PIRMĀ SEMESTRA NOSLĒGUMA TESTI
Say It Without Words: The Hidden Power of Communication
Communication is one of the most powerful human abilities. People use many different types of communication — non-verbal communication, visual communication, and written communication to share thoughts, feelings, and ideas. While words are important, much of what we understand actually comes from our body language, tone, and expression.
For example, non-verbal communication can say a lot without a single word. A smile, a wave, or the way we maintain eye contact shows interest and confidence. Even intonation can completely change the meaning of a sentence. The tone of voice we use can make us sound friendly, serious, or angry, even if we are saying the same words.
Of course, not all communication happens face to face. Visual communication uses pictures, colours, symbols, and design to send a message quickly. A red light tells us to stop, a thumbs-up emoji shows agreement, and a bright poster can persuade people to help a good cause. Meanwhile, written communication allows us to share ideas clearly and permanently. Unlike speaking, writing gives us time to think before we respond.
When we speak, we do it in many different ways. Some people argue when they disagree, while others persuade politely. We may beg for help, cheer at a concert, or even gossip about our friends. If we’re annoyed, we might grumble or mutter under our breath. When we’re tired, we sigh; when nervous, we might stutter. Others mumble so quietly that nobody can understand them, or whisper secrets to someone nearby. And in moments of excitement or anger, we may simply yell.
Communication is also about sharing opinions and ideas. People claim to know the truth, confess their mistakes, or criticise things they don’t like. Good speakers emphasise important points, and clever ones hint at meanings without saying them directly. Skilled communicators can persuade others to agree, while honest ones reveal secrets or facts. Sometimes we simply respond to what others say to keep the conversation going.
However, communication isn’t always easy. We might confuse someone with unclear language, hesitate when unsure, or even lisp and struggle with sounds. Media headlines can be misleading, and people can easily misunderstand messages online. A rumour can spread quickly, changing the truth before anyone checks the facts.
All in all, despite all these challenges, communication is what connects us. Whether through words, gestures, pictures, or writing, humans constantly share who we are and what we feel. The secret to good communication is simple – speak clearly, listen carefully, and remember that meaning is more than just words.
Key vocabulary:
Types of Communication
non-verbal communication — [ˌnɒnˈvɜː.bəl kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən] — not involving words, using body language or facial expressions; neverbāla komunikācija
visual communication — [ˈvɪʒ.u.əl kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən] — the act of sharing information or ideas through images, symbols, colours, or other visual elements instead of words; vizuālā saziņa
written communication — [ˈrɪt.ən kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən] — the act of sharing information, ideas, or messages through writing instead of speaking, for example, in emails, letters, reports, or text messages; rakstiskā saziņa
Ways of Speaking
argue — [ˈɑː.gju:] — to speak angrily because you disagree; strīdēties, argumentēt, mēģināt pārliecināt
beg — [beɡ] — to make a very strong and urgent request; lūgt, lūgties
cheer — [tʃɪər] — to shout loudly to show support or happiness; gavilēt, aplaudēt
gossip — [ˈɡɒs.ɪp] — to talk about other people’s private lives; aprunāt, tenkot
grumble — [ˈɡrʌm.bəl] — to complain quietly about something; burkšķēt, kurnēt, žēloties
mumble — [ˈmʌm.bəl] — to speak quietly and not clearly so that it is difficult for others to understand; runāt neskaidri, murmināt
mutter — [ˈmʌt.ər] — to speak in a low voice, often when annoyed; purpināt, kurnēt
sigh — [saɪ] — to breathe out noisily to show sadness or tiredness; nopūsties
stutter — [ˈstʌtə(r)] — to have difficulty speaking because you repeat the first sound of words several times; stostīties
