Question

Conversation is a fine art. It is the art of exchanging thought. It is an art which anybody can cultivate
or master. Not everybody can paint or play music, but almost everyone can talk. Thus it affords the
greatest pleasure to the greatest number. "To talk”, says R.L. Sleversan, "is our chief business in the
world. And talking is by far the most accessible pleasure. It costs nothing in money, it is all profit. It
completes our education, makes friends and can be enjoyed at any age.
Conversation is indeed the most teachable of all the arts. All you need to do is to find a subject that
interests you and your listeners.
Hobbies 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.
There is nothing that pleases people so much as your interest in their interest.
It is just as important to know what subjects to avoid and what subjects to select for good
conversation. If you don't want to be set down as a bore, avoid certain unpleasant topics. Avoid
talking about yourself unless you are asked to do so. Sickness or death bores everybody. The only one
who willingly listens to such talk is the doctor, but he gets sad for it. You must also know not only
what to say but also how to say it.
(i) Why do you think the author described Conversation as a fine art? How is talking easier to
learn than other fine arts?
(ii) Why do you need subjects to talk?What should be avoided unless you are asked to do so?
ii) Find out words from the above passage similar in meaning to :- acquire ; within reach....​

Answer 1

Answer:

The author described conversation as a fine art because it is a simple art which anybody can have. It does not need to have any specialisation in any field or any art. All you need is to have a subject or a topic you are interested in and a subject that creates a good interest in your listeners