原文We've 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． What's the problem？ It's possible that we all have compromised conversational intelligence． It's more likely that none of us start a conversation because it's awkward and challenging， or we think it's annoying and unnecessary． But the next time you find yourself among strangers， consider that small talk is worth the trouble． Experts say it's an invaluable social practice that results in big benefits． Dismissing small talk as unimportant is easy， but we can't forget that deep relationships wouldn't even exist if it weren't for casual conversation． Small talk is the grease （润滑剂） 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（互动） 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．"It's not that talking to the waiter is better than talking to your husband，" says Dunn．"But interactions with peripheral（边缘的） 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． （1）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． （2）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． （3）What does the coffee﹣shop study suggest about small talk？　 　 A． It improves family relationships． B． It raises people's confidence． C． It matters as much as a formal talk． D． It makes people feel good． （4）What is the best title for the text？　 　 A． Conversation Counts B． Ways of Making Small Talk C． Benefits of Small Talk D． Uncomfortable Silence 译文我们都去过那里：在电梯里，在银行排队，或在飞机上，周围都是像我们一样全神贯注于智能手机的人，或者更糟的是，在令人不舒服的沉默中挣扎。 怎么了有可能我们的会话智慧都受到了损害。更有可能的是，我们都没有人开始对话是因为它很尴尬、很有挑战性，或者我们认为它很烦人、没必要。但下次你发现自己和陌生人在一起时，要想一想，闲聊是值得的。专家表示，这是一种宝贵的社会实践，会带来巨大的好处。 将闲聊视为无关紧要是很容易的，但我们不能忘记，如果没有随意的交谈，深层关系甚至不会存在。印第安纳大学东南部害羞研究所所长贝尔纳多·卡杜奇说，闲聊是社交交流的油脂。“几乎每一个伟大的爱情故事和每一笔重大商业交易都始于闲聊，”他解释道。“成功的闲聊的关键是学会如何与他人建立联系，而不仅仅是与他们沟通。” 在2014年的一项研究中，UBC心理学副教授Elizabeth Dunn邀请人们在去咖啡店的路上。其中一组人被要求寻求与服务员的互动另一种是，只有在必要的时候才说话。研究结果显示，那些与服务员聊天的人表现出更高的积极情绪和更好的咖啡店体验。邓恩说：“并不是说与服务员交谈比与丈夫交谈更好。但与我们社交网络中的外围成员的互动对我们的幸福也很重要。” 邓恩认为，与陌生人接触的人会有更大的归属感，与他人建立联系。卡杜奇认为，培养这种归属感始于闲聊。“闲聊是良好礼貌的基础，”他说。 （1） 第一段描述了什么现象　 　 A.对智能手机上瘾。B.在公共场所的不当行为。 C.陌生人之间缺乏沟通。D.对缓慢的服务感到不耐烦。 （2） 卡杜奇认为，什么对成功的闲聊很重要　 　 A.表现出良好的礼貌。B.与他人有关。 C.专注于某个话题。D.做生意。 （3） 咖啡店的研究对闲聊有什么建议　 　 A.它改善了家庭关系。B.它提高了人们的信心。 C.它和正式的谈话一样重要。D.它让人们感觉良好。 （4） 文本的最佳标题是什么　 　 A.对话很重要B.闲聊的方式 C.闲聊的好处D.令人不安的沉默

1 段译 关于该政策的第一份官方数据显示，政府对软饮料征收的糖税带来的资金是部长们最初预测的一半。

The Government's sugar tax on soft drinks has brought in half as much money as Ministers first predicted it would generate, the first official data on the policy has shown. 句译 关于该政策的第一份官方数据显示，政府对软饮料征收的糖税带来的资金是部长们最初预测的一半。

2 段译 该税于2016年4月首次宣布，适用于每100毫升含糖量超过5克的软饮料，旨在帮助减少儿童肥胖（肥胖）。据信，今天的儿童和青少年摄入的糖是建议水平的三倍，使他们面临更高的患病风险。

First announced in April, 2016, the tax which applies to soft drinks containing more than 5g of sugar per 100ml, was introduced to help reduce childhood obesity (肥胖).句译 该税于2016年4月首次宣布，适用于每100毫升含糖量超过5克的软饮料，旨在帮助减少儿童肥胖（肥胖）。 It is believed that today's children and teenagers are consuming three times the recommended level of sugar, putting them at a higher risk of the disease.句译 据信，今天的儿童和青少年摄入的糖是建议水平的三倍，使他们面临更高的患病风险。

3 段译 最初，预计糖税每年为财政部带来5.2亿英镑的收入。然而，前六个月的数据显示，它的收入还不到这个数字的一半。目前，预计在截至2019年4月的一年中，它将产生2.4亿英镑的收入，用于学校体育。

