A firm handshake is the key to interview success. As any serious job-hunter knows, it helps to dress smartly and smile at that all-important interview. But research has showed that a firm handshake is what really matters when it es to impressing potential employers.
A US research looked at 98 undergraduates taking part in mock（模拟）interviews with businesses. As each undergraduate was graded on their general performance, five “handshake raters（评估人）” also marked them on their grasp, strength, duration, vigor and eye contact.
Professor Greg Stewart, from the University of Iowa, who led the study, said those who scored highly with the handshake raters were also considered to be the most hirable by the interviewers. Students with “wimpy” shakes were judged to be more timid（胆怯的）and less impressive.
The study also found women with a firm handshake were likely to be evaluated more favorably than their male counterparts.
Professor Stewart said: “We’ve always heard that interviewers make up their mind about a person in the first two or three minutes of an interview. But we found that the first impression begins with a handshake that sets the tone for the rest of the interview. We don’t consciously remember a person’s handshake but it is one of the first non-verbal（非语言的）clues we get about the person’s general personality, and that impression is what we remember.”
Women were less likely to have a highly rated handshake, partly because traditionally they shake hands less than men. But when women did possess a firm handshake, they were likely to be evaluated more favorably than their male counterparts.
Body language experts warn, however, that the firmness needs to be just right, —as an overenthusiastic “bone crusher” handshake can indicate self-importance, a controlling personality and a lack of reliability.
The handshake is thought to have originated in medieval Europe as a way for kings and knights to show that they did not intend to harm each other and possessed no hidden weapons.
【小题1】The passage is probably intended for .A．job-hunters B．an undergraduate C．employers D．handshake raters【小题2】Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?A．The firmer your handshake is the better impression you leave.B．The undergraduates without a firm handshake are less petitive.C．Generally speaking, women shake hands less with others.D．The handshake dates back to medieval Europe.【小题3】What is the main idea of the passage?A．The handshake determines a person’s personality. B．A successful job interview starts with a firm handshake.C．The first few minutes of the interview really counts.D．Job interview success depends on a number of factors.A
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(答案→)A
解析：文章介绍了面试中有力的握手的作用，通过调查表明有力的握手会给面试官更好的印象。
【小题1】细节题：从第一段的句子：As any serious job-hunter knows, it helps to dress smartly and smile at that all-important interview.可知这篇文章是写给找工作的人的。选A。
【小题2】细节题：从第五段的句子：Women were less likely to have a highly rated handshake, partly because traditionally they shake hands less than men.可知女性握手比男性少。选C
【小题3】主旨题：从全篇文章和第一段的句子：A firm handshake is the key to interview success.可知有力的握手是成功面试的开始。选B