Deck 10: Preparing and Presenting Public Speeches

Question 1

Which of the following is true about audience adaptation?

A) Audience adaptation means that audience members must adapt their values and beliefs to coincide with those of the speaker.
B) It is appropriate to adapt language to an audience, but the purpose and central idea of the speech should not be affected by audience characteristics.
C) The structure of a persuasive speech delivered to a hostile audience should be different from that delivered to a favorable audience.
D) None of the above

Answer 1

The structure of a persuasive speech delivered to a hostile audience should be different from that delivered to a favorable audience.

Question 2

A demographic analysis gathers information about the

A) group's audience members belong to, like age, gender, or ethnic groups.
B) basic values of audience members like self-direction, hedonism, security, and tradition.
C) belief structures of audience members.
D) three basic dimensions of attitudes.

Answer 2

group's audience members belong to, like age, gender, or ethnic groups.

Question 3

Which is NOT a function of an introduction?

A) To create a desire in the audience to listen to the speech
B) To build credibility and establish positive ethos
C) To let the audience know what the speech is about
D) To call for action

Answer 3

To call for action

Question 4

Which is a function of the introduction of a speech?

A) To present detailed arguments about your main points
B) To allow the audience to judge your qualifications
C) To reiterate the significance of the topic
D) To call the audience to action

Question 5

A thesis is

A) a printed manuscript version of a speech
B) an objection that intelligent audience members might make to a speech
C) the central proposition that is being argued in the speech
D) a boring way of delivering a speech

Question 6

"What would you do if you were suddenly to find yourself homeless? How would your life be changed? What would you do in order to survive? Most of us have never had to confront these questions, but many Americans have…" This introduction is an example of the use of

A) personal reference.
B) illustration.
C) closed-ended question.
D) rhetorical question.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a good way to open a speech?

A) humorous anecdote
B) summary
C) startling statement
D) personal reference or greeting

Question 8

Which is NOT a good way to close a speech?

A) Introduce new information not discussed previously to give the audience something to think about as they leave.
B) Use a call to action.
C) End with a summary of main points.
D) Give the audience a statement of what the speaker him or herself is prepared to do in regard to the proposal.

Question 9

When the speaker says, "I'm going to discuss with you five reasons why my opponent's plan is dangerous and ill-considered," the speaker is using which of the following?

A) preview
B) transition
C) internal summary
D) stock organizational pattern.

Question 10

When the speaker says, "Let's move on to the second point," he or she is using which of the following?

A) preview
B) transition
C) internal summary
D) stock organizational pattern.

Question 11

"So far I've proved to you that my opponent's plan will not work and that it will cost a great deal" is an example of a

A) preview.
B) transition.
C) internal summary.
D) stock organizational pattern.

Question 12

A speaker is discussing meanings of intimacy. If begins by describing intimacy in the Colonial period, goes on to discuss intimacy in the Jacksonian period, and then talks about intimacy in the Progressive era, he is using a __________ method of organizing his speech.

A) topical
B) spatial
C) chronological
D) motivated sequence

Question 13

A speaker is describing food of Japan. She begins by describing Tokyo cuisine, and then moves to the foods of Kyoto and Nara. She is using which method of organizing a speech?

A) topical
B) spatial
C) chronological
D) motivated sequence

Question 14

A speaker is describing the advantages of adult education. The speech is organized into intellectual, social, and personal advantages. The speaker is using which organizational pattern?

A) topical
B) spatial
C) chronological
D) motivated sequence

Question 15

A speaker is trying to persuade college students to begin making investments for their future. It begins with a startling statement about inflation, goes on show the unfortunate results of relying on one's salary or on social security, offers an investment plan that will alleviate the problem, visualizes what will happen to those who follow the plan, and asks students to start saving immediately. The speaker is using which organizational pattern?

A) topical
B) spatial
C) chronological
D) motivated sequence

Question 16

When the mayor brings up a new proposal at a city council meeting, John stands up and, on the spur of the moment, rebuts the mayor's proposal. John is using what kind of delivery?

