Talks About Talking/Editorial (SC Ready)

Read the sentence.
“Hilton enlivened his words with what he called ‘calculated spontaneity’—the ability to make reading sound like conversational speaking.”
What is the meaning of the word spontaneity as used in the sentence?

• based on impulse rather than planning
• based on logic rather than opinion
• based on reading rather than speaking
• based on requirements rather than choice

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

CCSS.RI.9-10.4

What is Hilton’s intended meaning of the phrase “tricks of the trade” in the speech?

• special effects the audience does not know about
• methods and skills used to be successful
• words and writing that are most desirable
• certain words that can be traded for others

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

What does the phrase “at the top of your form” mean as it is used in the speech?

• very polite
• very skillful
• very hopeful
• very serious

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read the sentence from the speech.
“But in the end, you’ve got to find your own self.”
How does the sentence from the speech help the reader understand Hilton’s point of view?

• The reader knows he does not like to speak like anyone else.
• The reader knows he does not like to listen to his own speeches.
• The reader knows he must write and practice his speeches when he can be alone.
• The reader knows he does not expect others to speak in the same way he does.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Which word from the speech suggests something being peculiar?

• oddment
• version
• monotones
• solemn

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

How does Hilton make connections between ideas?

• He categorizes the three most important points and provides an explanation of each.
• He uses analogies to help the reader create a mental image of the information being presented.
• He poses questions and then provides answers as a way to move between topics.
• He contrasts each point with the other to help the reader identify important differences.

Tags

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Which statement from the speech provides reasoning for Hilton’s style of writing for hisspeeches?

• “If you were outside my room . . . you’d hear muttering and mumbling and outrightdeclaration from the beginning to end.”
• “The bits I’ve always liked best are those that refer to John Hilton ‘who just comes to themicrophone and talks.’ ”
• “My belief is that listeners hear speech, not in a sequence of words—one after theother—but in chunks . . .”
• “Yes, of course, every word’s on paper even now—this—what I’m saying to you now—it’sall here.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

This question has two parts. Answer Part One and then answer Part Two.
Part One
Read the sentence from the speech.
“It’s in part, a mere matter of how you put the words down on the paper.”
For which argument would the sentence be most relevant?

• Speakers must rewrite their speeches several times on paper until it is perfectly written for the audience.
• Speakers should make a long list of the things they wish to talk about during a speechand have it available during the speech.
• Speakers should read their speeches slowly so people from all over the world will be ableto understand what is being read aloud to them.
• Speakers must prepare their speeches carefully to get the language to sound as naturalas possible.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Part Two
Which quote from the speech best supports the answer in Part One? Choose one answer.

• “. . . my way is to speak my sentences aloud as I write them.”
• “The first trick of the trade is that there aren’t any tricks.”
• “I like experiments. I’ll try anything once.”
• “. . . what listeners can spot more surely than anything else is any trace of falseness.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

Read paragraph 3.
How does the first sentence in paragraph 3 connect to the other details provided in the paragraph?

• The author provides a fact that supports the ideas in the rest of the paragraph.
• The author provides a fact that contradicts the information provided in the rest of the paragraph.
• The author provides an opinion and then in the rest of the paragraph supports it with facts and evidence collected from other sources.
• The author provides an opinion and then in the rest of the paragraph gives severalsuggestions and tips to support the ideas presented.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2