Deck 10: Public Speaking: Getting Started

Question 1

Which of the following is true about speaker anxiety?

A) Most people do not experience it.
B) Most people do experience it.
C) People in different cultures have similar levels of anxiety.
D) Most people enjoy stage fright.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of these could cause situational speaker anxiety?

A) Genetic characteristics
B) A negative speaking experience
C) An unexpected circumstance at a speaking event
D) A feeling of subordinate status

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Hyun-Ji is uncomfortable when she gives a speech to people she knows, but she does not mind addressing a group of strangers. What type of anxiety does she experience?

A) Trait
B) Situational
C) Dissimilarity
D) Apprehensional

Answer 3

B

Question 4

To effectively prepare for a speech, the book does not recommend

A) memorizing your speech.
B) practicing in front of an audience.
C) getting adequate rest.
D) practicing aloud.

Question 5

Entering college, Tyler is nervous because he knows he'll have to give presentations in his classes. Which of the following skills training would be appropriate for Tyler?

A) Using positive imagery
B) Enrolling in a communication course
C) Avoiding communication courses
D) Applying cognitive restructuring

Question 6

If you picture yourself giving a successful public speech, you are using the technique called

A) skills training.
B) relaxation.
C) trait anxiety
D) positive imagery.

Question 7

Which of the following does the book recommend for the use of relaxation to reduce apprehension?

A) Use relaxation techniques before the presentation but not during it.
B) Use relaxation techniques during the presentation but not before it.
C) Use relaxation techniques to manage the symptoms of adrenaline.
D) Use relaxation techniques to increase the production of adrenaline.

Question 8

Applying cognitive restructuring involves

A) expecting a perfect performance from yourself.
B) believing that you must be in control at all times.
C) using positive instead of negative self-talk.
D) recognizing that you cannot change your perceptions.

Question 9

When we try to improve communication by predicting others' actions, we are applying

A) uncertainty reduction.
B) positive imagery.
C) relaxation.
D) trait anxiety.

Question 10

Because Elizabeth is worried about the calculus professor she will have next semester, she asks her roommates about their experiences in the same class. She is gathering information through

A) passive observation.
B) active but indirect search.
C) active interaction.
D) passive interaction.

Question 11

Audience-centered speakers are those who focus on

A) performing rather than communicating.
B) making ideas understandable to others.
C) their own needs.
D) the impression they are making.

Question 12

Yasmin knows she will feel nervous during her speech, so she focuses on the needs of her listeners rather than on her own wish to come across well. Which best describes Yasmin's approach?

A) She is being audience-centered.
B) She is engaged in cognitive restructuring.
C) She is being self-centered.
D) She is using visualization.

Question 13

When it comes to public speaking,

A) most people have natural talent and don't require practice.
B) the more speaking opportunities you take, the more nervous you will feel.
C) continued practice leads to greater success.
D) speaker confidence guarantees speaker competence.

Question 14

According to your book, the primary reason speeches fail to meet their goals is because of speakers' failure to

A) analyze the audience.
B) organize main points.
C) engage in uncertainty reduction.
D) practice delivery.

Question 15

What is the second step in developing a speech?

A) Organize the main points
B) Gather materials
C) Analyze the audience
D: Choose a topic, purpose, and thesis

Question 16

Angelika decides that her speech will be informative rather than persuasive or entertaining. She is

A) choosing the speech topic.
B) choosing the speech purpose.
C) developing her thesis.
D) developing her main points.

Question 17

Which of these is not a reason listed in the text for gathering speech materials?

A) To expand your base of knowledge
B) To add interest to your speech
C) To make plagiarizing easier
D) To prove your claims

Question 18

According to the text, speeches should have how many main points?

A) 1 to 3
B) 2 to 5
C) 4 to 7
D) 5 to 10

Question 19

The most effective speech practice includes which of the following?

A) Saying the speech out loud
B) Reviewing the speech silently in your head
C) Not worrying about posture
D) Planning gestures in advance

Question 20

Which of the following are not demographic characteristics of an audience?

A) Age
B) Cultural heritage
C) Attitude
D) Parental status

Question 21

When adjusting your speech to address the continuum of audience attitudes, focus on those who(se)

A) will be least interested in your topic.
B) will be most interested in your topic.
C) interest level is typical for most people in the audience.
D) are neutral toward your topic.

Question 22

You will be giving a speech in the classroom where student attendance is required. Your audience will be

A) voluntary.
B) involuntary.
C) accidental.
D) situational.

Question 23

Demetrius is asked to speak at his grandparents' 50^th anniversary party, so he think about what message would be most appropriate for this occasion. He is engaged in __________analysis.

A) attitude
B) situational
C) demographic
D) credibility

Question 24

Stage fright caused by internal feelings rather than by the situation is called ________ anxiety.

Question 25

Speakers who use positive imagery to imagine giving a successful speech are using the technique of ______________.

Question 26

The chemical causing physical symptoms of anxiety, such as "butterflies" in the stomach, is____________.

Question 27

Reframing our perception so we think about a stimulus or situation positively instead of negatively is known as ___________ restructuring.

Question 28

The speaker who is genuinely concerned with helping listeners to understand the speech is_________-centered.

Question 29

The third step in the speech development process is ____________.

Question 30

Learning about characteristics of the audience such as gender and education is ___________analysis.

Question 31

The audience's perception of a speaker's competence, character, and charisma is_____________.

Question 32

When people happen to walk into an area where a speech is occurring, they are an _________audience.

Question 33

Considering the audience's expectations about speeches given on a particular occasion is_________ analysis.

Question 34

Define trait and situational anxiety. Have you experienced either or both when giving a speech, or do you expect to experience them when speaking in communication class? Describe three techniques for reducing nervousness that are most likely to be effective for you.

Question 35

Briefly explain Berger's uncertainty reduction theory. What are the 4 ways in which Berger says people search for information? What are some ways you can apply this theory when giving a speech in your classroom?

Question 36

What are the five steps in preparing a successful speech? Describe each.

Question 37

Dafna wants to give an informative speech on the steps for planning a wedding. Consider how she might analyze her audience. What demographic information should she gather, and why? What would she need to know about her audience's attitude?

Question 38

Think about the speech you have recently given or will soon give in your communication class. Provide a situational analysis in which you discuss at least 5 considerations.