54. Which of the following is TRUE according to the article?

   A. You can get electronic energy from your clothes in the future.

   B. Self-cleaning coats are developed for American scientists.

   C. We will no longer use fabrics made from oil in the future.

   D. The future high-tech clothing will be used only for soldiers.

53. How can high-tech fabrics protect people from danger?

   A. We will no more get hurt because of heavy batteries.

   B. High-tech fabrics serve as a kind of protection for soldiers.

   C. A soft helmet will become strong when you hit into something.

   D. Future clothing keeps us away from dirty things and bacteria.

52. “This kind of technology” means_________.

   A. clothing that makes you stronger                     B. self-cleaning clothing

   C. clothing that helps people walk                 D. self-powered clothing

   For example, electronics could get recharged in the future simply by plugging (插上插座) them into your outer wear, because Australian researchers are designing clothing that can collect energy from a person. The coats would include small things that change vibration energy (动能)  from a person’s movements into electricity. High-tech fabrics (纤维品) would carry this energy to  batteries (电池).

   “It will look like an ordinary (common) coat but have super energy,” said Adam Best, an Australian head research scientist. “This kind of technology has important uses for soldiers in the field and could mean they no longer need to carry heavy batteries,” Best added, “Above all, they’d be wearing the battery, not carrying it.” Besides helping soldiers, these coats could also have common uses for common people, such as powering radios, mobile phones, MP3 players or medical things. Solar-powered handbags could do the same thing.

   Thanks to self-cleaning fabrics developed by scientists working for the U.S. Air Force, underwear and sports clothing could go weeks without washing. The general idea of clothes that never get dirty can be found in the 1951 film The Man in the White Suit. The new technology helps keep off water, oil and bacteria (细菌).

   High-tech fabrics could also help serve as protection. For example, future fabrics could lead to soft helmets (头盔) that turn hard in an accident.

   Not all the possible fabrics of tomorrow are necessarily high-tech. For example, chicken feathers (羽毛) and other things of the farming industry could get changed into wool-like fabrics or cotton-like ones, helping use fewer fabrics made from oil.

   Scientific development is also creating wool that doesn’t become bigger or smaller after washing. And future clothing could help soldiers shoulder heavy bags and help people walk. But not all electronic coats have such uses ― some might serve as video game players with high technology and the latest fashion joined together perfectly.

   The world of fashion is set to be taken by high-tech clothing that works as you wear!

51. Where might you read a passage like this?

   A. In an English teaching book on how to help students talk.

   B. In a business course on how to make people happy.

   C. In a book which tells you what to do at social situations.

   D. In a book which helps you prepare for an opening talk.

C

   Fashion always keeps at least one eye on the future. Now scientists are lending a hand, developing tomorrow’s super-powered (超能) clothing such as coats that can recharge (再充电) your MP3 player and make you stronger.

50. What does the underlined sentence tell you about people?

   A. Men like to show off through stories.

   B. People are more interested in topics about themselves.

   C. Men are good at being good listeners.

   D. People will speak if they know each other very well.

49. To develop our listening skills, we’d better________.

   A. think of a news story about a sports star    B. remember the social rules are different

   C. look away from the person talking to us    D. smile from time to time to show our interest

48. We can encourage the speaker to go on talking during a conversation by _____.

   A. Saying “uh-huh”                                     B. Avoiding eye contact

   C. Looking at the watch                               D. Changing the subject

   A. 3.                       B. 4.                            C. 5.                            D. 6.

B

   Have you ever crossed the road to avoid talking to someone you meet? Would you love to go to a party and talk confidently (自信地) to every guest? And are you nervous about the idea of being at a social situation in another country? Don’t worry ― we can help you!

You needn’t worry about situations like these if you have good social skills. And they are easy to learn. Here are a few ideas to help you.

u       Learn how to do small talk

Small talk is very important and prepares for more serious conversations. Be prepared! Have some low-risk (低风险的) conversation openers ready. For example:

Ø         think of a recent news story ― not too serious, e.g. a story about a film star or sports star

Ø         think of “safe” things you can ask people’s opinions about ― music, sport, films, etc.

Ø         think of topics that you would avoid if you were talking to strangers ― and avoid talking about them! That way, you don’t damage your confidence!

u       Develop your listening skills

Listening is a skill which most people don’t have, but communication is a two-way process (过程) ― it includes speaking and listening. Always remember ― you won’t impress (留下印象) people if you talk too much. Here are some ideas to make you a better listener:

Do…

Ø         show that you are listening by using encouraging noises and gestures ― smiling, nodding, saying “uh-huh” and “OK”, etc.

Ø         keep good eye contact (交流)

Ø         ask for more information to show your interest

Don’t…

Ø         look at your watch

Ø         look away from the person who is talking to you

Ø         change the subject

Ø         finish other people’s sentences for them

Always remember: Talk to a man about himself and he will speak to you for hours!

u       Learn the rules

If you go to a social situation in another country, remember that social rules can be different. In some countries, for example, you have to arrive on time at a party; in other countries, you don’t need to. In most places, you don’t have to take a gift to a party ― but find out first!

47. How many flights arrive the following day?