midterm COMM 2500

In light of the general tendencies that accompany age, which of the following groups would tend to vote in favor of recognizing same-sex marriage—a dramatic change in traditional policy? A) 18- to 30-year-old voters B) 30- to 50-year-old voters C) 50- to 70-year-old voters D) 70- to 90-year-old voters

A) 18- to 30-year-old voters

"If you really hope to make a difference, you can't ignore politics." Why is this statement accurate? A) Many of the problems we face are, in the final analysis, political problems. B) Society's problems are much harder to address than political problems. C) Since citizens have less power than politicians, they ultimately should seek office. D) Since citizens have less power than legislators, they should become lobbyists.

A) Many of the problems we face are, in the final analysis, political problems.

A political ad that features a candidate calling her opponent a "lazy, stupid, incompetent bureaucrat" is an example of an ad hominem attack. A) True B) False

A) True

Being a "good citizen" entails deliberating with others with a view toward arriving at sound collective decisions. A) True B) False

A) True

In the body of her speech, Jackie will offer three main points to support her thesis. She wishes to emphasize one point more strongly than the rest. She should place it as her first or last point in order to give it special emphasis. A) True B) False

A) True

When it comes to free speech, as with any civil liberty, we all generally recognize there must be some limits to free speech. A) True B) False

A) True

When paying tribute to the astronauts of Challenger, whose crew perished during the shuttle's takeoff, President Reagan delivered a speech written predominately by Peggy Noonan, a professional speechwriter on his staff. In this instance, he is not required to cite her as the author of the speech unless directly asked. A) True B) False

A) True

To what extent do we profit from a study of history? A) We profit greatly, by better understanding various issues as well as our principles. B) We profit moderately, by better understanding our failures and others' failures. C) We profit little, since all events are tied to a particular place and time. D) We profit none, since history is written from a viewpoint and can mislead.

A) We profit greatly, by better understanding various issues as well as our principles.

Jerome took classes in public speaking and history, and he reads widely about current events from reputable news agencies. As a result, he honed his ability to evaluate claims, weigh all the evidence, and come to reasoned conclusions based on a careful examination of the arguments on all sides of an issue. Jerome has become __________. A) a citizen-critic B) a consumer watchdog C) a proponent of competing claims D) an advocate skilled in manipulation

A) a citizen-critic

Careless __________, such as saying "swatta thought" for "that is what I thought," can interfere with the meaning of a message. A) articulation B) pronunciation C) alliteration D) restatement

A) articulation

The main reason that many citizens prefer community service over more "traditional" political activities, like circulating petitions or supporting political candidates, is because __________. A) as a community volunteer, we immediately see the tangible impact we have made B) the work of a petitioner often requires more hours than we wish to expend C) supporting a political candidate often requires more hours than we wish to expend D) as a community volunteer, we enjoy competing with other volunteers and causes

A) as a community volunteer, we immediately see the tangible impact we have made

From the choices below, identify the qualities of a good listener. A) attempts to minimize distractions and provides nonverbal feedback to the speaker during a speech B) engages in mental argument, silently refuting a speaker's ideas, and provides nonverbal feedback to the speaker during a speech C) engages in mental argument, silently refuting a speaker's ideas, and holds the speaker responsible for effective communication D) attempts to minimize distractions and holds the speaker responsible for effective communication

A) attempts to minimize distractions and provides nonverbal feedback to the speaker during a speech

During a question-and-answer session after a speech in which she had advocated school uniforms for students, Randi politely and open-mindedly listened as fellow citizens raised questions, suggested alternatives, and even disagreed with what she believed to be true. Randi's behavior reveals her __________. A) commitment to respect the opinions of others B) inability to effectively debate her position when challenged C) willingness to pander to her listeners to maintain her image D) lack of conviction in her own position

A) commitment to respect the opinions of others

Celina carefully prepared and practiced her speech. To assist her delivery, she devised an abbreviated outline, consisting of select words and phrases she took from her full-sentence outline. This type of delivery style is __________. A) extemporaneous B) manuscript C) memorized D) impromptu

A) extemporaneous

In U.S. culture, __________ make(s) a speaker come across as more truthful, candid, open, and trustworthy. A) eye contact B) gestures C) movement D) facial expressions

