阅读理解。
You might say that one reason Barack Obama is the President of the US is because he knows how to
give a good speech. In 2004, when Massachusetts Senator(参议员) John Kerry was the Democratic
Party’s nominee（被提名者） for the presidency, a little-known senator from Illinois gave the keynote
speech at the Democratic National Convention. That senator was Obama. It was a remarkable speech -- poetic, and inspiring. The people who heard it would remember it for a long time.
Since 2004, Obama has written and delivered thousands of speeches. These are usually praised for
two reasons: he treats the audiences like intelligent adults, and he is able to express complicated ideas in
an easy, natural way. Before becoming president, Obama was a lawyer, a college professor, and a
successful writer -- his two memoirs(回忆录) have become best-sellers. The skills he needed to succeed
in his previous jobs have also contributed to his success as a speechmaker.
Writing team: Obama has a team of people who write his speeches. The writers chat with Obama for
hours about what he wants to say. They listen to recordings of past presidential addresses and seek advice from advisers. Obama usually edits and rewrites the drafts several times.
Obama’s tricks for a lighthearted speech that stays on message:
Make fun of the guests. Obama starts his speech by gently teasing his guests. His opening lines grab the audience’s attention while giving them an opportunity to relax and laugh at themselves and each other.
Make fun of yourself. A good rule for speechmakers: If you’re going to make a joke about someone
else, be sure to make one about yourself, too. Obama mocks his own poor choices for filling the position
of Commerce Secretary, saying, "No President in history has ever named three Commerce Secretaries this quickly.”
1. Obama made the poetic and inspiring speech in 2004 as________.
A. president
B. a nominee for the presidency
C. a senator
D. a secretary
2. What’s the meaning of the underlined word in paragraph 2?
A. Difficult to understand.
B. Easy to understand.
C. Different from others
D. Interesting to say.
3. According to the passage, we know that before becoming president, _________.
A. Obama was once a lawyer, a doctor and a college professor.
B. Obama was a successful writer.
C. Obama’s three memoirs have become best-sellers.
D. Obama’s former jobs have nothing to do with his speech.
4. According to paragraph 3, we know that _________.
A. Obama writes his speech himself.
B. the writers chat with Obama only for minutes before writing.
C. the writers never listen to recordings of past presidential speeches.
D. Obama is serious with his speech.
5. What’s the best title of the passage?
A. Secret of Obama’s successful speeches.
B. Obama’s successful speeches.
C. Obama’s way of making speeches.
D. Problems of Obama’s speeches.
