Which of these isn’t a cold opening technique?
Select an answer:
- Telling a story
- Saying thank you
- Asking an open ended question
- Making a bold statement
B. the meaning of greek word oikonomikus is_____
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Part A: Which of these isn’t a cold opening technique?
Correct answer: Saying thank you
Explanation:
A cold opening technique is a strategy used to immediately grab an audience’s attention at the beginning of a speech, presentation, or piece of content. Common cold opening techniques include:
- Telling a story – engages the audience emotionally.
- Asking an open-ended question – provokes thought and invites participation.
- Making a bold statement – creates intrigue or challenges assumptions.
Saying thank you, while polite and professional, is not considered a cold opening technique because it doesn’t immediately engage or provoke the audience. It is typically part of a formal introduction or closing, not the attention-grabbing start.
Part B: The meaning of the Greek word oikonomikos and 300-word explanation
Correct answer: “Skilled in household management” or “pertaining to household management”
Explanation
The Greek word “oikonomikos” (οἰκονομικός) originates from two roots: “oikos”, meaning household, and “nomos”, meaning law, rule, or management. When combined, oikonomikos refers to someone who is skilled in managing a household or pertaining to the management of household affairs.
In ancient Greece, the term had a broader implication than just managing a home. It represented the prudent and effective management of all resources—human, financial, and material—within a household or estate. This concept extended beyond mere domestic chores to include budgeting, planning, supervising labor, and ensuring the well-being of family and servants.
Over time, oikonomikos laid the linguistic and conceptual foundation for the modern term “economics.” The discipline of economics evolved from this basic principle of managing limited resources efficiently, not only at the household level but eventually at the community, national, and global levels.
The philosopher Xenophon even wrote a treatise titled Oeconomicus, which explored how to manage a household and estate wisely. His ideas demonstrated how household management principles could be applied to governance and public administration.
Today, while the term economics encompasses complex theories about markets, production, and consumption, its roots in oikonomikos remind us that the field began with the simple, practical goal of ensuring the well-being of a household by making wise use of available resources. This historical insight underscores the relevance of basic economic principles like budgeting, efficiency, and resource allocation in both personal finance and macroeconomic policy.
