How did your friendships begin? Most start with a short conversation on a random day. Asking about a homework assignment in class or complaining about your painful legs after playing in a soccer game, you found your best pal by accident.
“Small talk is where all your relationships begin,” Forbes magazine summed up.
The following is a five-step guide to making small talk from Bernardo J. Carducci, the director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast, US. Let’s have a look.
Getting started
Begin by talking about the setting, such as the weather outside or the room you are in (“It’s cold in here, isn’t it?”). The purpose of talking about the setting is to show the other person that you are willing to make a conversation.
②The personal introduction
You should mention something about yourself, such as your name. A good personal introduction helps move the conversation forward.
③Looking for topics
At this point, you and your conversation partner need to find common ground. This is a good time to ask questions or to refer back to things you’ve said or heard earlier. Don’t worry if it gets quiet. The other person is probably just thinking of something to say.
④Expanding the topic
The goal is to keep the conversation going. At every stage, you should be careful not to talk too much. But don’t let the other person dominate the conversation either. If that starts to happen, mention something about yourself when he or she takes a breath.
⑤A polite ending
When ending a conversation, let the person know you’ll be leaving soon, express gratitude for the conversation and set the stage for a future conversation. For example, you could say, “I really must be going soon, but I had a great time chatting with you. I really liked hearing your opinion about that new movie. Here’s my phone number. Call or text me if you know of any other movies you think I might enjoy.”
小題1:According to the article, starting by talking about the setting is meant to ________.

A．find common ground	B．impress the other person
C．make a conversation	D．make the room warmer

小題2:What does the underlined word “dominate” mean in Tip④?

A．interrupt

B．control

C．a(chǎn)dapt

D．simplify

小題3:When ending a conversation, you’d better ________.

A．talk about how much you want to keep talking

B．show that you’ve not enjoyed the talk

C．mention a specific movie that you love

D．give your opinion about the other person’s earlier comments

小題4:The main purpose of the article is to ________.

A．encourage students to make more friends

B．give students tips on making small talk

C．introduce popular topics for students

D．teach students how to create friendships

It’s such a shame to lose a free throw. Playing in the court has pressure from the opponent, time, your teammates, the audience, and yourself. You have to shoot the ball despite all the pressures around. But with a free throw, you have the ball, no one will try to get it from you, and you have all the time to shoot the ball. But why is it that many players, even good shooters, miss most of their free throws? Maybe they need more practice or maybe they need to apply more ways to improve their free throw.
Improve your player or your free throwing skills by following the tips below:
Make it personal. The truth is, there is no rule on how one should handle and throw the ball in a free throw. What matters is that the player should shoot the ball from the free throw line no matter how he does it. So when trying to improve your free throw shooting, better stick to what works the best for you. Do not copy other people’s techniques. Make it your own and leave those techniques as theirs.
Formulate (公式化) a repetitive way of shooting the ball. A free throw should be personalized. But it should also be repetitive. You should be able to repeat your free throw techniques whether you are in your court or in another court, whether you are energized or tired. You can’t say you have a personal free throw technique if you can’t repeat it over and over again.
Shoot at the same position and distance for every free throw. Basketball courts may be located in different places or maybe marked with different paint colors. But all of these courts maintain the same distance from the ring to the free throw line. Familiarize your perfect position when making your free throws. That should help you do your perfect throw.
小題1:Why do so many players fail to make a successful free throw?

A．Because they don’t have any special skills

B．Because they are lacking in practice and tips.

C．Because they are not so familiar with rules

D．Because many of them are green hands.

小題2:What can you do if you want to be a wonderful free thrower?

A．Learn from others.

B．Form your own throwing skills.

C．Keep active in the court.

D．Learn to throw in different locations.

小題3:The underlined word “ring” in the last paragraph may most probably mean “________”.

A．sound

B．basket

C．ball

D．group

小題4:Which of the following might serve as the best title of the above passage?

A．How to play basketball successfully in the court.

B．How to improve your basketball throw skills.

C．How to gain more points in throwing.

D．How to improve your basketball free throwing.

