（2018二）DWeve all been there: in a lift, in line at the bank or on an airplane, surrounded by people who are, like us, deeply focused on their smartphones or, worse, struggling with the uncomfortable silence. Whats the problem? Its possible that we all have compromised conversational intelligence. Its more likely that none of us start a conversation because its awkward and challenging, or we think its annoying and unnecessary. But the next time you find yourself among strangers, consider that small talk is worth the trouble. Experts say its an invaluable social practice that results in big benefits. Dismissing small talk as unimportant is easy, but we cant forget that deep relationships wouldnt even exist if it werent for casual conversation. Small talk is the grease(潤滑劑) for social communication, says Bernardo Carducci, director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast. Almost every great love story and each big business deal begins with small talk, he explains. The key to successful small talk is learning how to connect with others, not just communicate with them.In a 2014 study, Elizabeth Dunn, associate professor of psychology at UBC, invited people on their way into a coffee shop. One group was asked to seek out an interaction(互動) with its waiter; the other, to speak only when necessary. The results showed that those who chatted with their server reported significantly higher positive feelings and a better coffee shop experience. Its not that talking to the waiter is better than talking to your husband, says Dunn. But interactions with peripheral(邊緣的) members of our social network matter for our well-being also.Dunn believes that people who reach out to strangers feel a significantly greater sense of belonging, a bond with others. Carducci believes developing such a sense of belonging starts with small talk. Small talk is the basis of good manners, he says.32. What phenomenon is described in the first paragraph?A. Addiction to smartphones. B. Inappropriate behaviours in public places.C. Absence of communication between strangers. D. Impatience with slow service.33. What is important for successful small talk according to Carducci?A. Showing good manners.B. Relating to other people. C. Focusing on a topic.D. Making business deals.34. What does the coffee-shop study suggest about small talk?A. It improves family relationships.B. It raises peoples confidence.C. It matters as much as a formal talk.D. It makes people feel good.35. What is the best title for the text?A. Conversation CountsB. Ways of Making Small TalkC. Benefits of Small Talk D. Uncomfortable Silence（2017二）DWhen a leafy plant is under attack ，it doesnt sit quietly. Back in 1983,two scientists,Jack Schultz and Ian Baldwin,reported that young maple trees getting bitten by insects send out a particular smell that neighboring plants can get. These chemicals come from the injured parts of the plant and seem to be an alarm.What the plants pump through the air is a mixture of chemicals known as volatile organic compounds,VOCs for short. Scientists have found that all kinds of plants give out VOCs when being attacked .Its a plants way of crying out.But is anyone listening?Apparently.Because we can watch the neighbours react. Some plants pump out smelly chemicals to keep insects away.But others do double duty .They pump out perfumes designed to attract different insects who are natural enemies to the attackers.Once they arrive,the tables are turned .The attacker who was lunching now becomes lunch. In study after study,it appears that these chemical conversations help the neighbors .The damage is usually more serious on the first plant,but the neighbors ,relatively speaking ,stay safer because they heard the alarm and knew what to do. Does this mean that plants talk to each other? Scientists dont know. Maybe the first plant just made a cry of pain or was sending a message to its own branches, and so, in effect, was talking to itself. Perhaps the neighbors just happened to “overhear” the cry. So information was exchanged, but it wasnt a true, intentional back and forth.Charles Darwin, over 150 years ago, imagined a world far busier, noisier and more intimate(親密的) than the world we can see and hear. Our senses are weak. Theres a whole lot going on.32. What does a plant do when it is under attack?A. It makes noises. B. It gets help from other plants.C. It stands quietly D. It sends out certain chemicals.33. What does the author mean by “the tables are turned” in paragraph 3?A. The attackers get attacked.， B. The insects gather under the table.C. The plants get ready to fight back. D. The perfumes attract natural enemies.34.Scientists find from their studies that plants can .A.predict natural disasters B.protect themselves against insectsC.talk to one another intentionally D.help their neighbors when necessary35.what can we infer from the last paragraph?A.The word is changing faster than ever.B.People have stronger senses than beforeC.The world is more complex than it seemsD.People in Darwins time were more imaginative.（2017三）DThe Intelligent Transport team at Newcastle University have turned an electric car into a mobile laboratory named “DriveLAB” in order to understand the challenges faced by older drivers and to discover where the key stress points are. Research shows that giving up driving is one of the key reasons for a fall in health and well-being among older people, leading to them becoming more isolated(隔絕) and inactive. Led by Professor Phil Blythe, the Newcastle team are developing in-vehicle technologies for older drivers which they hope could help them to continue driving into later life. These include custom-made navigation(導航) tools, night vision systems and intelligent speed adaptations. Phil Blythe explains: “For many older people, particularly those living alone or in the country, driving is important for preserving their independence, giving them the freedom to get out and about without having to rely on others.” “But we all have to accept that as we get older our reactions slow down and this often results in people avoiding any potentially challenging driving conditions and losing confidence in their driving skills. The result is that people stop driving before they really need to.”Dr Amy Guo, the leading researcher on the older driver study, explains, “The DriveLAB is helping us to understand what the key points and difficulties are for older drivers and how we might use technology to address these problems. “For example, most of us would expect older drivers always go slower than everyone else but surprisingly, we found that in 30mph zones they struggled to keep at a constant speed and so were more likely to break the speed limit and be at risk of getting fined. Were looking at the benefits of systems which control their speed as a way of preventing that. “We hope that our work will help with technological solutions(解決方案) to ensure that older drivers stay safer behind the wheel.”32.What is the purpose of the Drivel AB?A.To explore new means of transport. B.To design new types of cars.C.To find out older drivers problems. D.To teach people traffic rules.33.Why is driving important for older people according to Phil Blythe?A.It keeps them independent. B.It helps them save time.C.It builds up their strength. D.It cures their mental illnesses.34.What do researchers hope to do for older drivers?A.Improve their driving skills. B.Develop driver-assist technologles.C.Provide tips on repairing their cars. D.Organize regular physical checkups.35.What is the best title for the text?A.A new Model Electric Car B.A Solution to Traffic ProblemC.Driving Service for elders D.Keeping Older Drivers on the Road（2015一）DConflict is on the menu tonight at the caf La Chope. This evening, as on every Thursday night, psychologist Maud Lehanne is leading two of Frances favorite pastimes, coffee drinking and the “talking cure”. Here they are learning to get in touch with their true feelings. It isnt always easy. They customers-some thirty Parisians who pay just under $2 (plus drinks) per session-care quick to intellectualize (高談闊論)，slow to open up and connect. “You are forbidden to say one feels, or people think,”Lehane told them. “Say I think, Think me.” A caf society where no intellectualizing is allowed? It couldnt seem more un-French. But Lehannes psychology caf is about more than knowing oneself: Its trying to help the citys troubled neighborhood cafes. Over the years, Parisian cafes have fallen victim to changes in the French lifestyle-longer working hours, a fast food boom and a younger generations desire to spend more time at home. Dozens of new theme cafes appear to change the situation. Cafes focused around psychology, history, and engineering are catching on, filling tables well into the evening.The citys“psychology cafes”,which offer great comfort ,are among the most popular places.Middle-aged homemakers,retirees,and the unemployed come to such cafes to talk about love,anger,and dreams with a psychologist.And they come to Lehannes group just to learn to say what they feel.“Theres a strong need in Paris for communication，”says Maurice Frisch,a caf La Chope regular who works as a religious instructor in nearby church.“People have few real friends.And they need to open up”.Lehanne says she