Deck 7: Adapting to Your Audience as You Speak

Question 1

Listeners from cultures with a _____ orientation consider time an important resource.

A) high-power
B) high-context
C) short-term time
D) long-term time

Answer 1

C

Question 2

For most North American audiences, the BEST way to determine whether your listeners are maintaining interest in your speech is to note

A) the amount of eye contact they have with you.
B) how often they laugh.
C) how often they move.
D) the amount of noise they make.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

If your audience seems inattentive or bored, you should do all of the following EXCEPT

A) tell a story.
B) use a personal example.
C) make direct references to the audience.
D) use more facts and statistics.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

As an audience member, Thomas prefers speeches to be clearly organized, and prefers a linear, step-by-step structure. Which of the following types of cultures does Thomas most likely come from?

A) low tolerance for uncertainty
B) individualistic
C) collectivistic
D) high tolerance for uncertainty

Question 5

If audience members are maintaining eye contact with the speaker, they are probably listening.

Question 6

While delivering her speech, Mariah notices that her audience seems confused, like they don't seem to understand her point. Which of the following actions should Mariah take to remedy this problem?

A) speed up the pace of her delivery
B) be more redundant by repeating key points
C) use appropriate humor
D) tell a story

Question 7

While delivering her speech, Patricia notices that numerous members of her audience have an entirely frozen, unresponsive face. Some also have a slightly tilted head; a faint, frozen smile; and a hand holding up their chin. According to the text, what does this indicate about the audience?

A) They are completely enthralled with Patricia's speech.
B) They are being distracted by external noise.
C) They are offended by or in complete disagreement with the content of Patricia's speech.
D) They are trying to look like they are interested, while they are actually in a stupor of daydreaming.

Question 8

When adapting your speech to an audience from a collectivistic culture you should

A) show the immediate impact of any ideas you propose.
B) appeal to persistence and the long-term benefits of your information.
C) emphasize how your information can help them as individuals.
D) point out the benefits of your information to their community.

Question 9

While delivering her speech, Candice asks the audience to respond to a question by giving a show of hands. The members of Candice's audience responded by sheepishly looking at one another and eventuallyraising a finger or two. What does this indicate about Candice's audience?

A) They lack interest and enthusiasm in her speech.
B) They disagree with the premise of her speech.
C) They are completely enthralled with her speech.
D) They are being distracted by external noise.

Question 10

If your audience seems confused or doesn't understand your point, you should be more redundant.

Question 11

People from _____ cultures will NOT enjoy a consensus-seeking discussion, and will prefer that you clearly establish your credibility.

A) high-power
B) high-context
C) low-power
D) low-context

Question 12

While delivering his speech, Nathan notices that his audience seems to disagree with his message. Which of the following actions should Mariah take to remedy this problem?

A) speed up the pace of his delivery
B) remind listeners of his credibility and credentials
C) eliminate abstract facts and statistics
D) tell a story

Question 13

The specific group of audience members that you, as a speaker, most wish to address or influence is your

A) diverse audience.
B) uninterested audience.
C) target audience.
D) captive audience.

Question 14

Aspeaker must be aware of nonverbal feedback from the audience in order to adapt the speech as he or she speaks.

Question 15

High-context listeners pay closer attention to _____ than low-context listeners.

A) statistics
B) nonverbal cues
C) verbal cues
D) personal anecdotes

Question 16

All of the following are ways to customize your message to your audience EXCEPT

A) using audience members' names to relate information to specific people.
B) referring to a significant event that happened on the date of your speech.
C) referring to a recent or local news event.
D) avoiding mention of specific groups or organizations.

Question 17

Which of the following nonverbal responses are indicators of interest and support?

A) nods of agreement and general body movement.
B) a tilted head and a frozen smile
C) frequent applause and nods of agreement
D) feet shuffling and general body movement

Question 18

Squirming, feet shuffling, and general body movement often indicate that members of the audience

A) have questions they want to ask about your message.
B) have lost interest in your message.
C) are excited about your message.
D) disagree with your message.

Question 19

Audience members that are moving around and shifting in their seats are more likely to be attentive to what you are saying.

Question 20

Making direct reference to the audience is an excellent tactic if they seem inattentive.

Question 21

If you're speaking to an audience of service, religious, political, or work group members, you should make specific positive, but honest, references to that group.

Question 22

Audience diversity refers to only the ethnicity and cultural background of audience members.

Question 23

Customizing your speech specifically to influence your target audience is considered ethically questionable.

Question 24

John is a national political candidate speaking to a local audience. He should customize his standard speech to include mention of the local community.

Question 25

If your audience seems to be disagreeing with you, you should rely more on anecdotes and less on facts to present your case.