Bài tập tách từ đề thi thử môn Tiếng Anh có đáp án (Phần 57)

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

HOW TO AVOID MISCOMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE

As a small-business owner, you can avoid many problems simply by improving communication in your office. By clarifying everyone's expectations and roles, you'll help to (46) _______greater trust and increase productivity among employees. Here are a few tips for doing so.

Practice active listening. The art of active listening includes (47)_______ close attention to what another person is saying, then paraphrasing what you've heard and repeating it back. Concentrate (48)_______ the conversation at hand and avoid unwanted interruptions (cell phone calls, others walking into your office, etc.). Take note of how your own experience and values may color your perception.

Pay attention to non-verbal cues. We don't communicate with words alone. Every conversation comes with a host of non-verbal cues - facial expressions, body language, etc. - that may (49)_______ contradict what we're saying. Before addressing a staff member or (50)_______ a project conference, think carefully about your tone of voice, how you make eye contact, and what your body is "saying." Be consistent throughout. Be clear and to the point. Don't cloud instructions or requests with irrelevant details, such as problems with past projects or issues with long-departed personnel. State what you need and what you expect. Ask, "Does anyone have any questions?" Demonstrate that you prefer questions up-front as opposed to misinterpretation later on.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

BOOKS

Nearly all the discoveries that have been made through the ages can (36) ______in books. The invention of the bookis oneofhumankind's(37) ______achievements, the importanceof which can not be evaluated . Books are very useful, providing us with both entertainment and information. The production of books began in Ancient Egypt, though not intheformthatisaccessibletoustoday.ThebooksreadbyRomans,(38) ______, have some similarities to the ones we read now. Until the middle of the 15th century, in Europe, all books were written by hand. They (39)______oftenbeautifullyillustratedandalwaysrareandexpensive.Withprintingcamethepossibilityof cheap,largepublicationanddistributionofbookmaking(40)______morewidespreadand reliable.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to

indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

To many people, their friends are the most important in their life. Really good friends always (51) __________ joys and sorrows with you and never turn their backs on you. Your best friend maybe someone you have known all your life or someone you have grown (32) __________ with.

There are all sorts of things that can (53) __________ about this special relationship. It maybe the result of enjoying the same activities and sharing experiences. Most of us have met someone that we have immediately felt relaxed with as if we had known them for ages. (54) __________ , it really takes you years to get to know someone well enough to consider your best friend.

To the (55) __________ of us, this is someone we trust completely and who understans us better than anyone else. It's the person you can tell him or her your most intimate secrets.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to

indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Most educational specialists believe that early schooling should provide children with an (56) ________ of their own abilities and the self-confidence to use their abilities. One approach recognised by many (57) ________ as promoting these qualities is the Montessori method, first practised by Maria Montessori of Italy in the early 1900s. Nancy McCormick Rambusch is credited with (58) ________ the method in the United States, where today there are over 400 Montessori schools.

The method helps children learn for themselves by (59) ________ them with instructional materials and tasks that facilitate acts of discovery and manipulation. Through such exploration, children develop their sense of touch and learn (60) ________ to do everyday tasks without adult assistance. Other benefits include improvement in language skills, and acquaintance with elements of science, music, and art.

Read the passage and mark A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the blanks.

In European and North American cultures, body language behaviors can be divided into 2 groups: open or closed and forward or backward.

Open/closed postures are the easiest to (21)__________. People are open to messages when they show open hands, face you fully, and have both feet on the ground. This indicates that they are (22)__________ to listen to what you are saying, even if they are disagreeing with you. When people are closed to messages, they have their arms folded or their legs crossed, and they may turn their bodies away. This body language usually means that people are rejecting your message.

