Question 1

How should nervous speakers breathe to reduce speaking anxiety?
A) They should breathe deeply.
B) They should take short, shallow breaths.
C) They should breathe in through their mouth and out through their nose.
D) They should breathe in through their nose and out through their mouth.

Accepted Answer

Nervous speakers should breathe deeply to reduce speaking anxiety. Deep breathing can help slow down the heart rate and reduce tension, which can help alleviate anxiety. Taking short, shallow breaths can actually make anxiety worse, and breathing in through the mouth and out through the nose or vice versa may not be as effective as breathing deeply.

Question 2

All of the following are common reasons that people experience speaking anxiety EXCEPT
A) fear of humiliation.
B) a fear of people in general.
C) worry about their appearance.
D) concern about not being prepared.

Accepted Answer

While some people may experience social anxiety or a fear of people in general, this is not a common reason specifically for speaking anxiety. The other choices - fear of humiliation, worry about appearance, and concern about being unprepared - are all commonly cited reasons for speaking anxiety.

Question 3

Grace knew her speech backwards and forwards. She rehearsed it over and over, timing it to make sure she didn't run over the time limit. When she actually delivered the speech, she found herself muchlessnervous and much more confident than she expected to be. Which guideline for developing confidence provided in your text applies here?
A) Act calm to feel calm.
B) Be prepared.
C) Re-create the speech environment when you rehearse.
D) Know your audience.

Accepted Answer

Grace's confidence likely came from her preparation and rehearsal of the speech, which aligns with the guideline of being prepared.

Question 4

Before delivering her speech, Jean closed her eyes and pictured herself walking confidently in front of the audience and delivering her well-prepared opening remarks. She imagined herself giving theentirespeech as a controlled, confident speaker. In this example, Jean is
A) knowing her audience.
B) visualizing her success.
C) focusing on her message, not her fear.
D) giving herself a mental pep talk.

Accepted Answer

Jean is using visualization techniques to create a positive outcome in her mind before actually delivering the speech.

Question 5

The closer to the time came for Dennis to present his speech, the more anxious he became. While watching the speech just before his, Dennis felt his heart pounding and felt as though he would forgeteverything he planned to say. Which of the following statements BEST reflects this situation?
A) Obviously, Dennis is a beginning speaker. If he had more experience he wouldn't get nervous.
B) It is obvious that Dennis isn't prepared for his speech or else he wouldn't be nervous.
C) Dennis is experiencing a severe physical reaction that stems from low self-esteem.
D) Dennis is experiencing a form of anxiety that is common to public speakers.

Accepted Answer

Dennis is experiencing performance anxiety which is a common and natural response to public speaking. It is not necessarily related to his level of experience or preparation, nor is it a direct reflection of his self-esteem.

Question 6

Felicia always gets really nervous before speaking in public, so she decided to face her fear and join the public speaking organization Toastmasters. In this example, Felicia has chosen to reduce herspeaking anxiety by
A) knowing her audience.
B) focusing on her message rather than on her fear.
C) giving herself a mental pep talk.
D) seeking speaking opportunities.

Accepted Answer

By seeking speaking opportunities through joining Toastmasters, Felicia is exposing herself to situations where she can practice and improve her public speaking skills, which can help reduce her anxiety over time.

Question 7

When facing public speaking anxiety, the goal for the speaker should be to
A) eliminate it.
B) increase it to help increase performance.
C) manage and understand it.
D) share it with the audience to engage their sympathy.

Accepted Answer

Eliminating public speaking anxiety is unrealistic, and increasing it is counterproductive. Managing and understanding it can help the speaker control their nerves and deliver an effective speech. Sharing it with the audience may create a sense of discomfort and detract from the message being conveyed.

Question 8

_____ speakers feel high levels of anxiety, and show the highest heart rates, all the way through their speeches.
A) Insensitive
B) Inflexible
C) Average
D) Confrontational

Accepted Answer

Inflexible speakers tend to experience high anxiety and elevated heart rates throughout their speeches due to their rigid approach and inability to adapt to the speaking situation.

Question 9

_____ speakers have the most anxiety and highest heart rates as they begin speaking, then taper off to average levels as they continue.
A) Confrontational
B) Inflexible
C) Average
D) Insensitive

Accepted Answer

Confrontational speakers are typically nervous and anxious at the start of a speech or presentation, especially if they anticipate resistance or opposition from the audience. As they continue speaking and gain confidence, their anxiety and heart rate usually decrease to average levels.

