Module 1 Small Talk
Section Ⅰ Introduction & Vocabulary and Reading
能力提升
Ⅰ.阅读理解
A
Small talk is conversation, typically about meaningless topics such as the weather or local sports, shared usually between two people. Small talk may occur to avoid awkwardness between two strangers (such as on a long elevator ride). People may also engage in small talk if they do not know each other well, because small talk allows safe and comfortable conversation topics as opposed to more debatable ones, such as politics and religion. The act of making small talk is considered polite.
Small talk has several possible functions. People can engage in small talk to express an interest in others' lives when they have a limited amount of time to speak because of work, family or social commitments. Some also choose to engage in small talk to ease potentially awkward situations. Small talk is also an acceptable means of establishing boundaries in conversation.
Small talk includes banal (平淡乏味的) or meaningless everyday topics; it does not include philosophical topics, discussion of controversial topics or the divulging of details otherwise considered too personal. Common topics of small talk include sports, weather, local events, polite discussion of mutual acquaintances, and exchanging compliments on articles of clothing.
Small talk is ideal for social situations requiring only a short time frame for a conversation. Conversations containing small talk usually do not exceed a few minutes. Examples of situations requiring small talk include bus rides, greeting an associate before discussing business，talking to coworkers before work or speaking with an acquaintance while waiting for a mutual friend to return to the dinner table.
People who can hold small talk conversations are generally considered polite and sociable. One can also slowly get to know another by having a series of small talk conversations. This allows people to discover others' interests at a slow pace.
Small talk generally revolves around topics that are unremarkable, socially acceptable and experienced by all. The weather, for example, is not an unusual topic, though snow is an appropriate small talk topic as others can discuss how it has affected their days.
【语篇解读】 本文主要讲了什么是闲聊，以及闲聊有助于打破陌生人之间的尴尬局面。
1．How does the writer put forward the subject of the passage?
A．By providing examples.
B．By making comparisons.
C．By analyzing causes.
D．By giving a definition.
解析：选D 细节理解题。从第一段的开头可以知道，作者是通过给small talk下定义的方式提出文章的主题的。
2．In what situation may small talk most probably occur?
A．When people want to know better about each other.
B．If two people have different opinions on a topic.
C．When strangers want to break the embarrassment.
D．If people want to talk about something debatable.
解析：选C 细节理解题。从第一段中的“Small talk may occur to avoid awkwardness between two strangers (such as on a long elevator ride)．”可知，有时候陌生人之间为了打破尴尬的局面而闲聊一些无关紧要的话题。
3．The underlined word “divulging” in Paragraph 3 probably means “___”．
A．giving away B．making up
C．speaking out D．thinking about
解析：选A 词义猜测题。由前句“it does not include philosophical topics，discussion of controversial topics”可知，闲聊的话题不能包括哲理性的以及有争议性的问题，以及后面的“considered too personal”(被认为是太私人的问题)，可以判断，这里指的是不能泄露私人问题。
4．We can learn from Paragraph 4 that ________.
A．small talk needs few requirements
B．small talk doesn't need much time
C．people need small talk in everyday life
D．small talk is useful in business deal
解析：选B 主旨大意题。本段开头第一句话“...requiring only a short time...”点明了段落大意，接着进一步用“...usually do not exceed a few minutes”回应了主题。后面用在公交车上、在谈生意之前、在上班之前跟同事之间以及在餐桌旁等朋友这些具体的事例说明了“闲聊不需要很多的时间”这个主题。
B
Some people are so rude!
Who sends an e?mail or a text message that just says “Thank you”？ Who leaves a voice mail message rather than texts you? Who asks for a fact easily found on Google? Don't these people realize that they're wasting your time?
Maybe I'm the rude one for not appreciating life's little politeness. But many social agreed standards just don't make sense to people drowning in digital communication.
In texts, you don't have to declare who you are or even say hello. E?mail, too, is slower than a text. Voice mail is a now impolite way of trying to connect.
My father learned this lesson after leaving me a dozen voice mail messages, none of which I listened to. Exasperated，he called my sister to express his dissatisfaction that I never returned his phone calls. “Why are you leaving him voice mail？”my sister asked. “Just text him.”
