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Two friends have an argument that breaks up their friendship forever, even though neither one can remember how the whole thing got started. Such sad events happen over and over in high schools across the country. 51 , according to an official report on youth violence, “in our country today, the greatest threat to the lives of children and adolescents is not disease or starvation or abandonment, but the terrible reality of violence”. Given that this is the case, why aren’t students taught to manage 52 the way they are taught to solve math problemsor stay physically fit?
First of all, students need to realize that conflict is 53 . A report indicates that most violent incidents between students begin with a relatively minor 54 . For example, a fight could start over the fact that one student eats a peanut butter sandwich each lunchtime. 55
the sandwich can lead to insults, which in turn can lead to violence. The problem isn’t in the sandwich, but in the way students deal with the conflict.
Once students recognize that conflict is unavoidable, they can 56 the golden rule of conflict resolution: stay calm. Once the student feels calmer, he should choose words that will calm the other person down as well. Rude wordsand accusation only add fuel to the emotional fire. On the other hand, 57 words spoken at a normal sound level can put out the fire before it explodes out of control.
After both sides have calmed down, they can use another key 58 for conflict resolution: listening. Listening allows the two sides to understand each other. One person should describe his or her side, and the other person should listen without interrupting. Afterward, the listener can ask non-threatening questions to make the speaker’s position clear. Then the two people should change 59 .
60 , students need to consider what they are hearing. This doesn’t mean trying to figure out what’s wrong with the other person. It means understanding what the real issue is and what both sides are trying to 61 . For example, a shouting match over a peanut butter sandwich might happen because one person thinks the other person is unwilling to try new things. Students need to ask themselves questions such as these: How did this start? What do I really want? What am I afraid of? As the issue becomes 62 , the conflict often simply becomes smaller. Even if it doesn’t, 63 thought helps both sides figure out a bettersolution.
After students started a conflict resolution, there has been an increase in student 64 .Learning to resolve conflicts can help students 65 friends,teachers, parents, bosses and coworkers. In that way, conflict resolution is a basic life skill that should be taught in schools across the country.
51. A. As a result B. In fact C. By contrast D. On the contrary
52. A. conflict B. lives C. relationships D. affairs
53. A. violent B. global C. unresolved D. unavoidable
54. A. remark B. assumption C. insult D. resolution
55. A. Preference for B. Particularity about C. Complaint over D. Laughter over
56. A. interpret B. practice C. assess D. bend
57. A. soft B. tough C. critical D. clear
58. A. measure B. strategy C. assessment D. application
59. A. responses B. attitudes C. roles D. intentions
60. A. Contrarily B. Relatively C. Consequently D. Finally
61. A. accomplish B. ignore C. foresee D. seek
62. A. wider B. clearer C. more complex D. more critical
63. A. unselfish B. initial C. inspiring D. careful
64. A. cooperation B. argument C. gratitude D. support
65. A. admire B. select C. deal with D. back up | 
