Q2 of 29 Page 1

Read the passage given below 1. It is rare to find someone with good technical and communication skills. You can get far ahead of your colleagues if you combine the two early in your career. People will judge, evaluate, promote or block you based on your communication skills. Since habits form by repeating both good and bad forms of communication, learn to observe great communicators and adopt their styles and traits—in written and verbal forms. The art of listening and learning from each and every interaction is another secret recipe. Develop the subconscious habit of listening to yourself as you speak and know when to pause.

2. Learning what not to say is probably more important than learning what to say. As your career develops, you will realize that the wise speak less. Speak when you have value to add, else refrain. Poorly constructed e-mails with grammatical errors are acceptable between friends, but they should be seriously avoided while communicating formally with your seniors. Avoid any communication in an emotional state when you might say things you will regret later. One unnecessary word uttered at the wrong time or place can ruin a relationship, career or even your life. Such is the power of words. If such a thing happens, you should immediately apologise, else it may haunt you for life.


3. Another problem to overcome is speaking too fast. Since our minds are working faster than our speech, we are inclined to speak fast. This does not necessarily mean that the person hearing it will get it any faster. On the contrary, it is always the reverse. So slow down, think before you speak. “When I get ready to speak to people,” Abraham Lincoln said, ” I spend two-thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one-third thinking what I want to say


” Adding humour and wit is also essential. But realize that not all jokes are funny and observe certain boundaries. Never say anything that could offend. Remember you are not a comedian who must offend as many people as you can to be witty.


Answer the following questions briefly.


(a) Why is it necessary to have good communication skills?


(b) How can communication skills be developed?


(c) What according to the writer should be avoided while communicating?


(d) Why should you be careful when you tend to be humorous?

(a) The knowledge and technical skills we have can be expressed only if we have good communication, else they does not show much impact. Good communication attracts people's attention to a greater extent and also helps in convincing them, which is a most important skill in the present world. So it's necessary to have good communication skills.

(b) Communication skills can be developed by hearing to great speakers and adopting their styles in written and verbal forms.


(c) According to the writer grammatical errors must be avoided especially when speaking to seniors or in a formal communication.


(d) Every joke that we say need not necessarily be liked by others, there is a chance for it to hurt others. So whenever we tend to be humorous we must be careful that it hurts no one.


More from this chapter

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1

Read the following passage:

The hopping kangaroo is a familiar sight in every snapshot relating to Australia. Members of the kangaroo family can be as small as a rat or as big as a man. Kangaroos are found mainly in Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. Kangaroos which are big-footed marsupials that evolved in Australia use their short front legs like arms. The man-sized kangaroos of Australia are capable of speeding up to 88 km/hr for short distances, their means of locomotion being their powerful hind legs, which carry them over the ground in jumps of 9 m or more at a time.


2. Weighing around 70 kg they have an average life-span of around six to eight years and a maximum lifetime of 20 years. When bothered by predator’s kangaroos often head for the water, standing submerged to the chest, and attempting to drown the attacker by holding him under water. Another defensive technique is to get their back to a tree and kick at their adversary with their clawed hind feet, sometimes with sufficient force to kill a man. Normally shy animals, they alert other kangaroos to danger by beating on the ground with their hind feet. This loud alarm signal carries over a long distance.


3. The tail is important for kangaroos. It holds them in balance and supports them when they sit or fight against other kangaroos. The kangaroo uses its short legs as arms. With them, it scratches itself, cleans its fur and holds branches when it eats leaves. Kangaroos are marsupials and the females carry new-borns in a pouch in front of their abdomens. The babies are born small and climb up into the safety of the pouch. There for the next 225 days or so, they eat, sleep and grow. Once they reach full development they leave the pouch. A young kangaroo that leaves the pouch is called a ‘Joey’. To keep from getting too hot the kangaroos take naps in the afternoon and do most of their grazing at night. But the best stay-cool secret of these creatures is the spit bath! Kangaroos drool and lick saliva all over their faces and bodies to cool down.


On the basis of your reading of the above passage, complete the following sentences with appropriate words/phrases.


(a) When followed by predators kangaroos submerge …………….. and ……………..


(b) The powerful hind legs help kangaroos to ……………….


(c) Kangaroos are mainly found in Australia and are…………………


(d) They use their front legs to ……………


(e) Kangaroos warn others of danger by …………


(f) The secret of kangaroos to stay cool is ……………..


(h) Before becoming ‘Joeys’ the young ones stay in the ………….. and …………………..


(g) They use their tails to ……………..

2

Read the passage given below 1. It is rare to find someone with good technical and communication skills. You can get far ahead of your colleagues if you combine the two early in your career. People will judge, evaluate, promote or block you based on your communication skills. Since habits form by repeating both good and bad forms of communication, learn to observe great communicators and adopt their styles and traits—in written and verbal forms. The art of listening and learning from each and every interaction is another secret recipe. Develop the subconscious habit of listening to yourself as you speak and know when to pause.

2. Learning what not to say is probably more important than learning what to say. As your career develops, you will realize that the wise speak less. Speak when you have value to add, else refrain. Poorly constructed e-mails with grammatical errors are acceptable between friends, but they should be seriously avoided while communicating formally with your seniors. Avoid any communication in an emotional state when you might say things you will regret later. One unnecessary word uttered at the wrong time or place can ruin a relationship, career or even your life. Such is the power of words. If such a thing happens, you should immediately apologise, else it may haunt you for life.


3. Another problem to overcome is speaking too fast. Since our minds are working faster than our speech, we are inclined to speak fast. This does not necessarily mean that the person hearing it will get it any faster. On the contrary, it is always the reverse. So slow down, think before you speak. “When I get ready to speak to people,” Abraham Lincoln said, ” I spend two-thirds of the time thinking what they want to hear and one-third thinking what I want to say


” Adding humour and wit is also essential. But realize that not all jokes are funny and observe certain boundaries. Never say anything that could offend. Remember you are not a comedian who must offend as many people as you can to be witty.


Choose the most appropriate meanings of the given words from the options provided:


(a) evaluate


(i) estimate (ii) assume (iii) punish (iv) evolve


(b) trait


(i) treaty (ii) trail (iii) quality (iv) liberty


(c) utter


(i) flatter (ii) speak (iii) rot (iv) unique


(d) haunt


(i) hunt (ii) chant (iii) trouble (iv) avoid

3

The tourism industry can bring valuable income to the country. Using your ideas along with ideas from the MCB unit, Travel, and Tourism, write a letter to the editor of a popular daily on how the government and the public can boost the development of this industry. Write the letter in 100-120 words. You are Rama/Ram, 4 Rani Road, Ranchi.

3

The youth of different states should be given a chance to meet one another through national meets and other programmes. Taking ideas from the MCB unit, National Integration and your own ideas write an article in 100-120 words on the topic, Youth and National Integration. You are Ram/Rama.