Small talk, also called chitchat, is short conversations people have with others, while they wait in line at the store, at family events or work. Many people find these small conversations about random topics difficult. Some people say they hate it. Others say small talk is a waste of time. They may even call it idle chitchat or idle chatter, meaning it doesn’t do anything, so they think little of it.1..
These exchanges can open doors that may lead to larger, more meaningful conversations. When you first meet someone or talk to someone you don’t know well, it would be awkward to begin a conversation about a really deep topic.2.Let’s say you make small talk with someone at a party. But they only want to talk about their cats. Then you can talk about animals together first, which may lead the conversation to the way you want.
3.Chatting with a colleague about his child may help you to understand more of his life outside the office. This could help build healthy work relationships.
Small talk could even help your larger communities----your relationships with neighbors and colleagues. Exchanging a recipe with a neighbor may make her noises upstairs easier to live with.
4.Most people said they do not talk to strangers while travelling on a subway. Researchers at the University of Chicago then asked some participants in a study to talk to people while communicating to work on a train. They found that those who made small talk with strangers were happier than those who sat alone.5.Maybe your life will become more cheerful just because of it.
A. Small talk may make you happier.
B. So why not try talking to someone?
C. Small talk can give you the chance to start.
D. However, some people are not good at small talk.
E. However, small talk is of great importance to everyone.
F. Small talk can also increase your feeling of understanding.
G. It’s easy to start a conversation by sharing the same experience.
NASA might be famous for sending rockets up to space quickly. But it will be more famous for making your next holiday come more quickly.
The space agency is working on a new plane, which could solve the problems of supersonic(超音速的) flight and vastly increase the speed of journeys abroad. If successful, the plane would be able to fly between New York and London in just three hours. And it would reduce the time spent flying other journeys by a half, since it could be used more broadly. Until now, the problem with such planes has been the sonic boom(声爆), made famous by the original Concorde. That happens when a plane reaches supersonic speeds.
It is a thunderous noise that upsets people on the ground— disturbing animals and even causing physical problems to materials and houses underneath. It was that effect that led Congress to ban such planes from being used over the US land, a decision that in turn was responsible for Concorde’s failing to be commercially used.
In view of the problem, the space agency has developed a new technology and tried it out in wind tunnels, and now believes that it could be put to commercial use. That plane will fly as high as 55,000 feet—far higher than normal planes—and make a sound of only 60 decibels. That’s far less than 90 decibels thrown out by normal planes, and is roughly in line with a car on the motorway or a busy restaurant.
“As long as we can get endorsement from the general public, the plane will probably be something that’s acceptable,” said Peter Coen, project manager for NASA’s commercial supersonic research team, in a new Bloomberg report. “If we get approved, we will have the full-sized version of the plane tried out and the plane will be put into use.”
1.Why does the author mention Concorde?
A. To suggest the rapid development of planes.
B. To stress the negative effect of sonic booms.
C. To introduce how a commercial plane is designed.
D. To show Congress’ important role in making planes.
2.What is the fourth paragraph mainly about?
A. The basic data of the new plane.
B. The working principle of the new plane.
C. The problems of the new plane.
D. The potential market of the new plane.
3.What does the underlined word “endorsement” in paragraph 5 mean?
A. Response
B. Commitment
C. Investment
D. Agreement
4.What is the purpose of the passage?
A. To inform people of NASA’s new plane.
B. To prove the disadvantages of supersonic flight.
C. To explain why speed matters in supersonic flight.
D. To clarify some misunderstandings about commercial planes.
The Peanuts Movie, which hits theaters today, brings to life one of the most popular comic strips(连环漫画) ever to appear in print. For decades, kids have found humor and comfort in Charlie Brown and his pet dog, Snoopy. The characters came from the pen of Charles M. Schulz, whose comic strip, Peanuts, first appeared in newspapers in 1950.
Schulz, who died in 2000, was one of the most influential cartoonists in history. His son, Craig Schulz, has reinvented the Peanuts characters for a new generation of kids who may only be familiar with the holiday specials on TV. Craig co-wrote the screenplay for The peanuts Movie with his own son, Bryan.
Director Steve Martino created the computer-animated 3D characters for the movie. Even though he used new technology, he wanted to stay true to Charles Schulz’s original drawings. “I love to draw, I love to tell stories, and I got to do it in a big movie like this,” Martino said. “My hope was to bring these characters to life in a bigger way than we’ve ever seen, but be truthful to who they’ve always been.”
11-year-old Noah Schnapp voices the character of Charlie Brown. “It was a bit difficult at the beginning,” Noah said. “But once I got into it, I had so much fun.” Alex Garfin, 12, is the voice of Linus, Charlie’s friend. Alex has words of wisdom not just for Charlie, but also for kids who want to work on the entertainment industry. “If you don’t succeed, try again,” he said. “You may not succeed 99 percent of the time, but that 1 percent probability will bring you something.” Francesca Capaldi, 11, who voices the Little Red-Haired Girl, agrees.
“Dream big,” she said. “If you really want something, just go for it.”
1.What can we know about The Peanuts Movie?
A. It is more popular than the comic strip Peanuts
B. it was changed into TV specials by Craig Schulzz.
C. It has more characters than the comic strip Peanuts
D. Charles Schulz’s son and grandson wrote the screenplay.
2.Steve Martino thinks it is important to _________.
