Задание 42476: Which method of practising listening skills is NOT mentioned in the text?

1 вопрос

Which method of practising listening skills is NOT mentioned in the text?

2 вопрос

Прочитайте текст и выполните задания №12-18. В каждом задании запишите в поле ответа цифру 1, 2, 3 или 4, соответствующую выбранному Вами варианту ответа.

Effective communication

Every good leader has something to say. Yet, many of us don’t take the time to polish and shape how we communicate those ideas to others, or consider how others may receive our message. Communication can be summed up as an exchange of information. Given the complex ways that we receive and perceive messages, however, this exchange is far from simple and straightforward. To become a good communicator, you first must master the basics of having a two-way conversation.

Most of us only remember about half of what we hear — no matter how carefully we think we’re listening. But effective leadership requires good listening. Clearly, this is a critical skill to learn. Since it isn’t usually taught in schools, we need to train ourselves to listen. You can improve your active listening by practising three simple techniques. First, get rid of the stereotypes you might have about the speaker’s appearance or prior actions. Second, concentrate on what is being said, instead of thinking about your response. Finally, encourage the speaker to continue sharing information, by asking open-ended questions and nodding your head. Effective listening doesn’t come naturally to most people. But when you consider that listening is one-half of the communication dynamic, the importance of practising this undervalued skill becomes apparent.

The advice about knowing your audience can never be overstated. It’s important for structuring your speech and inspiring your listeners. Figure out the level of knowledge and interest your listeners have in your topic. Do they have any preconceptions? Are they hostile, or friendly? Will they feel pressured to react in a specific way? It’s important to consider these questions, whether you plan to speak to one, or many. Watch for non-verbal cues from your audience, listen to their feedback, and adjust your message accordingly. Again, half of it is about being a good listener.

Words are powerful — they carry a literal as well as a connotative (additional) meaning. For example, “dog” is a neutral word. But “mongrel” carries a negative connotation, while “man’s best friend” carries a positive one. Also, some words mean different things in various parts of the world, such as football, which is called soccer in the USA. So, it’s crucial to know your audience and the language they understand. Take time to choose the right word or expression, and be sure to pronounce it correctly.

A few other tips to consider when formulating your message include clarity, and vivid language. For clarity, choose concrete, familiar words that refer to tangible objects. These words are more likely to maintain your audience’s interest and less likely to be misinterpreted. Avoid using more words than necessary to express an idea — be concise. By vivid language, I mean imagery, which is really memorable. So be sure to use descriptive language — such as colour, size, and shape — to create mental images of objects, actions, or ideas. Select lively verbs, and speak in an active voice. Your choice and arrangement of words create a pattern of sounds. There are many ways to consider when it comes to establishing rhythm — repetition of words, initial sounds, or words having sounds similar to the noises they describe. For maximum effect, use these language tools sparingly — overuse may sound pretentious.

Most audiences prefer a delivery that combines a certain degree of formality with the best attributes of good conversation. And remember: communication is fluid. Putting in the work beforehand to organize your ideas and understand your audience will make you a better speaker, but you must listen to your audience and adapt to their feedback as well.

The author’s view on communication is that it is...