no hurry as she paid for her groceries.  Being a PhD student without a lot of money, I had hurried into the store to pick up some flowers. I was in a huge rush, thinking of my upcoming evening. I did not want to be late for this date
We were in Boston, a place not always known for small conversations between strangers. The woman stopped unloading her basket and looked up at me. She smiled. It was a nice smile—warm and reassuring(令人寬慰的)-and I returned her gift by smiling back.
“Must be a special lady, whoever it is that will be getting those beautiful flowers,” she said.
“Yes, she’s special,” I said, and then to my embarrassment, the words kept coming out. “It’s only our second date, but somehow I am just having the feeling she’s ‘the one,’” jokingly, I added, “The only problem is that I can’t figure out why she’d want to date a guy like me.”
“Well, I think she’s very lucky to have a boyfriend who brings her such lovely flowers and who is obviously in love with her,” the woman said .”My husband used to bring me flowers every week—even when times were tough and we didn’t have much money. Those were incredible days; he was very romantic and—of course— I miss him since he’s passed away.”
I paid for my flowers as she was gathering up her groceries. There was no doubt in my mind as I walked up to her. I touched her on the shoulder and said “You were right, you know. These flowers are indeed for a very special lady.” I handed the flowers and thanked her for such a nice conversation.
It took her a moment to realize that I was giving her the flowers I had just purchased. “May you have a wonderful evening ,”I said. I left het with a big smile and my heart warmed as I saw her smelling the beautiful flowers.
I remember being slightly late for my date that night and telling my girlfriend the above story. A couple of years later, when I finally worked up the courage to ask her to marry me, she told me that this story had helped to seal it for her—that was the night that I won her heart .
41．Why was the writer in a hurry that day?
A. He was to meet his girlfriend.         B. He had to go back to school soon.
C. He was delayed by an elderly lady.      D. He had to pick up some groceries.
42．What does the underlined phrase “her gift” (Paragraph 2 ) refer to?
A. Her words.            B. Her smile.     C. Her flowers.         D. Her politeness.
43．Why did the writer give his flowers to the elderly lady?
A. She told him a nice story.                B. She allowed him to pay first.
C. She gave him encouragement.             D. She liked flowers very much.
44．What is the message conveyed in the story?
A. Flowers are important for a date.      B. Small talk is helpful.
C. Love and kindness are rewarding.       D. Elderly people deserve respecting.

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科目：高中英語(yǔ) 來(lái)源：2014屆江蘇南京師大附中江寧分校高一下期末調(diào)研英語(yǔ)試卷（解析版） 題型：任務(wù)型閱讀

Friendship—Seven Tips on How to Make Friends

   Friendship is a very important human relationship and everyone needs good friends. Friendship offers companionship, improves an individual self-worth and promotes good health. However making new friends comes easy for some people but for many of us the process is difficult and requires courage. Below are some helpful tips on how to make and keep friends.

    Associate with others. The first step to making friends is associating with other people. Health clubs, places of worship and charities are some places where you can meet new people and build friendship. But attending these places is not enough. You will need to make yourself known by becoming an active member.

    Be cheerful. A smile on the face is a sure way to attract new friends as people are always drawn to a cheerful disposition. No one wants to keep company with someone who constantly looks upset.

    Start a conversation. Starting a conversation is the second most important step in making new friends. Do not wait to be spoken to；you can always start the conversation. Being able to make small talk is a very useful skill in relating with other people regardless of the environment or circumstance.

    Stay in touch. For a friendship to grow you need to stay in touch. There are several ways of staying in touch with your friends and these include SMS, phone calls and online social networking sites.

    Do things together. Choosing friends with common interest is important in establishing friendship as these interests would always bring you and your friend together and hanging out will always be a pleasant experience. The less you have in common with your friend the more likely the friendship will not grow.

    Let it grow. It is a good thing to stay in touch but try not to choke your new friend with calls, messages or visits as this would likely wear him or her out and eventually they may not want to be your friend anymore. The best friendships are the ones that grow naturally.

    Enjoy your friendship. The best way to enjoy your new friends is to allow them to be themselves. Try not to be critical of them and try not to change them from who they are to what you want them to be.

Theme

Friendship, which has a positive （76） __________on people’s life, is a very important human relationship.

（77） _______

on making and keeping friends

Be （78）__________with people by going to public places. Take an active part in activities to create （79） __________for others to know you.

（80）__________a smile all the time to make others willing to get close to you.

Try to have a conversation with others （81）__________ of environment or circumstance.

Contact your friends in some ways, （82）__________ SMS, phone calls and online social networking.

Choose friends whose interests are （83） __________to yours, which will bring you pleasant experiences when you do things together.

（84）__________ calling or visiting friends too frequently and leave friendships grow naturally.

Remember not to find fault with or （85）__________your friends, and make them as what they are.

 

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