单选题 Most of us would like to feel we have some influence over what happens around us and to us. Citizens speak out to influence policy on use of nuclear power, conserving the environment and endangered animals, local and state taxes, the appropriate use of funds by organizations of which they are members, proper land use and the nature of education in the public schools, and a host of other issues. Some of these affect the speakers' immediate self-interest; others are attempts, to make the social environment conform more closely to their own ideas. To speak on such matters effectively enough to influence the opinions and actions of others is to exercise power.
Even in jobs relying on technical specialization, the opportunities and demands for public speaking skills remain more common than many college students realize. The engineer finds that if his career is to advance he must be willing to accept management duties that include speaking to groups of employees, or he must serve as a spokesperson for consultant teams presenting results to agencies outside the company. The certified public accountant finds an opportunity to teach classes in her area of speculation. The dentist has to give speeches as an officer of his dental association.
Sometimes you may have to make a speech as part of your duties in your job or organization. Perhaps more frequently you will have opportunities where you speak voluntarily, as when you speak out in a meeting. Some of these speaking situations will be of little consequence; you will feel better if you do the speech well, but it will not really make much difference. In other situations, the speech may be significant for the audience. In these situations, it is comforting to know that you can do at least an adequate job. And you may not be content merely to get through the task adequately. To be able to increase listeners' understanding or to persuade them is one of the most civilized ways we as individuals have for affecting our environment.
Some beginning-speech students are surprised to discover that they can give a public speech at all, much less the skillful and effective ones they will be producing by the end of the course. The primary purposes of a speech course are to expand your understanding of techniques and strategies in public speaking, and to give you some practice so that you will be more confident and effective in more situations. With skill and confidence you develop a power to benefit yourself and the society around you.

单选题 The text intends to show you ______.
A. the importance of speaking before the public
B. the techniques and strategies in public speaking
C. the purposes and aims of a speech course
D. the most civilized ways to exert our influences

单选题 According to the passage, effective speaking ability does benefit people a lot except on ______.
A. environmental conservation B. audience awareness
C. technical maintenance D. career promotion

单选题 You need to speak effectively if ______.
A. you are a student B. you are an engineer
C. you want to study well D. you want to influence others

单选题 It is implied in the text that ______.
A. a good speaker may have greater chance in his career
B. making good speeches is part of the duties of an engineer
C. speaking at a meeting is often part of one's duties
D. people often exercise their power by making speeches

单选题 Sometimes you are not content when you finish your speech because you know ______.
A. your speech makes little difference to the audience
B. the audience's better understanding is more essential to you
C. making good speeches is part of the duties of an engineer
D. the speech-making occasion is not important in the least