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.
小题1: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

小题2: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

小题3: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

小题4: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

love charity(慈善) shops and so do lots of other people in Britain because you find quite a few of them on every high street. The charity shop is a British institution, selling everything from clothes to electric goods, all at very good prices. You can get things you won’t find in the shops anymore. The thing I like best about them is that your money is going to a good cause and not into the pockets of profit-driven companies, and you are not damaging the planet, but finding a new home for unwanted goods.
The first charity shop was opened in 1947 by Oxfam. The famous charity’s appeal to aid postwar Greece had been so successful it had been flooded with donations(捐赠物). They decided to set up a shop to sell some of these donations to raise money for that appeal. Now there are over 7,000 charity shops in the UK. My favourite charity shop in my hometown is the Red Cross shop, where I always find children’s books, all 10 or 20 pence each.
Most of the people working in the charity shops are volunteers, although there is often a manager who gets paid. Over 90% of the goods in the charity shops are donated by the public. Every morning you see bags of unwanted items outside the front of shops, although they don’t encourage this, rather ask people to bring things in when the shop is open.
The shops have very low running costs: all profits go to charity work. Charity shops raise more than ￡110 million a year, funding（资助）medical research, overseas aid, supporting sick and poor children, homeless and disabled people, and much more. What better place to spend your money? You get something special for a very good price and a good moral sense. You provide funds to a good cause and tread lightly on the environment. （08天津卷）
小题1:The author loves the charity shop mainly because of _______.

A．its convenient location

B．its great variety of goods

C．its spirit of goodwill

D．its nice shopping environment

小题2:The first charity shop in the UK was set up to ____.

A．sell cheap products

B．deal with unwanted things

C．raise money for patients

D．help a foreign country

小题3: Which of the following is TRUE about charity shops?

A．The operating costs are very low.

B．The staff are usually well paid.

C．90% of the donations are second-hand.

D．They are open twenty-four hours a day.

小题4: Which of the following may be the best title for the passage?

A．What to Buy a Charity Shops.

B．Charity Shop: Its Origin & Development.

C．Charity Shop: Where You Buy to Donate.

D．The Public’s Concern about Charity Shops.

As you research music, you will find music that is familiar to you. You will find music which tells of interesting places and exciting things to do. You will find music which expresses feelings that are often your own.
Music is an expression of the people. As you research, you will find music of people at work and play. You will find music expressing love of the country, love of nature, and love of home.
Music is also an expression of the composer(作曲家). The composer expresses his own musical ideas. He studies the materials of music and discovers ways of using them. He looks for new kinds of musical expression.
Music can suggest actions and feelings which we all share. We can enjoy playing and singing music, dancing and listening to the music of the people and the composers of different times and places.
小题1:In the first paragraph, the author tells us to_______.

A．find entertainment(娱乐) in music	B．be friendly to music
C．express your feelings in music	D．discover the things and places in music

小题2:From the second paragraph, we know that ________.

A．if we love music, we will love the country, nature and home

B．music sings of the country, nature and home

C．you may listen to music at work or at play

D．music can express how people live, work and think

小题3:By means of music, the composer wishes that ________.

A．you would study with them

B．you would share his feelings and ideas

C．you would express your own feelings

D．you help discover ways of using music and new kinds of musical expression

小题4:The last paragraph shows that music makes it possible ________.

A．the music can express actions and feelings at the same time

B．bring understanding between people of different times and places

C．that people can enjoy playing and singing music, dancing and listening to the music at the same time

D．that people of different time and places can get together

小题5:Which of the following statements is NOT true. Music expresses ________.

A．the feelings of our own	B．people’s love of the country
C．the composer’s feelings	D．people’s musical ideas

