Public Speaking Multiple Choice
24. Which of the following is presented in your textbook as a guideline for ethical speechmaking?
a. Be fully prepared for each speech.
32. Having spent two years working in a television newsroom, Madison decided to give her informative speech on that topic. Because she knew a lot about it and was comfortable speaking to an audience, she didn't spend much time preparing. As a result, her speech was poorly organized, ran overtime, and did not have a clear message. Which guideline for ethical public speaking discussed in your textbook did Madison fail to live up to?
a. Be fully prepared for each speech.
29. All of the following are presented in your textbook as guidelines for ethical speechmaking except
a. Explain your motives for speaking to the audience.
2. To say that public speaking is a way to make a difference about something we care about is to recognize that public speaking is
a. a form of empowerment.
6. When you experience stage fright, your body is producing extra __________ , a hormone that is released into the bloodstream in response to physical or mental stress.
a. adrenaline
69. Which of the following is out of place in a speech to inform?
a. advocating
98. According to your textbook, which of the following is a demographic characteristic of a speech audience?
a. age
39. Fletcher is listening for pleasure as a friend discusses her trip to Australia. According to your textbook, Fletcher is engaged in __________ listening.
a. appreciative
65. According to your textbook, brainstorming is especially helpful when you are having trouble
a. choosing a speech topic.
60. As your textbook explains, each main point of your first speech should
a. cover a single aspect of the topic.
48. According to your textbook, when you listen to evaluate a speaker's message for purposes of accepting it or rejecting it, what kind of listening is involved?
a. critical
93. What are the two types of audience analysis discussed in your textbook?
a. demographic and situational
94. One of the ways speakers analyze audiences is by looking at traits such as age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, group membership, and racial, ethnic and cultural background. According to your textbook, what is this called?
a. demographic audience analysis
64. A carefully prepared and rehearsed speech that is presented from a brief set of notes is called a(n) __________ speech.
a. extemporaneous
81. As your textbook explains, the primary purpose of speechmaking is to
a. gain a desired response from listeners.
50. Which of the following is appropriate when using humor in a public speech?
a. gently making fun of common human quirks
88. In her speech introduction, Kailyn asked, "Have you ever looked through old family photo albums and laughed at what people were wearing? Have you ever been amused by the bright colors, huge lapels, and crazy ties worn by characters in old TV shows? Like many of you, I've noticed the changes in fashion and feared that my effort to look stylish today may eventually be a source of amusement to my future children." According to your textbook, by seeking to create a bond with her audience through emphasizing their common experiences and fears, Kailyn was engaging in
a. identification.
89. In her speech introduction, Suya said, "Though we are all very different, we are all students here at this university and are all working toward the completion of a degree. Unfortunately, because of rising tuition, some of us may lose the ability to continue in school." According to your textbook, by seeking to create a bond with her audience through emphasizing their common goals and experiences, Suya was engaging in
a. identification.
71. When the general purpose of your speech is to __________ , you act primarily as a teacher or lecturer.
a. inform
83. Audience-centeredness means that public speakers should
a. keep the audience foremost in mind throughout the speechmaking process
91. The fact that audiences are egocentric means that
a. listeners interpret what you say on the basis of what they know and believe.
72. When the general purpose of your speech is to __________ , you act primarily as an advocate.
a. persuade
70. Advocating a position is most appropriate when the general purpose of your speech is to
a. persuade.
18. As your textbook makes clear, speechmaking carries heavy ethical responsibilities because it is a form of
a. power.
78. "To inform my audience about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome" is an example of a
a. specific purpose.
28. Which of the following are included in your textbook as guidelines for ethical speechmaking?
b. Be honest in what you say, be fully prepared for each speech, and make sure your goals are ethically sound.
31. For his informative speech, Douglas told his classmates how to get free food at a drive-through restaurant. Rather than focusing on legitimate deals, such as student discounts or coupons, Douglas talked about ways to trick employees into believing you had already paid for food when you had not. His instructor gave the speech a poor grade because it violated the ethical criteria for public speaking presented in your textbook. The guideline Douglas violated was:
b. Make sure your goals are ethically sound.
12. Which of the following does your textbook recommend as a way to deal with nervousness in your speeches?
b. Turn negative thoughts into positive thoughts.
