Question

In his maiden speech, he appeared nervous and completely out of sorts. (Choose the meaning of the idiom underlined.)

• A. Last speech
• B. Unprepared speech
• C. First speech
• D. Unintelligible speech

Hint:

Maiden = first.
Examples: maiden speech, maiden voyage, maiden appearance.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: The adjective maiden means first, initial, or inaugural. The expression maiden speech refers to the first formal speech delivered by a person, especially in a legislative body, public office, or important gathering.

Step 1: Understand the phrase. \[ \text{Maiden speech} \] means the first official speech made by someone.

Step 2: Apply the meaning to the sentence.
The speaker was nervous because it was his first public speech.

Step 3: Check the options.
• Last speech -- incorrect.
• Unprepared speech -- not implied.
• First speech -- correct.
• Unintelligible speech -- unrelated.

Step 4: Choose the correct answer. \[ \boxed{\text{First speech}} \]