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

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    Don't stick to the same tone. It can be boring. Try to mix it up. For example, when they spoke about their dreams, some sounded romantic. Others used humor. Very few used several different styles tighter. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} , rather than just sticking with the same one.

    Irresponsible answers

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} . you're responsible for your words. Even though you want to answer quickly, you don't want to sound foolish. 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. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} . 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. Remember that judges are not judging you on whether they agree, but on your ability to say what you think clearly.

A. Try mixing more than one style.

B. Improving your communication skill.

C. Using only one speaking style

D. It's important to involve your audience.

E. Public speaking is different from personal conversations.

F. The key is to work out what question is being asked

G. To the judges and audience, this lacks the support of facts and seems not to be reliable.

    Any woman can be strong. I don t just mean strong in mental aspect.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}You may think that strong women are born, not made. You may be thinking of Olympic weightlifters lifting dozens of kilos over their heads, or of bodybuilders posing.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} It is a requirement for everyday life. Strength is what you need if you carry your luggage. You need to be strong to pick your child up off the floor. And, most of all-especially as you get older-you need strength simply to stand up without falling over.

    As we age, we progressively lose muscle mass, which can make us weaker.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} We might have trouble going up and down steps, picking up something heavy, even standing up from a seat. But while ageing is unavoidable, building muscle through strength training is meaningful.

    A programme that is becoming more and more commonly used is Starting Strength. The basic Starting Strength programme consists of four different lifts. Trainees learn these lifts step by step.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}Three times a week they perform three of the lifts. If they are successful in a period, they then add 2.25kg in the next period.

    But barbell (杠铃) lifting doesn't just offer physical strength; it also gives women emotional and mental confidence.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}

A. But strength is not just about appearances.

B. I mean simply being able to fight against gravity.

C. Being strong doesn't mean having a stony heart, either.

D. However, this condition can be improved by working out.

E. Most people begin to learn the lifts using an empty bar weighing 20kg.

F. In daily life, the actions we take for granted become more and more difficult.

G. However you feel about your body, you can become the strongest version of yourself.

    The favorite food in the United States is the hamburger, a kind of round sandwich of cooked beef.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}At fast food restaurants, people order their food, wait a few minutes, and carry it to their tables themselves. People also take their food out of the restaurant and eat it in their cars or in their homes. At some fast food restaurants, people can order their food, pay for it and pick it up without leaving their cars.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Most of them sell hamburgers, French fries and milkshakes, which are traditionally popular foods among Americans. In addition, there are many fast food restaurants that serve Chinese food, Mexican food, Italian food, chicken, seafood and ice cream.

    The idea of a fast food restaurant is so popular that nearly every kind of food can be found in one. Fast food restaurants are popular. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    First, they are not formal restaurants. Customers wear any type of dress when they go to a fast food place.{#blank#}4{#/blank#} People who are busy do not want to spend time preparing their own food or waiting while someone else prepares it. In fast food restaurants the food is usually ready before the customer even orders it. Finally, most food in a fast food restaurant is not expensive. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} However, they may not be able to afford a more traditional and more expensive restaurant very often.

A. Second, they are fast.

B. Chinese diets are also welcome.

C. In fact, they reflect American life style.

D. They will go to a good restaurant for important guests.

E. The favorite place to but a hamburger is a fast food restaurant.

F. Therefore, people can afford to eat at a fast food restaurant often.

G. There are many kinds of fast food restaurants in the United States.

    It could happen anywhere at any time.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Most people, at one time or another, have been on the receiving end of a random act of kindness. In a sometimes cold world where people can be so focused on what they're doing, a random act of kindness can make all the difference.