Forward or backward behavior reveals an active or a passive (23)__________ to what is being said. If people lean forward with their bodies toward you, they are actively engaged in your message. They may be accepting or rejecting it, but their minds are on (24)__________ you are saying. On the other hand, if people lean back in their chairs or look away from you, or perform activities such as drawing or cleaning their eyeglasses, you know that they are either passively taking in your message or that they are ignoring it. In (25)__________ case, they are not very much engaged in the conversation.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

HOW TO AVOID MISCOMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE

As a small-business owner, you can avoid many problems simply by improving communication in your office. By clarifying everyone's expectations and roles, you'll help to (46) _______greater trust and increase productivity among employees. Here are a few tips for doing so.

Practice active listening. The art of active listening includes (47)_______ close attention to what another person is saying, then paraphrasing what you've heard and repeating it back. Concentrate (48)_______ the conversation at hand and avoid unwanted interruptions (cell phone calls, others walking into your office, etc.). Take note of how your own experience and values may color your perception.

Pay attention to non-verbal cues. We don't communicate with words alone. Every conversation comes with a host of non-verbal cues - facial expressions, body language, etc. - that may (49)_______ contradict what we're saying. Before addressing a staff member or (50)_______ a project conference, think carefully about your tone of voice, how you make eye contact, and what your body is "saying." Be consistent throughout. Be clear and to the point. Don't cloud instructions or requests with irrelevant details, such as problems with past projects or issues with long-departed personnel. State what you need and what you expect. Ask, "Does anyone have any questions?" Demonstrate that you prefer questions up-front as opposed to misinterpretation later on.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks

Few people now realize the reality of global warming and its effects on the world’s climate. Many scientists (26) ______ the blame for recent natural disasters on the increase in the world’s temperatures and are convinced that, more than ever before, the Earth is at (27) ______ from the forces of the wind, rain and sun. According to them, global warming is making extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and droughts, even more severe and causing sea levels all around the world to rise.

Environmental groups are putting pressure on governments to take action to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide which is given (28) ______ by factories and power plants, thus attacking the problems at its source. They are in(29) ______ of more money being spent on research into solar, wind and wave energy devices, which could then replace existing power (30) ______. Some scientists, however, believe that even if we stopped releasing carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere tomorrow, we would have to wait several hundred years to notice the results. Global warming, it seems, is to stay.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

HOW TO AVOID MISCOMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE

As a small-business owner, you can avoid many problems simply by improving communication in your office. By clarifying everyone's expectations and roles, you'll help to (46) _______greater trust and increase productivity among employees. Here are a few tips for doing so.

Practice active listening. The art of active listening includes (47)_______ close attention to what another person is saying, then paraphrasing what you've heard and repeating it back. Concentrate (48)_______ the conversation at hand and avoid unwanted interruptions (cell phone calls, others walking into your office, etc.). Take note of how your own experience and values may color your perception.

Pay attention to non-verbal cues. We don't communicate with words alone. Every conversation comes with a host of non-verbal cues - facial expressions, body language, etc. - that may (49)_______ contradict what we're saying. Before addressing a staff member or (50)_______ a project conference, think carefully about your tone of voice, how you make eye contact, and what your body is "saying." Be consistent throughout. Be clear and to the point. Don't cloud instructions or requests with irrelevant details, such as problems with past projects or issues with long-departed personnel. State what you need and what you expect. Ask, "Does anyone have any questions?" Demonstrate that you prefer questions up-front as opposed to misinterpretation later on.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each of the blanks.

Why is it that many teenagers have the energy to play computer games until late at night but can't find the energy to get out of bed (41) ______ for school? According to a new report, today's generation of children are in danger ofgettingso (42) ______ sleep that theyare putting theirmental and physical health at (43) ______. Adults can easily survive on seven to eight hours' sleep a night, (44) ______ teenagers require nine or ten hours. According to medical experts, one in five youngsters (45) _______ anything between two and five hours' sleep a night less than their parents did at their age.

Read the passage and mark A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the blanks.

In European and North American cultures, body language behaviors can be divided into 2 groups: open or closed and forward or backward.

