Std 5 English · Unit Two

11. Be a Good Speaker

Complete textbook exercise solutions — Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati), Grade Five English.

1List and say whether the following statements agree with the passage or not.

(1) You should always speak softly but clearly.
Does not agree — The passage says you should not be too soft or too loud.

(2) In a discussion, you should share your ideas with others.
Agrees

(3) If you don’t understand something, don’t let the others know about it.
Does not agree — You should ask for an explanation politely.

(4) You should try to talk most of the time whenever there is a discussion.
Does not agree — You shouldn’t keep talking all the time; let others speak.

(5) You should look at the person you are talking to.
Agrees

(6) When you want to make a speech, there’s no need to think about it in advance.
Does not agree — You should plan your speech in advance and rehearse it.

2Think about what you do and what you must learn to do, when you speak. Make a list of such 'Do's and Don'ts' for yourself.

Do’s (what I must learn to do)

Speak clearly and look at the audience.
Be polite, pleasant, and respectful to others.
Listen carefully to what others are saying.
Note down my points and plan my speech in advance.
Ask polite questions if I do not understand something.

Don’ts (what I must avoid)

Do not mumble or look down at the floor.
Do not interrupt others while they are speaking.
Do not speak too loud or too fast.
Do not keep talking all the time during a discussion.
Do not feel shy to share my thoughts and ideas.

3List the polite expressions we use such as 'Pardon'.

Here is a list of some polite expressions we can use in conversations:

Excuse me
Please
Thank you
I'm sorry
Could you please repeat that?
I beg your pardon
May I say something?

4Look at the speaker in each picture. Say whether each one is a good speaker. Give reasons for your answer.

This is a picture-based observation activity. You have to look at the illustrations given in your textbook and evaluate the speakers based on the rules learned in the lesson.

Hints for evaluation:
• If a speaker is looking away, mumbling, or making the listener feel bored/confused, they are not a good speaker.
• If a speaker is looking directly at the listeners, smiling, standing confidently, and the listeners look interested, they are a good speaker.
• If a speaker is shouting angrily or interrupting someone, they are not a good speaker.

← 10. Three Sacks of Rice 12. Count your Garden →