1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: (5x2=10Marks)
Conversation is indeed the most easily teachable of all arts. All you need to do in order to
become a good conversationalist is to find a subject that interests you and your listener. There
are, for example, numberless hobbies to talk about. But the important thing is that you must
talk about the other fellow's hobby rather than your own. Therein lies the secret of your
popularity. Talk to your friends about the things that interest them and you will get a
reputation for good fellowship, charming wit and brilliant mind. There is nothing that pleases
people so much as your interest in their interests. A good conversationalist can be effective
only if he/she is able to blend humour, wit, topics of good interest, presence of mind,
knowledge of various things, logical thinking etc. in fine proportion. Praise and appreciate
people, for nothing pleases a man more than appreciation and flattery. It is just as important
to know what subjects to avoid as what subject to select for good conversation. Be careful to
avoid unpleasant topics. Avoid talking about yourself unless you are asked to do so. Use
simple words and let the conversation be interesting. Avoid flowery use of language. Do not
repeat the things or talk boastfully about your own self. Let the talk be lively and interesting.
People are interested in their own problems, not yours; sickness or death bores everybody.
Similarly age-old tales, happenings of the past even though they may be real, will never
interest the listeners. The only one who willingly listens to such talk is the doctor, because he
gets paid for it.
a. What is the basic needs of a good conversation?
b. What should be avoided in good conversation?
c. How can conversation be made effective?
d. What topics do not interest people?
e. Find words from the passage that are the opposites of:
i, uninterested
ii. illogical
Answers
Answer:
a. What is the basic needs of a good conversation?
Ans = the basic needs of a good conversation is to find a subject that interests you and your listener.
b. What should be avoided in good conversation?
Ans = In good conversation you must avoid unpleasant topics, talking about yourself unless you are asked to do so, avoid flowery use of language, do not repeat the things or talk boastfully about your own self.
c. How can conversation be made effective?
Ans = A good conversationalist can be effective only if he/she is able to blend humor, wit, topics of good interest, presence of mind, knowledge of various things, logical thinking etc. in fine proportion.
d. What topics do not interest people?
Ans = People are interested in their own problems, not yours; sickness or death bores everybody.
e. Find words from the passage that are the opposites of:
i. uninterested = interest
ii. illogical = logical