    They can be relatively insignificant. Hannah Bailey from London, for example, told the Metro newspaper about how she was given her fruit and vegetable shopping for free. The seller did her a kindness when it emerged she didn't have any change to pay.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    The city of Naples has long had a tradition called' caffè sospeso'. When buying coffee, a person who has recently been lucky would purchase two cups but only drink one, leaving the second one anonymously(匿名), out of the goodness of their heart, for a poor person to claim for free.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}

    However, in some cases, these little acts can be a matter of life and death. Take, for example, the unnamed commuter, who in June 2018 fell off a station platform onto an electric railway track in Toronto, Canada. A quick-thinking, hut even now unknown, bystander selflessly leapt down to pull him to safety.

    So, why do it? {#blank#}4{#/blank#} The people never meet again. According to UK charity The Mental Health Foundation, acts like these can “give our lives new purpose, show us other perspectives on our own problems and even make us feel content.”

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#} Hold open a door for someone, deliver a compliment—even give up your seat on a bus. Help someone who is in need. It takes all kinds. It needn't be anything huge. One day, whether you need it or not, someone might help you in your hour of need.

A. So give it a try.

B. Be brave to face challenges.

C. Often, the acts aren't paid back.

D. She was happy about it all day.

E. She was in low spirits the whole day.

F. This tradition is now more common worldwide.

G. It's often unexpected, but almost never unappreciated.

    A dog is known as man's best friend because it can enrich its owner's life in many ways.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Many teenagers suffer from periods of no self-confidence as they try to deal with adolescence(青春期) .

    A teenager without self-confidence may be unable to tell his parents about problems. With a dog around, it can be a huge comfort. A dog offers its unconditional love.{#blank#}2{#/blank#}

    All dogs need exercise, so taking his dog for a walk is the perfect opportunity for a teenager to get outdoors and enjoy fresh air and physical activity. Exercise allows people to take control of their bodies, which is good for their life.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}Exercise releases chemicals which improve self-confidence.

    Dogs can help teenagers make new friends.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}A dog is a great ice­breaker, making the teenager feel comfortable with people he meets. The more confident they becomes when out and about with his dog，the more his self-confidence will improve.

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}If a teenager is developing dangerous habits such as drinking, more action may be required. In these cases professional help should be sought. Parents should ask a health professional (专业人士) for advice if they believe there's a sign of a far more serious problem.

A. Pets offer an unconditional love that can be very helpful.

B. You don't have to worry about hurting your pet's feelings.

C. It simply accepts its owner for who he is and doesn't judge or question.

D. particularly, someone without self-confidence may find a pet dog helpful.

E. A teen may meet someone of the same age while walking his dog in the park.

F. In some cases, having a dog will not help improve a teenager's self-confidence.

G. Many forms of exercise besides walking can be enjoyed with a dog, such as cycling.

    Things only people who have worked overseas can understand

    If you have ever worked or lived overseas, I'm pretty sure you can understand the following things!

    We do not automatically become fluent (流利的) in another language. A lot of people believe that changing your geographic location can improve your language learning skills quickly. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} Language application takes time and has a number of factors that play into a person's level of fluency.

    We feel extremely lonely at times. Yes, living abroad can be wonderful. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} Sometimes, we think that no one back at home understands our true feelings and life challenges, but a lot of other people travel long term and work abroad. Maybe they are not facing the same problems as you, but they know exactly how you feel.

    We don't really like our birthdays. Usually, your special day ends with the last phone call you get from home and then you can look through all your greetings on social media. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} You may throw a small party with some of your new friends, but it's going to be nothing compared with the good­old feasts you used to have with your loved ones back at home.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Too often we simply can't tell you if we will be coming home for holidays this season. Sometimes, our working/living permits require us to stay in the country for at least a year. Adding up the flight costs and additional travel expenses, traveling home becomes quite a challenge for us.

    We will change. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} You become more mature, independent and open­minded. Usually, you return home as a better person than the one you left as.

A. The truth is: it isn't like that.

B. We may not plan to move back home.

C. We don't know when we'll come home next.

D. However, it can get extremely lonely on some days too.

E. Living abroad makes us value the little things a lot.

F. Living and working abroad shape your personality a lot.

G. After that, you just act as if it's another ordinary day in your life yet.