Walking up to a stranger and starting a conversation matters much to making new friends. Making small
talk can also lead to important business relationships, but it takes confidence, preparation and practice. Do it
well, and people will feel relaxed with you and enjoy your company. So how can you learn the art of small
talk?
      Before you go to a business convention (正式会议) or other social situation, prepare three things that you
can talk about. They can be something in the news, a good movie or a popular sports team's recent win. Then
you have a topic to start with when you meet a new person. Also, don't wait for someone to approach you.
Look for someone who is standing alone, and start a conversation. Try a simple statement that you share
something in common:"The food looks delicious." Or There sure are a lot of people here." Then introduce
yourself, "Hi, I'm Helen. (Hold out your hand for a handshake.) I just moved here, and I love this weather."
     After you start a conversation, keep it going. Instead of asking questions that can be answered with a yes
or no, ask open-ended questions like,"What do you think of the meeting?" It's time to move on once you've
made a good impression. Be bright (smart and cheerful), be brief (don't talk too long), and be gone (there are
more people to meet).
     Use a goodbye line. To someone you enjoyed meeting at a gathering, say,"I really must be going, but it
was really nice to meet you. Here's my card." If they hand you their card, be sure to show interest in it. Read
it over briefly, and then put it in your pocket to show that it is valued.
     Making small talk will open doors to meeting many interesting people. When you show an interest in others,
they become interested in talking to you. Listening carefully and remembering a fascinating (迷人的) bit of
information about each person will come in use if you meet again.

1. What is the passage mainly about?

A. How to make new friends.
B. What's good about small talk.
C. The importance of business conversations.
D. How to make small talk.

2. According to the passage, being good at small talk ______.

A. decides the success of any business relationship
B. is a key to making new friends
C. doesn't need any practice
D. always makes people feel at home with strangers

3. The underlined word "approach" in Paragraph 2 probably means "______".

A. reach
B. introduce
C. like
D. teach

4. We learn from the passage that ______.

A. in a way small talk is a big challenge
B. most people like talking about food in small talk
C. personal cards are necessary in small talk
D. people can get much useful information in small talk