1During the First World War, some Americans indirectly benefited because of the war. With two million white men fighting in Europe and no new immigrants entering the country, many jobs in the United States became available to blacks and women for the first time.
2Both groups proved their ability to do any kind of job. Women became railway conductors, brick layers, and factory workers. Their presence in traditionally male workplace produced many problems. Men were annoyed by women’s higher productivity and willingness to work for lower pay. Working mothers were often criticized for leaving their families. But many women welcomed the responsibilities. “It was not until our men were called overseas,” said one woman bank executive, “that we make any real onslaught on the realm of finance, and became tellers, managers of departments, and junior and senior officers.”
3Women who did not take jobs helped in the war effort in other ways. They made uniforms, rolled bandages, and campaigned for the sale of Liberty Bonds to help finance the war.
4American manufacturers offered jobs to large numbers of black Americans for the first time as a result of the war. Most factories were located in the North. To take advantage of these new job opportunities, many black families moved from their homes in the South to the Northern cities such as Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Buffalo, Chicago, and Detroit.
5White Americans were of two minds about the role of black Americans in the war effort. On the one hand, black workers’ ability to learn new jobs quickly and do them well strengthened the home front, and the black men’s fighting ability helped the Allies win the war. However, many whites did not want to acknowledge that blacks were capable, effective workers. White soldiers returning from the war had no desire to compete for jobs with blacks on equal terms. At the same time, many blacks were not willing to a lesser role once the war had ended.
小題1:Why could American women and backs find jobs during World War I?

A．They were taken to serve the war.	B．They had their equal right at that time.
C．Workforce was in great need.	D．They had better productivities.

小題2:Which of the following is Untrue according to the above passage?

A．Blacks women were not allowed to fight in World War I.

B．All American women went to work during World War I.

C．Northern cities applied more blacks during World War I.

D．Women and blacks earned a lot during World War I.

小題3:Which of the following is the main idea of the whole passage?
A. Americans benefited a lot from World Ward I.
B. World War I had strong effect on America.
C. Some Americans benefited from World War I indirectly.
D. U.S.A. women and blacks contributed much in World War I.
小題4:Which of the following shows the right structures of the above passage?

A．1→23→45	B．1→2→3→4→5
C．1→23→4→5	D．123→4→5

Don’t invite crime--take basic, sensible precautions. Your house and possession are valuable and must be properly protected. When you buy a lock, you buy time --- and this is the one thing a burglar can’t afford. Most thieves are casual opportunists to whom the best deterrents（遏制性因素） are delay and noise which could mean discovery. 
When you leave it, lock it!
First of all, fit security locks to all doors and windows and a safety chain on the front door. Secondly, use them! If you have any ladders or tools, don’t leave them lying about in the garden, lock them away. “Safe” or “secret” places for keys and valuables are not reliable - nine times out of ten, they are the first place a thief will look.
When you move house...
When you move into a new home even if it is fitted with security locks, change them. You don’t know who else may have keys.
Never let strangers into your house. An official - looking cap is not enough, ask for proof of identity and look at it carefully - if you are still not satisfied, don’t let the person in.
Valuables need special protection
Valuables should really be given special protection - preferably by leaving them with your bank. A small security safe works too, but not to the most determined burglar. It is also important to keep an up - to - date list of valuables and their descriptions. In the case of fine art, paintings, or jewelry, color photographs can sometimes be of assistance to the police if you are unfortunate enough to have them stolen. Enter the details on the back of the pictures. But don’t keep such documents in your house, keep them at the hank or with your insurance company.
Going on holiday?
Don’t talk about your holidays and future plans loudly in public. Do remember to cancel the milk and newspapers and also to draw curtains back.
Operate a “Good Neighbor” program to ensure that mail is taken in, the house is checked regularly and that lights are put on.
Call at your local police station and tell them you are going away. Make sure that they know how to contact you in case of trouble.
Don’t leave cash or valuables in the house—take them with you or put them in the bank．
小題1:How should you deal with your ladders or tools?