A) eye contact

Public speaking in a democratic society must be __________. A) grounded in a strong code of ethics and a commitment to the public good B) careful to avoid tough political issues that some might find offensive C) loyal to the views of an established political party, even when controversial D) effective in discouraging dissent and criticism in an attempt to achieve consensus

A) grounded in a strong code of ethics and a commitment to the public good

Tyrone just interviewed an expert about his topic. When should he review his notes? A) immediately, in the interest of accurately recording the person's statements B) after he has written and mailed a thank you note to the person and gatekeeper C) several hours later, to allow his mind time to accommodate the information D) the next day, to allow his mind time for reflection and incubation

A) immediately, in the interest of accurately recording the person's statements

Heather's speech is designed to convince her audience that organic farming is a superior way to farm. As she articulates the reasons for her position, she says, "First," "Second," and "A final reason." When she uses this kind of language to introduce her reasons, she is using __________. A) signposts B) a preview C) a summary D) a categorical device

A) signposts

American history is, in large measure, a history of people who made a difference by ____. A) speaking out B) silencing their opponents C) following, without question, elected officials D) outspending their opponents during campaigns

A) speaking out

Bo is having a hard time concentrating on what a speaker is saying. The speaker, a man with a beard and ponytail, wearing sandals, is addressing City Council on the issue of whether the city should decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana. Based on what you know about the speaker and the topic, Bo might be suffering from what kind of listening problem? A) the tendency to stereotype B) a short attention span C) the passivity syndrome D) mental games

A) the tendency to stereotype

During college, Jo avoided speaking in public due to the extreme dread she felt. Even now, several years into her career, she remains generally apprehensive whenever called upon to speak—no matter what the context, topic, or audience. Scholars would say Jo suffers from __________. A) trait anxiety B) state anxiety C) stage fright D) shyness

A) trait anxiety

When we view the speaker and listener as exchanging messages and negotiating meanings, we have adopted a view of communication that is known as a __________. A) transactional model B) linear model C) passive model D) nonverbal model

A) transactional model

As a normal part of the writing process while preparing a speech, you will sketch out several versions of this while you continue to read, learn, and think critically about your topic and specific purpose for speaking. A) working outline B) keyword outline C) diagnostic tool D) formal outline

A) working outline

The best way to describe outlining, when it comes to preparing for a speech, is __________. A) you develop it continuously over time as you prepare your speech B) you construct it prior to gathering information and ideas C) you construct it after you have gathered information and ideas D) you construct it after you have drafted a manuscript version of the speech

A) you develop it continuously over time as you prepare your speech

Which of the following is the most accurate regarding the demographics of an audience? A) Demographics reveal definite assumptions and perspectives that allow us to accurately predict behavior and response. B) Demographics may suggest certain tendencies, but you can never really predict human behavior and response. C) Demographics reveal the futility of one group's ability to influence the perspectives of another, let alone their behavior. D) Demographics provide a mere illusion of knowing an audience and, hence, a false sense of security for speakers.

B) Demographics may suggest certain tendencies, but you can never really predict human behavior and response.

Roberto liked the senator's idea that legislators should not vote themselves another pay increase until they have raised the minimum wage. He used the idea in his speech, choosing to paraphrase rather than quote the senator verbatim. What is Roberto's ethical responsibility while presenting that idea? A) Using his own wording removes the need to acknowledge the senator. B) Even though he's using his own wording, he must give credit to the senator. C) He should cite the senator only if the senator is someone his listeners respect. D) He should quote the senator verbatim, rather than dare use other language.

B) Even though he's using his own wording, he must give credit to the senator.

High communication apprehension might embarrass you, but it has no discernible impact on academic performance. A) True B) False

B) False

Quintilian's ideal orator was someone who could promote their own interest while convincing their audience that it was for the common good. A) True B) False

B) False

The best way to practice your speech, to make sure you are well prepared and to help you manage your communication apprehension is to practice a day or so before your speech, then cease practicing in order to be fresh. A) True B) False

B) False

Jake is from a neighborhood known for its gang activity. His father is in prison. Knowing this, his classmates label him a "loser." Because Jake's classmates have stereotyped him in this way, what do scholars find will likely be Jake's experience? A) He will recognize their foolishness and simply dismiss their remarks. B) His performance will suffer, as will his health and self-esteem. C) He will likely not be affected since his classmates are not his reference group. D) His performance will improve, as will his health and self-esteem.