In the age of the smartphone, there is no reason to ask once?acceptable questions about：the weather forecast, a business's phone number, or directions to a house, a restaurant, which can be easily found on Google Maps. But people still ask these things. And when you answer, they respond with a thank?you e?mail.
How to handle these differing standards? Easy. Consider your audience. Some people, especially older ones, appreciate a thank?you message. Others, like me, want no reply.
The anthropologist(人类学家) Margaret Mead once said that in traditional societies, the young learn from the old. But in modern societies, the old can also learn from the young. Here's hoping that politeness never goes out of fashion but that time?wasting forms of communication do.
【语篇解读】 本文是一篇议论文，主要讨论了如今在智能手机时代，人们应该选择何种方式进行沟通。
5．What does the underlined word “Exasperated” mean in the fifth paragraph?
A．Worried. B．Surprised.
C．Annoyed. D．Tired.
解析：选C 词义猜测题。根据第五段第二句中的“he called my sister to express his dissatisfaction that I never returned his phone calls”可知，作者的父亲对作者不给自己回电话很不满，由此可推知exasperated的意思是“恼怒的，生气的”，故选C。
6．Why didn't the writer reply to his father?
A．He liked text messages better.
B．He enjoyed checking his voice mail.
C．He didn't receive any voice mail messages.
D．He didn't want to talk with his father.
解析：选A 推理判断题。根据第五段中的“‘Why are you leaving him voice mail？’my sister asked.‘Just text him.’”可推知，作者不喜欢用语音信箱，更偏爱发短信，故选A。
7．Which of the following does the writer agree to?
A．People needn't learn from one another in traditional societies.
B．Dealing with voice mail should vary with each individual.
C．People needn't turn to Google for help when in trouble.
D．Declaring who you are or saying hello in texts is necessary.
解析：选B 推理判断题。根据第七段的内容可推知，标准是变化的，处理方式应该因人而异，而不是一刀切，语音信箱的使用亦是如此，故选B。
8．What's the best title of this passage?
A．Nowadays: what should we do with text messages?
B．Nowadays: do you like leaving others a voice message?
C．Nowadays: what means should we use in communication?
D．Nowadays: do you need a thank?you message?
解析：选C 标题归纳题。根据对文章内容的整体理解可知，第三段引入本文话题，最后两段点题总结，本文主要讨论的是如今(在智能手机时代)我们应该用何种方式沟通，故选C。
Ⅱ.语法填空
Here 1. ________ (be) some ways to start talking.
Find common ground. Anything that the person can relate to and that establishes a connection can 2. ________ (consider) common ground, such as the weather.
Involve the other person. Now that you've established common ground, it's time to involve the other person and get him talking by asking him to reveal some information about 3. ________ (he). Don't ask anything too 4. ________ (person), like asking about the person's health, religion, or political views. Just keep it light and fun and ask open?ended questions about the person's interests, job, or 5. ________ (surrounding)．
Follow up with a question or a statement. The person's response will influence whether you follow up with a question, a statement, or a joke. Try to find a balance between questions 6. ________ statements. Too many questions will make the person feel like he's being interrogated (质问), and too many statements won't give the person room 7. ________ (talk)．
Take the time to listen. 8. ________ (real) listening to things 9. ________ the person says can make the speaker feel pleased and like to speak more. It also helps you find new common ground and guide the conversation 10. ________ a more fun or productive direction.
【语篇解读】 本文介绍了四种开始谈话的方式。
1．解析：考查主谓一致。设空处描述的一般事实，且由some ways可知，谓语应用复数形式，故填are。
答案：are
2．解析：考查被动语态。主语Anything与consider之间是被动关系，且设空处前面有情态动词can，故填be considered。
答案：be considered
3．解析：考查代词。由“get him talking by asking him to reveal some information”可知，设空处所在句表述的是让说话者谈论自己的信息，故填himself。
答案：himself
4．解析：考查形容词。由下文的“the person's health, religion, or political views”可知，设空处表述的是不要问太多私人的问题，故填personal。
答案：personal
5.解析：考查名词。surroundings意为“周围的事物，周围的情况”。
答案：surroundings
6．解析：考查固定搭配。between...and...意为“在……(两者)之间”。
答案：and
7．解析：考查不定式。设空处在句中作目的状语，故填to talk。
答案：to talk
8．解析：考查副词。设空处修饰动名词listening，表示“真正地”，故填Really。
答案：Really
9．解析：考查定语从句。设空处在句中引导限制性定语从句，修饰先行词things，且在从句中作宾语，故填that/which。
答案：that / which
10．解析：考查介词。表示“朝……的方向”用介词in。
答案：in
1．awkwardness n． 尴尬；笨拙
2．engage in 参加；从事；忙于
3．as opposed to 与……相对
4．boundary n． 分界线；范围
5．exceed vt. 超过；超越；越过……的界限
The weather, for example, is not an unusual topic，though snow is an appropriate small talk topic as others can discuss how it has affected their days.
