Public Speaking Module 1
If you were offering a speaker constructive criticism, you might begin by saying ... a. "I found your use of transitions extremely helpful.", b. "The conclusion seemed to stray from your point and introduce a topic you hadn't discussed previously.", c. "Your third point did not seem as fully developed as the other two.", d. "Your lack of eye contact was distracting."
a. "I found your use of transitions extremely helpful."
Hilda, a German professor of world history, is to speak about her experiences in Germany during World War II. Her audience will include U.S. veterans, Holocaust survivors, college students, and a group of elderly German citizens. Which of the following statements will establish an inclusive environment for her audience? a. "Some of you are here tonight because you fought in the war. Others experienced the Holocaust firsthand. Still others saw their country torn apart by the tyranny of a megalomaniacal leader. What have we learned from this tragic episode in human history, and how can we use our knowledge to create a better future for the generation represented by the college students in attendance this evening?", b. "Although it did not prevent the killing of millions of innocent Jews or the deaths of millions of soldiers worldwide, U.S. involvement in the war helped put an end to Hitler's tyranny."
a. "Some of you are here tonight because you fought in the war. Others experienced the Holocaust firsthand. Still others saw their country torn apart by the tyranny of a megalomaniacal leader. What have we learned from this tragic episode in human history, and how can we use our knowledge to create a better future for the generation represented by the college students in attendance this evening?"
Which of the following purpose statements might be used for an informative speech on one of the following topics: space exploration, the minimum wage, or campus safety? a. "Today we're going to take a look at the increase in crime rates on campus over the past five years.", b. "Today I am going to discuss why higher crime rates on campus require increased security in dormitories.", c. "Today I am going to tell you why the Apollo 13 astronauts are the most important heroes in NASA history.", d. "Today we're going to examine how raising the minimum wage has traditionally been the best way to reduce poverty."
a. "Today we're going to take a look at the increase in crime rates on campus over the past five years."
During the Great Depression, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered a series of speeches called ... a. "fireside chats", b. "informal addresses", c. "town hall meetings", d. "state of the state"
a. "fireside chats"
Which of the following involves a judgment? a. An opinion, b. A denotation, c. A fact, d. A clarification
a. An opinion
Jerome is to give a speech to his European studies class about traveling abroad. He has consulted a number of different studies from scholarly journals and formulated a central idea statement: "I believe traveling abroad is an excellent way to learn, experience other cultures, and relax." Jerome may need to examine this statement in light of which issue of critical thinking? a. Clarifying his meaning by using denotation, b. Making inaccurate assumptions about audience size, c. Discriminating between fact and opinion, d. Consulting reputable sources
a. Clarifying his meaning by using denotation
_______ is a type of _____ that involves discrimination or stereotypical attitudes based on socio-economic status. a. Classism; exclusion, b. Xenophobia; ethnocentrism; c. Racism; ethnocentrism, d. Sexism; exclusion
a. Classism; exclusion
If you do a great job emphasizing your main points in the body of a speech, you will not need to mention them in the introduction. a. False, b. True
a. False
It is appropriate to stay for part of a speech and leave in the middle if you cannot stay for the entire thing. a. False, b. True
a. False
_______ refers to a conclusion drawn from evidence. a. Inference, b. Opinion, c. Meaning, d. Denotation
a. Inference
_______ communication offers the opportunity to share deep thoughts, feelings, and desires. a. Interpersonal, b. Intrapersonal, c. Interactive, d. Mass
a. Interpersonal
During her last speech, Andrew suffered from situational anxiety. Which of the following situations would have most logically caused her this sort of anxiety? a. She had to project charts and graphs from a friend's laptop when hers broke, b. The speech was a toast at her parents' 30th anniversary party, c. A male student she likes was sitting in the front of the class, d. She is nervous in almost all situations
a. She had to project charts and graphs from a friend's laptop when hers broke
Which of the following questions does not deal with an issue of free speech? a. Should carrying a concealed handgun be legal?, b. Should a rap artist be allowed to record albums that include homophobic or sexist lyrics?, c. Should video stores be allowed to carry X-rated materials?, d. Should a professional baseball player be punished for publicity insulting gays, women, and ethnic groups?
a. Should carrying a concealed handgun be legal?
