First Reading Practice - Part 7 (Sample 2003 Adpated)

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Reading & Use of English, Part 7

You are going to read a magazine article about public speaking. For questions 1-10, choose from the sections of the
article (A-E). The sections may be chosen more than once. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Which section of the article mentions

not using lengthy written notes? 0 A

an action that may cause listeners to lose concentration? 1

the need to ensure that a talk is at the right level? 2

a technique used by well-known entertainers? 3

unconscious movements that speakers may make? 4

the need to avoid being dependent on written notes? 5

the standard structure of a talk? 6

the physical distance between a speaker and an audience? 7

the personal benefit gained from repeated rehearsals? 8

the need to be aware of the speed at which a talk is delivered? 9

the fact that an audience should have a good view? 10


Speak easy
Most of us have to speak in front of a crowd of people at some point in our lives. Here are a few
guidelines that will help you address your audience with confidence .

A ‘Nobody plans to fail, they simply fail to plan.’ lean on tables or get your arms too close to
Nowhere is this truer than in the arena of your body as you will restrict your lungs and
public speaking. The classic format for any talk impair your ability to project your voice.
has a beginning, a middle and an end. Think Although it may help you feel more relaxed, try
about how long you want the talk to last and not to walk about when delivering your speech
plan the content of the talk to fit the right as this will be distracting for your audience.
amount of time. Also, think about your
audience: make sure your approach to the D As with any skill, practice is vital. The more you
subject of your talk is neither too complex nor practise, the more confident you will be. Try
too simple for them. If you are going to use not to simply read out what you have prepared,
prompts, small cards are quite good as they and picture yourself talking confidently and
can be discreet and relatively unnoticeable knowledgeably about your subject. After you
compared to large sheets of paper. have been presenting to the mirror for a while,
you will begin to see which gestures and facial
B Wherever possible, make sure you know the movements work and which ones look wrong.
venue of your talk and check that people can Remember that nobody wants you to do badly
see you and any slides or diagrams you might and try to feel positive that you are going to
be using to support your points. When talking deliver an interesting and informative talk.
to a large group, try to keep very close to the
front row as this creates a feeling of E Despite the fact that we all feel shy or nervous
togetherness. Some of the best comedians use about talking to a large group, the reality in a
this closeness to encourage a feeling of lot of cases is that, once we get talking and
secrecy, telling you things as a stage whisper feeling confident, we all have the ability to
in order to build this intimacy. ‘perform’. But remember to talk in a controlled
manner, as we all have a tendency to rush
C It is important that you stand comfortably with once we are in front of a big crowd. Also, if you
both feet rooted to the floor but slightly apart. are going to be using a microphone, then
Without realising it, there will be a tendency to practise with it first. If not, make sure that your
‘retreat’ from the audience or you may sway voice can fill the room for the time you are
from side to side. Therefore, think of ways to speaking or reduce the time that you are going
counteract this when rehearsing (e.g. imagine to talk. Breathing exercises and voice
you are wearing heavy lead shoes on your feet projection techniques will all help.
which are keeping your heels down). Try not to
Answers
1C 2A 3B 4C 5D 6A 7B 8D 9E 10 B

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