[分析] 本句为主从复合句。though...days为让步状语从句，在该从句中snow...topic为主句，as...days为as引导的原因状语从句，其中how...days作discuss的宾语从句。
[翻译] 例如，天气是一个寻常的话题，虽然雪是一个合适闲聊的话题，因为其他人可以谈论雪是如何影响他们的生活的。
(共26张PPT)
Section Ⅳ 单元知识巩固
重 点 单 词
a
for
in
on / towards
in
in
advanced
of
for
in
favourable
favourite
from
of
in
in
absent
present
to
for
an
for
with
interruption
doing
as
be
想象……
imagination
重 点 短 语
as
What
highly/well
little/badly
over
about
on
out
to
on/upon
to
of
up
on
for
behind
alone
up
in/out
around/round
重 点 句 型
Never lose heart and
Every time we see something new
It is estimated that
话 题 写 作
首页
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骄了之路
the road to pride
让学习更快乐,人生更精彩
Module 1 Small Talk
Section Ⅱ Integrating Skills & Cultural Corner
能力提升
Ⅰ.七选五
Four simple steps to be truly thankful
Thanksgiving is more than pie and turkey. It's about helping and loving the family, friends and world around you. The following tips will help you show your thankfulness.
1．Family
A lot can happen in a year. Your family may have added some loved ones and lost some at the same time. 1 , and let your family know how important they are to you and how glad you are that you all could get together.
2．Friends
Do what you always do—throw a party. In college, Chicago natives Heather and Nosheen threw a dinner party for their friends on Thanksgiving and came up with HANTDE: Heather and Nosheen's Thanksgiving Day Extravaganza. 2 .
“HANDTE is a reunion time that we all look forward to every year，” Heather says.“ 3 , so HANTDE has become a time to see and be with each other.”
3．Community (社区)
You could volunteer at a local soup kitchen or bring unused items to a food bank. 4 . This year, Heather and Nosheen are asking their HANTDE guests to offer a monetary donation, which they will donate to help low?income families.
4．Self
5 , for example, the debts you paid off or the friends you've made. Being able to give thanks for yourself and what you've done is the first step to being able to show thankfulness to others.
A．Stop racing for the next raise
B．Look back on your recent achievements
C．Take the time to raise a glass during dinner
D．We have jobs now and don't see each other that much
E．You could also turn your celebration into a good cause
F．What started in their dorm room now is a yearly tradition
G．Perhaps a family member is fighting against a deadly disease
【语篇解读】 本文是说明文。文章主要是表达感谢的相关建议。
1．解析：选C 根据该空后的“let your family know...”可知，所给选项中只有C项符合该处语境。raise a glass意为“祝酒”。
2．解析：选F 根据上一句中的“came up with”和下一段首的“HANDTE is a reunion time that we all look forward to every year”可知，HANDTE从一项宿舍活动变成了一个年年如此的传统。
3．解析：选D D项中的“don't see each other that much”和该空后的“become a time to see and be with each other”相互呼应。
4．解析：选E 该空后的内容是对E项“你也可以把庆祝变成一种高尚的目标”的举例。
5．解析：选B 根据该空后的“the debts you paid off or the friends you've made”可知，应该回首自己近来的成就。
Ⅱ.完形填空
Have you ever traveled around by bike？This spring my older brother and I 1 the busy city and spent a long weekend 2 in the countryside. Our speed was only around 14 kph, but we didn't 3 . We hadn't come to break any speed records, 4 . All we wanted was some 5 air and a break from schoolwork.