22. In public speaking, sound ethical decisions involve weighing a potential course of action against
b. a set of ethical guidelines or standards.
1. When your textbook describes public speaking as a form of empowerment, it means that public speaking is
b. a way to make a difference in something we care about.
40. Lance is enjoying Chris Rock's stand-up comedy routine at the Civic Center. According to your textbook, Lance is engaged in __________ listening.
b. appreciative
41. Max is smiling and nodding his head as he listens to a toast at a friend's wedding. According to your textbook, Max is engaged in __________ listening.
b. appreciative
44. Julia is listening to her meteorology professor explain how to interpret images from Doppler radar. Because Julia's goal is to understand the information being presented, she is engaged in __________ listening.
b. comprehensive
42. Gerald is listening to comfort a friend whose apartment has just been burglarized. According to your textbook, Gerald is engaged in __________ listening.
b. empathic
17. Speechmaking is a form of power and therefore carries with it heavy __________ responsibilities.
b. ethical
62. According to your textbook, the type of delivery in which you plan your speech in detail and learn it well without trying to memorize the exact wording is called
b. extemporaneous.
87. The process by which a speaker seeks to create a bond with listeners by emphasizing common values, goals, and experiences is referred to as ___________ by communication scholars.
b. identification
92. The fact that audiences are egocentric means that
b. listeners are concerned above all with how a speech will affect them.
74. The __________ expresses precisely what you hope to accomplish with your speech.
b. specific purpose
77. "To inform my audience about the three basic steps in preventive medicine" is an example of a
b. specific purpose.
80. "To inform my audience how our local water treatment facility ensures the safety of our drinking water" is an example of a
b. specific purpose.
100. A listener's ethical obligation to avoid prejudging a speaker means that a listener should
b. strive to understand the speaker before criticizing his or her ideas.
53. As explained in your textbook, the three main parts of a speech are called
b. the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.
97. According to your textbook, which of the following is a demographic characteristic of a speech audience?
b. their sexual orientation
57. For his first speech, Peter is organizing his ideas around three holiday customs that were passed down by his Polish grandparents. According to your textbook, Peter's speech will most likely be organized in __________ order.
b. topical
49. According to your textbook, a common mistake students make when developing their first speech is
b. trying to cover too much material.
25. Which of the following is presented in your textbook as a guideline for ethical speechmaking?
c. Make sure your goals are ethically sound
55. For her first speech, Rebekah plans to explain her interest in dance beginning with her childhood and continuing through her days in high school. Which pattern of organization discussed in your textbook will she use in her speech?
c. chronological
46. Leon is listening to his chemistry instructor review the steps for this week's lab assignment. Because Leon has to understand and follow these directions carefully, your textbook would say he is engaged in __________ listening.
c. comprehensive
95. As Amanda analyzed the audience for her speech about organic foods, she focused on such things as their gender, age, and cultural background. In doing so, she was engaging in __________ audience analysis.
c. demographic
38. Sarah is listening to her roommate to provide emotional support in a time of distress. According to your textbook, Sarah is engaged in __________ listening.
c. empathic
43. Nuzhat is listening to provide emotional support to her friend Sousan, who is talking about the health of her aging parents. According to your textbook, Nuzhat is engaged in __________ listening.
c. empathic
19. Because speechmaking is a form of power, we must always be sure to speak
c. ethically.
20. According to your textbook, the branch of philosophy that deals with human issues of right and wrong is termed
c. ethics.
15. According to your textbook, when you employ the power of visualization as a method of controlling stage fright, you should
c. focus on the positive aspects of your speech.
73. According to your textbook, what is the most important early step in the process of developing a successful speech?
c. formulating the specific purpose
82. As your textbook explains, the primary purpose of speechmaking is to
c. gain a desired response from listeners.
54. According to your textbook, the first thing a speaker needs to do in the introduction of a speech is to
c. get the interest and attention of the audience.
35. When business managers are asked to list the communication skills most crucial to their job, they usually rank __________ number one.
c. listening
59. A sentence or two that lets the audience know that a speaker has finished one thought and is moving on to another is called a
c. transition.