Initially the sugar tax was expected to make £520m a year for the Treasury. 句译 最初，预计糖税每年为财政部带来5.2亿英镑的收入。However, data of the first six months showed it would make less than half this amount. 句译 然而，前六个月的数据显示，它的收入还不到这个数字的一半。At present it is expected to generate £240m for the year ending in April 2019, which will go to school sports. 句译 目前，预计在截至2019年4月的一年中，它将产生2.4亿英镑的收入，用于学校体育。

4 段译 此前，超过一半的商店出售的软饮料被制造商降低了糖含量，这样他们就可以避免纳税。根据财政部的数据，由于制造商努力避免收费，现在饮料中的糖含量减少了4500万公斤。自4月以来，饮料公司被迫根据含糖量的不同，为生产或进口的每升含糖饮料支付18便士至24便士的费用。

It comes after more than half of soft drinks sold in shops have had their sugar levels cut by manufacturers (制造商) so they can avoid paying the tax. 句译 此前，超过一半的商店出售的软饮料被制造商降低了糖含量，这样他们就可以避免纳税。Drinks now contain 45 million fewer kilos of sugar as a result of manufacturers' efforts to avoid the charge, according to Treasury figures. 句译 根据财政部的数据，由于制造商努力避免收费，现在饮料中的糖含量减少了4500万公斤。Since April drinks companies have been forced to pay between 18p and 24p for every litre of sugary drink they produce or import, depending on the sugar content.句译 自4月以来，饮料公司被迫根据含糖量的不同，为生产或进口的每升含糖饮料支付18便士至24便士的费用。

5 段译 然而，一些高糖品牌，如经典可口可乐，已经接受了糖税，并因担心惹恼消费者而拒绝改变。果汁、牛奶饮料和大多数酒精饮料是免税的，年生产量低于100万升的小公司也是免税的。

However, some high sugar brands, like Classic Coca Cola, have accepted the sugar tax and are refusing to change for fear of upsetting consumers. 句译 然而，一些高糖品牌，如经典可口可乐，已经接受了糖税，并因担心惹恼消费者而拒绝改变。Fruit juices, milk-based drinks and most alcoholic drinks are free of the tax, as are small companies manufacturing fewer than 1m litres per year.句译 果汁、牛奶饮料和大多数酒精饮料是免税的，年生产量低于100万升的小公司也是免税的。

6 段译 据一位政府官员称，今天的数据显示，糖税通过为体育设施和学校的健康饮食筹集数百万英镑而产生了积极影响。帮助下一代拥有一个健康、活跃的童年非常重要，该行业正在发挥其作用。

Today's figures, according to one government official, show the positive influence the sugar tax is having by raising millions of pounds for sports facilities (设施) and healthier eating in schools. 句译 据一位政府官员称，今天的数据显示，糖税通过为体育设施和学校的健康饮食筹集数百万英镑而产生了积极影响。Helping the next generation to have a healthy and active childhood is of great importance, and the industry is playing its part.句译 帮助下一代拥有一个健康、活跃的童年非常重要，该行业正在发挥其作用。

32. Why was the sugar tax introduced?翻译 32.为什么要征收糖税？

A. To collect money for schools. 翻译 为学校募捐。

B. To improve the quality of drinks.翻译 提高饮料的质量。

C. To protect children's health.翻译 保护儿童健康。

D. To encourage research in education.翻译 鼓励教育研究。

33. How did some drinks companies respond to the sugar tax?翻译 33.一些饮料公司如何应对糖税？

A. They turned to overseas markets.翻译 他们转向海外市场。

B. They raised the prices of their products.翻译 他们提高了产品的价格。

C. They cut down on their production.翻译 他们减少了生产。

D. They reduced their products' sugar content.翻译 他们降低了产品的含糖量。

34. From which of the following is the sugar tax collected?翻译 34.食糖税是从下列哪一项征收的？

A. Most alcoholic drinks.翻译 大多数含酒精饮料。

B. Milk-based drinks.翻译 奶基饮料。

C. Fruit juices. 翻译 果汁

D. Classic Coke.翻译 经典可乐。

35. What can be inferred about the adoption of the sugar tax policy?翻译 35.关于食糖税政策的采用，可以推断出什么？

A. It is a short-sighted decision.翻译 这是一个短视的决定。

B. It is a success story.翻译 这是一个成功的故事。

C. It benefits manufacturers.翻译 这有利于制造商。

D. It upsets customers.翻译 这让客户感到不安。

答案 32.C 33.D 34.D 35.B   温馨提示：选项可点击，红色为错误选项，绿色为正确选项