Deck 13: Creating Captivating Presentations

Question 1

If most audience members represent a low-power distance culture, you may be more successful if you

A) tell them exactly what you want them to think or do-and expect them to comply.
B) appeal to their sense of adventure.
C) demonstrate how a particular course of action will benefit their company, family, or community.
D) encourage them to challenge authority and make independent decision.
E) appeal to their desire to achieve personal and professional goals.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Your textbook presents an Audience's Bill of Rights that aligns with the seven key elements of effective communication. Which of the seven elements aligns with the following right? The right to have a presentation start and stop on time and to know, in advance, how much time it will take.

A) Self
B) Purpose
C) Context
D) Content
E) Expression

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Audience demographics include

A) age, race, and size of audience.
B) age, religion, and size of audience.
C) age, race, and religion of audience.
D) race, religion, and values of the audience.
E) age, gender, and attitudes of the audience.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

An effective purpose statement for a presentation has the following characteristics:

A) interesting, narrow, and credible.
B) specific, achievable, and relevant.
C) purposeful, content-based, and organized.
D) informative, persuasive, and inspirational.
E) broad, informative, and relevant.

Question 5

A speaker's level of credibility is based on his/her

A) research and logical arguments.
B) vocal and physical delivery.
C) audience's perceptions.
D) purpose statement.
E) ability to adapt to the presentation's context.

Question 6

All of the following answers are examples of plagiarism except

A) including a phrase or idea that appears in another person's work without acknowledging and documenting the source.
B) using very well-known phrases from popular films, writings, and advertisements without acknowledging and documenting the source.
C) using someone else's sequence of ideas and organization without acknowledging and citing the similarities in structure.
D) failing to tell an audience exactly when you are citing someone else's exact words or ideas in a presentation.
E) buying and using someone else's presentations or writings and claiming it as your own.

Question 7

Which is the best example of a presentation's purpose statement?

A) to inform the class about horse racing
B) to persuade class members to invest their savings
C) to persuade the audience to become more involved in the fight to wipeout AIDS worldwide.
D) to explain why sickle cell anemia more frequently afflicts Africans and African Americans
E) to tell the class about your favorite musical artists

Question 8

According to your textbook, __________ may be the most important in terms of enhancing a speaker's credibility.

A) charisma
B) competence
C) charm
D) character
E) comprehensiveness

Question 9

All of the following guidelines can help you achieve your presentation's purpose when speaking to an audience of nonnative speakers of English except

A) speak slowly and clearly.
B) speak louder.
C) use visual aids.
D) avoid humor.
E) be more formal.

Question 10

The concept of speaker credibility is

A) relatively new.
B) less than 200 years old.
C) more than 2,000 years old.
D) never as important as the content of a presentation.
E) similar to emotional appeals.

Question 11

Your textbook identifies four general presentation goals. Which of the following goals is not one of those goals?

A) speaking to present
B) speaking to entertain
C) speaking to persuade
D) speaking to inspire
E) speaking to inform

Question 12

In two national surveys-one administered to working professionals and the other to college students taking a communication course-all of the following answers were identified as important top-ten speaking skills by both groups except

A) keeping your audience interested and beginning/ending a presentation
B) enhancing your credibility and overcoming/reducing nervousness/stage fright
C) organizing your presentation and choosing appropriate and effective words
D) using you voice effectively and selecting ideas and information for your presentation
E) All of the above skills were identified as important by both groups.

Question 13

A speaker's ethics

A) derives from the perceived competence of a speaker.
B) is determined by audience members.
C) derives from the perceived charisma of a speaker.
D) is determined by the speaker's level of ethos.
E) derives from the speaker's set of personal principles of right conduct.

Question 14

In two national surveys-one administered to working professionals and the other to college students taking a communication course-what speaking skill was identified by both groups as the most important for effective presentations?

A) organizing your presentation
B) using your voice effectively
C) understanding and adapting to your audience
D) keeping your audience interested
E) deciding what to say; choosing a topic or approach to your presentation

Question 15

If you were making a presentation comparing two advanced computer systems, which of the following questions would be most important when analyzing your audience?

A) What do they know?
B) What are their attitudes?
C) What are their interests?
D) What is their race and religion?
E) What are their values?

Question 16

What question can help you determine the purpose of a presentation?

A) Why am I speaking?
B) What should I talk about?
C) What are the logistics?
D) How should I organize my content?
E) How should I deliver the presentation?

Question 17

Which of the following traits characterizes a speaker's charisma?

