Question

Some people make you feel comfortable when they are around. You spend an hour with them and feel as if you have known them half your life. These people have something in common. And once we know what it is, we can try to do it ourselves.

How is it done? Here are several skills that good talkers have. If you follow the skills, they’ll help you put people at their ease, and make friends with them quickly.

First of all, good talkers ask questions. Almost anyone, no matter how shy he is, will answer a question. One well-known businesswoman says, “At business lunches, I always ask people what they did that morning. It’s a common question, but it will get things going.” From there you can move on to other matters—sometimes to really personal questions. And how he answers will let you know how far you can go.

Second, once good talkers have asked questions, they listen to the answers. This point seems clear, but it isn’t. Your questions should have a point and help to tell what sort of person you are talking to. And to find out, you really have to listen carefully and attentively.

Real listening at least means some things. First it means not to change the subject of conversation. If someone sticks to one topic, you can take it as a fact that he’s really interested in it. Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to tones of voice. If the voice sounds dull, then, it’s time for you to change the subject.

Finally, good talkers know well how to deal with the occasion of parting. If you’re saying good-bye, you may give him a firm handshake and say, “I’ve really enjoyed meeting you.” If you want to see that person again, don’t keep it a secret. Let people know what you feel, and they may walk away feeling as if they’ve known you half their life.

Asking questions might be a quite good and suitable way _______.

A. for you to make more and more new friends

B. to begin your business talks

C. to get the conversation going smoothly

D. for you to make a deep and lasting impression on others

After having asked somebody a question, it’ll be polite of you to _______.

A. make clear what kind of person he is

B. listen to his reply attentively

C. wait quietly and patiently for his answer

D. go on asking him more questions

Generally speaking, good talkers are persons who _______.

A. are good at making any topic interesting

B. never talk too much or too little

C. always speak in a gentle way

D. know how and when they should change the topic of the talk

If you really take delight in meeting someone again, _______.

A. you may take him as your lifelong trustworthy friend

B. it seems necessary for you to let him know it

C. it’s proper for you to give him a second handshake

D. it’ll be helpful for you to have further understanding of him

Answer 1

【小题1】C

【小题2】B

【小题3】D

【小题4】B

解析:

文章主要教我们一些说话的技巧。

【小题1】C。推理判断题。从From there you can move on to other matters—sometimes to really personal questions可知问问题可以使谈话自然进行下去，故答案选C。

【小题2】B。事实细节题。从And to find out, you really have to listen carefully and attentively可知答案B正确。

【小题3】D。事实细节题。从Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to tones of voice. If the voice sounds dull, then, it’s time for you to change the subject可知答案D正确。

【小题4】B。事实细节题。从If you want to see that person again, don’t keep it a secret可知答案B正确。