I believe that one of the best ways to connect with people and build quality relationships is making conversations. Although most people can hold a conversation, only a few are smooth when they talk. I have discovered five simple and effective ways to be a smooth talker. Here they are：

       Talk slowly.

       Generally, good talkers don't rush into a conversation. {#blank#}1{#/blank#}They act as if they had all the time in the world. This makes them  come off as centred and collected. Model this way of talking and you will create the same effect.

       Hold more eye contact.

       Most people keep eye contact about 2/3 of the time or less when they talk.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}This will convey confidence and interest in interacting with them.

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       People with good conversation skills tend to notice the kind of things that the average person doesn't notice, and to bring such details into the conversation. They may notice and point out an interesting ring on the other person's hand, a certain foreign accent, or a certain voice tone they use when saying a name. Thus, such individuals impress people in a very elegant manner.

       Express your emotions.

       {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Express your feelings about those facts. Keep in mind that it is at the emotional level that people connect best.

       Use the best words.

       The ability to talk smoothly has a lot to do with choosing the precise words to convey your precise feelings or thoughts.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} It will help you develop a way with words and allow you to express yourself more easily.

       Conversational skills don't improve just like that. It takes time, practice and the ability to learn at a rapid rate from your own experiences.

A  Don't just present the facts. You're not a newspaper.

B  It's a very good idea to hold eye contact just a bit more than that.

C  Notice the details.

D  It is important to improve conversational skills.

E  Offer interesting news.

F  They take their time when they reflect on something and when they say it out loud.

G  Develop your vocabulary and practise communicating as accurately as possible.

       Recently, a study was carried out to determine who was the greatest American president. Sixty­five presidential historians took part in it, and they judged the past forty­four American leaders based on ten leadership qualities, including public persuasiveness(信服), crisis leadership, management of the economy, moral leadership, and conduct of international relations. The historians also looked at administrative ability(管理能力), relations with Congress, ability to set goals, and the pursuit of equal justice for all. Finally, the experts took into consideration the historical period in which the president lived.

       The historians chose Abraham Lincoln as American's greatest president. He had also been named the greatest president in a similar study in 2000. Abraham Lincoln was the president who led the nation through the Civil War in the 1860s, and was able to unite it in the end. He also took the first steps to abolish(废除) slavery in America.

       Edna Medford, a professor of history at Howard University in Washington, D．C., was an adviser on this study and the earlier one. She says Abraham Lincoln is seen to represent the values the nation most honours, such as truthfulness, moderation, and respect for human rights.

       The historians put American's first president, George Washington, second on the list, while Franklin D. Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, and Harry S. Truman follow in that order. John F. Kennedy, the country's first Roman Catholic president, is sixth on the list. Like Lincoln, Kennedy was murdered while in office.

       Among recent presidents, Ronald Reagan was named the tenth best and Bill Clinton rated fifteenth, while the historians put former president George W. Bush at number thirty­six. His father, George H．W. Bush, did much better, being placed at number eighteen.

—A week is too long.Try to be back in a ________of days.