Basic Details
Word: Speech
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The ability to express thoughts and feelings using spoken language.
Synonyms: Talk, address, discourse
Antonyms: Silence, muteness
Idioms and Phrases
- Break the silence: To start speaking after a period of quiet. Example: "After a long pause, he finally decided to break the silence with a speech about kindness."
- Give someone a piece of your mind: To express your thoughts or feelings, often in a strong way. Example: "She was upset about the changes and decided it was time to give the manager a piece of her mind during the speech."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The Headteacher delivered an inspiring speech at the school assembly, encouraging everyone to do their best.
Example 2: She practised her speech for the competition every day to ensure she was well-prepared.
Example 3: During the festival, the mayor gave a speech about the importance of community and togetherness.
Fun Fact
The word "speech" comes from the Old English word "specan," which means "to speak." It's fascinating how this word has been used for centuries to describe verbal communication!
Famous Quote
"The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause." - Mark Twain
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "speech" mean?
a) A type of food
b) The ability to express thoughts with spoken language
c) A silent movie
d) A written letter
Answer: b) The ability to express thoughts with spoken language
2. Which of these is a synonym of "speech"?
a) Silence
b) Address
c) Dance
d) Cook
Answer: b) Address
3. Which sentence uses "speech" correctly?
a) The cat made a speech to the audience.
b) The speech was handed over to the teacher.
c) She gave an amazing speech at the graduation ceremony.
d) The tree waved during the speech.
Answer: c) She gave an amazing speech at the graduation ceremony.
4. Which idiom means to start speaking after a period of quiet?
a) Give someone a piece of your mind
b) Break the silence
c) Hit the nail on the head
d) Jump on the bandwagon
Answer: b) Break the silence
5. What is the opposite of "speech"?
a) Laughter
b) Silence
c) Music
d) Writing
Answer: b) Silence