A．You should leave them in the yard．

B．You should put them in the safe place and lock the door．

C．You should lean them against the tree in the yard．

D．You should take them apart．

小題2:When moving into a new house，you are supposed to_______．

A．stop using the original lock

B．buy a safe

C．never let officials into your house unless he wears an official cap

D．stay away from strangers

小題3:In case of your jewelry being stolen，you should do the following Except__________．

A．taking a color photo of it

B．keep them at the bank

C．keep the picture in your house

D．keep them with your insurance company

小題4:When you are away for holidays，you_________．

A．should cancel your mail

B．shouldn’t leave your keys to your neighbors

C．shouldn’t make it known that your home is empty

D．should ask the police to check your house regularly

According to new research，there could be a social hierarchy（等級）attached to where people stand in the lift．More senior men stand at the back，young men in the middle and women of all ages at the front．
Most people know that awkward feeling when you shuffle（拖著鞋走）into an elevator with other people and try not to make eye contact．
But new research suggests it may be down to a subconscious power struggle being played out as you make your way up or down．
A study found that people decide where they stand based on a micro social hierarchy，established within seconds of entering the lift．
Rebekah Rousi，a Ph．D．student in cognitive science，conducted all ethnographic study of elevator behaviour in two of the tallest office buildings in Adelaide，Australia．
As part of her research，she took a total of 30 lift rides in the two buildings，and discovered there was an established order to where people tended to stand．
In a blog for Ethnography Matters，she writes that more senior men seemed to direct themselves towards the back of the elevator cabins．
She said，“In front of them were younger men，and in front of them were women of all ages．”
She also noticed there was a difference in where people directed their gaze half way through the ride．
Men watched the monitors，looked in the side mirrors（in one building）to see themselves，and in the door mirrors（of the other building）to also watch others．
Women would watch the monitors and avoid eye contact with other users（unless in conversation）and the mirrors，she writes．
The doctorate student concluded it could be that people who are shyer stand toward the front，where they can’t see other passengers，whereas bolder people stand in the back，where they have a view of everyone else．
小題1:According to the passage，where do women likes to stand in the lift?

A．At the back．	B．At the front．
C．In the middle．	D．On the right．

小題2:What causes people to feel uncomfortable when entering the an elevator?

A．The manner people went into the lift．

B．The limited space in the lift．

C．The subconscious power struggle.

D．The micro social hierarchy．

小題3:Why did Rebekah Rousi take 30 lift rides in buildings in Adelaide，Australia?

A．To enjoy the tallest office building．

B．To make a study of elevator behavior．

C．To go to work there．

D．To experience the ride by elevator．

小題4:Which of following best summarizes the main idea of the passage?

A．Women are more attentive than men in the lift．

B．Both women and men like to watch the monitors in the lift．

C．The shyer you are，the more likely you are to stand at the back in the lift．

D．Why where you stand in the lift reflects your social status．

My cat Toto is aging，and as she ages，her body is failing her．Mentally，she seems sharp，but after nearly sixteen years，Toto’s hips are causing her obvious trouble．In fact，they make it so that she can’t use a litter box effectively．She tries to squat（蹲坐），but mostly she just pisses（撒尿）out the back end of the box．
I spent the summer working with my vet to find things to help Toto，but nothing works．Since we can’t stand the smell of cat urine in the house，two weeks ago I took drastic measures．I banished Toto outside．（She gets to come in while I work，but I put her out for 80％of the day and night．）
Because Toto now lives outside，she eats and drinks outside．I’ ve set up a heating pad on the porch．a(chǎn)nd given her own food and water area nearby．She seems perfectly content with this arrangement except when she’s out of food，or she wants to be petted．
Strangely enough，she’s been out of food a lot lately．“I think another cat is eating Toto’s food．”I told Kris when I first noticed how quickly she was going through her bowl．
“Actually，”I said a couple of days later，“maybe it’s a dog．Whoever is eating Toto’s food keeps knocking the bowl over．”
But a few days after that，I realized that the food thief probably wasn’t even a dog．Whatever the critter（動物）was，it was messy．  Every morning，Toto’s water dish was filled with mud．The food bowl was tipped over and the porch scattered with mud and debris（殘渣）．“I’ ll bet it’s a coon（浣熊），”I told Kris．Though we live in a residential neighborhood not far from Portland，we’ ve seen plenty of raccoons in the six years since we moved in．
Today I got to see the cat－food thievery first－h(huán)and．Turns out it’s not one raccoon－it’s a family of four．I was lucky enough to have my camera handy as they performed their daring raid：My favorite part of this video is how Toto simply sits on her heating pad and watches the raccoons eat her food．She isn’t bothered at all．
小題1:Which of the following about Toto is true?

