Our fears of public speaking result not only from what we do not know or understand about public communication but also from misconceptions (误解) and myths (错误观念) about public interactions.Perhaps the most popular myth about public communication is that it is a “special” activity reserved for unusual occasions. After all, how often do you make a public speech? There are only a few special occasions during the year when an outgoing professional person will step onto a platform to give a public speech, and many professional people can count on one hand the number of speeches given in the career.This argument, of course, ignores the true nature of public communication and the nature of the occasions in which it occurs. When we engage with people we do not know well to solve problems, share understanding and opinions, advocate points of view, or seek stimulation, we are engaged in public speaking. Public communication is a familiar, daily activity that occurs in the streets, in restaurants, classrooms, parks, offices, factories and meetings.A related misconception about public communication is the belief that the public speaker is a specially gifted individual. While most professional people would reject the idea that public speakers are born, not made, they nevertheless often feel that she effective public communicator has developed unusual personal talents to a remarkable degree. At the heart of this misconception - like the myth of public speaking as a “special” activity - is an overly narrow view of what a public person is and does.Development as an effective public communicator begins with the understanding that you need not be a nationally-known speaker to be a competent (合格的) public person. The public speaker is an ordinary person who faces the necessity of being a public person.Once we understand what public interactions assume and demand, once we unburden ourselves of the myth about public speaking, we can properly begin to develop as competent public communicators.(1) 单选题What is the main topic of the passage?A Special occasions of public speaking.B Steps for public speaking.C Fears of public speaking.D Wrong ideas about public speaking.(2) 单选题According to the author, what is the nature of public speaking?A It is a normal activity where people interact with each other.B It is a special activity under special circumstances.C It is a rare opportunity even for a professional person.D It is an activity reserved for an outgoing professional person.

Our fears of public speaking result not only from what we do not know or understand about public communication but also from misconceptions (误解) and myths (错误观念) about public interactions. Perhaps the most popular myth about public communication is that it is a “special” activity reserved for unusual occasions. After all, how often do you make a public speech? There are only a few special occasions during the year when an outgoing professional person will step onto a platform to give a public speech, and many professional people can count on one hand the number of speeches given in the career. This argument, of course, ignores the true nature of public communication and the nature of the occasions in which it occurs. When we engage with people we do not know well to solve problems, share understanding and opinions, advocate points of view, or seek stimulation, we are engaged in public speaking. Public communication is a familiar, daily activity that occurs in the streets, in restaurants, classrooms, parks, offices, factories and meetings. A related misconception about public communication is the belief that the public speaker is a specially gifted individual. While most professional people would reject the idea that public speakers are born, not made, they nevertheless often feel that she effective public communicator has developed unusual personal talents to a remarkable degree. At the heart of this misconception - like the myth of public speaking as a “special” activity - is an overly narrow view of what a public person is and does. Development as an effective public communicator begins with the understanding that you need not be a nationally-known speaker to be a competent (合格的) public person. The public speaker is an ordinary person who faces the necessity of being a public person. Once we understand what public interactions assume and demand, once we unburden ourselves of the myth about public speaking, we can properly begin to develop as competent public communicators. (1) 单选题 What is the main topic of the passage? A Special occasions of public speaking. B Steps for public speaking. C Fears of public speaking. D Wrong ideas about public speaking. (2) 单选题 According to the author, what is the nature of public speaking? A It is a normal activity where people interact with each other. B It is a special activity under special circumstances. C It is a rare opportunity even for a professional person. D It is an activity reserved for an outgoing professional person.