Which of the following is not typically considered a cost of free speech in the U.S.? a. The government must use resources to monitor hurtful speech, b. Hate speech subjects its victims to abuse, c. Unrestricted speech may be used to incite violence, d. Speech may be used to foster hatred
a. The government must use resources to monitor hurtful speech
Exclusion disrupts the communication process. a. True, b. False
a. True
If you experience a fear of speaking in public, your body may react to this fear as if you are being physically threatened. a. True, b. False
a. True
In the United States, freedom of speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution. a. True, b. False
a. True
Political Correctness refers to a person's conscious avoidance of any potentially offensive language or behavior. a. True, b. False
a. True
The Cold War, which ended in 1991, was largely a war fought with words. a. True, b. False
a. True
Thinking becomes instinctive during episodes of speaker anxiety. a. True, b. False
a. True
Which of the following is sometimes an unexpected result of censorship? a. Victims of hate speech are censored, b. Objectionable publications are made illegal, c. Criticism of the government is outlawed, d. Obscene art is banned
a. Victims of hate speech are censored
Megan experienced severe speaker anxiety during her first speech, and she is investigating the physical symptoms of her reaction. Which of the following conclusions from her research is false? a. Your thought rate increases when you are anxious, b. Your body prepares for fight or flight during speaker anxiety, c. By embracing nervous energy, you can make your performance lively, d. Your breathing rate increases when you are anxious
a. Your thought rate increases when you are anxious
Asking for comments about a speech and then using them to improve your speaking skills involves all of the following except ... a. asking for only positive comments on your speech, b. using positive comments to bolster your confidence, c. expecting your performance to improve as your confidence increases, d. practicing in front of someone you trust
a. asking for only positive comments on your speech
James is introducing the keynote speaker at a business symposium. Those present include the CEOs from many companies James has applied to for a job. Although usually comfortable giving speeches, James is especially nervous today and may be suffering from ____ anxiety. a. audience, b. situational, c. state, d. trait
a. audience
When William experiences speaker anxiety, all of the following are true except that his ... a. blood flows from his extremities to his stomach, causing butterflies, b. heart rate increases, c. body temperature increases, d. body may respond as if under physical threat
a. blood flows from his extremities to his stomach, causing butterflies
Race, nationality, ethnicity, age, and gender are examples of _____ categories. a. cultural, b. geographical, c. causal, d. philosophical
a. cultural
When evaluating a speaker, give the least amount of weight to the speaker's ... a. gestures, b. source citation, c. vocal variety, d. use of examples
a. gestures
Listening for intonation is mostly a characteristic of ______. a. intensive listening, b. empathic listening, c. insensitive listening, d. fully engaged listening
a. intensive listening
The mean is useful only if there is ________ variability in the _______. a. little; scores, b. great; scores, c. great; means, d. little; modes
a. little; scores
Veronica has been asked to introduce a colleague at an English symposium at her university. In her speech, Veronica says, "I've known Dr. Jones for years, I respect her work very much, and I'm sure she also respects my work, since two of her articles build upon my earlier research on William Faulkner's short stories. I′m sure Dr. Jones will find my next book on Faulkner useful as well." Veronica has violated the ethical obligations of the ... a. occasion, b. listener, c. situation, d. speaker
a. occasion
When Gregory suggests to the ten members of his book club that they read the newest novel by his favorite author, he is engaging in _______ communication. a. small group, b. public, c. interpersonal, d. interactive
a. small group
The public speaking situation includes all of the following elements except ... a. when, b. who, c. what, d. why
a. when
Marta is preparing to deliver a presentation on the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda at a literature symposium in Dallas. Upon arrival, she learns that her audience is mainly Hispanic, though it includes some whites and African-Americans. Marta knows nothing else about them except that they are all scholars or graduate students. Which of the following introductory sentences would best avoid ethnocentric assumptions? a. "Today, I'm going to discuss the cultural contribution of Pablo Neruda's work to your heritage.", b. "I am going to read three poems by Pablo Neruda in Spanish and then in English translation, and I hope to share with each of you the author's impressive use of metaphor.", c. "Buenos días. Hoy, yo voy a discutir el uso de la metáfora en los poemas de Pablo Neruda."
b. "I am going to read three poems by Pablo Neruda in Spanish and then in English translation, and I hope to share with each of you the author's impressive use of metaphor."