A．She is physically sharp．

B．She is at least sixteen years old．

C．She can’t use a litter box properly．

D．She stays outside all the while recently．

小題2:The underlined part in the second paragraph is closest in meaning to________．

A．drove away or forced somebody or something to leave

B．put away or stored something

C．protected somebody or something from being harmed

D．threw something away

小題3:What does the writer like most about what he filmed?

A．How Toto fought against the raccoons．

B．A family of raccoons stole the food together．

C．Toto’s casual attitude toward the raccoons．

D．How the raccoons made the writer’s porch dirty．

小題4:What would be the best title of the passage?

A．My Aged Cat	B．A Banished Cat
C．An Unforgettable Experience	D．The Raccoons on My Porch

Statuses are marvelous human inventions that enable us to get along with one another and to determine where we “fit”in society．As we go about our everyday lives，we mentally attempt to place people in terms of their statuses．For example，we must judge whether the person in the library is a reader or a librarian，whether the telephone caller is a friend or a salesman，whether the unfamiliar person on our property is a thief or a meter reader，and so on．
The statuses we assume often vary with the people we encounter，and change throughout life．Most of us can，at very high speed，assume the statuses that various situations require．Much of social interaction consists of identifying and selecting among appropriate statuses and allowing other people to assume their statuses in relation to us．This means that we fit our actions to those of other people，based on a constant mental process of appraisal and interpretation．Although some of us find the task more difficult than others．most of us perform it rather effortlessly．
A status has been compared to ready－made clothes．Within certain limits the buyer can choose style and fabric．But an American is not free to choose the costume of a Chinese peasant or that of a Hindu prince．We must choose from among the clothing presented by our society．Further more，our choice is limited to a size that will fit，as well as by our pocketbook．Having made a choice within these limits，we can have certain alterations made，but apart from minor adjustments．We tend to be limited to what the stores have on their racks．Statuses too come ready made，and the range of choice among them is limited．
小題1:In the first paragraph the writer tells us that statuses can help us_________．

A．protect ourselves in unfamiliar situations

B．make friends with other people

C．determine whether a person is fit for a certain job

D．behave appropriately in relation to other people

小題2:According to the writer，people often assume different statuses ________．

A．in order to identify themselves with others

B．a(chǎn)s the situation changes

C．in order to better identify others

D．a(chǎn)s their mental processes change

小題3:The underlined word“appraisal”in the 2nd paragraph most likely means_______．

A．judgment

B．a(chǎn)ppreciation

C．involvement

D．presentation

小題4:In the last sentence of the second paragraph，“it”refers to“_________”．

A．identification of other people’s statuses

B．fitting our actions to those of other people appropriately

C．selecting one’s own statuses

D．constant mental process

小題5:By saying that“an American is not free to choose the costume of a Chinese peasant or that of a Hindu prince”，the writer means___________．

A．different people have different styles of clothes

B．ready－made clothes may need alterations

C．our choice of statuses is limited

D．statuses come ready made just like clothes

Gardening can be a very relaxing hobby for many people and this wonderful experience is not just for adults. Children are interested in gardening as well, if given the chance to explore nature and science in this way. Gardening can bring joy to both children and their parents alike, especially when the experience is shared together.
The time that is spent gardening together builds precious memories within their hearts and minds for years to come. When you are gardening with your children, try to give them their own special area. Keep their area in the center of the best soil and light, as you want to make sure of a successful gardening experience.
Plastic tools easily break and are difficult to use in the dirt, so when you are gardening with your children, give them real tools to use if possible. Even offering to let them use your tools is a way to admit the worth of the work they are doing. It is also important to talk with your children about the whole process of gardening, from planting to the harvest. They need to understand how things work and the importance of what they are doing.
Show off the children’s gardening work by taking friends and visitors for a walking tour through the garden and point out the children’s particular spot. When you give attention to the children’s work, this is a great motivation（動機） for children to continue wanting to be involved. Do not force children to take part when they are in a bad mood or if they are becoming bored. Instead, allow them to do something different, like building a scarecrow(稻草人)! This makes the gardening experience even more interesting. As you work together side by side with your children, you will encourage a love of the land in them, as well as create lasting memories of time spent with you.
小題1:What is the text mainly about?

A．Teaching children how to garden.

B．Giving children the chance to show off

C．Helping children realize the importance of work.

