1 . Public speaking and critical thinking

What is critical thinking? To a certain degree, it’s a matter of logic (逻辑) — of being able to spot weaknesses in other people’s argument and to avoid them in your own, it also includes related skills such as distinguishing fact from opinion and assessing the soundness of evidence. In the broad sense, critical thinking is focused, organized thinking — the ability to see clearly their lationships among ideas.    1    The greatest thinkers, scientists, and inventors have often taken information that was readily available and put it together differently to produce new ideas.that, too, is critical thinking.

    2     As the class goes on, for example, you will probably spend a good deal of time organizing your speeches. While this may seem like a purely mechanical (机械的) exercise, it is closely connected with critical thinking. If the structure of your speech is loose and confused, chances are that your thinking. If the structure of your speech is loose and confused, chances are that your thinking is also discovered and confused. If, on the other hand, the structure is clear, there is a good chance your thinking is too. Organizing a speech is not a matter of arranging the ideas your already have.    3    

What is true of organization is true of many aspects of public speaking.    4    As you work on expressing your ideas in clear, accurate language, you will Improve your ability to think clearly and accurately.    5     As you learn to listen critically to speeches in class,You will be better able to assess the ideas of speakers in a variety of situations.

If you take full advantage of your speech class, you will be able to develop your skills as critical thinker in many circumstances. This is one reason public speaking has been regarded as a vital part of education since the days of ancient Greece.

A．Rather, it is an important part of shaping the ideas themselves.

B．This may seem like a lot of time, but the rewards are well worth it.

C．It may also help you to know that there is no such thing as a perfect speech.

D．It has often been said that there are few new ideas in the world, only reorganized ideas.

E．If you are wondering what this has to do with your public speaking class, the answer is quite a lot.

F．The skills you learn in your speech class can help you become a more effective thinker in a number of ways.

G．As you study the role of evidence and reasoning in speech making, you will see how they can be used in other forms of communication as well.

2 . News that Microsoft made a $44.6 billion bid to buy Yahoo resulted in heated discussions made by many Internet users. Here are some responses:
Diane Burke of Weeks bury, Kentucky
I think it would definitely be an interesting combination. Everyone recognizes the names Yahoo and Microsoft, but everyone also says, “Did you Google it?” Such a catchphrase is going to be hard to beat.
Shaun Carney of Laurelville, Ohio
I think the merger will provide more competitions for Google. I don’t think the merger will allow Microsoft to develop faster than Google, though. I believe the increased competition this merger brings will force Google to stay on top of its game by offering more fresh and original Internet tools and expanding on the tools it already offers.
Toni Suarez of Hacienda Heights, California
I view the merger as a necessary element in preventing a monopolization. Perhaps it would bring better high technology innovations to e-mail and help in researching and developing a better Internet!
Rick R. of Edgewater, Florida
It sounds like a disaster to me. If this were to happen, I would stop using my Yahoo e-mail account because I don’t like the feeling of Microsoft spying upon my business. I will sign up for Google.
Antonio Glosser of Kansas City, Missouri
Right now, Yahoo offers a lot of features and tools at no cost for all different levels of Internet users. Microsoft seeks nothing but profit. Undoubtedly, they’ll do nothing other than find ways to start removing Yahoo’s formerly non-priced features. Microsoft’s greed will ruin the great thing that Yahoo currently is.
1. How many companies are mentioned in the passage?

A．One.

B．Two.

C．Three.

D．Four.

2. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?

A．Shaun’s attitude towards Google is passive.

B．Toni believes the Internet will have a promising future.

C．Rick will support Google after the merger.

D．Antonio is afraid that the merger will cost Yahoo’s free features.

3. The passage is mainly about ______.

A．opinions on the merger of Yahoo and Microsoft

B．the strengths of Yahoo and Microsoft

C．the strengths and weaknesses of large companies

D．the future of Yahoo and Microsoft