B) His performance will suffer, as will his health and self-esteem.

What are the implications of living in a diverse, multicultural society? A) We can no longer discuss important issues and find common ground. B) It is more important than ever that we rise above our own selfish interests. C) We no longer face the same problems but a different, more subtle set. D) We do not share the same dreams and aspirations as our fellow citizens.

B) It is more important than ever that we rise above our own selfish interests.

Shalla stays well informed on current events and issues. What impact will this have on her ability to listen effectively? A) It will impact her ability negatively, as she will become more prone to daydream about tangential matters rather than listen. B) It will impact her ability positively, as she can better assess the quality of the message and pose thoughtful questions. C) It will essentially have no impact since what she will encounter in a speech is different than what she will encounter in media reports. D) It will impact her ability negatively, as she will be less inclined to listen to others due to thinking that she is sufficiently informed already.

B) It will impact her ability positively, as she can better assess the quality of the message and pose thoughtful questions.

Jan goes to hear a speaker who is addressing problems with the economy. Because the speaker is a Republican and Jan is a Democrat, she expects him to advocate a number of ideas with which she will disagree. As he begins to speak, he makes a point that Jan considers questionable. Immediately, Jan begins to contemplate a counterargument. How would you assess Jan's listening in this situation? A) It is fine. She has a right to react to what the speaker is saying and to prepare for the discussion following the speech. B) Jan needs to suspend judgment, listen to the complete message, and avoid rebutting the speaker's remarks until he is finished. C) Jan appears to be a passive listener and will need to devote more effort to listening to this speech. D) Jan has failed to understand whom the speaker is addressing with his remarks.

B) Jan needs to suspend judgment, listen to the complete message, and avoid rebutting the speaker's remarks until he is finished.

_________ refers to any interference that distorts or interrupts message flow. A) Feedback B) Noise C) Nonverbals D) Context

B) Noise

____________________ has long been considered an important part of democratic citizenship. A) The ability to contribute campaign dollars. B) The ability to communicate in public. C) The ability to hold a political office. D) The ability to expose an opponent's shortcomings.

B) The ability to communicate in public.

The talk show host told his listeners that if they did not vote for a particular candidate, they would betray all things good and moral. He denounced the other candidate as morally inferior, given her upbringing by a single parent, and he cautioned that her "overly feminine build" would not allow anyone to take her seriously. In light of these pronouncements, we could consider the talk show host to be __________. A) a patriot B) a demagogue C) a citizen-critic D) a rhetorical critic

B) a demagogue

Using __________ helps the audience take "mental notes" so they can remember what is said. It also makes clear to them how everything in the speech fits together, it points to a desired response, and it contributes to the speaker's ethos. A) suitable language B) a logical pattern C) temporal context D) a process perspective

B) a logical pattern

In the introduction of his persuasive speech on the advantages of geothermal energy, José says, "Geothermal energy can supply much of the United States' electric needs at competitive prices." What function does this part of José's introduction serve? A) establishing his credibility B) clarifying his purpose by advancing his thesis C) grabbing the audience's attention D) previewing his main points

B) clarifying his purpose by advancing his thesis

By listening carefully to others' arguments, we should avoid __________. A) communicating a desire for dialogue and collaboration B) communicating a sense of healthy suspicion in this era of widespread fraud C) demonstrating our faith in the democratic process D) demonstrating our conviction that every citizen deserves a respectful hearing

B) communicating a sense of healthy suspicion in this era of widespread fraud

Given the many variables that affect the speaking situation, speakers need to develop __________. This willingness to recognize that there are many different ways of giving a good speech increases the speaker's ability to discover a "better" way whenever a speaking situation seems to demand it. A) dynamism B) flexibility C) directness D) subjectivity

B) flexibility

Denetra awoke early the day of her speech, prepared a nice breakfast, and took her time getting ready for class. All the while, she concentrated on how well she had prepared, how much her audience would appreciate her message, and how they would see her as a credible speaker with their best interests at heart. Denetra has engaged which technique found to be effective in subduing communication apprehension? A) productive anxiety B) positive attitude C) myth making D) self-critique

