Question

【題目】 We’ve all been there: in a lift, in line at the bank or on an airplane, around by people who are, like us, deeply look at their smartphones or, worse, fighting with the uncomfortable silence.

What’s the problem? It’s more likely that none of us start a conversation because it’s challenging, or we think it’s 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 advantages.

Small talk is the grease (潤(rùn)滑劑) 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, professor of psychology at UBC, invited people on their way into a coffee shop. One group was asked to look for an interaction (互動(dòng)) with its waiter; the other, to speak only when necessary. The results showed that those who chatted with their waiter reported higher positive (積極的) 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 (邊緣的) members of our social network matter for our well-being also.”

Dunn believes that people who reach out to strangers feel a greater sense of belonging (歸屬感), a relationship 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’s the main idea of Paragraph 1?

A.Interest in smartphones.B.Unsuitable behaviours in public places.

C.Absence of communication between strangers.D.Impatience with slow service.

【2】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.

【3】What is the best title for the text?

A.Conversation CountsB.Advantages of Small Talk

C.Uncomfortable SilenceD.Ways of Making Small Talk

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】D

【3】B

【解析】

文章大意：本文是一篇人生感悟類閱讀，作者圍繞閑聊的益處展開(kāi)論述，從公共場(chǎng)合人與人極少交談的場(chǎng)景開(kāi)始，逐步論述了閑聊的益處。

【1】細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)文章第一段可知，該段描述的情景是人們?cè)诠�共�?chǎng)所不是玩手機(jī)就是尷尬地沉默，沒(méi)有和其他人交流。C項(xiàng)意為不與陌生人交流。符合原文描述。故C項(xiàng)正確。A項(xiàng)意為沉迷智能手機(jī)。這只是作者描繪的場(chǎng)景之一，故A項(xiàng)錯(cuò)誤。B項(xiàng)意為公眾場(chǎng)合不良行為。文中未提及。故B項(xiàng)錯(cuò)誤。D項(xiàng)意為對(duì)低效的服務(wù)不耐煩。文中未提及，故D項(xiàng)錯(cuò)誤。故答案為C。

【2】細(xì)節(jié)理解題。根據(jù)文章第四段第三句“The results showed that those who chatted with their server reported significantly higher positive feelings and a better coffee shop experience” 結(jié)果顯示，那些與服務(wù)生聊天的人有更高的積極感受和更好的咖啡店體驗(yàn)�？芍�，它讓人感覺(jué)很好。故答案為D。

【3】標(biāo)題歸納題。根據(jù)文章可知，作者從公共場(chǎng)合人與人極少交談的場(chǎng)景開(kāi)始，逐步論述閑聊的益處。故本題答案應(yīng)圍繞閑聊的益處展開(kāi)。A. 談話很重要；B.閑聊的好處；C. 令人不安的沉默；D.閑聊的方式，故答案為B。