A) trustworthiness
B) intelligence
C) honesty
D) enthusiasm
E) expertise

Question 18

If you were making a presentation comparing the Vietnam War to the War in Iraq, which of the following demographic factors would be most important when analyzing what your audience knows and thinks about this topic?

A) age
B) income level
C) marital status
D) college major
E) race

Question 19

What kind of supporting material is used in the following example: "The Biltmore Mansion is the largest private residence in the United States."

A) facts
B) statistics
C) testimony
D) definitions
E) analogies

Question 20

Which of the following goals represents the purpose of audience analysis?

A) research audience characteristics
B) research audience attitudes
C) understand cultural differences among audience members
D) understand audience learning styles
E) all of the above

Question 21

What type of supporting material is used in the following example? "Horsepower is a unit for measuring the power of engines that is roughly equal to 746 watts or 33,000 foot-pounds per minute."

A) facts
B) definitions
C) statistics
D) descriptions
E) analogies

Question 22

The central idea of a presentation is

A) a simple statement of your presentation's purpose.
B) a specific, achievable, and relevant sentence that identifies your purpose.
C) a sentence that previews the organizational pattern and the key points of your presentation.
D) a statement that identifies the specific organizational pattern you will use in a presentation.
E) a transitional statement that moves from your introduction to the body of your presentation.

Question 23

What type of supporting material is used when advertisers present celebrity endorsements of a product?

A) facts
B) stories
C) examples
D) testimony
E) descriptions

Question 24

What type of supporting material is used in the following example? "In his book, Friendship Matters, William Rawlins states that 'For employed men and women, the workplace constitutes a primary pool and setting for making friends.'"

A) examples
B) testimony
C) analogies
D) statistics
E) facts

Question 25

What type of supporting material is used in the following example? "The newly upgraded Montpelier Plantation Inn on the Caribbean island of Nevis, sits on the massive shoulder of Nevis Peak, 750 feet above sea level. Guests live in beautiful, self-contained cottages dotting a grassy hillside, and have air conditioning and four-poster beds."

A) analogies
B) definitions
C) descriptions
D) facts
E) examples

Question 26

Which of the following statements illustrates the most effective central idea?

A) the effects of herbal supplements
B) to understand the effects of herbal supplements
C) taking herbal supplements can have positive and negative effects on your body
D) herbal supplements
E) Should you avoid herbal supplements?

Question 27

Which of the following terms describes supporting material that reports, repeats, or summarizes information from other sources?

A) primary source
B) primary credibility
C) secondary source
D) secondary credibility
E) tertiary source

Question 28

The key points in a presentation about the major television networks discuss characteristics of ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX. What organizational pattern is being used in such a presentation?

A) causes and effects
B) stories and examples
C) topical
D) space
E) problem-solution

Question 29

What type of supporting material is used in the following example? "Four kitchen and bath renovation web sites are fixtureuniverse.com, nkba.org, trendir.com, and homeportfolio.com."

A) stories
B) statistics
C) examples
D) facts
E) definitions

Question 30

What type of supporting material is used in the following example? "Some people argue that sex education will result in teenagers wanting to engage in more sexual activity. This is like arguing that if you purchase insurance you will want to wreck your car."

A) facts
B) testimony
C) descriptions
D) analogies
E) stories

Question 31

In a presentation to teachers on the importance of praising students, Andrew describes how a high school teacher changed the course of his life with positive comments and encouragement. What type of supporting material did Andrew use?

A) facts
B) definitions
C) analogies
D) statistics
E) stories

Question 32

What type of supporting material is used in the following example? "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the risk of maternal deaths in childbirth is greater in the U.S. than in 40 other nations, including most of the industrialized world."

A) facts
B) testimony
C) examples
D) statistics
E) descriptions

Question 33

The advantage of using the Speech Framer as an organizational tool is its ability to

A) provide a place for every component of a presentation.
B) encouraging experimentation and creativity.
C) help determine the appropriate number of key points.
D) let you see the presentation laid out entirely before you practice or deliver your presentation.
E) All of the above answers are advantages of using the Speech Framer.

Question 34

Which of the following answers represents the most appropriate sequence of numbers and letters in the overall structure of a formal outline?

A) I, A, 1, a
B) A, b, (c)
C) I, II, A, B, 1, 2
D) A, i, a
E) I, a, i, (a)

Question 35

As Thomas selects information for his presentation, his goal is source credibility. Which of the following sources is the least credible?