B) positive attitude

Devon is completely at ease speaking to a group of clients about a proposal he and his colleagues have put together, and he often takes the lead during brainstorming sessions with a dozen or so colleagues from various departments. Whenever he is scheduled to present a progress report to upper management, though, he experiences significant communication apprehension. Devon exhibits what scholars of Communication Studies refer to as __________. A) trait anxiety B) state anxiety C) stage fright D) shyness

B) state anxiety

In a speech examining how America transports its goods, Scott offered as his thesis that "America relies on four principal modes of transport." In his preview, he noted that those modes consisted of rail, water, truck, and air and that he would discuss each in turn. In the body of his speech he discussed rail and truck at great length but provided little development for water and air. Scott needs to rethink the organization of his speech in terms of __________. A) strategy B) symmetry C) placement of ideas D) suitability to the situation

B) symmetry

Mick has conducted some exploratory reading on his topic, "Organic Food." He believes he could suggest the following in his speech: "Although organic foods are free of pesticides and herbicides, they can still contain harmful contaminants." By attempting to articulate the overall idea he will be examining, Mick has formulated a __________ to help guide his investigation. A) general purpose B) working thesis C) mind map D) cognitive map

B) working thesis

Joe is trying to finish his speech about gun control. He reads on a blog that death rate due to gun violence has risen 12% in the last year but cannot figure out how the blogger arrived at the number. What is the best choice Joe can make? A) Cite the blogger, but not mention that she is a blogger and not an expert. B) Paraphrase the statistic in his own words instead of citing it directly. C) Keep searching for a better source on gun violence, rather than cite the blogger. D) Cite the blogger, but mention that she is a blogger and not an expert.

C) Keep searching for a better source on gun violence, rather than cite the blogger.

_______ helps citizens recognize the difference between an informed opinion and one grounded in ignorance and prejudice, as well as to formulate a better opinion themselves. A) Listening to their favorite radio talk show personality for talking points B) Religiously viewing cable news shows that reflect their ideological view C) Keeping up with current events from multiple, credible sources and weighing all arguments D) Attending a political rally for the candidate of their choice during a political campaign

C) Keeping up with current events from multiple, credible sources and weighing all arguments

Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding communication apprehension? A) Scholars do not study communication apprehension, believing it to be too rare to study. B) Few speakers experience what can be referred to as communication apprehension. C) Most of us experience only occasional or moderate communication apprehension. D) Most of us frequently experience what is known as high communication apprehension.

C) Most of us experience only occasional or moderate communication apprehension.

Jan typed her speaking outline, and in the margin she entered handwritten notes such as "pause here!" next to a place where she knew a pause would be effective. How should we evaluate Jan's handwritten prompts? A) She risks distracting herself from the content she has typed. B) The notes in the margin will clutter her outline and lessen her ethos. C) She is smart to jot down delivery reminders. D) Delivery hints are not necessary if she has practiced sufficiently.

C) She is smart to jot down delivery reminders.

Which of the following is sound advice to follow when you develop the conclusion of any speech? A) The conclusion is an excellent place to mention any information that you neglected to provide earlier. B) The conclusion can be short or fairly long, depending on what you need to cover. C) The conclusion should be relatively brief. D) Some speeches do not need formal conclusions; rather, it might be best to just stop speaking and go directly to questions.

C) The conclusion should be relatively brief.

If you address a topic that really matters to you personally, what physical symptoms of anxiety will likely transpire as you present a speech? A) Your physical symptoms will soon intensify. B) Your physical symptoms will remain constant throughout. C) Your physical symptoms will soon subside. D) Your physical symptoms will aggravate you and your listeners.

C) Your physical symptoms will soon subside.