An example of ineffective feedback is ... a. "If you used more credible sources, your arguments would be stronger.", b. "I don't think you did a good job of arguing your points.", c. "I thought your topic was interesting, but I think a more varied vocal delivery would be more effective.", d. "Your introduction really caught my attention, but I found the organization of the main points a bit confusing."
b. "I don't think you did a good job of arguing your points."
John, a member of a militant student group, plans to protest U.S. involvement in the World Bank. John is well known to local authorities, so he wants to be mindful of engaging only in protected speech. Which of the following statements should he avoid? a. "Fellow students, I urge you to join me on the steps of the capitol to march, chant, and make our demands heard.", b. "I urge each of you to track down your congressional representatives, confront them, and use any means necessary to make them put a stop to this economic aggression.", c. "Our president is a useless leader who serves only the interests of big business and ignores average Americans.", d. "I am crumbling up this picture of the president to illustrate how he has damaged the good name of the United States with his continued support of economic destabilization."
b. "I urge each of you to track down your congressional representatives, confront them, and use any means necessary to make them put a stop to this economic aggression."
Speakers who regularly make comments that exclude large portions of their audience risk being saddled with ... a. low self-esteem, b. "credibility baggage", c. a reputation for competence, d. positive feedback
b. "credibility baggage"
Communication is the exchange of information to create language. a. True, b. False
b. False
Countries throughout the world share a universal definition of hate speech. a. True, b. False
b. False
Denotation concerns the values or emotions bound up with a word. a. True, b. False
b. False
During a speech, audience members do not really have any ethical obligations. a. True, b. False
b. False
Jim has big plans for his public speaking career and is preparing his first speech. Which of the following strategies would be least effective at helping him manage speaker anxiety? a. Preparing and practicing his speech, b. Learning from his peers' public speaking experiences, c. Asking for constructive criticism, d. Maintaining a positive self-image through visualization
b. Learning from his peers' public speaking experiences
In 1965, which of the following figures delivered a famous speech before Congress to request the passage of the Voting Rights Act? a. Gloria Steinem, b. Lyndon B. Johnson, c. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., d. John F. Kennedy
b. Lyndon B. Johnson
Which of the following is not a principle of good ethics in public speaking? a. Using evidence from reputable sources, b. Manipulating the audience only when necessary, c. Avoiding the fabrication of sources, d. Demonstrating competence
b. Manipulating the audience only when necessary
Joan has given a successful first speech. Which of the following is not true of the importance of this experience? a. A good first speech makes it more likely that she will do well in future speeches, b. Since her first speech was strong, her speaking ability will now not need to be improved, c. She may have felt an adrenaline rush from the experience, d. Seeing her audience respond to her speech was probably gratifying and exciting
b. Since her first speech was strong, her speaking ability will now not need to be improved
During a speech, your experience as a listener will be hindered if you ... a. connect its topic to those of other speeches, b. do not anticipate the speech topic, c. eat before attending the speech, d. pay attention as you would in a conversation
b. do not anticipate the speech topic
All of the following are external barriers to effective listening except ... a. an unusually cold location, b. hunger, c. a very dark room, d. a very loud message
b. hunger
All of the following actions may be involved in extensive listening except ... a. application, b. interruption, c. comprehension, d. ordering
b. interruption
The _______ refers to the statistical midpoint of a group of scores. a. mode, b. median, c. mean, d. measure
b. median
When analyzing the framework of a speech, you need not consider the speaker's ... a. preview of the main points, b. minor delivery flaws, c. conclusion, d. use of transitions
b. minor delivery flaws
The person sitting beside you in class sneezes, and you automatically turn your head toward him. This is an example of _____ listening. a. selective, b. reactive, c. interactive, d. responsive
b. reactive
All of the following are visible ways a speaker and audience members may differ except ... a. age, b. sexual orientation, c. race, d. gender
b. sexual orientation
During World War II, both the Allied and Axis powers used propaganda to ... a. manipulate the public through the use of humor, b. shape public support of the war, c. downplay public opinion, d. weaken public support for the war
b. shape public support of the war
Public speaking is more demanding than everyday conversation because public speakers have all of the following responsibilities except ... a. rehearsing often, b. taking as much time as necessary to deliver their message effectively, c. preparing adequately, d. being sensitive to the setting
b. taking as much time as necessary to deliver their message effectively
Throat constriction associated with speaker anxiety can be relieved by ... a. deliberate movement, b. yawning, c. muscle relaxation exercises, d. deep breathing
b. yawning
You are speaking to a parent-teacher organization about the Internet. Which of the following topic sentences would best connect the audience to your message? a. "Today, I am going to talk to you about how to create web pages using HTML.", b. "Today, I am going to offer you some tips on how to launch an e-commerce website.", c. "Today, I am going to discuss the top ten Internet resources for students.", d. "Today, I am going to address the top five reasons hate speech on the Internet should be restricted."