We really 6 ourselves while cycling along traffic?free country paths. There was plenty of sunshine, 7 it was quite cold, 8 in the mornings. The good news was that soon we 9 as we rode along. Our only 10 was when my brakes started making a terrible noise. But I didn't care as it gave us an 11 to visit a café while a bike mechanic(机修工) had a look at it.
Every few kilometers there was a 12 where we could talk with local people. One of the women was very 13 and showed us the way when we got lost. On Saturday night we were 14 at 2 a．m.by some young people. They kept singing loudly in the next room, which made us 15 all night. We felt very 16 when we got up the next morning. Soon we 17 . We were more cheerful on the way when the sun came out. 18 , things like that happened only once. Anyway I still like traveling around by bike—it's 19 and it's fun. If you're looking for a short break that's active and cheap, then cycling is a great 20 !
【语篇解读】 本文是记叙文。作者讲述了自己和哥哥在周末骑自行车去乡下游玩的经历。
1．A.left B．visited
C．found D．reached
解析：选A 由该空后的“spent a long weekend...in the countryside”可知，哥哥和我“离开(left)”繁忙的城市去了乡下。
2．A.painting B．studying
C．teaching D．cycling
解析：选D 下文的“cycling along traffic?free country paths”是提示。
3．A.regret B．mind
C．fail D．realize
解析：选B 由该空后的“We hadn't come to break any speed records”可知，我们的车速只有14公里每小时，但是我们并不“介意(mind)”。
4．A.at last B．as well
C．after all D．at most
解析：选C “毕竟(after all)”，我们不是来打破速度纪录的。
5．A.fresh B．thin
C．cool D．dry
解析：选A 从城市来到乡下应该是想呼吸一下“新鲜的(fresh)”空气。
6．A.hurt B．hated
C．changed D．enjoyed
解析：选D 由该空后的“cycling along traffic?free country paths”可知，在没有汽车的乡间小路上，我们无忧无虑地骑着自行车，十分享受。enjoy oneself “过得愉快”。
7．A.but B．so
C．or D．unless
解析：选A 该空前后为转折关系，故填but。
8．A.probably B．especially
C．specially D．immediately
解析：选B “尤其(especially)”是早上非常冷。
9．A.came back B．gave up
C．warmed up D．calmed down
解析：选C 由上文的“it was quite cold”和“The good news”可知，我们骑了一会自行车“暖和(warmed up)”多了。
10．A.wish B．problem
C．decision D．memory
解析：选B 由该空后的“my brakes started making a terrible noise”可知，这里是说“问题(problem)”。
11．A.order B．opinion
C．excuse D．explanation
解析：选C 由该空后的“visit a café while a bike mechanic (机修工) had a look at it”可知，趁着机修工帮我们修自行车，我们就有“借口(excuse)”去咖啡店逛一逛了。
12．A.city B．lake
C．school D．village
解析：选D 由上文的the countryside和该空后的“we could talk with local people”可知，每隔几公里就有一个“村庄(village)”。
13．A.friendly B．honest
C．stupid D．nervous
解析：选A 由该空后的“showed us the way when we got lost”可知，这位妇女非常“友好(friendly)”。
14．A.saved B．paid
C．woken D．greeted
解析：选C 由下文的“They kept singing loudly in the next room”可知，我们被隔壁的一些年轻人“吵醒(woken)”了。
15．A.excited B．sleepless
C．speechless D．frightened
解析：选B 他们唱歌的声音让我们彻夜“未眠(sleepless)”。
16．A.shy B．busy
C．bored D．tired
解析：选D 一晚上没有休息好，所以早上起来后应该是感觉很“累(tired)”。
17．A.set off B．called back
C．settled down D．broke down
解析：选A 由该空后的“We were more cheerful on the way”可知，很快我们就“出发(set off)”了。
18．A.Strangely B．Doubtfully
C．Luckily D．Naturally
解析：选C 由该空后的“things like that happened only once”可知，像那样的事情只发生了一次，所以非常“幸运地(Luckily)”。
19．A.true B．simple
C．difficult D．dangerous
解析：选B 骑着自行车游玩“简单(simple)”又快乐。
20．A.goal B．dream
C．result D．choice
解析：选D 总览全文可知，作者认为骑自行车游玩是一个很好的“选择(choice)”。
1．item n． 物品
2．brake n． 刹车
3．cheerful adj. 令人愉快的；欢乐的；高兴的
(共9张PPT)
Section Ⅲ Grammar
基 础 巩 固
能 力 提 升
基 础 巩 固
have watered
to translate
to help
needs to be done/doing
have bought
to let
needn't
to worry
finish
to finish
don't→didn't
put前加have
wear前加to
couldn't→needn't
need→needn't或need后加not
能 力 提 升
点 击 进 入
首页
末页
骄了之路
the road to pride
让学习更快乐,人生更精彩
(共11张PPT)
Section Ⅱ Integrating
Skills & Cultural Corner
基 础 巩 固
能 力 提 升
基 础 巩 固
advance
sighed
yawned
nodded
lacking
opportunity
certain
confidence
informal
seriously
lacking
confidently
being caught
out
in
absence
successful
apologized
As
accepting
去掉addition后的to
Giving→Give
on→up
去掉when
for→of
能 力 提 升
点 击 进 入
首页
末页
骄了之路
the road to pride
让学习更快乐,人生更精彩
Module 1 Small Talk