In her speech, Makiko argued that cutting physical education programs in school had resulted in lethargic students who could not concentrate as well in class and also contributed to the significantly higher obesity rates among our nation's youth. Her basic pattern of organization is the __________. A) climactic order B) narrative pattern C) causal order D) problem-solution order

C) causal order

Viewed as a transactional process, public speaking __________. A) is something a speaker does to an audience B) ensures, ultimately, that groupthink can occur C) depends on the active participation of the audience D) removes the need for further deliberation or exchange

C) depends on the active participation of the audience

Yusef organized his speech carefully, which according to scholars, will __________. A) enhance credibility and promote learning but have little impact on retention B) enhance credibility but have little impact on learning or retention C) enhance credibility as well as promote learning and retention D) promote learning and retention but have little impact on credibility

C) enhance credibility as well as promote learning and retention

At a Veteran's Day celebration, Alek has been asked to speak to a local citizens group about American involvement in World War II. He begins his presentation like this: From the time I was very young, I wanted to learn to fly. My family was very poor and so flying lessons were out of the question. But, when America became involved in the War, I immediately enlisted in the Air Force. There I learned to fly and during the course of the war I flew 56 bombing missions. I was honored to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross, and it was an even greater privilege to have played a small role in freeing those who had suffered at the hands of the Nazis. Which of the following is Alek doing in this part of his introduction? A) establishing the purpose of his speech B) showing his respect for the audience C) establishing his credibility D) adapting the topic to the audience

C) establishing his credibility

"Fair Use" doctrine indicates that __________. A) to be fair to the original author, individuals in the academy should not distribute any amount of copyrighted material without consent. B) in this day and age, with information flowing freely throughout the Internet, as long as a person is not misrepresenting the material, anyone can use any materials and disregard copyright. C) individuals in the academy may use small amounts of copyrighted information without permission, so long as the use is not for profit. D) copyright laws in the U.S. are outdated and restrictive; this has replaced it entirely.

C) individuals in the academy may use small amounts of copyrighted information without permission, so long as the use is not for profit.

Empathetic listening is defined as _________________ A) listening with the goal of detecting what is being emphasized. B) providing cues to the speaker to speed up their delivery. C) listening with the goal of showing understanding and support. D) listening with the goal of showing one's knowledge of a subject.

C) listening with the goal of showing understanding and support.

The true value of a speech must be judged by the __________. A) degree of adaptation exhibited by the speaker B) setting, which influences audience response C) outcome for the speaker and the listeners D) minimization of noise during the presentation

C) outcome for the speaker and the listeners

A __________ introduces your main ideas, offering a roadmap so that listeners can more easily follow your speech. A) thesis statement B) specific purpose C) preview D) summary

C) preview

When it comes to the rate with which a speaker speaks, one should__________. A) employ a slow, steady rate, allowing ample time for the audience to think B) employ a quick, steady rate, to keep the audience mentally occupied C) vary the rate as a way to emphasize ideas and bolster comprehension D) use a quick rate in the introduction and conclusion, and a slower rate in the body

C) vary the rate as a way to emphasize ideas and bolster comprehension

What should every researcher keep in mind about the Internet? A) The Internet has such a diverse array of quality information that it often can provide one-stop shopping for information. B) Bias is so apparent on the Internet that faulty sites are easily distinguished from credible sites. C) Sites that are newly erected are likely more credible than sites that have been around for a while. D) Internet sources can be very timely and very useful, but they should not constitute one's sole source of information.

D) Internet sources can be very timely and very useful, but they should not constitute one's sole source of information.

__________ allows you to record early thoughts, experiment with different organizational strategies, consider whether evidence "fits" by visualizing the relationship between ideas and supporting material, and endeavor to improve the delivery of your speech. A) Mental rehearsal B) Mind-mapping C) Brainstorming D) Outlining

D) Outlining

Jayson Blair is no longer a New York Times reporter. His blatant use of stolen and fabricated stories led not only to his own forced resignation, but also to the resignations of two high-ranking editors at the Times. What can we learn from this incident? A) We can no longer trust the mainstream news media to tell the truth. B) "If it bleeds, it leads" is what even reputable papers do to increase readership. C) Our society has become increasingly obsessed with punishing white collar crime. D) Penalties for plagiarism are severe and the consequences can be devastating.

D) Penalties for plagiarism are severe and the consequences can be devastating.

