D．To kill our time.

　　解析：选B　细节理解题。根据第一段的"The purpose of small talk is to let both people agree on something."可知选B。

　　3．The passage suggests that when we learn a language, ________.

　　A．we should understand the importance of the language

　　B．it's necessary to learn about the culture of the country

　　C．we should learn about the transport system of the country

　　D．it's enough to grasp the grammar and vocabulary of the language

　　解析：选B　推理判断题。根据文章最后一句"We also have to learn the social behavior of the people who speak it."可知，我们在学一门语言时要注意它的社会习俗，即要注意文化差异。

　　4．It can be learned from the passage that ________.

　　A．it's important to find a suitable small talk subject

　　B．small talk depends on the purpose of the conversation

　　C．in English­speaking countries we should talk about the weather

　　D．agreeing with each other is the key to a successful conversation

　　解析：选A　推理判断题。根据文章可知，在谈话时找到一个合适的话题是非常重要的，故选A。

　　B

　　Trying to find a safe place after too many earthquakes and aftershocks and the death of my dear husband, I sold my little farm in Canterbury, New Zealand, and moved north to Blenheim with my three elderly Labradors, three ancient cats and six doves.

　　The place I bought appeared reasonably priced, quiet and safe for the animals. I moved in, but that was the moment of truth.

　　It had been left filthy. There were large holes in walls where heaters and shelves had been removed, and illegal plumbing (管道) and wiring. The small house was filled with rubbish and the log burner full of ashes. The fence was partly burnt and the irrigation (灌溉) system was damaged. All the firewood had been removed.

　　After a busy day moving in and cleaning. I touched a switch in the bathroom, thinking it was for the lights. Unluckily, it was for an illegally wired spa bath and it tripped the circuit (电路), leaving the house in total darkness. I had not yet located a torch or phone, and boxes were all over the place. All I could do was lie on the bed and shiver (颤抖) through that long, very cold winter night.

　　At first light, I took my dogs for a walk along the nearby riverbank and met several other dog walkers who were chatting while their dogs played nearby. Allison, Fay and Colin introduced themselves, and I shared with them my struggles.

Later that day, Allison arrived at my door with a wheelbarrow full of firewood and kindling (