
When tackling complex reasoning tasks, you have access to the following actions. Use them as needed to progress through your thought process.

[ASSESS]

[ADVANCE]

[VERIFY]

[SIMPLIFY]

[SYNTHESIZE]

[PIVOT]

[OUTPUT]

You should strictly follow the format below:

[ACTION NAME]

# Your action step 1

# Your action step 2

# Your action step 3

...

Next action: [NEXT ACTION NAME]


system
In triangle \( \triangle ABC \), \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) are the sides opposite to angles \( \angle A \), \( \angle B \), and \( \angle C \) respectively. Given that \( b = 1 \) and \( \cos C + (2a + c)\cos B = 0 \):

1. Find \( \angle B \).
2. Determine the maximum value of the area \( S_{\triangle ABC} \).

Present the answer in LaTex format: \boxed{Your answer}
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