Section Ⅲ Grammar
能力提升
Ⅰ.阅读理解
A
The Scottish composer Evelyn Glennie lost nearly all her hearing as a young girl, yet went on to a very successful career in music including winning Grammy awards. When somebody asks her, “How do you hear？” She responds, “How do you hear？Is it only with your ears？” For Glennie, and for us too, listening is not only hearing, but is understanding. We need to listen to what is said and unsaid, and also how it is said.
It's important to hear what people say accurately. As Mark Twain said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug(萤火虫)．” If you miss something or you're not sure you've heard accurately, ask the speakers. At this point you're not evaluating what they say, but just looking for accuracy and understanding. Here are some ways to get clear about what they say and don't say. Why are they saying this now, instead of sooner or later？Why are they emphasizing these points, instead of something else?
Listen to how it is said. People send signals about what they mean with their voices and body language that sometimes differ from the words they say. While going through the next points, think about someone whose real meaning you might sometimes miss, and see if any of these signals might come up. First, voices. When others speak, notice changes in their volume, pace, and tone. Second, body language. Notice gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions. Do these sync what they are saying, or do they tell a different story？Third, emotions. What is the person's true feeling？Now you might not know for sure, but be considerate, open to understanding, and ask thoughtful questions.
【语篇解读】 本文讲述了聆听的内涵。我们要听懂说话人想要表达的言外之意，并且要注意说话方式。
1．What's the writer's purpose of mentioning Evelyn Glennie?
A．To give an example of wise words.
B．To introduce a world?famous musician.
C．To help explain the meaning of listening.
D．To encourage us to fight against disability.
解析：选C 目的意图题。根据第一段中的“For Glennie, and for us too, listening is not only hearing, but is understanding.”可知，对于Glennie和“我们”来说，聆听不仅是用耳朵听而且是理解，这里说明了聆听的内涵。所以选项C正确。
2．What can we learn from what Mark Twain said?
A．It is important to have a good knowledge of English words.
B．People should know words can be used in many different ways.
C．English is a very complicated language with a large vocabulary.
D．The slight difference between words may result in misunderstanding.
解析：选D 推理判断题。根据第二段中的“It's important to hear what people say accurately.”和“At this point you're...looking for accuracy and understanding.”可知，准确听懂说话者的意思很重要。因此，选项D “词语的细微差异可能导致误解。”与Mark Twain所说的话意思相吻合。
3．What does the underlined word “sync” probably mean?
A．Match. B．Prove.
C．Describe. D．Analyze.
解析：选A 词义猜测题。画线词前的修饰词these指代前一句中的“gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions”；再根据画线词后的“what they are saying, or do they tell a different story”可推断，match与画线词意思相近。故选A。
4．Which is the best title of this passage?
A．Speak While You Listen
B．Listen Beyond Words
C．Read Between Lines
D．Think as You Talk
解析：选B 标题归纳题。本文主要说明通过观察说话人的说话方式来听懂说话人想表达的言外之意。所以选B。
B
Informal conversation is an important part of any business relationship. Before you start a discussion, however, make sure you understand which topics are suitable and which are considered taboos (禁忌) in a particular culture. Latin Americans enjoy sharing information about their local history, art, and customs. They expect questions about their family and are sure to show pictures of their children. You may feel free to ask similar questions of your Latin American friends. The French think of conversation as an art form, and they enjoy the value of lively discussions as well as disagreements. For them, arguments can be interesting—and they can cover pretty much or any topic—as long as they occur in a respectful and intelligent manner.
