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Passage 8
Small talk, large effect
Many people think small talk is unimportant. In fact, small talk is a big part of daily life. "Small talk may seem trivial(微不足道的), but it's a natural way for people to connect. It may seem like a waste of time, but it serves an important role in our social interactions(交往). Big relationships are built on small talk," Lindy Pegler, who has a master's degree in psychology, wrote on Medium.
In fact, we spend a lot of our time making small talk. Often, we find ourselves making small talk with the same people on a regular basis. Coming up with small conversations is the foundation(基础) of these relationships.
The advances of such conversations can in fact contribute to our happiness and benefit our lives as a whole. In a recent study, researchers found that having a healthy amount of acquaintances(相识的人) and keeping these relationships contribute to one's sense of belonging to a community.
So how does one start making small talk? It can be as simple as admiring one's shirt, asking about their day or commenting on the traffic. "First and foremost, small talk is an act of politeness," Pegler noted. "Our small talk at our first meeting is our chance to show who we are," she added.
Who knows where this can lead? Nowadays, the small connections we make can lead to big results. You might find someone who has a common interest, or maybe even someone who turns out to be a close friend.
There is one thing for sure: Making small talk can brighten our day, even if it's just a nice comment or a thoughtful question.
1. What is in fact a big part of daily life?
2. What topics does the writer suggest talking about to start making small talk?
3. According to Pegler, why do we make small talk?
4. Would you like to try to make small talk in your daily life? Why or why not? (Please give two reasons.)
Small talk, large effect
Many people think small talk is unimportant. In fact, small talk is a big part of daily life. "Small talk may seem trivial(微不足道的), but it's a natural way for people to connect. It may seem like a waste of time, but it serves an important role in our social interactions(交往). Big relationships are built on small talk," Lindy Pegler, who has a master's degree in psychology, wrote on Medium.
In fact, we spend a lot of our time making small talk. Often, we find ourselves making small talk with the same people on a regular basis. Coming up with small conversations is the foundation(基础) of these relationships.
The advances of such conversations can in fact contribute to our happiness and benefit our lives as a whole. In a recent study, researchers found that having a healthy amount of acquaintances(相识的人) and keeping these relationships contribute to one's sense of belonging to a community.
So how does one start making small talk? It can be as simple as admiring one's shirt, asking about their day or commenting on the traffic. "First and foremost, small talk is an act of politeness," Pegler noted. "Our small talk at our first meeting is our chance to show who we are," she added.
Who knows where this can lead? Nowadays, the small connections we make can lead to big results. You might find someone who has a common interest, or maybe even someone who turns out to be a close friend.
There is one thing for sure: Making small talk can brighten our day, even if it's just a nice comment or a thoughtful question.
1. What is in fact a big part of daily life?
Small talk.
2. What topics does the writer suggest talking about to start making small talk?
One's shirt, their day or the traffic.
3. According to Pegler, why do we make small talk?
For people to connect and to show politeness.
4. Would you like to try to make small talk in your daily life? Why or why not? (Please give two reasons.)
Yes, because small talk can brighten my day and help me build connections with others.
答案
1. Small talk. 2. One's shirt, their day or the traffic. 3. For people to connect and to show politeness.
4. Yes, because small talk can brighten my day and help me build connections with others.
4. Yes, because small talk can brighten my day and help me build connections with others.
解析
【分析】
这是一篇信息类阅读问答题，解题的核心思路是带着每道题的题干关键词回到原文精准定位，优先从原文中找对应表述提取答案：
1. 第一题抓取关键词"a big part of daily life"，直接回到原文对应段落找原句就能得到答案；
2. 第二题抓取关键词"start making small talk"和"topics"，定位到介绍闲聊开启方式的段落，提取文中列举的相关话题即可；
3. 第三题抓取人名Pegler，找到文中所有出现该人物观点的位置，将两处相关表述整合归纳就能得到完整答案；
4. 第四题为开放性问题，结合文中介绍的闲聊的好处，给出两个符合逻辑的理由即可。
【解析】
1. 回到原文第一段第二句"In fact, small talk is a big part of daily life."，可直接提取对应答案。
2. 回到原文第四段第二句"It can be as simple as admiring one's shirt, asking about their day or commenting on the traffic."，提取文中列举的闲聊开启话题即可。
3. 整合文中Pegler的两处观点：第一段提到闲聊是人们建立联结的自然方式，第四段提到闲聊首先是一种礼貌行为，将两点整合就得到完整答案。
4. 开放性问题，结合文本提到的闲聊能点亮日常、帮助建立社交联结等益处，给出两个合理理由即可，示例答案符合答题要求。
【答案】
1. Small talk.
2. One's shirt, their day or the traffic.
3. For people to connect and to show politeness.
4. Yes, because small talk can brighten my day and help me build connections with others.
【知识点】
阅读理解细节定位，文本信息整合，英语情景表达
【点评】
本题整体难度较低，前三道题的答案几乎都可以直接从原文中定位提取，重点考察学生快速查找文本信息的能力，最后一道开放题引导学生将文本内容和自身生活实际结合，锻炼了学生的逻辑表达和语言输出能力。
【难度系数】
0.7
这是一篇信息类阅读问答题，解题的核心思路是带着每道题的题干关键词回到原文精准定位，优先从原文中找对应表述提取答案：
1. 第一题抓取关键词"a big part of daily life"，直接回到原文对应段落找原句就能得到答案；
2. 第二题抓取关键词"start making small talk"和"topics"，定位到介绍闲聊开启方式的段落，提取文中列举的相关话题即可；
3. 第三题抓取人名Pegler，找到文中所有出现该人物观点的位置，将两处相关表述整合归纳就能得到完整答案；
4. 第四题为开放性问题，结合文中介绍的闲聊的好处，给出两个符合逻辑的理由即可。
【解析】
1. 回到原文第一段第二句"In fact, small talk is a big part of daily life."，可直接提取对应答案。
2. 回到原文第四段第二句"It can be as simple as admiring one's shirt, asking about their day or commenting on the traffic."，提取文中列举的闲聊开启话题即可。
3. 整合文中Pegler的两处观点：第一段提到闲聊是人们建立联结的自然方式，第四段提到闲聊首先是一种礼貌行为，将两点整合就得到完整答案。
4. 开放性问题，结合文本提到的闲聊能点亮日常、帮助建立社交联结等益处，给出两个合理理由即可，示例答案符合答题要求。
【答案】
1. Small talk.
2. One's shirt, their day or the traffic.
3. For people to connect and to show politeness.
4. Yes, because small talk can brighten my day and help me build connections with others.
【知识点】
阅读理解细节定位，文本信息整合，英语情景表达
【点评】
本题整体难度较低，前三道题的答案几乎都可以直接从原文中定位提取，重点考察学生快速查找文本信息的能力，最后一道开放题引导学生将文本内容和自身生活实际结合，锻炼了学生的逻辑表达和语言输出能力。
【难度系数】
0.7