A) The New York Times
B) The Wall Street Journal
C) The National Enquirer
D) The World Almanac
E) Fortune magazine

Question 36

All of the following answers represent good outlining rules for a presentation except

A) use numbers and letters.
B) leave the introduction and conclusion out of the outline.
C) divide subpoints logically.
D) keep the outline consistent in design and grammatical structure.
E) use indentations in the outline for different levels.

Question 37

According to your textbook, all of the following questions will help test the validity of supporting material except:

A) Are the statistics valid?
B) Is the source biased?
C) Is the source identified and credible?
D) Is the information recent?
E) Ask all of the above questions.

Question 38

Which of the following methods for determining the key points of a presentation encourages the free flow of ideas and allows you to harness the potential of your whole brain?

A) mind mapping
B) the Speech Framer
C) arranging key points chronologically
D) using a problem-solution organizational pattern
E) telling stories and sharing examples to organize a presentation

Question 39

___________ refer(s) to statements or opinions that someone has said or written.

A) facts
B) statistics
C) testimony
D) definitions
E) analogies

Question 40

When documenting the sources of your supporting material in a presentation, an oral footnote should include all of the following pieces of information except

A) the person or group of people whose work is cited.
B) the person or group's credentials.
C) the source of the information, such as a book, a web site.
D) the publisher and page number.
E) All of the above items should be included in an oral footnote.

Question 41

Your textbook recommends all of the following strategies for telling a story except

A) use a simple story line.
B) use numerous characters to make the story interesting.
C) exaggerate both content and delivery.
D) provide a link to audience experiences and interests.
E) practice your story until you can tell it without notes.

Question 42

In two national surveys-one administered to working professionals and the other to college students taking a communication course-Organizing your Presentation was identified by both groups as the most important skill for effective presentations.

Question 43

If audience members strongly disagree with you, your textbook recommends using all of the following persuasive strategies except

A) set a reasonable goal.
B) find common ground.
C) accept differences of opinion.
D) only use evidence that supports your point of view.
E) build personal credibility.

Question 44

According to Walter Fisher's Narrative Theory, there are two essential qualities to a good story: probability and fidelity. All of the following answers describe story probability except

A) whether the facts and incidents in the story seem realistic and logical.
B) whether the characters behave in a consistent way.
C) whether the plot and actions are plausible.
D) whether the elements of the story "hang together."
E) All of the above are elements of story probability.

Question 45

Which of the following purposes would be appropriate for an informative presentation?

A) I want my audience to oppose the death penalty because it does not deter crime.
B) I want my audience to support the death penalty because it deters crime.
C) I want my audience to support the death penalty for carjacking and drive-by killings.
D) I want my audience to understand the research on the death penalty's relationship to the increase or decrease in crime.
E) I want my audience to understand how unjustly the death penalty is administered and how it should be changed.

Question 46

All of the following recommendations will help you place your key ideas in the best strategic order except

A) place your strongest points first.
B) place your weakest or least familiar idea in the last position.
C) if your audience needs current information, satisfy that need early in the presentation.
D) if you anticipate that your audience may not be very interested in your topic, do not begin with your most technical, detailed point.
E) if you are speaking about a controversial topic, begin with a point that focuses on the background of an issue or on the reasons for a change.

Question 47

According to Aristotle, "a speaker's ________ may almost be called the most effective means of persuasion he possesses."

A) logos
B) pathos
C) ethos
D) mythos
E) telos

Question 48

All of the following statements describe a common heuristic believed by many people except

A) longer messages are stronger messages.
B) the quality of an item correlates with its price-the more expensive it is, the better it is.
C) we should trust people we like.
D) confident speakers know what they are talking about.
E) all of the above are examples of common heuristics.

Question 49

In two national surveys-one administered to working professionals and the other to college students taking a communication course-only the working professionals ranked "enhancing your credibility" as one of the top-ten speaking skills.

Question 50

Psychological Reactance Theory recommends all of the following strategies as ways to avoid a negative reaction to a persuasive presentation except

A) avoid direct commands.
B) avoid extreme statements that depict terrible consequence if audience members continue to behave in certain ways.
C) create a climate conducive to change.
D) avoid a middle ground that preserves the audience's freedom to decide on their own.
E) respect your audience's perspectives, needs, and lifestyles.

Question 51

The power of the first impression is described as the ________ effect.

A) recency
B) primacy
C) secondary
D) impression
E) final

Question 52

In order to make sure that you use humor appropriately in a presentation, avoid all of the following except

A) rehearsing because you will lose spontaneity.
B) talking about body functions.
C) teasing anyone in your audience.
D) ethnic or religious humor.
E) telling numerous jokes to keep your audience distracted.

