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(2016·湖北八校联考)Most people are poor listeners.Even when we think we are listening carefully，we usually 1 only half of what we hear，and we remember even less.Improving your listening skills can be 2 in every part of your life.
The most important 3 of poor listening is giving in to distractions (分心的事物) and letting our thoughts 4 ．Sometimes，however，we listen too 5 ．We try to remember every word a speaker says，and we lose the 6 message by concentrating on details.In other situations，we may jump to conclusions and 7 a speaker without hearing out the message.Finally，we often judge people by their 8 or speaking manner 9 listening to what they say.
You can 10 these poor listening habits by taking several steps.First，take listening 11 and commit yourself to becoming a better listener.Second，work at being a(n) 12 listener.Give your undivided attention to the speaker in a genuine effort to 13 her or his ideas.Third， 14 distractions.Make a conscious effort to keep your mind on what the speaker is saying.Fourth，try not to be 15 by appearance or delivery. 16 preconceived (事先形成的) judgments based on a person's looks or manner of speech.Fifth，suspend (延缓) judgment 17 you have heard the speaker's entire message.Sixth， 18 your listening by paying attention to main points，to evidence，and to the speaker's techniques.Finally，develop your notetaking skills.When done 19 ，note taking is an excellent way to improve your concentration and to keep track of a speaker's 20 ．It almost forces you to become a more attentive and creative listener.
【语篇解读】 本文是说明文。文章介绍了如何才能成为一名好的倾听者。
1．A．grasp B．realize
C．believe D．choose
A [根据上文的“poor listeners”及下文的“remember even less”可知，即便认真去听，我们通常也只能“领会(grasp)”所听到的一半内容。]
2．A．difficult B．helpful
C．possible D．practical
B [下文介绍的是提高听力技能的方法，所以此处指提高听力技能对生活的方方面面都有“帮助(helpful)”。]
3．A．role B．factor
C．function D．cause
D [容易受干扰是听力差的最重要的“原因(cause)”。]
4．A．pass B．wander
C．stop D．stay
B [根据上文的“giving in to distractions(分心的事情)”可知，此处指思绪“乱飞(wander)”。]
5．A．long B．clearly
C．hard D．passively
C [根据下文的“We try to remember every word”可知，有时，我们听不好是因为听得“过于认真(hard)”了。]
6．A．main B．new
C．useful D．hidden
A [根据下文的“concentrating on details”可知，此处指没抓住“主要(main)”信息。]
7．A．prejudge B．ignore
C．doubt D．leave
A [根据下文的“without hearing out the message”可知，没听完对方说什么，就“妄下结论(prejudge)”。]
8．A．words B．speed
C．behavior D．appearance
D [根据speaking manner可知，人们经常通过“外表(appearance)”或说话方式，“而不是(instead of)”对方所讲的内容来评价一个人。下一段的“looks or manner of speech”也是提示。]
9．A．due to B．along with
C．instead of D．except for
C [参见上题解析。]
10．A．pick up B．give up
C．take up D．put up
B [下文提到的方法都是帮助大家“改掉(give up)”不良听力习惯的。]
11．A．seriously B．naturally
C．personally D．wrongly
A [根据下文的“commit yourself”可知，听别人说话时应该“认真(seriously)”。take sth. seriously“严肃认真地对待某事”。]
12．A．clever B．active
C．free D．powerful
B [根据下文中的“undivided attention”和“genuine effort”可知，我们应该做一个“积极的(active)”倾听者，努力去“听懂(understand)”对方要表达的意思。]
13．A．test B．support
C．understand D．discuss
C [参见上题解析。]
14．A．consider B．share
C．watch D．resist
D [根据下文的“keep your mind on what the speaker is saying”可知，倾听时需要“抵制(resist)”干扰。]
15．A．affected B．puzzled
C．replaced D．persuaded
A [根据上一段及下文中的“judgments based on a person's looks or manner of speech”可知，此处是说不要被外表等因素“影响(affected)”，把那些事先形成的判断都“抛到一边(Set aside)”。]
16．A．Set aside B．Set down
C．Set off D．Set out
A [参见上题解析。]
17．A．though B．when
C．until D．since
C [要“一直等到(until)”对方说完再下结论。]
18．A．check B．focus
C．organize D．monitor
B [根据下文的“main points”可知，此处指要“集中(focus)”精力去听。]
19．A．eagerly B．secretly
C．slowly D．properly
D [只有记笔记的方法“得当(properly)”，它才能在听力中发挥积极的作用。]
20．A．questions B．plans
C．ideas D．changes
C [记笔记当然是为了记录说话者的“观点(ideas)”。]
