全国2008年10月高等教育自学考试
英语阅读（二）试题
课程代码：00596
请将答案填在答题纸相应的位置上。全部题目用英文作答（翻译题除外）
I. Reading Comprehension. （50 points, 2 points for each）
Directions: In this part of the test, there are five passages.
Following each passage, there are five questions with four choices
marked A, B, C and D. Choose the best answer and then write the
corresponding letter on your Answer Sheet.
Passage One
Whether you’re delivering a speech, approaching your boss for a raise
or addressing audience on an important social occasion, do your
homework. The most polished, smoothly delivered, spontaneous-sounding
talks are the result of many hours of work. The memorable one-liners
and moving phrases that go down in history don’t come from last minute
burst of inspiration.
If you’re making a presentation of any sort, begin preparing as far
ahead of time as possible. “Good writing,” says Harvard University
historian Richard Marius, “is a kind of wrestling with thought.”
Begin the wrestling match early. Two days before your presentation is
usually too late to go into the ring and come up with a winning idea.
Prepare yourself as well as your material, giving special attention to
your voice. A shrill, nasal tone strikes your listener like chalk
screeching on a blackboard. By putting energy and resonance into your
voice, you will have a positive effect. If your voice is timid or
quivers with nervousness, you sense it, the audience hears it, and you
see discomfort in their eyes. With energy and enthusiasm in your voice,
the listeners say ahhh, tell me more. You read approval.
Like your voice, your appearance is a communication tool. For example,
if you are animated, you are most likely to see animated listeners. You
give the audience the message: I’m glad I’m here; I’m glad you’re
here.
However, don’t ever assume that an audience, an interviewer, your boss
will be sympathetic. Always be prepared for a grilling. Think
beforehand of the ten toughest questions you could get and be ready
with your answers. And remember, when you’re asked a hostile question,
never show hostility to your questioner. If you do, you lose.
While the hostile questioner is talking, prepare your response. Take a
positive tack immediately, and make your answer short. The instant the
interviewer finishes the question, begin the answer: first point,
second point, third point...bingo, your conclusion.