c. "Today, I am going to discuss the top ten Internet resources for students."
_________ is credited with inventing the study of rhetoric. a. Patrick Henry, b. Quintilian, c. Corax, d. Cicero
c. Corax
Which of the following is an example of adhering to the ethical obligations of context? a. Avoiding offensive language, b. Offering encouragement through body language, c. Speaking loudly enough for all audience members to hear, d. Rehearsing a speech
c. Speaking loudly enough for all audience members to hear
Forms of speech that are generally protected may come to be considered unprotected conduct if they interfere with a person's ability to lead his or her daily life. Which of the following is an example of speech that has crossed the line and become illegal conduct? a. Calling a legislator's office to complain bitterly about how she voted on a particular bill, b. Writing letters to the editor of the local paper every day complaining about his political bias, c. Standing outside a movie star's house for hours at a time and proclaiming your love for them over a loudspeaker, d. Picketing and chanting outside a clinic
c. Standing outside a movie star's house for hours at a time and proclaiming your love for them over a loudspeaker
Richard Nixon best utilized his public speaking skills during which of the following historical events? a. The 1972 Summer Olympics, b. The 1960 presidential campaign, c. The Watergate scandal (1974), d. The 1968 presidential debates
c. The Watergate scandal (1974)
Which of the following speaking events does not violate the ethics of the public speaking situation? a. Giving a wedding toast that describes the bride's wild college escapades, b. Delivering a speech at Arlington National Cemetery about the U.S. role in the Vietnam War, c. Using specialized banking terms when discussing international currency investments, d. Heckling a speaker who has minor delivery flaws
c. Using specialized banking terms when discussing international currency investments
All of the following are examples of external interference except ... a. static on a telephone line preventing a receiver from getting a message, b. a noisy party in a restaurant distracting a couple's conversation, c. a student missing a teacher's main point because she is worried that she may have left her car unlocked, d. a honking horn preventing someone from hearing a police officer's directions
c. a student missing a teacher's main point because she is worried that she may have left her car unlocked
Ramsey gets sick the morning he is supposed to deliver a speech in his communication class. The student speeches in his class are so tightly scheduled that the only way he can make up the assignment is to give the speech to a section of the course that meets at night. As he begins giving his speech, "Where to Party in This Town," he notices that his audience contains almost all older students who are probably taking night classes because they work during the day. Ramsey gamely continues with his speech, but he can tell that his audience has no interest in the topic. By not considering that the class would contain mostly older students, Ramsey wound up being guilty of inadvertent ... a. sexism, b. ethnocentrism, c. ageism, d. racism
c. ageism
Joan is giving a speech to a group of college freshmen about preparing their tax returns. She begins by saying, "Most of you will be filling tax returns for the first time this year. By following a few simple tips, you can make the process easier on yourself and your pocketbook. We'll discuss suggestions from experts on the tax code, and I'll tell you how to maximize exemptions, maximize deductions, and avoid an audit." Joan's introductory statement failed to assist her audience by not ... a. linking her audience to the message, b. signposting her main ideas, c. clarifying her terms, d. citing reputable sources
c. clarifying her terms
As a listener, you should focus more on the _____ than the _____. a. words; meaning, b. speaker; information, c. content; delivery, d. delivery; message
c. content; delivery
______ information includes categories such as race, gender, socio-economic status, and level of education. a. demonstrable, b. socio-political, c. demographic, d. socio-graphic
c. demographic
A variety of a spoken language specific to a particular region is known as a ... a. accent, b. idiom, c. dialect, d. regionalism
c. dialect
Listening attentively to opposing views can do all of the following except ... a. improve your understanding of an issue, b. encourage you to use critical-thinking skills, c. diminish your comprehension of an issue, d. reinforce your own beliefs