whisper — [ˈwɪs.pər] — to speak very quietly so that only one or a few people can hear you; čukstēt
yell — [jel] — to shout something loudly, often because you are angry or excited; kliegt, bļaut
Expressing Opinions and Sharing Ideas
claim — [kleɪm] — to say that something is true, especially when it might not be proven or accepted by others; apgalvot, pieprasīt
confess — [kənˈfes] — to admit that you have done something wrong or to tell something personal that you kept secret; atzīties
criticize — [ˈkrɪt.ɪ.saɪz] — to say what you think is wrong with something; kritizēt
emphasise — [ˈem.fə.saɪz] — to show that something is especially important or needs attention; uzsvērt
hint — [hɪnt] — to suggest something indirectly, without saying it clearly; netieši norādīt, dot mājienu
persuade — [pəˈsweɪd] — to make someone do or believe something by giving them reasons; pārliecināt
reveal — [rɪˈviːl] — to make something known that was secret or not previously understood; atklāt, izpaust
respond — [rɪˈspɒnd] — to say or do something as a reaction to something that has been said or done; atbildēt, reaģēt, atsaukties
Clarity, Confusion and Misunderstanding
confuse — [kənˈfjuːz] — to make someone unable to think clearly or understand; apmulsināt, radīt neskaidrības
hesitate — [ˈhez.ɪ.teɪt] — to pause before speaking or doing something because you feel unsure; vilcināties
lisp — [lɪsp] — to speak with difficulty pronouncing the sounds /s/ and /z/; šļupstēt, šļupstēšana
misleading — [ˌmɪsˈliː.dɪŋ] — causing someone to believe something that is not true; maldinošs
misunderstand — [ˌmɪs.ʌn.dəˈstænd] — to think something different from what was meant; pārprast
non-verbal communication — [ˌnɒnˈvɜː.bəl kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən] — not involving words, using body language or facial expressions; neverbāla komunikācija
visual communication — [ˈvɪʒ.u.əl kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən] — the act of sharing information or ideas through images, symbols, colours, or other visual elements instead of words; vizuālā saziņa
written communication — [ˈrɪt.ən kəˌmjuː.nɪˈkeɪ.ʃən] — the act of sharing information, ideas, or messages through writing instead of speaking, for example, in emails, letters, reports, or text messages; rakstiskā saziņa
Ways of Speaking
argue — [ˈɑː.gju:] — to speak angrily because you disagree; strīdēties, argumentēt, mēģināt pārliecināt
beg — [beɡ] — to make a very strong and urgent request; lūgt, lūgties
cheer — [tʃɪər] — to shout loudly to show support or happiness; gavilēt, aplaudēt
gossip — [ˈɡɒs.ɪp] — to talk about other people’s private lives; aprunāt, tenkot
grumble — [ˈɡrʌm.bəl] — to complain quietly about something; burkšķēt, kurnēt, žēloties
mumble — [ˈmʌm.bəl] — to speak quietly and not clearly so that it is difficult for others to understand; runāt neskaidri, murmināt
mutter — [ˈmʌt.ər] — to speak in a low voice, often when annoyed; purpināt, kurnēt
sigh — [saɪ] — to breathe out noisily to show sadness or tiredness; nopūsties
stutter — [ˈstʌtə(r)] — to have difficulty speaking because you repeat the first sound of words several times; stostīties
whisper — [ˈwɪs.pər] — to speak very quietly so that only one or a few people can hear you; čukstēt
yell — [jel] — to shout something loudly, often because you are angry or excited; kliegt, bļaut
Expressing Opinions and Sharing Ideas
claim — [kleɪm] — to say that something is true, especially when it might not be proven or accepted by others; apgalvot, pieprasīt
confess — [kənˈfes] — to admit that you have done something wrong or to tell something personal that you kept secret; atzīties
criticize — [ˈkrɪt.ɪ.saɪz] — to say what you think is wrong with something; kritizēt
emphasise — [ˈem.fə.saɪz] — to show that something is especially important or needs attention; uzsvērt
hint — [hɪnt] — to suggest something indirectly, without saying it clearly; netieši norādīt, dot mājienu
persuade — [pəˈsweɪd] — to make someone do or believe something by giving them reasons; pārliecināt
reveal — [rɪˈviːl] — to make something known that was secret or not previously understood; atklāt, izpaust
respond — [rɪˈspɒnd] — to say or do something as a reaction to something that has been said or done; atbildēt, reaģēt, atsaukties
Clarity, Confusion and Misunderstanding
