Exercises
A. Determining the main idea.
Choose the best answer. Do not refer to the text.
The main idea of the article is that ________. ( D )
(a) both verbal and nonverbal communication are important for a successful speech
(b) nonverbal communication is the only key to a successful speech
(c) inadequate nonverbal communication will surely result in a failure
(d) nonverbal communication is indispensable to a successful speech
B. Comprehending the text.
Choose the best answer.
1. According to the author, Dan O'Connor's failure in the first speech lies in his _______. ( A )
(a) attention to the speech itself alone
(b) improper facial expression
(c) inadequate gestures
(d) insufficient preparation
2. "Men trust their ears less than their eyes" because _______. ( D )
(a) eyes are the window of the soul, while ears are not
(b) it has been proved by an Greek historian to be true
(c) it has been proved to be true by clinical medicine and researches
(d) eyes can detect much more information than ears
3. Who do you think Cher is? ( A )
(a) A famous man.
(b) An odd person.
(c) A person picked at random.
(d) A man in the street.
4. According to the passage, ___________. ( C )
(a) Einstein was not particular about personal appearance
(b) Einstein became more renowned because of being informal at conferences
(c) Einstein's unusual appearance was not contrary to people's expectation
(d) Einstein's informal appearance was contrary to the rules for important people
5. Personal appearance is important in that ________. ( C )
(a) clothes make the man
(b) it will make you more confident
(c) it will convey something before your speech begins
(d) first impression is of utmost importance
6. The author seems to tell us that ________. ( D )
(a) famous people can be special in personal appearance
(b) now that you are not Einstein, you should be well-groomed all the time
(c) famous men can be excused for wearing informal clothes in formal situations
(d) nothing is more appropriate than "right" itself
7. "The butterflies in your stomach" refers to ________. ( C )
(a) something that makes your stomach painful
(b) improper digestion that disturbs you
(c) nervousness
(d) an easy mind
8. The author advises us ________. ( B )
(a) to think for a moment before starting a speech
(b) not to hurry away when we finish a speech
(c) to use as many signals as possible to help us calm down.
(d) not to waste others' time
C. Understanding vocabulary.
Choose the correct definition according to the context.
1. When the time came for him to speak, a stricken look crossed his face. ( A )
(a) sorrowful
(b) nervous
(c) anxious
(d) envious
2. He got up from his chair like a condemned man and plodded to the lectern as though going to the guillotine. ( B )
(a) strode
(b) trudged
(c) stumbled
(d) rushed
3. If you were Cher, you could show up to make an Academy Award presentation speech wearing a bizarre creation that had more headdress than dress. ( A )
(a) strange
(b) attractive
(c) unfashionable
(d) fashionable
4. While the members of your audience would certainly comment on your attire, your reputation would not be harmed. In fact, it might be enhanced. ( C )
(a) manners
(b) gestures
(c) clothes
(d) appearance
5. No matter what the speaking situation, you should try to evoke favorable first impressions. ( B )
(a) impose
(b) produce
(c) appeal
(d) obtain
6. Novice speakers are often unsure what to do with their bodies while giving a speech. ( D )
(a) Novel
(b) Mature
(c) Nervous
(d) Inexperienced
7. As you do so, maintain your cool, collected demeanor. ( C )
(a) attitude
(b) mentality
(c) behavior
(d) action
8. Adroit gestures can add to the impact of a speech; but there is nothing to the popular notion that public speakers must have a vast repertoire of graceful gestures. ( A )
(a) Skillful
(b) Natural
(c) Artificial
(d) Additional
9. They should appear natural and spontaneous, help to clarify or reinforce your ideas, and be suited to the audience and occasion. ( A )
(a) unpremeditated
(b) instantaneous
(c) hurried
(d) simultaneous
10. Gesturing tends to work itself out as you acquire experience and confidence. In the meantime, make sure your hands do not upstage your ideas. ( B )
(a) contradict
(b) overshadow
(c) diffuse
(d) displace
11. We look to them to help gauge the truthfulness, intelligence, attitudes, and feelings of a speaker. ( A )
(a) estimate
(b) express
(c) test
(d) improve
12. You may find this disconcerting at first. ( D )
(a) confusing
(b) interesting
(c) difficult
(d) embarrassing
13. A blank stare is almost as bad as no eye contact at all. ( C )
(a) sheer
(b) overcurious
(c) expressionless
(d) absolute
D. Discussing the following topics.
1. Why is nonverbal communication important to a public speaker?
答案
Nonverbal communication, such as posture, facial expression, gesture, eye contact, affects the way listeners respond to a speaker. Speaking before an audience is not just like playing the recording. It is an art of performing. How to best communicate your ideas to your audience depends on how you perform on the platform. Expert estimates that more than 700 000 possible physical signals can be sent through bodily movement. Clinical studies have demonstrated that in some situations these signals account for much of the meaning communicated by speakers. Modern research has also confirmed what the Greek historian Herodotus observed more than 2400 years ago: "Men trust their ears less than their eyes." When a speaker's body language is inconsistent with his or her words, listeners tend to believe the body language rather than the words.
2.What are the four aspects of nonverbal communication you should concentrate on in your speeches?
These four aspects are: personal appearance, bodily action, gesture and eye contact. Personal appearance plays an important role in speechmaking. Listeners always see you before they hear you. Just as you adapt your language to the audience and the occasion, so should you dress and groom appropriately. As important is what you do just before you begin and after you finish. As you rise to speak, try to appear calm, poised, and confident, despite the butterflies in your stomach. Gesturing tends to work itself out as you acquire experience and confidence. Just think about communicating with your listeners, and your gestures will probably take care of themselves ─ just as they do in conversation. By establishing good eye contacts with our listeners we can convey an intricate array of nonverbal messages. Good eye contact can enhance the effect of our speech, and shorten the distance between our listeners and us.
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