A. bring the main characters to life.
B. make the movie fit for today’s kids.
C. develop the movie using new technology.
D. keep the characters what they’ve been like
3.How many characters of the movie are mentioned in the text?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 5
D. 6
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A. A computer-animated movie brings Peanuts to life
B. The Peanuts Movie helps you realize your dream.
C. Charles Schulz and his comic strip Peanuts.
D. The Schulzs give you humor and comfort.
I recently posted a picture on Facebook from the movie Mad Max, a film where two groups race through the desert in steampunk vehicles, and wrote, “Actual picture of my way to work today.” It was meant to be a joke because of the sandstorms in Beijing, but one of my friends from back home thought it was real.
I couldn’t imagine how they could think that is actually what China is like. China has so many more conveniences and advantages than the West, and many of my friends agree. “I don’t know how I will be able to deal when I go back home,” said a friend who is about to end her gap year in Beijing. “I’ve become so spoiled in China.”
China seems to be leading the way in innovation(创新) and convenience for daily life. Back home I could never shop, pull out my phone and scan a QR code to pay.
There have been rumors of starting bike sharing in my hometown for years with little success while bike sharing suddenly appeared in Beijing overnight. I just step outside and scan a code, and I am on my way.
Going out to eat with a group of friends back home was troublesome for both the group and the servers. Splitting bills and swiping(刷) 10 different cards or making change for each person in the group can be a pain. But with China’s WeChat, you can quickly send your friends your part of the bill.
The list goes on…
When I first arrived in Beijing, I was dead set on leaving in a month. That month has come and gone. Now, when someone asks me when I’m coming back, I think to myself, “Who knows?”
While my friends think I am riding through the desert on a motorbike, I am actually taking a Didi for what is the equivalent of $5 in the US.
With all the conveniences and technology here, I may never want to go back.
1.What’s the function of Paragraph 1?
A. To introduce a movie. B. To introduce the topic.
C. To tell an interesting story. D. To show the weather in Beijing.
2.How did the author feel when he first came to Beijing?
A. He didn’t want to stay long. B. He couldn’t stand the weather.
C. He never wanted to go back home. D. He was amazed at the bike sharing.
3.What can we infer from the text?
A. China is the first country to start bike sharing.
B. The author has become used to mobile payment in China.
C. People always use WeChat to pay when eating out in the US.
D. The author’s friends all know the convenience of living in China.
4.What does the text intend to tell us?
A. Bike sharing has spread all over China.
B. Foreigners have misunderstandings of China.
C. Life in foreign countries is not as easy as we thought.
D. Technology has brought much convenience in China.
February half-term is fast approaching, and now is the time to start organizing your week off if you're aiming for a quick and cheap getaway anywhere but home.
1. Shard London stay, ￡181 for a family of 4
Get a whole new perspective on the capital with Superbreak's View from the Shard package. On Level 72, the highest public level of The Shard, visitors will have the chance to try out the most breathtking experience, as they are exposed to the elements and sounds of the city beneath.
2. Dublin countryside, ￡198 per adult, kids stay free and free breakfast
Dublin is a great city for kids, with both fun and educational visits from the Leprechaun Museum to the Dublin Writers Museum. In a hillside position overlooking Dublin Bay and dating back to 1740,Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel is an affordable choice for a half term break by car with Irish Ferries.
3. Woolacombe Bay, Devon, ￡220 for a family of 6
Woolacombe Bay Holiday Parks in Devon is highlighting a wealth of deals at February half-term including four-night midweek stays-from 15 February-at ￡220 for a family of six.
The package includes accommodation in a model Bronze caravan (活动房屋) holiday home, sleeping up to six and with heating in the lounge and bedrooms, plus private car parking.
Free indoor all-weather facilities include a heated swimming pool, children's play areas, a cinema, clubs for youngsters and entertainment.
4. Northumberland castle, ￡99.50 per adult, kids go free
Take your children to a 14 century Northumberland castle this half term, and allow them to play prince or princess during a stop.
Luxurious Langley Castle, at Langley-on-Tyne, a short drive from Hexham, is ideal for families wishing to explore Hadrian's Wall and discover life as a Roman, explore Hexham Abbey, or head off to Newcastle for shopping and visitor attractions.
Children will also love the daily Battlements Tour, which will take them right to the top ofthe castle,to look out towards Hadrian's Wall and across Langley's grounds.
1.Where can visitor go if they want their kids to have both fun and educational visits?
A. Shard London stay.
B. Woolacombe Bay.
C. Northumberland castle.
D. Dublin countryside.
2.What is special about visiting Woolacombe Bay, Devon?
A. There are free indoor all-weather facilities.
B. Kids can have the most breathtaking experience.
C. Kids can play prince and princess.
D. It can provide tasty and free breakfast.
3.How much will a couple with two kids pay if they visit Northumberland castle?
A. ￡99.5. B. ￡199.
C. ￡398. D. ￡298.5.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.Which road will stay closed for over an hour?
A. M16 B. M30 C. M43
2.Why is North Street closed to all cars?
A. The snow hasn’t been cleared. B. There’s an accident.
C. It is under repair.
3.How can passengers get the latest information about trains?
A. By visiting a website. B. By sticking to the radio.
C. By making a call.
4.What is the weather going to be like in the evening?
A. Snowy. B. Windy. C. Cloudy.
