The art of public speaking began in ancient Greece over 2,000 years ago. Now, twitter, e-mail, blogs and QQ chat offer approaches to communication— but none can replace the role of a great speech.
The spoken word can handle various important functions: persuading or inspiring, informing, paying tribute (致敬), entertaining, or simply introducing someone.
Persuading is used in dealing with or reconciling different points of view. When the leaders met in Copenhagen in December, 2009, persuasive words from activities encouraged them to take former action.
Inspirational speeches deal with emotions. They focus on topics and matters that are close to people’ s hearts. Last year, during the fighting in Iraq, generals used inspiring speeches to prepare the troops for battle.
Some speeches spread knowledge and deepen understanding. When the H1N1 flu was announced, the disease scared many people. Informtive speechs from World Health Organization (WTO) officials helped people to keep their panic under control so they could take necessary preventive measures.
Sad events are never easy to deal with but a speech that pays tribute to the loss of a loved one and gives praise for their contribution can be comforting. Madonna’s speech about Michael Jackson after his death showed the fact that he will continue to live on through his music.
It’s not only in world forums where public speaking plays an important role. It can also be helpful in the course of our own life. You may be asked to do a presentation at college or work to inform others about an area of great importance. On a more personal level, a friend may be upset and need comforting. Or you might be asked to introduce a speaker at a family gathering or to speak at a wedding, where your language will be needed to move people or make them laugh.
Great speaking ability is not something we’re born with. Even Barack Obama works hard to perfect every speech.
小题1:The underlined word “recociling” in paragraph 3 can best be replaced by “________”
A．considering
B．questioning
C．accepting
D．settling小题2:The passage mentions the H1N1 flu to show the function of _______
A．persuasive speeches
B．informative speeches
C．inspirational speeches
D．introductive speech小题3:The 7th paragraph mainly tells us that public speaking ______.
A．is important in world forums
B．can help us make more friends
C．matters more in one’s life
D．is helpful in our daily life小题4:What would the writer probably talk about following the last paragraph?
A．How the speech came into being
B．Why the public speaking is imporatant.
C．How you can perfect your speech
D．Why Obama often makes speeches小题5:What would be the best title for the passage?
A．Tips of great speeches
B．The history of the speech
C．Functions of the speech
D．The language of the speech
小题1:D
小题2:B
小题3:D
小题4:C
小题5:C
题目分析：
小题1:D 推理题。根据本句Persuading is used in dealing with or reconciling different points of view.说明说服性的演讲被用来处理或者解决不同的观点类。故D正确。
小题2:B 细节题。根据第五段Some speeches spread knowledge and deepen understanding.和Informtive speechs from World Health Organization (WTO) officials helped people to keep their panic under control so they could take necessary preventive measures.用这个例子来说明Informtive speech的作用。故B正确。
小题3:D 段落大意题。根据本段1,2行It’s not only in world forums where public speaking plays an important role. It can also be helpful in the course of our own life.说明本段内容是关于演讲在我们的生活中的作用，故Ｄ正确。
小题4:C 推理题。根据本段最后一句Even Barack Obama works hard to perfect every speech.说明人们需要很努力来提高太慢的演讲技巧，那么接下来应该是讲述如何才能使你的演讲完美。故C正确。
小题5:C 主旨大意题。文章主要讲述了演讲的功能和作用，故C正确。
点评：文章主要讲述了各种不同的演讲的功能和作用。以推理题的考查为主，解推断题最主要的方法是根据词义关系推断具体细节。
