Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

English

Chapter

Comprehension - (Narrative / Factual)

Question:

Read the following passage and answer the question that follows by choosing the correct option:

The Entertaining Speech -

There was no respect for youth when I was young, and now that I am old there is no respect for age. I missed it coming and going.

- J. B. Priestley

Unlike the Persuasive Speech, which changes mindsets, and the informative Speech, which transfers knowledge, an Entertaining speech makes the speaker and the listener feel good about life and themselves. An Entertaining Speech is light, fun and gracious. Speeches in the form of toasts, roasts, stand-ups, and after dinner chats are examples of entertaining speeches. An Entertaining Speech sells or promotes happiness and gratitude. Still, as speeches go, the Entertaining Speech needs a good opening, a good closing, and a fun-filled relevant middle. The closing need not be a summary or a call for action, but it needs to end on a high and happy note.

The elements of an entertaining speech are:

  • Several humorous anecdotes about the characters involved
  • Dialogues between characters
  • A "flip" look at serious things
  • Preferably spoken in the first person and told in the present tense
  • Ideas and suggestions in the speech should be quick on the set-up and quicker on the punch
  • Several voice modulations should be part of the delivery style
  • It should not be very long

The speaker also needs to open up and get close to the audience mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Fill in the blank with the correct option to state one of the features of the Entertaining Speech.

While presenting an Entertaining Speech, _______ should be taken care of for effective outreach.

Options:

personal promotion

low key elements

pace and modulation

seriousness of tone

Correct Answer:

pace and modulation

Explanation:

The correct option to fill the blank is: pace and modulation.

Here's why:

  • The passage specifically mentions the importance of "several voice modulations" as an element of an entertaining speech.
  • This implies that the speaker needs to vary their pace and tone of voice to keep the audience engaged and entertained.
  • Pace and modulation are crucial for effective delivery of any speech, but they are even more important for an entertaining speech to achieve its intended effect.