If you are asked to chair a meeting, remember the following six golden rules for meeting management.

    Always start the meeting on time. If you begin on time, group members who show up late will realize the value of time. Beginning on time shows skill as an effective time manager and sets an example for others to follow.

  Select a note-taker. You may need to refer back to something that was discussed during the meeting at a later date. Good record-keeping is a sign of a good meeting manager as well.    

  Learn to listen. So many times we think about what we are going to say and, in the process, miss important points that other group members may be contributing （做贡献）. Additionally, we often hear only what we want to hear, instead of really listening to other people. Meetings with effective listening are successful meetings.

  Keep the discussion on track（轨道）. Many times an important topic can get sidetracked in a meeting, especially when everyone has a different opinion about the topic. If an unexpected conflict（冲突） develops once the meeting is in progress, either ask a special group to look into the problem, or ask members involved in the conflict to meet with you after the meeting. Doing so will help keep the discussion on track and reduce the chances of wasting group members’ valuable time.

  Give everyone an opportunity to be heard. Some people like to control meetings, while others wait to be asked their opinions. As the leader of the meeting, you need to keep an open mind and make sure everyone feels welcome to contribute and express ideas without criticism.

    End on time. If you said the meeting would last no longer than one hour, make sure the meeting lasts for only one hour. Running late with a meeting makes members late for other appointments, increases the chances that the members will mentally leave the meeting and reduces your reliability as an effective meeting manager.

53. Why should we learn to listen according to the passage?

  A. To show respect to other members.

  B. To hear only what we want to hear.

  C. To get useful and important points.

  D. To save the members’ valuable time.

54. The expression “Give everyone an opportunity to be heard.” in Paragraph 6 means __________.

    A. every one can express their ideas freely without criticism

    B. the meeting manager shouldn’t speak a lot at the meeting

    C. everyone has the right to ask others opinions at the meeting

    D. all group members have to express their ideas at the meeting

55. What can we learn from the passage?

  A. Everyone should look back to what is discussed at the meeting later.

  B. The meeting should be ended on time or some members will leave.

  C. A meeting manager should let members discuss unexpected conflicts.

  D. If you start the meeting on time, late—comers may not be late next time.

56. The author’s main purpose of writing the passage is to __________.

  A. make everyone realize the value of time

  B. encourage people to have their own ideas

  C. advise people how to hold a meeting successfully

  D. give some advice on how to be an effective manager