Some people have a kind of magic. They will make you comfortable while they are around. You feel at ease while talking to them. How is it done? Here are several skills that good talkers have. If you follow the skills, they'll help people feel relaxed 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 kind 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 topic of conversation. If someone insists on one topic, it means he's really interested in it. Real listening also means not just listening to words, but to the voice. If the voice sounds bored, then, it's time for you to change the topic. Finally, good talkers know well how to deal with the moment of saying good-bye. If you're saying it, you may give him a 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 your thoughts. 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 things going D) for you to make a deep and lasting impression on others
C

Middle school students have far too much homework. They usually have to sit up three or four hours every night doing their homework. Now one school in my hometown has made a rule of limiting homework. The homework is limited to an hour a day and the students have no homework on the weekend. I think this is an excellent idea that will allow students to live better and healthier lives. Less homework will give students more time to enjoy other pastimes .I have many books which I received as gifts from my parents and friends. They have been kept there on my shelf for several years! Because of homework, I will have not read a single one of them. With less homework, students will be freer to develop their interests in art, music and other hobbies. More time free from homework will get our physical health better. Many students like sports, but they have little time to play football, basketball, volleyball and so on. They hardly have time to have a trip or take part in any social activities. They must spend so much time solving math problems and doing grammar exercises. Besides, staying up late to finish their homework leaves many students exhausted in the morning. Not getting enough sleep is not only unpleasant; it also makes students more likely to get colds and other illnesses. Which is the best title for the passage? A) Students dislike homework B) No use doing homework C) Homework is good for study D) Homework should be limited
D

Oxford University, said that time spent on homework showed the influence of the school--if children were expected to do homework and if they enjoy their subjects. "That's one of the reasons Indian and Chinese children do better. They put more time in it." he added. It's also reported that students who enjoyed school got better results. It is suggested that children aged 5 to 7 should be given one-hour homework a week, half an hour a night for 7 to 11-year-olds, two hours a night for 14 to 16-year-olds. "Headteachers should make their own homework policy ," the government says. It is suggested that 5 to 7-year-old children should be given _ . A) one-hour homework a night B) half an hour homework a night C) Two- hour homework a week D) one-hour homework a week
D

One little miracle has been happening to me recently, and it gives me a special joy. A few months ago, I was telling my daughter, Sally, some stories about my mother. Mydaughter was so young when my mother died that she doesn't remember her well. I told her allI could remember, like how wonderful my mother was and how much she meant to me. One day, Sally was sad because her grandmother was in heaven and she couldn't see her. I explained that though her grandmother was dead, now she was still watching over usand could send us something to let us know she was there. She could be anywhere, even ridinginvisibly on the back of a butterfly . Just after I said this, a butterflyflew down right by us, and we laughed happily. Now many people would say it was just luck that the butterfly flew down at that time. A funnything, however, has happened since then. Every time I go out in any type of weather I seebutterflies. Very often they fly right by my face to get my attention. I always say hi to Mom,send her my love, and thank God for little miracles. Everyone is always looking for some big miracles to come out and save them when they are introuble, but they don't notice the little miracles that happen every day right in front of theireyes. I know what they really are, however. For me little miracles are the best kind. So manylittle miracles happen around me all the time that I know _ are not just luck. ,. One day Sally was sad because _ . A) her mother told her a sad story B) she argued with her grandmother C) she couldn't see her grandmother D) her grandmother sent her nothing special
C