In our daily life, it is necessary to make small talk in certain situations. It helps to fill time between people when it is completely quiet. You may not feel like talking with someone else or you are very shy at the beginning, but it is sometimes thought to be rude to say nothing.

People use small talk almost every day. It usually takes place when you meet someone you don’t know at all or someone you’re not familiar with. For example, waitresses and hairdressers often make small talk with their customers. If you happen to be outside when the mailman comes to your door, you might make small talk with him, too.

Most often, small talk happens in places where people are waiting for something. For example, you might talk with another person who is waiting for the bus to arrive. People also make small talk in a doctor’s waiting room, or when they are waiting in a line to buy something. At the office, people make small talk in elevators or lunchrooms, especially if there is a line-up. Mingling（交際） is often required among people who don’t know each other very well at a party. In other words, they are expected to walk around and talk with others.

The most common time for small talk to happen is the first time you see or meet someone on a given day. For example, if you see a co-worker in the lounge (休息室) you might say hello and discuss the sports or weather. However, the next time you see each other you might just smile and say nothing. If there is very little noise, it might be the right time to start a pleasant conversation. If someone is reading a book at the bus stop, it is probably not a good idea to start a conversation. Another good time to make small talk is during a break in a meeting when there is nothing important going on. However, it is important to recognize the signal when the other person wants the conversation to stop.

1.Small talk happens most probably except when _____.

A. you’re having your hair cut

B. you’re having a meeting

C. you’re waiting for a bus

D. you’re waiting in a line to buy something

2.It is the right time to make small talk when

A. there is nothing important going on during a break in a meeting

B. the other person doesn’t want to start a conversation

C. On the same day, you see a co-worker in the lounge again

D. someone is reading a book at the bus stop

3.The author develops the last paragraph mainly by _____.

A. giving explanations B. discussing questions

C. telling stories D. providing examples

4.We can learn from the text that small talk _____.

A. won’t happen among strangers

B. can help to break the silence

C. is often thought to be unnecessary

D. always makes people uncomfortable

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