Ⅰ.阅读理解
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 sore 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 fivestep 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.
1．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.
2．The personal introduction
You should mention something about yourself, such as your name. A good personal introduction helps move the conversation forward.
3．Looking 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.
4．Expanding 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 (支配) the conversation either. If that starts to happen, mention something about yourself when he or she takes a breath.
5．A 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.”
语篇解读：本文向学生介绍了如何通过聊天建立友谊的技巧。
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 the room louder
D．show your eagerness to make a conversation
解析：选D 细节理解题。根据文章第四段“The purpose of talking about the setting is to show the other person that you are willing to make a conversation.”可知谈论环境是一个很好的开始谈话的契机。
2．What is the reader advised to do when making small talk?
A．Turn the conversation to your advantage.
B．Never cut in when the other person is talking.
C．Do whatever you can to avoid quiet moments.
D．Focus on topics both sides are interested in.
解析：选D 推理判断题。根据文章第六段中“At this point, you and your conversation partner need to find common ground.”可知。
3．When ending a conversation, you'd better “________”．
A．talk about how much you want to keep talking
B．show that you've enjoyed the talk
C．mention a specific movie that you love
D．give your opinion about the other person's earlier comments
解析：选B 细节理解题。根据文章最后一段“For example, you could say，‘I really ... you think I might enjoy.’”可知。
4．The main purpose of the article is to ________.
A．encourage students to make more friends at school
B．give students tips on making small talk
C．introduce popular topics for students to have daily conversations about
D．teach students how to create their friendships
解析：选B 写作意图题。根据文章第一段可知这是写给学生看的。再结合第一句话“How did your friendships begin? ”可推测作者的意图是向学生介绍如何通过聊天建立友谊的技巧。
