Maya prepares for an unfamiliar audience.

The idea

Follow her preparation and notice how her feelings change.

Read the text

Maya had never spoken to a large audience before. She prepared a speech about the local garden. At home, she practised slowly and timed each section.

Before the presentation, her hands shook. She took a breath and began with a familiar story. As people listened, Maya grew more confident.

Examples

  • Maya had never spoken to a large audience before.
  • She prepared a speech about the local garden.
  • At home, she practised slowly and timed each section.
  • Before the presentation, her hands shook.
  • She took a breath and began with a familiar story.
  • As people listened, Maya grew more confident.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.

Watch out

Nervous hands before the talk do not mean the speech failed.

Try it yourself

  1. What was the speech about?

    Show answer or example answer

    the local garden / local garden / the garden / garden

    the local garden / local garden / the garden / garden: The garden is the subject of her talk.

  2. What did Maya measure while practising?

    Show answer or example answer

    each section / the sections / sections

    each section / the sections / sections: She times the parts during practice.

  3. What happened to Maya’s confidence as people listened?

    Show answer or example answer

    it grew / grew / increased

    it grew / grew / increased: Listening encourages her and her confidence grows.

Use it today

Describe what helps Maya begin her first public speech.