D．Sharing the joy of gardening with children.

小題2:Why should you introduce your children’s work to your friends?

A．It makes your friends believe your children are smart.

B．It helps you gain more confidence in your children.

C．It encourages children to continue doing such work.

D．It attracts your friends to take part in your gardening.

小題3:What kind of people is the text mainly written for?

A．Children

B．Parents

C．Farmers

D．Teachers

When the recent research was analyzed（分析）, it was found that a lot of people wanted free pictures or free music from the Web. If it couldn’t be free, then they wanted it “new” or at least at a low price. It seems that 70 percent of people aged 16 to 24 download music online but only 1 in 40 tracks are bought legally.
Thus, some companies are planning to give all of their music away for free. The music will be totally free except that you will have to pay with your time by watching advertisements. This will be perfect for those who have lots of time but little money.
The Web has encouraged a belief that things can be free, or at least very cheap. It seems that everyone is looking for a good deal on the Web. The desire for free objects is part of the nature of the Web because the Web is about self-service and self-service is all about being free, cheap, fast and convenient. It’s interesting how words change their meaning. Stealing has now become file sharing, but it’s not really stealing, is it?
Free is a funny word. We all know that very little is really for free. If we go searching on the Web for free music, we know—or should know—that there are risks involved. However, it doesn’t matter. We still want free things, or at least the sense that we’re getting a real bargain and that at a minimum we’re saving time.
What can be the worst experience on the Web? A site that charges us high prices and wastes our time.
小題1:What is the best title for the text?

A．The Nature of the Web	B．The Web and the Culture of “ Free”
C．Stealing and File Sharing	D．What Does the Word “ Free” Mean?

小題2:Why do some companies “ sell” their music for free?

A．Their music is not popular and is out of date.

B．Most people have lots of time but little money.

C．Their music can’t be sold new or for a low price.

D．They can earn money from the advertisements added in the music.

小題3:Which of the following can best describe the belief of the Web?

A．Risky behaviour

B．Stealing

C．File sharing

D．For fun.

In some Western countries, there are many opportunities for adults who want to improve their lives. There are public schools you can attend. In the schools, you can take things like English, arithmetic, and history. You can find classes in almost any subject you want to study. You may want to learn to type, sew, paint, or fix TV sets. You may want to learn more about trade you are already in. You may want to learn a new trade. You may want to get a high school diploma. You may even want to go to college. All it takes is time and effort.
In many cities, there are adult classes in the public schools. You can attend many of these classes without having to pay money. In some schools you may have to pay a small fee. There are also many kinds of private schools for adults.
In addition to schools, many industries and unions conduct on-the-job training programs. In these programs you hear about new ideas and learn new skills. Many large companies will send a worker to school if he or she has ability.
Many job opportunities are offered to those who wish to work. It helps if you know more than one language. There are good jobs for interpreters and typists who know English and another language.
There are many good jobs in government. In most cases, you must be a citizen of this country, and you must take a civil service examination. These examinations are open to everyone, regardless of race, religion, or color.
For many civil service jobs you need a high school diploma. The person who does not have a high school diploma can get one. There are several ways. You can study high school subjects at home and then take special tests. If you pass the tests, then you get a diploma. Or you can go to night school. There are classes that prepare you to take special tests to earn a diploma.
You can attend a night school that grants a high school diploma if you complete certain courses. If you do this, you do not have to take the special test.
Be as well trained as you can. Get as much training as you can. Opportunity knocks at every door. Be sure that when it knocks at your door you are ready.
小題1:According to the article, if you want to live a better life, you have to get__________.

A．some time

B．a(chǎn)n education

C．new ideas

D．new jobs

小題2:In many places, public schooling for adults is ____________________.

A．difficult

B．easy

C．free

D．new

小題3:What does this article tell us?

A．Civil service jobs are offered to everyone.

B．Only a citizen can apply for a government job.

C．Training programs are often poorly organized.

D．Large companies will send most of their workers to school.

小題4:We can see that___________________________________.

A．well-trained people are often out of work

B．typists who know English earn much more money

C．one can work on a high school diploma at home

D．the person without a high school diploma can also get a civil service job

小題5:The purpose of adults’ going to night school is to_______________.

A．take special tasks	B．complete certain courses
C．get more training	D．get a diploma