How is it done? Here are several skills （技能）that good talkers have. If you follow the skills, they will help you put people at their ease （自在）, 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 businessman says, “At business lunches, I always ask people what they did this morning. It's a common question, but it will get things going.” From there you can move on to other matters. Sometimes What he answers 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 wait for the answer. This point seems clear, but it isn't. Your questions should have a point and help to tell what kind of person you are talking to. And to find out, you really have to listen carefully and attentively.

　　Real listening at least means something. First it means not to change the subject of conversation. If someone sticks （坚持）to one topic, you can take it as a fact that he will be really interested in it. Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to tones （调子）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 situation （场合）of parting. If you're saying goodbye, 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 secret. Let people know what you feel, and they may walk away feeling as if they've known you half their life.

（　）1. You'll like to stay with certain people because ________ .

A. they know well how they can get along with others

B. you can often get much help from them

C. they are always glad to do anything for you

D. they will never get you into trouble

（　）2. Asking questions might be quite a good 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

（　）3. 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 answer attentively

C. wait quietly and patiently for his answer

D. ask another question

（　）4. 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

（　）5. If you are really happy in meeting someone again, ________ .

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

B. you may take him as your lifelong trustworthy friend

C. it's right for you to give him a second handshake

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

Three soldiers were on their way home from the war．They arrived at a small village, they were very tired and （1）,but they had no food or money．The only thing they did have was a cooking pot（锅）．

The soldiers built a small cooking fire,（2） their pot on it, and poured in some water． When a few villagers asked what they were doing, one of the soldiers answered that he was making stone soup． A few more villagers walking by stopped to （3）what was going on when they heard about it．

“Any soup needs salt and pepper,”the first soldier said,（4） some children ran to fetch salt and pepper．“Stones can be used to prepare good soup, but tomatoes would （5） it so much better,” the second soldier added．One woman said“Why, I think I have a tomato or two! ”She ran to get the tomatoes．

“Some cabbage would be a proper choice for a good stone soup! ”said the third soldier．Another woman said,“I think I can probably find some cabbage,”and （6）she ran．

“If only we had a bit of beef and some potatoes, this soup would be fit for a rich man's （7）．”The villagers thought it over, then ran to fetch what they had in their homes．A rich man's soup, and all from a few stones! It seemed like （8）!

The soldiers said“, If only we had a little milk, this soup would be fit for a king! ”And so other villagers （9） to get some milk．

“The soup is ready,”said the cooks,“and all will （10）it, but first we need to set the tables．”Some of the villagers said,“Such a great soup would be better （11）some bread and cakes,”so they brought the （12） two things and the meal was （13） by all．Never had there been such a （14） meal．Never had the villagers had such delicious soup, and all made from stones! They ate and drank and danced well into the night．

In the morning, the villagers gathered to say goodbye．“Many thanks to you,”they said,“for we shall （15）go hungry now that we have learned how to make soup from stones．”

1．A．hungry          B．bored          C．sleepy         D．sick

2．A．drew            B．threw          C．left           D．placed

3．A．see                     B．tell             C．imagine        D．notice

4．A．but              B．so             C．or             D．while

5．A．cook            B．do            C．invent         D．make

6．A．about            B．in             C．off           D．out

7．A．health            B．money         C．dream         D．table

8．A．art              B．magic          C．interest        D．supper

9．A．tried             B．returned       C．managed       D．came

10．A．want           B．buy             C．use            D．taste

11．A．over           B．besides         C．with          D．like

12．A．first           B．last            C．other          D．only

13．A．enjoyed        B．given          C．needed          D．brought

14．A．cheap         B．proper         C．special        D．public

15．A．later           B．ever           C．sometimes     D．never