Americans, generally speaking, make an effort to be friendly with their colleagu

Americans, generally speaking, make an effortto be friendly with their colleagues, neighbours and other people they oftenrun into. This often takes the form of a simple greeting like “How’s it going?”or “What’s up ?” This is simply a way of saying I see you and I recognize you.

Americans also show this friendliness in“small talk”. Small talk is a casual conversation that Americans engage in whenthey meet on the street, in the shop or in the office before a meeting. Usuallythe topics of such small talk will be something that everyone is familiar with,the weather, sports, traffic, hobbies or what’s on television. The topic of theconversation is not as important as the effort make to spend a few minutes withthe other person. Small talk shows that you are a considerate person who isinterested in others and who is willing to take the time to get to know people.

Small talk is used in the business world tocreate a friendly atmosphere and to put everyone at ease before the seriousmatters of business are discussed. Often businessmen will spend a few minutestalking about the weather or sports before a meeting. This form of small talkonly lasts a few minutes before the American businessman wants to “get down tobusiness.”

Asians are very skilled at making casualconversation. However, they often find it difficult to make small talk withAmericans because they don’t know what to say, how to say it and who to say itto. Americans may see Asians who are reluctant to make small talk as unfriendlyand cold.

1. American people ask others how it is goingbecause      .

2.Businessmen talk about weather before ameeting       .   

3.The word “reluctant” means       .        

4.Which of the following is not trueaccording to the passage?

试题答案

【答案】

1.D

2.A

3.C

4.B

【解析】略