People do not analyze every problem they meet. Sometimes they try to remember a solution, from the last time they had a   1   problem. They often accept the opinions or ideas of other people. Other times they begin to act without   2   , they try to find a solution by trial or error.  3   , when all of these methods   4  , the person with a problem has to start analyzing. There are six   5   in analyzing a problem.
6   the person must recognize that these is a problem. For example, Sam's bicycle is broken, and he cannot ride it to class as he usually does. Sam must   7   that there is a problem with the bicycle.
Next, the person must find the problem. Before Sam can repair his bicycle, he must know why it does not work. For example, he must   8   the parts that are wrong.
Now the person must look for   9   that will make the problem clearer and lead to  10 solutions. For example, suppose Sam decides that his bicycle does not work because there is something wrong with the brakes.   11  , he can look in his bicycle repair book and read about brakes, talk to his friends at the bike shop, or look at his brakes carefully.  
After   12   the problem, the person should have  13   suggestions for a possible solution. Take Sam as an example   14  , his suggestions might be: tighten or loosen the brakes; buy new brakes and change old ones.
In the end, one  15   seems to be the solution to the problem. Sometimes the   16  idea comes quite   17   because the thinker suddenly sees something new or sees something in a different way. Sam, for example, suddenly sees there is a piece of chewing gum (口香糖) stuck to a brake. He  18   hits on the solution to his problem: he must   19   the brake.
Finally the solution is   20 . Sam does it and finds his bicycle works perfectly. In short he has solved the problem.
1. A. serious     B. usual   C. similar      D. common
2. A. Besides B. Instead      C. Otherwise D. However
4. A. fail        B. work C. change      D. develop
5. A. ways     B. conditions C. stages        D. orders
6. A. First      B. Usually     C. In general D. Most importantly
7. A. explain B. prove        C. show D. see
8. A. checkable      B. determine C. correct      D. recover
9. A. answers        B. skills C. explanation       D. information
10. A. possible      B. exact C. real    D. special
11. A. In other words      B. Once in a while C. First of all        D. At this time
12. A. discussing   B. settling down       C. comparing with       D. studying
13. A. extra    B. enough      C. several      D. countless
14. A. secondly     B. again C. also    D. alone
15. A. suggestion   B. conclusion  C. decision     D. discovery
16. A. next     B. clear C. final   D. new
17. A. unexpectedly      B. late    C. clearly       D. often
18. A. fortunately B. easily        C. clearly       D. immediately
19. A. clean   B. separate     C. loosen D. remove
20. A. recorded         B. completed    C. tested   D. accepted

B This wireless transmitter allows you to listen to music from your iPod/MP3 player, on your home or car stereo --- without any wires.
It acts like a miniature radio station, transmitting your music via the FM frequency to the nearest radio.
Simply plug the transmitter into the headphone hole of your MP3 player, select a frequency on the transmitter and then set your radio to that same frequency.
Then sit back and enjoy your digital music in full stereo sound wherever you are.
It Can be used with iPods, MP3 players, portable CD players, cassettes players, games consoles（控制台）or even your laptop computer whenever you want to hear full stereo sound from your radio. Features include:
·LCD display with background lighting （shows time/date/ temperature）
·Full FM frequency range, so you can select the best performing frequency
·Choose from 2 power supplies: 2 AAA batteries or car charger（adaptor provided）
·4 memory channels for storing best performing FM frequencies
·Frequency response: 100Hz – 15000Hz
The unit is wireless so there are no disorganized cables.It is lightweight and easy to carry.
Adds a whole new part to your MP3 experience!
Takes 2 AAA batteries（not supplied）.Click here to buy batteries for this product…
GIFT STATS: iPod/ MP3 Transmitter
Measures: 7.5 x 4.5cm
Packaging: Gift pack
We can deliver this item to the UK, Europe, and North America.
56. You may find the above advertisement __________.
A. in a newspaper          B. in a store window
C. in a website              D. on a company notice-board
57. What is iPod/MP3 Transmitter?
A. An MP3 player which allows you to enjoy music wherever you are.
B. A kind of equipment that allows you to enjoy music from your iPod/MP3 player.
C. A mini radio station transmitting your music via the FM frequency to the nearest radio.
D. A radio that receives music from your MP3 player.
58. From the advertisement above, we can learn that __________.
A. the product can be used with a lot of electronic equipment
B. the transmitter can only be powered by 2 AAA batteries
C. the unit has organized cables so it is light and easy to carry
D. this item can be delivered to any place around the world

For many the only way to enjoy Ireland’s fantastic and breathtaking scenery is to take to the open road on a motoring holiday. It’s true to say that motoring can still be a pleasure on roads so empty of the traffic you are used to. You can choose your own route or let us suggest one or two. You can pre-book all your accommodation or just go as you please. You can choose your accommodation from good quality hotels in coast or country, village or city, guesthouses, town and country homes or farmhouses throughout the island. Naturally we will supply you with a good quality map to help you around.
Our Value Motoring holiday includes a wide selection of hotels and guesthouses. All hotels are fully licensed and certain guesthouses (as indicated) are also licensed. Bed and full Irish breakfast for 2 or 6 nights is indicated in your holiday price. Hotel and guesthouse gratings are shown by a figure in brackets (括号) after the name of each of the places. Facilities available are also shown after the grading. You may choose to travel on a Go As You Please or a pre-booked basis. On a Go As You Please holiday only the first night is booked for you in advance. For the rest of your holiday you book ahead as you travel (hotel reception will help) using the information lists we provide. A slight note of caution (警告) — in July and August it is advisable to book 2 or 3 days ahead. If you prefer to plan your holiday in advance then we will pre-book all accommodation for you. Just complete the booking form carefully using hotel codes indicated. If your first or second choice is not available we will book an alternative in the same place.
1 Why did the writer say a motoring holiday is the only way for many to enjoy the beauty of Ireland? Because____________.
A. travelers can go sightseeing at many places
B. its price is low and travelers feel comfortable
C. travelers can drive and choose the route freely
D. travelers have many good quality hotels to choose from
2. How many ways of accommodation does a motoring holiday supply?
A. Two            B. Four             C. Six              D. Eight
3. If the travelers choose to travel on a Go As You Please holiday, the travel agency will _____.
A. do nothing to help them                          B. only pre-book the first night for them
C. pre-book all the accommodation for them.           D. charge them less for the service
4. Supposing the travellers’ accommodation choices aren’t available in the tourism season, the travel agency will___________.
A. give up serving them                     B. choose one for them in another place
C. book an alternative in the same place        D. only book the first night for them