Question 53

Which of the following strategies should be avoided when asking audience members to actively participate in a presentation?

A) Ask questions even if your listeners do nothing more than nod their heads.
B) Encourage interaction among audience members.
C) Do an exercise or simple game to break up your presentation.
D) Tease or badger someone in the audience to alert others that they may be next.
E) Invite feedback from your audience during or after your presentation.

Question 54

Aristotle's term for emotional proof is

A) logos.
B) pathos.
C) ethos.
D) mythos.
E) telos.

Question 55

According to your textbook, when audience members agree with you, which of the following persuasive strategies should you use?

A) build up your personal credibility
B) find common ground
C) set reasonable goals
D) acknowledge the legitimacy of different viewpoints
E) advocate a course of action-

Question 56

An important first step when choosing persuasive strategies is to

A) decide whether to use ethos, pathos, or logos as proof.
B) classify audience attitudes.
C) find common ground.
D) choose persuasive arguments.
E) reject fallacies.

Question 57

Most good stories follow an effective organizational pattern as illustrated in the textbook's story-building chart. Which phase of the story-building chart answers the question "Is there a sentence or section that communicates the climax of the story?"

A) background information
B) character development
C) action or conflict
D) high point
E) punch line

Question 58

A speaker has been given 24 hours to prepare a presentation to long-term coworkers on the features of a new database. Which of the following approaches would be the most effective way to begin her presentation?

A) "My presentation is going to be about the new database."
B) "I'm sorry for not being fully prepared. I just found out yesterday I had to do this."
C) "Ladies and Gentlemen."
D) I heard a joke on TV last night about why women are smarter than men."
E) None of the above introductions is advisable.

Question 59

Which method of concluding a presentation is used in the following example? "I've identified some of the enduring causes of gender inequality in collegiate athletics. I've also described the personal and long-range effects of this discrimination. And finally, I proposed several solutions to help break the remaining barriers of sports prejudice."

A) summarize
B) quote someone
C) tell a story
D) use poetic language
E) call for action

Question 60

Social psychologist William McGuire suggests that when an audience agrees with you about a persuasive issue, you should inoculate them by increasing their resistance to counter-persuasion. You can do this by

A) giving the audience more reasons to support the position you share with them.
B) making jokes that demonstrates the absurdity of the opposition's arguments.
C) presenting the arguments of the opposition and showing audience members how to refute them.
D) attacking the opposition's credibility.
E) coming up with clever, demeaning slogans to characterize the opposition.

Question 61

Whereas definitions create mental images for your listeners, descriptions explain or clarify the meaning of a word, phrase, or concept.

Question 62

Aristotle divided the different types of persuasive proof into four types that support a speaker's character and competence.

Question 63

"You should learn all the causes, symptoms, treatments, and preventions of heart disease" is a good example of a presentation's purpose statement.

Question 64

Once you have determined your presentation's purpose, writing the content should be the next step.

Question 65

Aristotle's definition of rhetoric is the ability to discover in a particular case all the available means of persuasion.

Question 66

Using a very famous quotation in a presentation is not plagiarism if the phrase and source of the quotation is well-known by audience members.

Question 67

The audience determines a speaker's ethos.

Question 68

Content, one of the seven key elements of effective communication, is expressed in the Audience's Bill of Right: The right to know where the speaker is going and how the presentation will progress.

Question 69

The examples in your presentation, the words you choose, and your delivery style should be adapted to your audience's interests and needs.

Question 70

If most audience members represent a high-power-distance culture, you can ask them to challenge authority and make independent decisions.

Question 71

Changing a few words of someone else's work to make it sound more like your style of speaking is sufficient to avoid plagiarism.

Question 72

Using only one type of supporting material results in a more effective and concise presentation.

Question 73

According to your textbook, a speaker's character is the most important component of speaker credibility.

Question 74

Ethos is a Greek word meaning ethics.

Question 75

The more credibility a speaker earns, the more likely the speaker's purpose will be achieved.

Question 76

Self, one of the seven key elements of effective communication in expressed is the Audience's Bill of Right: The right to receive value for the time you spend attending a presentation.

Question 77

What you learn about your audience can affect and even change your purpose.

Question 78

According to your textbook, deciding what to say and choosing a topic for your presentation is the most important decision you should make as you begin the process of preparing a presentation.

Question 79

Statistics are valid and reliable forms of supporting material only if they have been collected and analyzed scientifically and fairly.

Question 80

Audience demographics include characteristics such as age, political affiliation, religion, career goals, gender, and military experience.