GRE RC Select In Passage Sample Questions

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Passage

The student of public speaking will do well to confine his first efforts to simple forms of speech-making. Plain narrative and clear statement of fact should be his primary objects. The ornamental graces of rhetoric and oratory may advantageously be left for subsequent consideration. His subject may be anything from a personal experience, such as a visit to New York or London, to a discussion of some social or political question of the day. But whatever theme he choose to speak upon, it is important that it be timely and of probable interest to his hearers. The highest oratorical talents will not atone for an inappropriate choice of subject. There are hundreds ofvital topics, in which most men are more or less interested.

Question 1:

From which sentence is it clear that the recommendation is not for all and sundry?

• a) The first sentence. (The student of’speech-making.)
• b) The second sentence. (Plain narrative and’objects.)
• c) The third sentence. (The ornamental graces’consideration.)
• d) The fourth sentence. (His subject may’day.)
• e) The fifth sentence. (But whatever theme’hearers.)

Correct Answer: (a)

Explanation:

The author is giving advice about how a speech should be given by a student of public speaking. He says that the topic chosen should be of interest to the listeners and it should be timely. Moreover, he says that the language used should be simple and clear in the initial stages. He is not giving the advice for all, it is only meant for a ‘student of public speaking’. This does not include those people who are adept in publicspeaking or experienced. This is clear from the first sentence.

Question 2:

In which sentence is the logic behind appropriate selection mentioned?

• a) The third sentence. (The ornamental graces’consideration.)
• b) The fourth sentence. (His subject may’day.)
• c) The fifth sentence. (But whatever theme’hearers.)
• d) The sixth sentence. (The highest oratorical’subject.)
• e) The seventh sentence. (There are hundreds’interested.)

Correct Answer: (d)

Explanation:

The given paragraph contains tips for a beginner in public speaking. The author emphasizes on the importance of simple language and appropriate topic selection. He says that a beginner should use simple language and abstain from use of ‘ornamental graces of rhetoric’. Moreover, he says that the topic selected should be timely and interesting for the listeners. This is so because if the topic is inappropriate the talkshall be futile irrespective of your language and talent. This is clear from the sixth sentence.

Question 3:

In which sentence are the two essentials of the issue mentioned?

• a) The third sentence. (The ornamental graces’consideration.)
• b) The fourth sentence. (His subject may’day.)
• c) The fifth sentence. (But whatever theme’hearers.)
• d) The sixth sentence. (The highest oratorical’subject.)
• e) The seventh sentence. (There are hundreds’interested.)

Correct Answer: (c)

Explanation:

The issue that the question is about is the topic selected for the talk. The author says that if an inappropriate topic is selected, the listeners shall not be impressed in spite of a well-delivered speech. He says that the topic should be timely and of probable interest to his listeners. These are the twoessentials of the issue and they find mention in the fifth sentence.

GRE RC Select In Passage Sample Questions

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