On May 27, 1995, our life was suddenly changed. It happened a few minutes past three,
36  my husband, Chris, fell from his horse as it  37  over a fence. Chris was paralyzed (瘫痪) from the chest down,   38  to breathe normally. As he was thrown from his horse, we entered into a life of
 39  with lots of unexpected challenges(挑战). We went from the "haves" to the “have-nots". Or so we thought.
  40  what we discovered later were all the gifts that came out of   41  difficulties. We came to learn that something  42 could happen in a disaster . All over the world people
  43  Chris so much that letters and postcards poured in every day. By the end of the third week in a
  44  center in Virginia, about 35,000 pieces of 45  had been received and sorted.
As   46 , we opened letter after letter. They gave us   47  and became a source of strength for us. We used them to  48  ourselves. I would go to the pile of letters marked with "Funny" if we needed a  49 , or to the "Disabled" box to find advice from people in wheelchairs or  50 in bed living happily and  51 .
These letters, we realized, had to be shared. And so   52  we offer one of them to you.
Dear Chris,
My husband and I were so sorry to hear of your  53  accident last week. No doubt your family and your friends are giving you the strength to face this   54   challenge. People everywhere are also giving you best wishes every day and we are among those who are keeping you   55  .
Yours Sincerely,
Nancy Reagan
36.A.since            B. before            C.  when         D. while
37. A. walked          B. climbed         C. pulled            D. jumped
38. A. able              B. unable           C. suitable           D. unsuitable
39. A. disability         B. possession        C. convenience       D. experience
40. A. So              B. For              C. Or               D. Yet
41. A. sharing           B. separating        C. fearing            D. exploiting
42. A. terrible          B. similar          C. wonderful         D. practical
43. A. wrote for         B. cared for        C. hoped for         D. sent for
44. A. medical          B. postal           C. experimental      D. mental
45.A. news           B. paper           C. equipment        D. mail
46. A. patients          B. a family         C. nurses            D. a group
47. A. effect            B. effort            C. comfort           D. explanation
48. A. encourage        B. express           C. control            D. treat
49. A. cry              B. laugh            C. chat              D. sigh
50. A. much             B. never            C. even              D. seldom
5l. A. bitterly          B. fairly            C. weakly            D. successfully
52. A. here             B. there            C. therefore          D. forward
53. A. driving          B. flying           C. running          D. riding
54. A. technical         B. different         C. difficult           D. valuable
55. A. nearby          B. close             C. busy              D. alive

I am serving in a company in Cheyenne. The work has been challenging, but the 36 are big, and I have been given a rise. The weather has been cold lately.  37  walking has been excellent exercise, I have realized that I need another form of  38 for the winter.
My boyfriend Mike knew of this  39  and he researched some local sites for cheap cars. The minute he  40 me the information about a 1978 Ford Fairmont, I  41 this car was meant to be! I began communicating with the  42 , a man named Dale Meyer. I found out that the car was bought by his grandfather and was still in good  43 . He and his two brothers had 44  learned to drive using this car.
We 45  a price of $400, and fixed a time for a test drive. The day before the test drive, I received a phone call from Dale. He  46  a little nervous, but also excited. He asked simply, “You really  47 this car, don’t you?”
“Of course. I couldn’t love it more,” I gave an enthusiastic  48 . He then said to me, “How about me giving it to you for a dollar?” His offer left me 49 . At that time words 50 me.
I picked up my new Fairmont last night. Dale walked me around the car,  51  its bumps and nicks (磕磕碰碰). As he was telling me the  52 of the car, it seemed that he was losing an old friend. As I was pulling  53  the driveway, he stopped me and said, “Don’t forget to pass this  54 on.”
It was truly a  55 end. Never underestimate the kindness of strangers.
36. A. presents    B. awards    C. honors     D. rewards
37. A. Because    B. Although   C. If       D. When
38. A. entertainment  B. pleasure    C. transportation  D. training
39. A. habit     B. purpose    C. goal      D. desire
40. A. found     B. sent      C. asked      D. taught
41. A. knew     B. wondered   C. doubted     D. promised
42. A. producer    B. owner    C. customer    D. stranger
43. A. situation    B. state     C. operation    D. condition
44. A. slowly     B. actually    C. naturally    D. hardly
45. A. thought of   B. referred to   C. settled on    D. talked about
46. A. looked     B. sounded    C. felt      D. behaved
47. A. like      B. repair     C. drive     D. use
48. A. refusal     B. description   C. reply      D. attitude
49. A. careless    B. lifeless    C. motionless   D. speechless
50. A. left      B. failed     C. forgot     D. beat
51. A. searching    B. checking   C. explaining    D. touching
52. A. sufferings    B. stories    C. materials    D. troubles
53. A. away from   B. into     C. by       D. out of
54. A. car      B. custom    C. kindness    D. experience
55. A. sudden     B. perfect    C. foolish     D. forced