c. diminish your comprehension of an issue
Communication is the continuous _____ of _____ to create ______. a. exchange; words; language, b. system; thought; words, c. exchange; information; meaning, d. process; listening; change
c. exchange; information; meaning
All of the following are true of speaker anxiety except that ... a. unlike the sources of many fears, public speaking is difficult to avoid, b. in the U.S. public speaking is feared more than snakes or heights, c. fear of public speaking is a physical phobia, d. speaker anxiety is common and mangeable
c. fear of public speaking is a physical phobia
All of the following are true of hearing except that it ... a. is passive, b. is continuous, c. involves assigning meaning to sound, d. involves physiological reactions
c. involves assigning meaning to sound
All of the following are ethical obligations of the speaker except ... a. rehearsing a speech numerous times, b. offering a valuable, well-prepared speech, c. making certain that the tone of a speech fits the occasion, d. trying to improve as a public speaker
c. making certain that the tone of a speech fits the occasion
To make it easier for your audience to listen, do all of the following except ... a. cite reputable sources, b. connect with your audience, c. offer at least five main points, d. signpost your main ideas
c. offer at least five main points
All of the following are true of speaker anxiety except that ... a. you can control speaker anxiety by convincing your body that you are not in danger, b. feelings of success or anxiety are influenced by personal psychology, c. positive self-imaging does little to improve performance, d. your body may respond to speaker anxiety as to a physical threat
c. positive self-imaging does little to improve performance
When Professor Smith lectures to a large undergraduate biology class, he is engaging in _______ communication. a. interpersonal, b. mass, c. public, d. small group
c. public
You have been asked to deliver a slide presentation and speech to your business class. Your nervousness at never having used a slide projector before is a form of ____ anxiety. a. trait, b. audience, c. situational, d. state
c. situational
All of the following are components of responsible listening except ... a. asking questions about the speech, b. arriving at the speech well rested, c. taking out note-taking material once the speaker says something interesting, d. offering the king of feedback you value
c. taking out note-taking material once the speaker says something interesting
In the Renaissance, it was considered ideal to have three main points in a speech because of the Roman Catholic doctrine of ________. a. transubstantiation, b. papal infallibility, c. the Trinity, d. the Immaculate Conception
c. the Trinity
Laura has been assigned to write an essay explaining why critical thinking is important in public speaking. Which of the following statements should she delete from her essay? a. "Critical thinking helps speakers revise their assumptions about a speech situation.", b. "Critical thinking encourages speakers to incorporate appropriate language in their talks.", c. "Critical thinking better prepares one to provide useful feedback.", d. "Critical thinking helps speakers learn how to support their claims with opinions."
d. "Critical thinking helps speakers learn how to support their claims with opinions."
Which of the following best represents the first linear model of communication? a. A sender sends a message through a receiver to a channel, b. A sender sends a message through a context to a receiver, c. A sender sends a message through a channel to a receiver, d. A sender sends a message to a receiver
d. A sender sends a message to a receiver
Which of the following is an example of state anxiety? a. Stan is nervous in almost all situations. The thought of reading his short story to his English class terrifies him., b. Trey could not sleep last night because he was worried that his videotaped materials would not work during his dissertation defense. His presentations do not usually require audiovisual equipment., c. Helen is nervous because, as valedictorian, she must give a speech to the board of regents and president of her university., d. Although he gives weekly business presentations with ease, Anthony is so nervous about giving a toast at his best friend's wedding that he has already drafted five versions.
d. Although he gives weekly business presentations with ease, Anthony is so nervous about giving a toast at his best friend's wedding that he has already drafted five versions.
