Talks on Talking | Page 7

clearly what each one
means, and to fit it into a sentence of one's own making. This simple
exercise, practiced for a few weeks, will produce surprising results by
way of increased facility and flexibility of English style.
It is obviously desirable I can well imagine Broadly speaking An
admirable idea In a literal sense By sheer force of genius You can
imagine his chagrin I hazard a guess It challenges belief He has an
inscrutable face Very fertile in resource I am loath to believe It is
essentially undignified Example is so contagious I am not in her
confidence Taken in the aggregate It is a reproof to shallowness There
is a misconception here I strongly suspect it so He was covered with
confusion It was a just rebuke A pleasing instance of this It lends
dignity to life She has a desultory liking for music It seems incredible
A kind of detached ideal It blunts the finer sensibilities Beyond
question or cavil A well-founded suspicion It has elicited great praise
They are landmarks in memory Superhuman vigor and activity A
venerable and interesting figure It is curious and interesting Gives the
impression of aloofness Perfectly void of offence Regard with
misgiving A stroke of professional luck An unscrupulous adventurer
He spoke with extreme reticence Robust common sense Deficient in
amiability Done with characteristic thoroughness A vein of
philanthropic zeal Definite, tangible, and practical Too much effusive
declamation A man of keen ambition It gives infinite zest Singular
qualifications for public life They are bitterly hostile The despair of the
official wire-puller Blind and unreasoning opponent Ignoble strife for
power Surrounded by a cohort of admiring friends In an imperative
voice Marked by copiousness and vivacity Touched with sombre
dignity A ridiculous misconception Habitual austerity of demeanor
Ostentation and lavish expenditure A person of exquisite tact Intolerant
of bumptiousness The obvious danger of dallying This was grossly
overstated A mass of calumny and exaggeration Inimical to religion
Fraught with peril I venture to ask Attributed to mental decrepitude A
strange phenomena It argues a blind faith Insatiable whirl of excitement
A substratum of truth Under some conceivable circumstances Bubbling
over with infectious joy Frigid dignity and arrogant reserve A profound

contempt The fine art of hospitality Grim morsels of philosophy A
tinge of sorrowness and jealousy Due to ignorance and barbarism
Grave and monstrous scandal A splendid instance of self-devotion
Amusingly exemplified in this case Recognized and powerful element
A symbol of restraint An utterly fallacious idea In rapid and striking
succession We learn from stern experience Pictures of an inspired
imagination An astonishing outbreak Soothing words of sympathy A
rather bold assertion The most enthusiastic adherents Mere tepid
conviction Eminently qualified for the task Almost supernatural charm
In glowing and exaggerated phrases Somewhat rich and austere An
inexhaustible theme Grave and undeniable faults Perfectly chosen
language All the characteristics of a mob Given to grandiloquent phrase
Peculiar vein of sarcasm Froze like ice and cut like steel A generous
tribute to an eminent rival Cold and stately composure Fiery and
passionate enthusiasm Extraordinary violence of nature A brilliant and
delightful play Rare and striking combination Preeminently qualified
for the part Moderate and cautious conservatism Daring perversions of
justice Devoid of rhetorical device As a great thinker has observed
Almost morbid sensitiveness Discreetly stifled yawn He was dumb
with wonder Scarcely less familiar Delightfully characteristic It was a
profound conviction Greatly conceived and expressed Blinded by its
brightness I have cudgelled my memory Exposed to imminent peril
Screening a breach of etiquette By a natural transition Splendid
anticipations of success A very laudable attempt Lapsed into complete
oblivion With most distinguished success Like embarking on a
shoreless sea A really pretty imitation Unless I greatly err Undaunted
by repeated failure Became a term of reproach An epoch-making
achievement In the guise of verbal nonsense Received with cordial
sympathy With the most obvious sincerity Held forth with fluency and
zest Gracious solicitude Punctiliously civil and polite An air of
sphinx-like mystery Consumed by zeal Awaited with lively interest
Sledge-hammer blows against humbug This recalls a happy retort
Preeminently a case in point Exquisite precision and finish
Incomparably better informed A keen eye for incongruities Polite to the
point of deference To the last degree improbable People with rampant
prejudices A model of chivalrous propriety By way of digression A
splendid acquisition Singularly attractive fashion A kind of

unconscious conspiracy Amid engrossing demands

THE SPEAKING VOICE
There is a widespread need for a more thorough cultivation of the
speaking voice. It is astonishing how few persons give specific
attention to this important subject. On all sides we are subjected to
voices that are disagreeable and strident. It is the exception to hear a
voice that is musical and well-modulated.
Most people make