【推荐1】Communication is essential for people to share information, form relationships and strengthen those relationships. However, ineffective communication can lead to conflicts. Communication barriers can prevent two people from making their points understandable to each other.     1     Luckily, this article will offer you an insight into barriers of communication and how to overcome them.

Cultural Diversity

People belong to different cultures and this can cause cultural clashes(冲突) very easily. It is important to be very careful and talk without hurting their beliefs about culture.     2    

Perceptual(感知的) Contrast

The perceptual communication barrier occurs when you say something in a casual or flat tone(语调). People with whom you are having a conversation might think that you are not serious or interested in the topic that you are talking about. As a result, they no longer listen to you attentively.

    3    This positively impacts how others will perceive your conversation. Make your conversation meaningful and beneficial. You must also use eye contact now and then. Show proper interest in what they are saying. Smile sincerely and have a constructive conversation.

Language Barrier

    4     If you use big words or wrong words during a conversation, it usually gets difficult for the other person to understand you. What you might think is easy for you to understand may not be easy for others.

Thus, it is important to use simple words and easy grammar. Don't use fancy words as this will only lead to misunderstandings.     5     This way you will be able to communicate efficiently.

A．Learn about different languages.

B．It is important to have a positive tone and body language.

C．Make sure to state your point and say only what's required.

D．This can cause misunderstandings and even damage relations.

E．Another common communication barrier is the language barrier.

F．Different people hold different attitudes toward the language barrier.

G．Instead, explain things more simply rather than making them complex.

【推荐2】In the days before air conditioning, a wife and her husband were visiting her parents in a small town. As they were relaxing one day, the wife’s father suggested that they all drive to Abilene for dinner. The son-in-law dreaded the hot drive to a town 53 miles away, but said OK to avoid being a rude guest. The wife and mother-in-law both said it sounded good, so they went off.

Having the not very good food and returning home hot and sweaty, the mother-in-law said they would never have taken the terrible trip if it had been up to her. The son-in-law said that he chose to agree because the others wanted to go. Finally, the father-in-law said he only suggested it because he thought the younger couple might be bored at home.

This story happened to Jerry B. Harvey who later became a university professor. In 1974 he told it in an article entitled, “The Abilene Paradox (悖论): The Management of Agreement”, which shows that sometimes a consensus (一致) of opinion may not lead to achieving the desired result. The Abilene paradox sounds like groupthink. But in fact, groupthink members are voting according to their conscience (是非感) while Abilene “paradoxers” are not.

Going along to get along arises from a desire to avoid conflict and unwillingness to be seen as the “spoiler” who criticizes ideas and plans that others favor. The choice to go against one’s conscience to please the group produces cognitive dissonance (认识失调), and could involve personal risk to relationships or career or both.

The only way for either groupthink or the Abilene paradox in planning or decision-making situations is to avoid agreeing publicly with something you disagree with privately. You can’t control what others in the group do, but at least you can speak up, “I’ll go if everyone else wants to, but I’d be just happy to stay here and relax”.

1. What do we know about the son-in-law?

A．He was good at pleasing others.	B．He didn’t want to take the trip.
C．He behaved badly during the visit.	D．He was treated as an honored guest.

2. What did the mother-in-law do after arriving home?

A．She helped the family make a decision.	B．She suggested taking some food along.
C．She had an argument with her family.	D．She made a complaint about the trip.

3. What can we infer from the fourth paragraph?

A．It is difficult to make a balance.

B．It is impossible to avoid a conflict.

C．It is unnecessary to satisfy everyone.

D．It is impolite to blame a person publicly.

4. What does the author intend to tell us in the last paragraph?

A．A man should find right ways to relax.

B．A man should consider others’ ideas deeply.

C．A man should actively participate in group discussions.

D．A man should express himself directly in decision-making.

【推荐3】I have quite a bit of experience with Toastmasters, an organization aiming to help people overcome speech anxiety. I joined many years ago with the hope of improving my public speaking. After one of my speeches, the comments I received were harsh. Constructive or not, the critique was hard to take. I felt my feelings were hurt.

I learned many things from my time with Toastmasters, and one was the value of good feedback. Welcoming the critique of others is hard for adults, even when it’s well-intentioned. So naturally, we can expect that children will also struggle with it. But the feedback our children receive from teachers and parents is important to their growth and development. So as parents, we must learn how to deliver our feedback effectively, and we’ll need to train our children on how to accept it with openness and wisdom.

The way parents deliver their feedback is as important as the specific words used. It’s possible to have good intentions, but when feedback is poorly given, it can be harmful and not helpful.

It’s important to create a welcoming, safe environment in the home for intaking and processing feedback. Especially between a child and parent, the feedback needs to be healthy, constructive and regular.

The words used are also important. In a New York Times article written by Dr. Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist at the Wharton School, he shares that it is “22 to 29 percent more effective” to encourage children with nouns than verbs, but when it comes to giving negative feedback, it’s generally better to use verbs.

A parent’s feedback provides the scaffolding (脚手架) for how a child will manage their inner monologue. Consider, as an example, a discussion you may have with your child about their goals. Your feedback can encourage them not just to focus on where they are now but to reflect on how far they’ve come. This kind of feedback can spur them on to reach the finish line.

1. Why does the author mention his experience with Toastmasters?

A．To tell us what is good feedback.	B．To tell us to join Toastmasters.
C．To show the main function of feedback.	D．To show the necessity of proper feedback.

2. Which of the following feedback is effective according to Dr. Adam Grant?
① You’re a big helper.             ② You’re a poor math learner.
③ You’ve been helpful this afternoon.       ④ You didn’t do well on this math test.

A．①②

B．①④

C．②③

D．③④

3. What does the underlined word “spur” in the last paragraph mean?

A．Limit.

B．Monitor.

C．Persuade.

D．Inspire.

4. Which can be the best title for the passage?

A．The way to respond to feedback	B．The value of accepting feedback
C．How to give effective feedback	D．How to become a better speaker