Open/closed postures are the easiest to (21)__________. People are open to messages when they show open hands, face you fully, and have both feet on the ground. This indicates that they are (22)__________ to listen to what you are saying, even if they are disagreeing with you. When people are closed to messages, they have their arms folded or their legs crossed, and they may turn their bodies away. This body language usually means that people are rejecting your message.

Forward or backward behavior reveals an active or a passive (23)__________ to what is being said. If people lean forward with their bodies toward you, they are actively engaged in your message. They may be accepting or rejecting it, but their minds are on (24)__________ you are saying. On the other hand, if people lean back in their chairs or look away from you, or perform activities such as drawing or cleaning their eyeglasses, you know that they are either passively taking in your message or that they are ignoring it. In (25)__________ case, they are not very much engaged in the conversation.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each of the blanks.

Airpollutionoccurswhenwastesdirtytheair.Peopleproducemostofthe(61)______thatcauseair pollution.Suchwastescanbeintheformofgasesorparticlesofsolidorliquidmatter.Thesesubstances result chiefly from burning (62) _______ to power motor vehicles and to heat buildings. Industrial processes and the (63) _______ of garbage also contribute to air pollution. Natural pollutants (impurities) include dust, pollen, soil particles, and naturally occurring gases.

Therapidgrowthofpopulationandindustryandtheincreasinguseofautomobilesandairplaneshave made air pollution a (64) _______ problem. The air we breathe has become so filled with pollutants that it can cause (65) _______ problems. Polluted air also harms plants, animals, building materials, and fabrics. In addition, it causes damage by altering the earth’s atmosphere.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each of the blanks.

Airpollutionoccurswhenwastesdirtytheair.Peopleproducemostofthe(61)______thatcauseair pollution.Suchwastescanbeintheformofgasesorparticlesofsolidorliquidmatter.Thesesubstances result chiefly from burning (62) _______ to power motor vehicles and to heat buildings. Industrial processes and the (63) _______ of garbage also contribute to air pollution. Natural pollutants (impurities) include dust, pollen, soil particles, and naturally occurring gases.

Therapidgrowthofpopulationandindustryandtheincreasinguseofautomobilesandairplaneshave made air pollution a (64) _______ problem. The air we breathe has become so filled with pollutants that it can cause (65) _______ problems. Polluted air also harms plants, animals, building materials, and fabrics. In addition, it causes damage by altering the earth’s atmosphere.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each of the blanks.

Why is it that many teenagers have the energy to play computer games until late at night but can't find the energy to get out of bed (41) ______ for school? According to a new report, today's generation of children are in danger ofgettingso (42) ______ sleep that theyare putting theirmental and physical health at (43) ______. Adults can easily survive on seven to eight hours' sleep a night, (44) ______ teenagers require nine or ten hours. According to medical experts, one in five youngsters (45) _______ anything between two and five hours' sleep a night less than their parents did at their age.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

ABROAD WITH US

The company study abroad was originally founded in 1991 for students who wished to study French in France. Its success led to the establishment of other schools around the world. Learning the language in the country in which it is spoken is, of course, a (66) __________ more effective and faster process than studying in your own country. It is also an opportunities to mix with local habitants and (67) __________ a greater and deeper (68) __________ of the people whose language you are studying. This makes the whole experience much more enjoyable. You may wish to attend an Italian language and a cooking course in Italy or combine a Portuguese course with a sport. You should look at all the possibilities and (69) __________ the best choice. In order to choose the (70) __________ course and location for you, we suggest you contact us to discuss your particular requirements. From the information you give us, we can make some recommendation.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Schools exams are, generally speaking, the first kind of test we take. They find out how much knowledge we have gained. But do they really show how intelligent we are? After all, it isn't a (31) ______that some people who are very academically successful don't have any common sense? Intelligence is the speed(32) ______which we can understand and react to new situations and it is usually tested by logic puzzles. Although scientists are now preparing (33) ______computer technology that will be able to “read” our brains, for the present, tests are still the most popular ways of measuring intelligence.