confuse — [kənˈfjuːz] — to make someone unable to think clearly or understand; apmulsināt, radīt neskaidrības
hesitate — [ˈhez.ɪ.teɪt] — to pause before speaking or doing something because you feel unsure; vilcināties
lisp — [lɪsp] — to speak with difficulty pronouncing the sounds /s/ and /z/; šļupstēt, šļupstēšana
misleading — [ˌmɪsˈliː.dɪŋ] — causing someone to believe something that is not true; maldinošs
misunderstand — [ˌmɪs.ʌn.dəˈstænd] — to think something different from what was meant; pārprast
misunderstanding — [ˌmɪs.ʌn.dəˈstæn.dɪŋ] — an occasion when someone does not understand something correctly; pārpratums
rumour — [ˈruː.mər] — an unofficial piece of information that may or may not be true; baumas
Non-Verbal Communication
intonation — [ˌɪn.təˈneɪ.ʃən] — the rise and fall of the voice when speaking; intonācija
maintain eye contact — [meɪnˈteɪn aɪ ˈkɒn.tækt] — to look directly into someone’s eyes while talking to show interest or confidence; uzturēt acu kontaktu
tone — [təʊn] — the general sound or feeling of someone’s voice that shows emotion or attitude; balss tonis, noskaņa
Practice: now that you have learned the key vocabulary, it is time to use it in practice. Answer the discussion-type questions, which will help you develop the ability to give longer answers and practise how to support a proposed plan — just as in an English exam or real conversation. For each question, an answer prompt is available to guide you.
Non-Verbal Communication
intonation — [ˌɪn.təˈneɪ.ʃən] — the rise and fall of the voice when speaking; intonācija
maintain eye contact — [meɪnˈteɪn aɪ ˈkɒn.tækt] — to look directly into someone’s eyes while talking to show interest or confidence; uzturēt acu kontaktu
tone — [təʊn] — the general sound or feeling of someone’s voice that shows emotion or attitude; balss tonis, noskaņa
Practice: now that you have learned the key vocabulary, it is time to use it in practice. Answer the discussion-type questions, which will help you develop the ability to give longer answers and practise how to support a proposed plan — just as in an English exam or real conversation. For each question, an answer prompt is available to guide you.
Discussion-Type Questions
1. Which type of communication do you find most effective — verbal, non-verbal, visual, or written?
“I would say written communication is the most effective for me because it gives time to think before answering. However, I also think non-verbal communication, like facial expressions and gestures, adds emotion that words can’t always express. Both are equally important in different situations.”
1. Which type of communication do you find most effective — verbal, non-verbal, visual, or written?
“I would say written communication is the most effective for me because it gives time to think before answering. However, I also think non-verbal communication, like facial expressions and gestures, adds emotion that words can’t always express. Both are equally important in different situations.”
2. How can non-verbal communication change the meaning of words?
“In my opinion, tone of voice and facial expressions completely change how a message sounds. For example, saying ‘I’m fine’ with a smile means one thing, but saying it with a sigh means the opposite. This shows that how we speak is often more important than what we say.”
3.How do emotions affect the way people speak?
“I think emotions completely influence communication. When people are angry, they may yell or argue, while happy people cheer or laugh. In my experience, when someone is nervous, they might stutter or mumble. Our feelings are always reflected in our voices.”
4.Why do misunderstandings happen so easily?
“In my view, misunderstandings happen because people don’t always listen carefully or explain clearly. Sometimes they use confusing language or the tone doesn’t match their message. I also think social media adds to the problem because written messages don’t show body language.”
5.How has digital communication changed the way people express themselves?
“In my opinion, digital communication has made contact faster but also less personal. Emojis and images help us show emotions, but we often miss the real tone of voice or body language. Still, it’s amazing how technology allows people to connect instantly across the world.”