Common public speaking problems

    The use of "I feel", "I think" and "maybe"

    In the question-and-answer session of the speaking competition, many contestants began their answers with uncertain expressions like "I feel", "I guess", "I hear", "maybe" and "perhaps".

    These words show that the person is only speaking from his or her point of view. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} 

    Work on keeping your answers brief and to the point, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} . Instead of the empty-sounding "I guess", using facts, together with a clear conclusion based on those facts, is far more likely to be popular with an audience.

    Using only one speaking style

    Don't stick to the same tone. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} 

    For example, when they spoke about their dreams, some sounded romantic. Others used humor. Very few used several different styles together. Try mixing more than one style, rather than just sticking with the same one.

    Irresponsible answers

    Public speaking is different from personal conversations. You're responsible for your words. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} So you should think twice before you talk. Don't be like the student who, when asked about his opinion on book piracy（盗版）, started by saying he supported it.

    Talking around the topic rather than directly answering it

    You should focus on one point and give a clear solution. The key is to work out what question is being asked. Is it asking you to discuss a certain topic or to present your own point of view?

    Use one or two arguments together and give a strong conclusion. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} 

A. It can be boring. Try to mix it up.

B. Even though you want to answer quickly, you don't want to sound foolish.

C. Also work on delivering them with calmness and confidence.

D. Deliberate gestures and affected（做作的）expressions of feelings are improper in a successful speech.

E. Remember that judges are not judging you on whether they agree, but on your ability to say what you think clearly.

F. This lacks the support of facts and seems not to be reliable for the judges and audience.

G. Confidence is extremely important in public speaking as it lets a speaker sound more convincing.

    Oral English, also known as spoken English, is the form of English that is used when people are speaking to one another . Students who are learning English as a second language often feel uncomfortable using oral English because they fear that they will not be understood. It is important that a person who is learning to speak English practice using the language.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Listening is important to learning spoken English.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}Pay attention to conversations that happen around you while you are shopping . Watch the news every evening while you have supper .Part of learning spoken English is in understanding how English words are formed . Watch the mouths and tongues of native English speakers carefully.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Notice how the lips form certain sounds. Imitate （ 模仿）what you see .
       Rent movies over the weekend. Try to follow the story line of comedy shows.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Not having to respond in English lets you concentrate on simply understanding what is being said. Understanding how English is used in conversation will help you to better communicate in the language.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}When you are reading, pay more attention to the correct pronunciation of the words you are reading rather than comprehension of each word. Read easy books that were written for children. Reading simple books takes away the frustration of sounding out hard words.

A. Read out loud for twenty to thirty minutes every day .

B. Listen to English radio while getting ready in the morning .

C. Observe how much the mouth is opened to say certain words .

D. Find a friend or teacher who is willing to help you learn English .

E. Repeat the conversations several times to increase your speaking speed .

F. Watching TV shows and movies allows you to hear English used in conversation .

G. The more a person practices his or her skills , the more easily speaking English will become .

    The news media in the U. S. consist of radio, television and newspapers. Together they are everywhere on the lives of many Americans and influential on their daily routines. Many Americans begin their day by reading the newspaper or watching a morning news program on television while drinking their coffee.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Throughout the day the news is broadcast repeatedly on the radio and television.

    In the evening news is a main feature on television with up to two hours of news in the early evening and more news late at night. For those who prefer reading, the evening newspaper offers the reader the possibility of reading the news others see and hear on television.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}It is up to the general public to choose what to read, watch or listen to. Therefore, the media must have sensitivity to the interests of the public.

    News is a big business. However, it is a very competitive business, as each station or each newspaper competes for audiences and readers.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} When an item becomes news worthy, such as an election or a war, Americans will become familiar with the details as the news media try to be as informative as possible.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}

    The news media report the same news items regarded as the most interesting and impressive.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} However, most Americans would not criticize their news media too harshly. The truth of the news media is generally acknowledged and accepted by the American public.