A person's IQ is their intelligence as it is measured by a special test. The most common IQ tests are (34)______ by Mensa, an organization that was founded in England in 1946. By 1976, it had 1,300 members in Britain. Today there are 44,000 in Britain and 100,000 worldwide, largely in the US.

People taking the tests are judgedin (35) ______to an average score of 100, and those who score over 148 are entitled to join Mensa. This works out at 2 percent of the population. Anyone from the age of six can take tests. All the questions are straightforward and most people can answer them if allowed enough time. But that's the problem, the whole point of the test is that they're against the clock.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each of the blanks.

Airpollutionoccurswhenwastesdirtytheair.Peopleproducemostofthe(61)______thatcauseair pollution.Suchwastescanbeintheformofgasesorparticlesofsolidorliquidmatter.Thesesubstances result chiefly from burning (62) _______ to power motor vehicles and to heat buildings. Industrial processes and the (63) _______ of garbage also contribute to air pollution. Natural pollutants (impurities) include dust, pollen, soil particles, and naturally occurring gases.

Therapidgrowthofpopulationandindustryandtheincreasinguseofautomobilesandairplaneshave made air pollution a (64) _______ problem. The air we breathe has become so filled with pollutants that it can cause (65) _______ problems. Polluted air also harms plants, animals, building materials, and fabrics. In addition, it causes damage by altering the earth’s atmosphere.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Schools exams are, generally speaking, the first kind of test we take. They find out how much knowledge we have gained. But do they really show how intelligent we are? After all, it isn't a (31) ______that some people who are very academically successful don't have any common sense? Intelligence is the speed(32) ______which we can understand and react to new situations and it is usually tested by logic puzzles. Although scientists are now preparing (33) ______computer technology that will be able to “read” our brains, for the present, tests are still the most popular ways of measuring intelligence.

A person's IQ is their intelligence as it is measured by a special test. The most common IQ tests are (34)______ by Mensa, an organization that was founded in England in 1946. By 1976, it had 1,300 members in Britain. Today there are 44,000 in Britain and 100,000 worldwide, largely in the US.

People taking the tests are judgedin (35) ______to an average score of 100, and those who score over 148 are entitled to join Mensa. This works out at 2 percent of the population. Anyone from the age of six can take tests. All the questions are straightforward and most people can answer them if allowed enough time. But that's the problem, the whole point of the test is that they're against the clock.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to

indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Most educational specialists believe that early schooling should provide children with an (56) ________ of their own abilities and the self-confidence to use their abilities. One approach recognised by many (57) ________ as promoting these qualities is the Montessori method, first practised by Maria Montessori of Italy in the early 1900s. Nancy McCormick Rambusch is credited with (58) ________ the method in the United States, where today there are over 400 Montessori schools.

The method helps children learn for themselves by (59) ________ them with instructional materials and tasks that facilitate acts of discovery and manipulation. Through such exploration, children develop their sense of touch and learn (60) ________ to do everyday tasks without adult assistance. Other benefits include improvement in language skills, and acquaintance with elements of science, music, and art.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word for each of the blanks.

Why is it that many teenagers have the energy to play computer games until late at night but can't find the energy to get out of bed (41) ______ for school? According to a new report, today's generation of children are in danger ofgettingso (42) ______ sleep that theyare putting theirmental and physical health at (43) ______. Adults can easily survive on seven to eight hours' sleep a night, (44) ______ teenagers require nine or ten hours. According to medical experts, one in five youngsters (45) _______ anything between two and five hours' sleep a night less than their parents did at their age.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