A) impromptu
B) extemporaneous
C) manuscript
D) None of the above

Question 17

Before speaking, John carefully researches the topic, outlines his thoughts, and practices his presentation ahead of time. When the time comes, John stands up and delivers the speech in a conversational tone, using the ideas he has practiced but adding the wording on the spot. John is using which kind of delivery?

A) impromptu
B) extemporaneous
C) manuscript
D) None of the above

Question 18

The President is addressing the United Nations on a major policy change to a controversial and complex problem. Which of the following styles would be the most appropriate for her to use?

A) impromptu
B) extemporaneous
C) manuscript
D) use of a surrogate to speak for her

Question 19

Cognitive restructuring, when applied to public speaking, means

A) changing your ideas to match those of your audience
B) a form of brainwashing often found in propaganda speeches
C) substituting adaptive thinking for negative thoughts
D) a form of hypnosis used to cure stage fright

Question 20

Systematic desensitization is

A) a name for a kind of speech anxiety that makes speakers "freeze" during a speech.
B) a method used to reduce speech anxiety
C) an effect that occurs from watching too much television: audiences come to accept violence without reacting
D) an inability to empathize with an audience

Question 21

Which is true of the effective use of visual aids?

A) they distract audience members from the main ideas in a speech
B) they can increase comprehension by illustrating difficult concepts
C) they often decrease credibility by distancing a speaker from the audience
D) All of the above

Question 22

The kind of delivery most favored in beginning public speaking classes is the manuscript style.

Question 23

The thesis of a speech generally comes in the conclusion of the speech.

Question 24

While a speech's supporting material and style should be adapted to different audiences, the structure of a speech should not be changed according to audience characteristics.

Question 25

When facing a hostile audience, a speaker should begin with the strongest and most controversial points and challenge the audience to disagree.

Question 26

One way to adapt to an audience from a local business is to spend some time with employees and to read official publications.

Question 27

Most audience members listen more closely in the middle of a speech rather than at the beginning or at the end.

Question 28

Generally, audience members are attracted to speakers who are like them rather than to those who are different.

Question 29

Ingratiation means criticizing and challenging audience members.

Question 30

According to the mere exposure hypothesis, simple repeated exposure to a stimulus results in attraction.

Question 31

It is important to avoid previews in the body of the speech because they bore an audience and diminish suspense.

Question 32

Transitions act to move the audience from one idea to the next.

Question 33

Rhetorical questions should be avoided in introductions as they confuse audience members.

Question 34

In the motivated sequence, the first step is visualization.

Question 35

In the motivated sequence, the last step is action.

Question 36

When the speaker paints a picture of what life will be like if his or her proposal is accepted, the speaker is in the need step of the motivated sequence.

Question 37

When the speaker outlines a problem that needs to be changed, he or she is developing the need step of the motivated sequence.

Question 38

In extemporaneous delivery, the speech is completely thought out ahead of time but specific wording is selected during delivery.

Question 39

In extemporaneous speeches, the speaker reads from a manuscript.

Question 40

In general, visual aids that need to be passed around the room should be avoided.

Question 41

In general, when using power point for presentations, you should use as many features as you possibly can to show the audience that you are an expert.

Question 42

What are sources a speaker could go to for information about an unfamiliar audience?

Question 43

Assume you are giving a speech to orient new employees to a business. What are five different ways you could introduce your speech. Give examples of three of these.

Question 44

Assume you are giving a speech designed to get students on your campus to become involved in volunteer work in the community. What are five different ways you could conclude your speech? Give examples of three of these.

Question 45

You want people to vote for you for some office. How could you use the motivated sequence to get people to vote for you? Name each part of the sequence and give an example of how it would be used.

Question 46

Assume you are giving a speech on places of interest in your hometown. What are three different stock patterns of organization you could use? Write a simple sample outline showing how you would use each of these patterns of organization.

Question 47

What are some ways to alleviate speech anxiety?

Question 48

What kinds of problems can cause audio visual aids to fail?