In the United States, business people like to discuss a wide range of topics, including opinions about work, family, hobbies, and politics. In Japan, China and Korea, however, people are much more private. They do not share much about their thoughts, feelings, or emotions because they feel that doing so might take away from the harmonious business relationship they're trying to build. Middle Easterners are also private about their personal lives and family matters. It is considered rude, for example, to ask a businessman from Saudi Arabia about his wife or children.
As a general rule, it's best not to talk about politics or religion with your business friends. This can get you into trouble, even in the United States, where people hold different views. In addition, discussing one's salary is usually considered unsuitable. Sports is typically a friendly subject in most parts of the world, although be careful not to criticize a national sport. Instead, be friendly and praise your host's team.
【语篇解读】 本文主要介绍了不同国家非正式谈话的常见话题和一些禁忌。
5．The author considers politics and religion ________.
A．cheerful topics B．taboos
C．rude topics D．too serious
解析：选B 细节理解题。从最后一段第一句话可知答案选B。
6．We typically talk about ________ in a friendly way in most places according to the author.
A．sports B．children
C．personal feelings D．families
解析：选A 细节理解题。根据最后一段中的“Sports is typically a friendly subject in most parts of the world...”可知答案选A。
7．Why are people from Asia more private in their conversation with others?
A．They don't want to talk with others much.
B．They don't want to have their good relationship with others harmed by informal conversation.
C．They are afraid to argue with their colleagues.
D．They want to keep their feelings to themselves.
解析：选B 推理判断题。从第二段第三句话可以推知，日本人、中国人、韩国人不分享他们的思想、感受及情感，是因为他们认为会破坏和谐的商业关系。
8．In which country may it be suitable to talk about the family with your business friends?
A．In France. B．In Saudi Arabia.
C．In Korea. D．In the US.
解析：选D 细节理解题。根据第二段第一句可知答案为D。
Ⅱ.短文改错
In our daily life, a smile sometimes is best gift we can give someone. Yesterday while in a shop, I saw a young man stand with a sad look on his face. I walked by and give him a big smile. All of a sudden, her eyes brightened and he smiled back. I had no idea that why he looked so sadly, but for that moment he smiled. Nowadays people are under pressures. Give the gift of our smile, or we will make a difference in others' life. I think we should keep on mind that a smile is a valuable gift, that can make the whole world warm.
答案：
In our daily life, a smile sometimes is best gift we can give someone. Yesterday while in a shop, I saw a young man eq \f(,) with a sad look on his face. I walked by and eq \f(,) him a big smile. All of a sudden，eq \f(,) eyes brightened and he smiled back. I had no idea that why he looked so eq \f(,)， but for that moment he smiled. Nowadays people are under eq \f(,).Give the gift of our smile，eq \f(,) we will make a difference in others' life. I think we should keep eq \f(,) mind that a smile is a valuable gift, eq \f(,) can make the whole world warm.
1．accurately adv. 精确地；准确地
2．evaluate vt. 评价； 估价
3．emphasize vt. 强调；着重
4．intelligent adj. 智慧的
5．harmonious adj. 和谐的
Before you start a discussion, however, make sure you understand which topics are suitable and which are considered taboos (禁忌) in a particular culture.
[分析] 本句为主从复合句。“which topics are suitable” 和“which are considered...culture”为并列的宾语从句，作understand的宾语。
[翻译] 然而，在开始谈话之前，你要确保在特定的文化中哪些话题是合适的，哪些是禁忌。
(共17张PPT)
Section Ⅰ Introduction & Vocabulary and Reading
基 础 巩 固
能 力 提 升
语 篇 理 解
基 础 巩 固
lack
advance
nod
sigh
opportunity
informal
serious
confidently
yawn
small talk
make friends
(be) nervous about ...
think of
look away from ...
social rules
in addition
find out
know how to have a conversation
Talk to a man about himself, and
语 篇 理 解
能 力 提 升
点 击 进 入
首页
末页
骄了之路
the road to pride
让学习更快乐,人生更精彩