ABROAD WITH US

The company study abroad was originally founded in 1991 for students who wished to study French in France. Its success led to the establishment of other schools around the world. Learning the language in the country in which it is spoken is, of course, a (66) __________ more effective and faster process than studying in your own country. It is also an opportunities to mix with local habitants and (67) __________ a greater and deeper (68) __________ of the people whose language you are studying. This makes the whole experience much more enjoyable. You may wish to attend an Italian language and a cooking course in Italy or combine a Portuguese course with a sport. You should look at all the possibilities and (69) __________ the best choice. In order to choose the (70) __________ course and location for you, we suggest you contact us to discuss your particular requirements. From the information you give us, we can make some recommendation.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to

indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

Most educational specialists believe that early schooling should provide children with an (56) ________ of their own abilities and the self-confidence to use their abilities. One approach recognised by many (57) ________ as promoting these qualities is the Montessori method, first practised by Maria Montessori of Italy in the early 1900s. Nancy McCormick Rambusch is credited with (58) ________ the method in the United States, where today there are over 400 Montessori schools.

The method helps children learn for themselves by (59) ________ them with instructional materials and tasks that facilitate acts of discovery and manipulation. Through such exploration, children develop their sense of touch and learn (60) ________ to do everyday tasks without adult assistance. Other benefits include improvement in language skills, and acquaintance with elements of science, music, and art.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

HOW TO AVOID MISCOMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE

As a small-business owner, you can avoid many problems simply by improving communication in your office. By clarifying everyone's expectations and roles, you'll help to (46) _______greater trust and increase productivity among employees. Here are a few tips for doing so.

Practice active listening. The art of active listening includes (47)_______ close attention to what another person is saying, then paraphrasing what you've heard and repeating it back. Concentrate (48)_______ the conversation at hand and avoid unwanted interruptions (cell phone calls, others walking into your office, etc.). Take note of how your own experience and values may color your perception.

Pay attention to non-verbal cues. We don't communicate with words alone. Every conversation comes with a host of non-verbal cues - facial expressions, body language, etc. - that may (49)_______ contradict what we're saying. Before addressing a staff member or (50)_______ a project conference, think carefully about your tone of voice, how you make eye contact, and what your body is "saying." Be consistent throughout. Be clear and to the point. Don't cloud instructions or requests with irrelevant details, such as problems with past projects or issues with long-departed personnel. State what you need and what you expect. Ask, "Does anyone have any questions?" Demonstrate that you prefer questions up-front as opposed to misinterpretation later on.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to

indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

To many people, their friends are the most important in their life. Really good friends always (51) __________ joys and sorrows with you and never turn their backs on you. Your best friend maybe someone you have known all your life or someone you have grown (32) __________ with.

There are all sorts of things that can (53) __________ about this special relationship. It maybe the result of enjoying the same activities and sharing experiences. Most of us have met someone that we have immediately felt relaxed with as if we had known them for ages. (54) __________ , it really takes you years to get to know someone well enough to consider your best friend.

To the (55) __________ of us, this is someone we trust completely and who understans us better than anyone else. It's the person you can tell him or her your most intimate secrets.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

ABROAD WITH US

The company study abroad was originally founded in 1991 for students who wished to study French in France. Its success led to the establishment of other schools around the world. Learning the language in the country in which it is spoken is, of course, a (66) __________ more effective and faster process than studying in your own country. It is also an opportunities to mix with local habitants and (67) __________ a greater and deeper (68) __________ of the people whose language you are studying. This makes the whole experience much more enjoyable. You may wish to attend an Italian language and a cooking course in Italy or combine a Portuguese course with a sport. You should look at all the possibilities and (69) __________ the best choice. In order to choose the (70) __________ course and location for you, we suggest you contact us to discuss your particular requirements. From the information you give us, we can make some recommendation.

Read the passage and mark A, B, C, or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the blanks.

In European and North American cultures, body language behaviors can be divided into 2 groups: open or closed and forward or backward.

