Whether it's joining a school club, going to a friend's birthday party, or travelling by train, we can meet new people anywhere and anytime in our lives. However, many of us feel awkward when meeting people for the first time, especially when we aren't quite sure what to say. The situation feels cold, even icy. "Breaking the ice" is a term widely used in the English-speaking countries to describe a small talk technique that can help rescue a conversation from certain failure. So where do you even begin? Well, a good start is to accept that it is perfectly normal to feel a little nervous when talking to someone for the first time. They might look _ or scary, but they could turn out to be the nicest person you've ever met. You might think that breaking the ice is difficult. But sometimes just a simple "hello", followed by a three-second smile, can make all the difference. Complimenting someone on their garment or accessories is also a great, easy way to break the ice. You might say: "I love your jacket. Where did you buy it from?" Being in an uncomfortable or unpleasant situation with someone new might feel terrible, but it can actually be one of the best icebreakers. By focusing on the situation, you come together to fight the common enemy: the long bathroom queue, for example, or the overcrowded bus. You can make observations too. "What kind of drink is that?" "That's a lovely name. What does it mean?" "Do you study here too?" There are opportunities all around you to ask questions that don't seem weird, as long as you have some follow-up questions in mind. If you're feeling extra bold, make a joke. Jokes can be difficult to master but if you get them right, they show the likeable, witty side of your character. "What's your name?" "Well, people usually call me Mike, but you can call me tonight." What can we learn from the passage? A) "Breaking the ice" is a small talk technique widely used in our daily communication all over the world. B) As long as you can smile at others, you will make some friends. C) Realizing that it's normal to feel nervous in front of a stranger is a good start to break the ice. D) Being in an uncomfortable situation with some strangers can be the best icebreakers.
C
Scout Bassett is often asked if she hopes to have normal legs. Bassett answers, "No. When you lost a leg, it teaches you to appreciate little things - like being able to walk and run." Born in England, Bassett was left at an orphanage due to terrible burns. Her right leg was cut off above the knee. She felt hungry all the time. When she was old enough to get around, she was forced to clean floors, feed babies and wash dishes. And she had to do all that with an artificial leg that didn't work well. When she was 7, a family in Michigan adopted her, giving her an improved artificial leg. It was OK for everyday activities, but she couldn't play soccer or basketball. When she was 14, she got a high-tech leg made for sports. "I remember being terrified because that was my first time," she said. Scout Bassett was waiting nervously for the race to start when the athlete Sarah Reinertsen came up and said, "I've been doing this for a while. Let me help you." Reinertsen, who lost her leg when she was 7, works with an organization called the Challenged Athletes Foundation to help people like Scout Bassett. She lost that first race, but gained confidence from Reinertsen. Training hard, she improved her strength and skill. She even took up golf and tennis. Now, living in Califomia, Bassett runs competitively and finds time to share her story with school groups. She said, "Some people think they having nothing in common with me. I want to say everyone has challenges - maybe with homework or friends. No matter what it is, everything you need is inside your heart. Take small steps and you will reach your dream." When Bassett got her first improved artificial leg, she could A) take part in sports race B) do some daily activities C) play basketball with her family D) run as competitively as normal people
B
Q: According to a new US study, couples who expect their children to help care for them in old age should hope they have daughters because they are likely to be twice as attentive overall. The research by Angelina Grigoryeva, a sociologist at Princeton University, found that, while women provide as much care for their elderly parents as they can manage, men do as little as they can get away with and often leave it to female family members. Her analysis of the family networks of 26,000 older Americans concluded that gender is the most important predictor of whether or not people will actively care for elderly parents. In a paper being presented at the annual conference of the American Sociological Association in San Francisco, she concludes that simply having a sister makes men statistically likely provide less care. Using data from the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study, a study which has been tracking a cross-section of over-50s for the last decade, she calculated that women provide an average of 12.3 hours a month of care for elderly parents while men offer only 5.6 hours. "Whereas the amount of elderly parent care daughters provide is associated with limitations they face, such as employment or childcare, sons'caregiving is associated only with the presence or absence of other helpers, such as sisters or a parent's spouse ," she explained. "Sons reduce their relative caregiving efforts when they have a sister, while daughters increase theirs when they have a brother." "This suggests that sons pass on parent caregiving responsibilities to their sisters." In the UK, the 2011 census showed that there are now around 6.5 million people with caring responsibilities - a figure which has risen by a tenth in a decade. But many are doing so at the risk of their own health. The census showed that those who provide 50 hours or more of care a week while trying to hold down a full- time job are three times more likely to be struggling with ill health than their working counterparts who are not carers. The author develops the text by _ . A) explaining social networks of careers B) describing people's experiences C) analyzing various research and data D) comparing different gender behavior
A: C