A. Americans don't have to pay for the services.

B. The news media are free of government control.

C. But the result is that the news becomes repeated.

D. Sometimes they have to bear boring advertisements.

E. Each tries to present the news Americans want to know.

F. While driving to work, the news can be heard on the car radio.

G. Listeners, viewers or readers might find it difficult to be selective.

                                                          How to pass an important test

    Whether it's a first grade science test or College Entrance Exam, all tests have one thing in common: you have to pass.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Stuck in a situation where you don't know what to do? This article can help. Tips

    ★⒈Once you get the study guide, make plans right away to study as soon as possible. No excuses! Killing time with friends isn't worth it，since you can always hang out with them any other day.

    ★⒉Get plenty of rest. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} If you walk into the classroom sleepily, you'll most likely not finish the test because you are so tired.

    ★⒊Eat a good meal for breakfast. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}Some healthy breakfast suggestions are oatmeal (燕麦片), high fibre food, and grapefruit with the fresh fruit salad.

    ★⒋Bring all necessary materials. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Bring pencils, pens, pencil sharpeners, snacks (if allowed)，erasers, the calculator (if allowed) and anything else you'll need for the test.

    ★⒌{#blank#}5{#/blank#} Showing up late cuts back the time you'll have to take for the test if it's already testing hours. You'll probably miss any important information needed in completing the test. In some tests，late comers are not allowed to take the test.

    Get a Thorough Understanding of Oneself.

    In all one's life time it is oneself that one spends the most time being with or dealing with.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}

    When you are going upwards in life you tend to overestimate(高估) yourself. It seems that everything you seek for is within your reach.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} It's likely that you think it wise for yourself to stay away from the outer world. Actually, to get a thorough understanding of oneself, you may as well keep the following tips in mind.

    Gain a correct view of oneself. You may look forward hopefully to the future but be sure not to expect too much, for dreams can never be fully realized. You may be courageous to meet challenges but it should be clear to you where to direct your efforts.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Self-appreciate. Whether you compare yourself to a towering tree or a blade of grass, a high mountain or a small stone, you represent a state of nature.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} If you earnestly (诚挚地) admire yourself you'll have a real sense of self-appreciation.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} In time of anger, do yourself a favor by releasing (释放) it in a quiet place so that you won't be hurt by its flames; in time of sadness, do yourself a favor by sharing it with your friends so as to change a bad mood into a cheerful one; in time of tiredness, do yourself a favor by getting a good sleep.

    Get a full control of one's life. Then one will find one's life full of color and flavor.

A. It has its own value.

B. Do oneself a favor when it's needed.

C. Do yourself a favor when you resist the attack of illness.

D. But it is precisely oneself that one has the least understanding of.

E. Especially if it is well within your reach, you are just too blind to see it.

F. When you are going downhill you tend to underestimate yourself for your own incompetence.

G. So long as you have a perfect knowledge of yourself, there won't be difficulties you can't overcome.

How to escape from a car in water

    "If you get on your phone and call your parents or your sister, or 911, you will die," says Robert May, a 21-year-old veteran(老兵) of the Indiana State. No one else will arrive in time: you have to save yourself.

    Move quickly. Minivans(微型货车) might float for as long as10 minutes. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} In a study from the University of Manitoba, three passengers were able to exist with a child mannequin(人体模型) through a single driver-side window in just 3 seconds.

    Unbuckle(揭开)your seat belt, lower your window and climb out, ideally onto the roof of the vehicle. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Unfasten them from the backseat, pull them into the front and push them out of your window, oldest ones first. In May's experience, electric car windows will continue to work after falling into water. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    Don't open the door, water will flood in. Once full of water, the vehicle will sink fast. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}Vehicle submersions (淹没) have one of the highest death rates of any type of single-motor-vehicle incidents, responsible for 400 deaths a year in North America.

    After you get on top of your car, figure out if it makes sense to stay put or swim for dry ground. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}Just get out first, May says.

A. From there, call for help

B. You will be then totally out of danger.

C. Research has been done to confirm this.

D. If there are children present, attend to them first.

E. In one study, a 65-passanger bus sank in nine seconds.

F. Still, keep a small glass-breaking tool on your key ring, just in case.

G. However, the chances of survival are highest if you get out in the first 60 seconds.