Open/closed postures are the easiest to (21)__________. People are open to messages when they show open hands, face you fully, and have both feet on the ground. This indicates that they are (22)__________ to listen to what you are saying, even if they are disagreeing with you. When people are closed to messages, they have their arms folded or their legs crossed, and they may turn their bodies away. This body language usually means that people are rejecting your message.

Forward or backward behavior reveals an active or a passive (23)__________ to what is being said. If people lean forward with their bodies toward you, they are actively engaged in your message. They may be accepting or rejecting it, but their minds are on (24)__________ you are saying. On the other hand, if people lean back in their chairs or look away from you, or perform activities such as drawing or cleaning their eyeglasses, you know that they are either passively taking in your message or that they are ignoring it. In (25)__________ case, they are not very much engaged in the conversation.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks

Few people now realize the reality of global warming and its effects on the world’s climate. Many scientists (26) ______ the blame for recent natural disasters on the increase in the world’s temperatures and are convinced that, more than ever before, the Earth is at (27) ______ from the forces of the wind, rain and sun. According to them, global warming is making extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and droughts, even more severe and causing sea levels all around the world to rise.

Environmental groups are putting pressure on governments to take action to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide which is given (28) ______ by factories and power plants, thus attacking the problems at its source. They are in(29) ______ of more money being spent on research into solar, wind and wave energy devices, which could then replace existing power (30) ______. Some scientists, however, believe that even if we stopped releasing carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere tomorrow, we would have to wait several hundred years to notice the results. Global warming, it seems, is to stay.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to

indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

To many people, their friends are the most important in their life. Really good friends always (51) __________ joys and sorrows with you and never turn their backs on you. Your best friend maybe someone you have known all your life or someone you have grown (32) __________ with.

There are all sorts of things that can (53) __________ about this special relationship. It maybe the result of enjoying the same activities and sharing experiences. Most of us have met someone that we have immediately felt relaxed with as if we had known them for ages. (54) __________ , it really takes you years to get to know someone well enough to consider your best friend.

To the (55) __________ of us, this is someone we trust completely and who understans us better than anyone else. It's the person you can tell him or her your most intimate secrets.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

BOOKS

Nearly all the discoveries that have been made through the ages can (36) ______in books. The invention of the bookis oneofhumankind's(37) ______achievements, the importanceof which can not be evaluated . Books are very useful, providing us with both entertainment and information. The production of books began in Ancient Egypt, though not intheformthatisaccessibletoustoday.ThebooksreadbyRomans,(38) ______, have some similarities to the ones we read now. Until the middle of the 15th century, in Europe, all books were written by hand. They (39)______oftenbeautifullyillustratedandalwaysrareandexpensive.Withprintingcamethepossibilityof cheap,largepublicationanddistributionofbookmaking(40)______morewidespreadand reliable.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrases that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

HOW TO AVOID MISCOMMUNICATION IN THE WORKPLACE

As a small-business owner, you can avoid many problems simply by improving communication in your office. By clarifying everyone's expectations and roles, you'll help to (46) _______greater trust and increase productivity among employees. Here are a few tips for doing so.

Practice active listening. The art of active listening includes (47)_______ close attention to what another person is saying, then paraphrasing what you've heard and repeating it back. Concentrate (48)_______ the conversation at hand and avoid unwanted interruptions (cell phone calls, others walking into your office, etc.). Take note of how your own experience and values may color your perception.

Pay attention to non-verbal cues. We don't communicate with words alone. Every conversation comes with a host of non-verbal cues - facial expressions, body language, etc. - that may (49)_______ contradict what we're saying. Before addressing a staff member or (50)_______ a project conference, think carefully about your tone of voice, how you make eye contact, and what your body is "saying." Be consistent throughout. Be clear and to the point. Don't cloud instructions or requests with irrelevant details, such as problems with past projects or issues with long-departed personnel. State what you need and what you expect. Ask, "Does anyone have any questions?" Demonstrate that you prefer questions up-front as opposed to misinterpretation later on.