Chapter 10

_____________ is the combination of background, knowledge, attitudes, experiences, and philosophies that you share with your audience. a. Common ground b. Onomatopoeia c. Personal impact d. Assonance

a. Common ground

Although oral style is slightly more formal than the style used in everyday conversation, it should still reflect a personal tone that encourages listeners to perceive the speaker to be having a conversation with them. a. True b. False

a. True

Saying that the wind was crying mournfully is an example of personification. a. True b. False

a. True

The word "professor" is defined as a high-ranking faculty member who instructs students at a college or university. This is an example of the word's "denotation." a. True b. False

a. True

Vocalized pauses are unnecessary words like "you know" and "um" that are used to fill moments of silence. a. True b. False

a. True

"Sensory language" refers to expressions that make sense to the audience. a. True b. False

b. False

When giving a public speech, using some mild profanity is acceptable. a. True b. False

b. False

When giving a talk, your language will be the same no matter what kind of audience you are addressing. a. True b. False

b. False

When speaking to an audience from a collectivistic culture, you should be very direct and say whatever is on your mind. a. True b. False

b. False

Even if you think an abbreviation or acronym is a common one, you should a. replace it with better-known slang or jargon. b. always define it the first time you use it in a speech. c. always avoid using it. d. always use the full form rather than the abbreviation or acronym.

b. always define it the first time you use it in a speech.

When Evan gave his talk about Mexico, he began by telling a joke that made fun of Mexicans. By doing so, Evan failed to demonstrate a. generic language. b. linguistic sensitivity. c. section transitions. d. relevance.

b. linguistic sensitivity.

Alanna wanted to grab her audience's attention with a vivid description of the suffering human trafficking victims experience, so she opened her speech like this: "The mattress was filthy—crawling with bugs—and the stench of unwashed bodies was overpowering in the tiny room where six young girls slept, exhausted after another long night of work." Alanna was using a. personification. b. sensory language. c. onomatopoeia. d. alliteration.

b. sensory language.

All of the following are true about language EXCEPT for a. using accurate language helps you to be intelligible. b. words in a language seldom become obsolete. c. language changes over time. d. language is arbitrary and abstract.

b. words in a language seldom become obsolete.

When the Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote "My love is like a red, red rose," he was using a. dialect. b. metaphor. c. simile. d. jargon.

c. simile.

All of the following are characteristics of an effective oral style EXCEPT for a. previewing main ideas and providing clear section transitions. b. using short sentences and familiar language. c. using slang, jargon, and dialect. d. using pronouns such as "we" and "us."

c. using slang, jargon, and dialect.

In his speech on threats to urban forests, Vanya wanted to use specific language when talking about a pest known as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Which of the following would be the best language choice when referring to this pest? a. exotic pests b. insects c. beetle d. Emerald Ash Borer

d. Emerald Ash Borer

Depending on the region of the U.S., a soft drink might be known as "pop" or "coke" or "soda." This is a reflection of a. denotation. b. standard English. c. connotation. d. dialect.

d. dialect.

The statement, "Paul is an excellent male nurse," is an example of a. alliteration. b. irrelevant association. c. personification. d. marking.

d. marking.

The degree of formality required to be an effective public speaker is based on a. the speaker's level of education. b. the size of the speaker's vocabulary. c. the speaker's familiarity with the topic. d. the rhetorical situation.

d. the rhetorical situation.

Whenever possible, a speaker should avoid using jargon in a speech because it a. doesn't provide good transitions. b. has too many syllables. c. will make people in the audience laugh. d. will only be understood by a limited group of people.

d. will only be understood by a limited group of people.