Question

We’ve all been there: in a lift, in line at the bank or on an airplane, surrounded by people who are, like us, deeply focused on their smartphones or, worse, struggling with the uncomfortable silence.

What’s the problem? It’s possible that we all have compromised conversational intelligence. It’s more likely that none of us start a conversation because it’s awkward and challenging, or we think it’s annoying and 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 benefits.

Dismissing small talk as unimportant is easy, but we can’t forget that deep relationships wouldn’t

even exist if it weren’t for casual conversation. Small talk is the grease(润滑剂) 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, associate professor of psychology at UBC, invited people on their way into a coffee shop. One group was asked to seek out an interaction(互动) with its waiter; the other, to speak only when necessary. The results showed that those who chatted with their server reported significantly higher positive 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(边缘的) members of our social network matter for our well-being also.＂

Dunn believes that people who reach out to strangers feel a significantly greater sense of belonging, a bond 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 phenomenon is described in the first paragraph?

A. Addiction to smartphones.

B. Inappropriate behaviours in public places.

C. Absence of communication between strangers.

D. Impatience with slow service.

2.What is important for successful small talk according to Carducci?

A. Showing good manners.    B. Relating to other people.

C. Focusing on a topic.    D. Making business deals.

3.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.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A. Conversation Counts    B. Ways of Making Small Talk

C. Benefits of Small Talk    D. Uncomfortable Silence

Answer

1. C

2. B

3. D

4. C

【解析】

这是一篇议论文。在当今社会，人们在公共场合或沉迷于智能手机，或与不舒服的沉默抗争，陌生人之间缺乏沟通。但人与人之间是需要适当的交谈闲聊的，闲聊是人际关系社会交往必不可少的部分，而且也有很多好处。

1.主旨大意题。题干问的是：第一段描述了什么现象。在公共场合（比如在电梯里，在银行排队，或在飞机上）人们深深地专注于他们的智能手机，或者更糟糕的是，与不舒服的沉默抗争。有此可知，陌生人之间缺乏沟通。A项意为：沉迷于智能手机。B项意为：在公共场所不适当的行为。C项意为：陌生人之间缺乏沟通。D项意为：对缓慢的服务不耐烦。故选C项。

2.推理判断题。题干问得是对于Carducci来说，成功的闲聊中重要的是什么。根据第三段最后一句“The key to successful small talk is learning how to connect with others, not just communicate with them”（成功闲聊的关键是学习如何与他们交流，而不仅仅是与他们沟通。）由此推断C符合题意。A项意为：表现出良好的礼貌。B项意为：与他人有关的。C项意为：专注于一个话题。D项意为：做商业交易。故选B项。

3.推理判断题。题干问的是：咖啡店的研究对闲聊有什么建议。根据第四段的调查结果可知，那些与服务员聊天的人，有显著的积极情绪和更好的咖啡店体验。由此可知，D项符合题意。A项意为：闲聊改善了家庭关系。B项意为：闲聊提高了人们的信心。C项意为：闲聊和正式谈话一样重要。D项意为：闲聊让人感觉很好。故选D项。

4.主旨大意题。整篇文章刚开始介绍了社会的现象（公共场合人们沉迷于智能手机，陌生人之间缺乏沟通交流），接着分析了这一问题的原因，接下来有专家对闲聊进行了研究，最后得出结论，闲聊都有什么样的好处。A项意为：谈话很重要。B项意为：闲聊的方法。C项意为：闲聊的好处。D项意为：不舒服的沉默。故选C项。