Question

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 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 type 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 moment of saying goodbye. 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.

1.Asking questions might be a quite good and suitable way _______.

A. for you to make new friends

B. to begin your business talks

C. to get the conversation going smoothly

D. for you to impress others with your questions

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 or her reply carefully

C. sit quietly without saying anything

D. go on asking him more questions

3. Generally speaking, good talkers are persons who _______.

A. know how to change the topic properly

B. are good at making any topic interesting

C. always speak in a gentle way

D. never talk too much or too little

4. If you really want to meet someone again, _______.

A. you may take him as your lifelong true friend

B. it seems necessary for you to let him know it

C. you are sure to have further understanding of him

D. it’s proper for you to give him a second handshake

Answer 1