CALCUTTA, India Mar 24, 2006 (AP) — One of the world’s oldest creatures, a giant tortoise believed to have been about 250 years old, has died in the Calcutta zoo where it spent more than half its long life.
Addwaita, which means “the one and only” in the local Bengali language, was one of four Aldabra tortoises brought to India by British sailors in the 18th century. Zoo officials say he was a gift for Lord Robert Clive of the East India Company, who was instrumental in establishing British colonial^① rule in India, before he returned to England in 1767. Long after the other three tortoises died, Addwaita continued to thrive^②, living in Clive’s garden before being moved to the zoo in 1875.
“According to records in the zoo, the age of the giant tortoise, Addwaita, who died on Wednesday, would be about 250 years,” said zoo director Subir Chowdhury. That would have made him much older than the world’s oldest documented^③ living animal: Harriet, a 176-year-old Galapagos tortoise who lives at the Australia Zoo north of Brisbane, according to the zoo’s Web site. She was taken from the island of Isla Santa Cruz by Charles Darwin in the 19th century.
Aldabra tortoises come from the Aldabra atoll^④in the Seychelle islands in the Indian Ocean, and often live to more than 100 years of age. Males can weigh up to 550 pounds. Addwaita, the zoo’s biggest attraction, had been unwell for the last few days, said local Forest Minister Jogesh Burman.
“We were keeping a watch on him. When the zoo keepers went to his enclosure on Wednesday they found him dead,” Burman said.
Notes:
①    colonial  adj. 殖民的
②    thrive  v. 茁壮成长
③    documented  adj. 备有证明文件的
④    atoll  n. 环礁
Choose the best answers according to the above:
小题1:According to the passage, Addwaita ________.

A．was sent to India as a gift by British government

B．was sent to India by British sailors in 1767

C．lived together with three other Aldabra tortoises in India

D．belonged to Lord Robert Clive for some time

小题2: By now, the oldest animal in the world is about at ________.

A．176 years old

B．100 years old

C．250 years old

D．200 years old

小题3: In the last few days before Addwaita died, he ________.

A．had been sent to hospital for treatment

B．had been playing with travelers

C．had been found not better than before

D．had stayed in his enclosure for days

小题4:What would be the best title for the passage?

A．An Old Aldabra Tortoise Died in India

B．A Remarkable Life: Tortoise Dies at 250

C．A Special Kind of Tortoise — Addwaita

D．The Oldest Animal Aldabra Tortoise Died

There are little cars that may some day take the place of today’s automobiles(汽车). If everyone drives such a little car in the future, there will be less pollution in the air, there will be more parking space in cities, and the streets will be less crowded. The space now for one car of the usual size can hold at least three such little cars.
The little cars will cost much less to own and to drive. Driving will be safer, too, as these little cars can go only 65 kilometers an hour.
The cars of the future will be fine for going around the city, but they will not be useful for going far away. If the car is powered by electricity, it will have two batteries—one battery for the motor and the other for the horn (喇叭), signals (信号灯), etc. Little cars which are powered by gas will go 45 kilometers before needing to stop for more gas.
If big cars are still used along with the small ones, two sets of roads will be needed to set up in the future. Some roads will be used for the big, fast cars, and other roads will be needed for the small, slower ones.
1. What’s the advantage (优势) of the small cars?
A. There won’t be so much pollution and the small cars won’t be so expensive as the big ones.
B. It will be safer to drive these small cars.
C. There will be more space for cars to park.
D. All of the above.
2. Two sets of roads are necessary in the future in order to      .
A. prevent car accidents
B. make the city more beautiful
C. let small cars run fast
D. limit the speed of the cars
3. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. A car of the usual size now is three times as big as the small car.
B. The small car with a speed of 65 kilometers an hour is much more useless than a car of the usual size.
C. the little car will be safer but cost more.
D. The little car will need more gas.
4. The best title for this passage should be      .
A. Big Cars and Small Cars
B. How to Drive Small Cars
C. Cars for Tomorrow
D. Cars for Everyone