__________ allows you to revise your speaking notes until you feel confident about delivering the speech, and will contribute to a relaxed, conversational style of delivery. A) Mind mapping your thoughts as you gather information B) Creating a blueprint of your speech with a formal outline C) Diagnosing your speech with multiple working outlines D) Practicing with and refining your keyword outline

D) Practicing with and refining your keyword outline

__________ denies the essential humanity of those who are different, casts them as inferior, and thus severely limits the potential for communicating successfully. A) Role expectations B) Stereotyping C) Ethnicity D) Racism

D) Racism

A recent survey of incoming college freshmen revealed __________ level of political interest since the survey began in the 1960s. A) the lowest B) a slightly decreased C) an unchanged D) the highest

D) The highest

__________ escort the listener through the speech, connecting ideas while simultaneously reinforcing those ideas. A) Supporting materials B) Preview statements C) Main points D) Transitions

D) Transitions

Desari is uncertain whether she should cite a source regarding how survival rates have dramatically improved the past few decades for several types of cancer. She thinks the progress should be common knowledge and, hence, require no use of source material, but she is not sure. What would you advise her to do for her speech? A) Trust your instincts that such progress is, indeed, common knowledge. B) Know such progress is common knowledge and your classmates should know so. C) Ask for a show of hands during your speech to discern whether to cite a source. D) Verify what you believe in one or more reputable sources and cite one of them.

D) Verify what you believe in one or more reputable sources and cite one of them.

What are the implications for us given that we reside in a "media-saturated world"? A) We can take great confidence in knowing our society is more informed than ever. B) We must rely on our government and religious leaders to interpret media content. C) We can rely on consumer watchdogs to protect us against those who would deceive us. D) We must learn to distinguish between a reasonable argument and an attempt to deceive.

D) We must learn to distinguish between a reasonable argument and an attempt to deceive.

If you, as a speaker, are concerned about whether your audience can hear you or whether you are too loud, you should __________. A) watch the nonverbals of the people in the back row and adjust to their signals B) have an assistant walk to the back of the room and gesture increase or decrease C) continue to speak, knowing that the volume of the microphone can be adjusted D) ask your listeners whether they can hear you and if the volume is comfortable

D) ask your listeners whether they can hear you and if the volume is comfortable

In her presentation, Selma reviewed the lack of progress in the issue of equal pay for women, examining how long the problem has persisted. She began in the mid-1880s and moved forward in time, noting the various efforts women had made to be paid wages or a salary comparable to their male counterparts and how, even today, women typically earn less for doing the same job. Which pattern of organization has Selma used? A) spatial B) categorical C) transitional D) chronological

D) chronological

During a public debate over whether companies who use hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas should disclose the chemicals they use, an advocate against requiring such disclosure referred to his opponent as a "tree-hugging liberal who would protect the livelihood of owls over humans." By engaging in name-calling, the advocate __________. A) recognizes that due to the many special interest groups that exist, we must profile others with name-calling if we are to preserve liberty B) embraces his duty to talk loudly and with heightened passion so those with other views will be unable to drown out his voice C) reminds us all of the importance of labeling opponents in such a way as to undermine their credibility and distract from their argument D) fails to recognize or appreciate that demeaning those with different points of view can, in effect, silence them and undermine democratic debate

D) fails to recognize or appreciate that demeaning those with different points of view can, in effect, silence them and undermine democratic debate

During the introduction of his speech, Marty senses that his anxiety is not yet under control. What should he do to calm his nerves? A) do some isometric exercises as he continues to speak B) tell his audience about his anxiety to increase their empathy C) ask his audience a few, impromptu questions and actively listen D) remind himself that he has to be in complete control of the situation

D) remind himself that he has to be in complete control of the situation

The best way to ensure you have not forgotten your __________ is to include them on your __________ outline. A) symbols; working B) transitions; keyword C) symbols; formal D) transitions; formal

D) transitions; formal

To support assertions made in a speech adequately, a speaker should __________. A) provide numerous examples and statistics and very little testimony B) provide abundant expert testimony and minimal statistical support C) concentrate, principally, on providing solid statistical data D) use a variety of good evidence, making clear its credibility

D) use a variety of good evidence, making clear its credibility

Students who are good listeners __________. A) are often less willing to change their minds once they are made up B) habitually irritate classmates by being too inquisitive C) frequently irritate classmates by being too talkative D) usually perform better in their classes

D) usually perform better in their classes