There are lots of reasons you may not be on a first-name basis with your neighbors. I’ve lived in my current home for 11 years, and have very few connections to show for it. It’s not that I don’t want to know my neighbors; I’m just excellent at awkwardly keeping to myself. While some people are happy to invite the whole street to a dinner party or hand-deliver baked goods door to door, some of us will never ever be that outgoing. Here are a few neighborly strategies for the rest of us.

The easiest way to get to know the people in your neighborhood is to exist in plain view! Spend regular time in your front yard. Sit on the porch at the same time every day and eventually someone will say hello. If you feel weird just sitting there, pick up a hobby that you can do in your front yard, like reading, bird watching, or pretending to pull weeds while you drink a beer. 

We are all more comfortable socializing with screens between us these days, right? Take advantage of that tendency and get active in your neighborhood’s social media groups on the Internet. Yes, it feels corny (老套的), but it’s a low risk way to get the ball running.

Look for community gatherings that you can drop into, chat a little, and leave the second you start sweating. Try a garage sale or library book sale. When there’s an activity going on, the focus won’t be on you, making it easier to casually interact with people. Try five minutes; if you have to leave, no one will notice.

If you are interested in gardening, you will spot the neighbors who are also into gardening. Ask them about their garden! Asking questions is the easiest way to connect because you are placing the focus on the other person. If you have a dog, talk to other dog people on your walks. If you have a kid, ask other parents about stuff to do with kids.

Why bother? In case you need a few reminders for why it’s good to be friendly with your neighbors, here are a few practical benefits of getting connected with your community.

1.Why does the author know little about the neighbors?

A For the unwillingness of knowing others.

B For the quiet and shy personality.

C For the infrequent parties.

D For a serious flu.

解析：选B。B 细节理解题。根据第一段中的“It’s not that I don’t want to know my neighbors; I’m just excellent at awkwardly keeping to myself.”可知，作者并不是不想认识邻居，她/他只是很擅长尴尬地独处，即性格比较内向。故选B。

2.What’s the simplest way to get to know the neighbors?

A Going outside.

B Turning to the Internet.

C Attending parties.

D Looking for shared interests.

解析：选A。A 细节理解题。根据第二段中的“The easiest way to get to know the people in your neighborhood is to exist in plain view!”可知，最简单的方法是生活在人们的视野中，即走出去。故选A。

3.Which word can best describe community gatherings?

A Expensive.

B Complex.

C Powerful.

D Flexible.

解析：选D。D 推理判断题。根据第四段中的“you can drop into, chat a little, and leave the second you start sweating”“if you have to leave, no one will notice”可知，参加社区活动很灵活，随时想离开都可以。故选D。

4.What may the passage talk about next?

A Requirements for your new neighbors.

B Advantages of knowing about neighbors.

C Advice on how to connect with your friends.

D Ways to reduce the risk of making wrong friends.

解析：选B。B 推理判断题。根据最后一段中的“here are a few practical benefits of getting connected with your community”可知，接下来最有可能会谈及与社区建立联系的好处。故选B。