Question

    Around four years ago, I received a call from the principal of our school as to the “Parents View” talk the next morning. He asked me to speak to the group. After the call, my whole body became feverish and panicky. The time from his call to the next morning seemed like years. The whole night, I could not sleep with many ominous apprehensions in mind. One of them was to call the principal with regret and tell him that I could not come. Finally, I gathered some courage. I thought, “If I miss this opportunity, surely the school will never invite me again to any of their programs.”

I reached the school in time. Before my turn came, my whole body was trembling. When my turn came and I started speaking, my heartbeat increased and my mouth went dry. I wasn’t even able to read the written speech properly. I was not aware of where I was standing and what I was reading. That was the day when I realized my biggest weakness, Public Speaking.

After my speech, I met with the principal and explained what happened to me. He told me that this happens to everyone. Even great speakers faced the same things when they started. He suggested that I come again next time.

Around one month later, I was invited to refer to a topic on Motivation. This time I was feeling comfortable. My speech was not only appreciated by the principal as well as the teachers, because I was able to get my idea across to them. They encouraged and praised my efforts.

After delivering successfully, I became more confident. I said to myself, “If I can speak in front of such a learned audience, like the principal who educates others, I can now speak in front of others too.”

I started delivering lectures in my plan, on various topics like Self Motivation, Personality Development, Personal Excellence, Spoken English and Presentation Skills. This has become a passion for me. I learned that everything is possible if we have the courage to take the first step.

1.Why did the author have bad feelings before the speech?

A. he feared he couldn't perform it properly.

B. he had got a high fever before that.

C. he regretted accepting the invitation.

D. he disliked the idea of giving a lecture.

2.What does the underlined part “ominous apprehensions” in the first paragraph mean?

A. Unlucky opportunities. B. Curious views.

C. Negative ideas. D. Happy comments.

3.What can we conclude from the passage?

A. Necessity is the mother of invention.

B. Nothing is to be got without pains but poverty.

C. Knowledge makes humble, ignorance makes proud.

D. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

4.Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A. Public Speaking Makes a Man Embarrassed.

B. Principal Provides the Best Chances.

C. Practice Makes a Man a Better Speechmaker.

D. Spoken English Develops in Speeches.

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.D

4.C

【解析】

本文是一篇记叙文。作者在做了两次演讲后，变得更有信心了，并到处演讲，因此练习能使一个人成为更好的演讲者。

1.考查细节理解。根据文章第一段“After the call, my whole body became feverish and panicky.”以及“Finally, I gathered some courage.”可知作者害怕自己会表现不好，故A项符合题意。

2.考查词义猜测。根据文章第一段“The whole night, I could not sleep with many ominous apprehensions in mind.”可知由于作者害怕讲不好而无法入睡，因此想的都是消极的想法，故C项符合题意。

3.考查推理判断。根据文章最后一段“I learned that everything is possible if we have the courage to take the first step. ”可知作者明白了只要勇敢地迈出第一步，一切都会有可能，故D项符合题意。

4.考查主旨大意。根据文章最后一段“I started delivering lectures in my plant, on various topics like…”可知，作者在做了两次演讲后，变得更有信心了，并到处演讲，因此练习能使一个人成为更好的演讲者，故C项符合题意。