Put a group of strangers in a room together, and they’ll probably start a conversation.“Hot today, isn’t it?” one might say.“You said it.” another replies.
Why do we talk so much about the weather? When we meet new people,we don’t begin by telling them our life story. We start with small talk, a polite conversation about something like traffic or weather.
Research suggests that small talk can build new friendships. When we begin conversations with new people, we want to feel comfortable, and so do they. We use small talk to find common interests. Once we have a common interest, a friendship can begin.
Small talk even helps people get hired. In order to impress at a job interview, you need to bond with the interviewer right away. Proper small talk can make that first impression get you the job.
So,how can you make small talk lead to a new friendship or job? First off, find common ground. Select something around you that you share with the other person.
Next, keep the conversation going. Compliment(赞美)the other person to make him or her feel comfortable, and ask questions to show interest.
Third, keep eye contact(接触).When you look people in the eye, they feel you appreciate what they are saying. It makes you appear honest and builds trust.
Naturally, shy people might not have enough confidence to start up conversations with strangers. Talking to someone you don’t know is not the easiest thing to do! Some experts say with more practice, small talk does get easier.
Some people avoid small talk because they dislike discussing things like traffic or weather. For them, they are just too small.However,when you think about it, small talk is anything but small. In fact,it is actually a very big deal!
| Title | Small Talk:A Big(41) |
| Introduction | We are likely to make small talk when we(42) meet people. |
| (43) | ·Small talk can help people form(44) friendships. |
| ·Small talk can also help people get a(45) . | |
| Advice | ·Find some topics(46) with the other person. |
| ·Keep the talk going by making compliments and(47) questions. | |
| ·Keep eye contact in conversation to build(48) . | |
| ·(49) more in order to make small talk easier. | |
| Conclusion | Small talk really(50) a lot to us. |
41.Deal 42.first 43.Benefits/Advantages 44.new 45.job/position/post 46.shared 47.asking/raising 48.trust 49.Practice(Practise) 50.matters/means
In a society, such as the United States or Canada, which has many national, religious and cultural differences, people highly value individualism--the difference among people. Teachers place a lot of importance on the qualities that make each student special. The educational systems in these countries show these values. Students don't memorize information. Instead, they work individually and find answers themselves. There is often discussion in the classroom. At an early age, students learn to form their own ideas and opinions.
In most Asian societies, by contrast, people have the same language, history, and culture. Perhaps for this reason, the educational system in much of Asia reflects society’s belief in group goals and purposes rather than individualism. Children in China, Japan, and Korea often work together and help one another in assignments. In the classroom, the teaching methods are often very formal. The teacher lectures, and the students listen. There is not much discussion. Instead, the students recite rules of information that they have memorized.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both of these systems of education. For example, one advantage to the system in Japan is that there much more math and science than American students learn by the end of high school. They also study more hours each day and more days each year than North Americans do. The system is difficult, but it prepares students for a society that values discipline and self-control. There is, however, a disadvantage. Memorization is an important learning method in Japanese schools, yet many students say that after an exam, they forget much of the information that they have memorized.
The advantage of the educational system in North American, on the other hand, is that students learn to think for themselves. The system prepares them for a society that values creative ideas. There is, however, a disadvantage. When students graduate from high school, they haven’t memorized as many basic rules and facts as students in other countries have.
Title： 76 of Educational System between North America and Asia
| Students in the US and 77 | Students in China, Japan and Korea | |
| What do they 78 | Individualism | 79 goals and purposes |
| Different 80 of study | Working individually | Listening to the teachers |
| Forming their own ideas and opinions | Reciting rules and memorizing information | |
| A lot of discussion in the classroom | Not much discussion | |
| 81 | Learning to think for themselves | Learning much more math and science |
| Studying more hours each day and more days each year | ||
| Good for a society that values 82 | Good for a society valuing 83 and self-control | |
| Disadvantages | Students haven’t memorized many basic rules and facts before 84___ | Information is 85 easily. |
Directions: Read the following passage. Complete the diagram by using the information from the passage. Write NO MORE THAN 3 WORDS for each answer.
American public education has changed in recent years. One change is that increasing numbers of American parents and teachers are starting independent public schools called charter schools.
In 1991, there were no charter schools in the Unite States. Today, more than 2300 charter schools operate in 34 states and the District of Columbia. 575. 000 students attend these schools. The students are from 5 years of age through 18 or older.
A charter school is created by groups of parents, teachers and community members. It is similar in some ways to a traditional public school. It receives tax money to operate a number of students. The charter school must prove to local or state governments that its students are learning. These governments provide the school with the agreement, or charter that permits it to operate.
Unlike a traditional public school, however, the charter school does not have to obey most laws governing public schools. Local, state or federal governments cannot tell it what to teach.
Each school can choose its own goals and decide the ways it wants to reach those goals. Class sizes are usually smaller than in many traditional public schools. Many students and parents say teachers in charter schools can be more creative.
However, state education agencies, local education-governing committees and unions often oppose charter schools. They say these schools may receive money badly needed by traditional public schools. Experts say some charter schools are doing well while others are struggling.
Congress provided 200 million dollars for establishing charter schools in the 2006 federal budget. But, often the schools say they lack enough money for programs. Many also lack needed space, District officials say they have provided 14 former school buildings for charter education. Yet charter school supporters say officials should try harder to find more space.
Title: 71.
| 72 ________ | Independent public school | ||
| Similarities between charter schools and traditional schools | ●73 ________ to operate U number of students ●Having to prove the students are learning ●Getting 74 ________ to operate from government | ||
| 75 __________ between charter schools and traditional schools | ●Not having to obey most laws for public schools ●Being free to decide the 76 ________ ●Being free to choose the goals and decide 77 ________ them ●There usually being 78 ________ students in charter schools’classes ●Having teachers who are more creative | ||
| Charter school's problems | Opinions from education departments | These schools receiving money badly needed by 79 ________ Not all doing well | |
| Opinions from charter schools | Lacking enough money Lacking 80．_________ | ||