This student of Plato, through his work with Alexander the Great, developed the first systematic analysis of speechmaking. a. Protagoras, b. Isocrates, c. Cicero, d. Aristotle
d. Aristotle
Sergio, the valedictorian of his high school class, is preparing to give his graduation address. Which of the following would not help Sergio manage any speaker anxiety he may feel? a. Practicing his speech several times, b. Glancing at his notes occasionally, c. Concentrating on his audience members' reactions, d. Looking over his audience members' heads
d. Looking over his audience members' heads
Which of the following is true of effective listening? a. To facilitate effective listening, a speaker's delivery rate should equal the audience's thinking rate, b. Different regional pronunciations aid effective listening, c. Infrequent eye contact with an audience is an internal barrier to effective listening, d. Low message intensity is an external barrier to effective listening
d. Low message intensity is an external barrier to effective listening
You have invited Dr. Stock, a pediatrician, to give a speech to a group of expectant mothers about the importance of proper diet and exercise. You know that the majority of the audience speaks English, but women from China and Mexico will also be there. The doctor has had little time to analyze the audience, so he calls you for help. Which of the following would you recommend to ensure that he creates an inclusive environment? a. Suggest that the audience members should subordinate themselves to those who support them financially, b. Emphasize why Asian mothers should supplement their children's diets with vitamins, c. Discuss the importance of both a strict reliance on science and the biblical aspects of motherhood, d. Offer a multilingual transcript of the speech
d. Offer a multilingual transcript of the speech
All of the following are forms of unprotected speech except ... a. Germans' making false statements about the Holocaust, b. Canadians' promoting hatred, c. Americans' inciting violence against other citizens, d. U.S. publishers' producing pornographic materials
d. U.S. publishers' producing pornographic materials
To make a speech inclusive, do all of the following except ... a. carefully choose your words and gestures, b. investigate the cultural background of your audience, c. consider several characteristics of your audience, d. address your audience in an ethnocentric tone
d. address your audience in an ethnocentric tone
Sean, an American exchange student in South Korea, is pleasantly surprised to find that many Koreans speak English, but he is so distracted by their extreme reluctance to make eye contact that he sometimes finds it difficult to converse with them. When Sean later learns that Koreans consider direct eye contact impolite and overly bold, he manages to overcome this ______ barrier to effective listening. a. external environmental, b. internal environmental, c. language, d. cultural
d. cultural
Known for his inspiring speeches, Nelson Mandela is an example of a highly ______ and _____ speaker. a. ineffective; ethical, b. ineffective; unethical, c. effective; unethical, d. effective; ethical
d. effective; ethical
All of the following are categories of communication except ______ communication. a. public, b. interpersonal, c. small group, d. introspective
d. introspective
The _______ refers to the number that occurs most often in a group of scores. a. mean, b. median, c. measure, d. mode
d. mode
Compared to the rate at which people think, the rate at which they listen is approximately ... a. several times faster, b. roughly the same, c. half as fast, d. one-fourth to one-fifth as fast
d. one-fourth to one-fifth as fast
Lucy presents a speech to her classmates. The goal of her speech is to get the class to agree that building a website is fun. The purpose of Lucy's speech is to ... a. demonstrate, b. entertain, c. inform, d. persuade
d. persuade
Effective delivery involves all of the following except ... a. engaging your audience with facial expressions, b. using natural, conversational speech, c. energizing your listeners, d. planning your physical gestures in advance
d. planning your physical gestures in advance
All of the following are audience characteristics except ... a. expectations, b. size, c. demographics, d. purpose
d. purpose
To get the most out of your experience as a listener, avoid _____ listening. a. extensive, b. active, c. intensive, d. reactive
d. reactive
You ask a friend if she has seen the movie you watched last night. While you wait for her answer, you are engaging in _____ listening. a. reactive, b. selective, c. intensive, d. responsive
d. responsive
The study of language used to communicate or persuade is known as _______. a. persuasion, b. oratory, c. declamation, d. rhetoric
d. rhetoric
While on his way to class, Carlos hears a group of students debating the issue of tuition hikes to support the building of a new computer facility. He stops for a moment, listens only to those speakers who support the proposal, and then heads to his public speaking class. This is an example of ... a. incomplete listening, b. empathic listening, c. intensive listening, d. selective listening
d. selective listening
Attaching a characteristic to an entire racial group is an example of a racial ... a. implication, b. property, c. profile, d. stereotype
d. stereotype
All of the following are forms of protected speech except ... a. the production of a motion picture that glorifies violence, b. a protest against Columbus Day celebrations, c. criticism of the leadership skills of the president of the United States, d. the revelation of classified information regarding U.S. troop locations
d. the revelation of classified information regarding U.S. troop locations