16. Research has shown that the anxiety level of most speakers drops off significantly
c. when they are 30 to 60 seconds into the speech.
34. Even when we are listening carefully, we usually grasp only about __________ percent of what we hear.
d. 50
30. All of the following are presented in your textbook as guidelines for ethical speechmaking except
d. Respect your listeners' frame of reference.
13. Which of the following does your textbook recommend as a way to deal with nervousness in your speeches?
d. Visualize yourself giving a successful speech.
23. In public speaking, sound ethical decisions involve weighing a potential course of action against
d. a set of ethical guidelines or standards.
4. How much time does the average adult spend in conversation?
d. about 30 percent of waking hours
10. Which of the following does your textbook recommend as a way to deal with nervousness in your speeches?
d. all of the above
36. According to your textbook, effective listening can help you do which of the following?
d. all of the above
52. Which of the following does your textbook recommend for developing your first classroom speech?
d. all of the above
61. Which of the following does your textbook recommend that you do in the conclusion of your first speech?
d. all of the above
67. Which of the following does your textbook recommend as a method of brainstorming for a speech topic?
d. all of the above
8. Which of the following does your textbook recommend as a way to deal with stage fright?
d. all of the above
84. Audience analysis is an important factor in which of the following?
d. all of the above
85. Audience adaptation is an important factor in which of the following?
d. all of the above
86. Audience adaptation is an important factor in which of the following steps of the speechmaking process?
d. all of the above
9. Which of the following does your textbook recommend as a way to deal with nervousness in your speeches?
d. all of the above
21. As a public speaker, you face ethical issues when
d. all of the above.
3. As your textbook explains, many of the skills used in public speaking are the same as those used in everyday conversation. These skills include
d. all of the above.
37. According to your textbook, effective listening skills are important for
d. all of the above.
5. Many of the skills used in public speaking are the same as those used in everyday conversation. These skills include
d. all of the above.
51. Your textbook recommends that when you develop your first speech, you should look for ways to
d. all of the above.
66. The process of generating ideas for speech topics by free association of words and ideas is known as
d. brainstorming
45. Brad is listening to a speaker explain how a new computer program works so Brad can use it in his business. According to your textbook, Brad is engaged in __________ listening.
d. comprehensive
47. A new class registration system has been established on campus. Tonight, a representative from the Registrar's office will speak about how to use the new system. You will be listening to the speaker in hopes of understanding the steps involved in registering for classes next semester. As explained in your textbook, you will be engaged in ___________ listening.
d. comprehensive
33. People spend more time __________ than in any other communication activity.
d. listening
7. According to your textbook, rather than trying to eliminate every trace of stage fright, you should aim at transforming it into
d. positive nervousness.
56. According to your textbook, "Now that you know about Julio's interest in photography, let's look at his passion for snowboarding" is an example of a
d. transition.
27. All of the following are presented in your textbook as guidelines for ethical speechmaking except
e. Explain your credibility on the speech topic.
11. Which of the following does your textbook recommend as a way to deal with nervousness in your speeches?
e. Think of your speech as an act of communication.
75. According to your textbook, the specific purpose for a speech should
e. a and b only.
26. Which of the following is presented in your textbook as a guideline for ethical speechmaking?
e. a and c only
99. According to your textbook, the ethical obligations of listeners include
e. b and c only
96. According to your textbook, which of the following is a demographic characteristic of a speech audience?
e. cultural background
68. After choosing a topic, what is the next step of speech preparation?
e. determining the general purpose
90. To say that people usually want to hear about things that are meaningful to them is to say that people are
e. egocentric.
63. When you use the __________ method of delivery, you become so familiar with the substance of your speech that you need only a few brief notes to jog your memory.
e. extemporaneous
76. "To inform my audience about the history of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation" is an example of a
e. specific purpose.
79. "To inform my audience about the four major elements in rope climbing" is an example of a
e. specific purpose.
58. In her first speech, Kayla introduced her classmate Sean to the class. Each of her main points dealt with one of Sean's hobbies. According to your textbook, Kayla's speech was arranged in __________ order.
e. topical
14. One way to build confidence as a speaker is to create a vivid mental blueprint in which you see yourself succeeding in your speech. According to your textbook, this process is called
e. visualization.