Question 10

Jason has thoroughly researched his speech on the art of tattooing. He had many different types of supporting material, and the speech was well organized. He finished writing the speech the day before itwasdue and was certain that this was a great speech. Right before the speech, he printed out his complete outline, and used this when presenting his speech to the class, essentially reading directly from it. Which of the following statements BEST pertains to this situation?
A) Jason forgot to visualize success, which would have helped reduce his nervousness.
B) Jason forgot to organize his speech in a way that made sense to his audience.
C) Jason wasn't prepared; he didn't rehearse his speech several times before he delivered it.
D) Jason didn't have enough supporting material.

Accepted Answer

Jason's actions indicate a lack of rehearsal. Reading directly from the outline suggests he wasn't familiar enough with his material to speak more freely or engagingly, which rehearsal could have helped with.

Question 11

Tara was really nervous before her final class speech, but she just kept concentrating on how important she believed her message to be. She felt convinced in her message, and that conviction finallyhelpedher to dispel her nervousness before the presentation. Which tip about developing confidence in public speaking does this example reflect?
A) Visualize your success.
B) Focus on the message rather than on your fear.
C) Seek speaking opportunities.
D) Know your introduction and conclusion.

Accepted Answer

Tara's ability to focus on her message rather than her fear is an example of developing confidence in public speaking by shifting focus away from oneself and towards the audience or message.

Question 12

A study found that _____ are likely to experience more anxiety than _____ when speaking to people from a culture different from their own.
A) men; women
B) people from collectivist cultures; people from individualist cultures
C) women; men
D) people from individualist cultures; people from collectivist cultures

Accepted Answer

The answer of A study found that _____ are likely...

Question 13

The most experienced speakers are usually _____ speakers.
A) Average
B) Inflexible
C) Insensitive
D) Confrontational

Accepted Answer

The answer of The most experienced speakers are usually _____...

Question 14

In order to reduce speaking apprehension, you should choose a topic that
A) you are unfamiliar with to distract you from your nervousness.
B) you are familiar with or have a lot of interest in.
C) is already well-known by the audience.
D) is exciting or unusual to keep the audience's interest.

Accepted Answer

Choosing a topic that you are familiar with or have a lot of interest in can help increase your confidence and reduce speaking apprehension as you are more likely to be passionate and knowledgeable about it. This can also make the speech more enjoyable for the audience as you are more likely to deliver it in an engaging way. Choosing an unfamiliar topic or one that is already well-known by the audience may not necessarily reduce speaking apprehension, while choosing an exciting or unusual topic may increase the pressure to perform well.

Question 15

According to the text, _____ percent of people report feeling anxious about public speaking.
A) less than 10
B) more than 80
C) 50
D) 99

Accepted Answer

More than 80 percent of people report feeling anxious about public speaking, indicating a widespread fear or discomfort associated with this activity.

Question 16

According to the text, how does learning about your audience reduce speaking anxiety?
A) It enables you to see them as real, unthreatening people.
B) It makes you feel superior to them and therefore more confident.
C) It distracts you from the physical symptoms of anxiety.
D) It allows you to anticipate their reactions to your speech.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, how does learning...

Question 17

Which speaking apprehension style applies to most people?
A) Insensitive
B) Inflexible
C) Average
D) Confrontational

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which speaking apprehension style applies to most...

Question 18

According to the text, when you feel the physical symptoms of anxiety you should
A) label them honestly as "nervousness," "fear," or "anxiety" and accept them.
B) relabel them as "excitement" or "enthusiasm."
C) take prescription anxiety medication.
D) ignore them until after your speech.

Accepted Answer

Relabeling physical symptoms of anxiety as "excitement" or "enthusiasm" can help reframe the experience in a positive light, potentially reducing the negative impact of anxiety.

Question 19

Right before her speech, Tasha says in her mind, "I can do this! I am excited about sharing this material with my audience. I am a powerful, confident speaker." Is this is a helpful technique to reduce nervousness and build confidence?
A) Yes, this is a nerve-calming technique the text refers to as giving yourself a mental pep talk.
B) Yes, but only if she says it aloud, saying it in her head will only increase anxiety about the speech.
C) No, if she's so nervous she should be honest with herself; she's in trouble and shouldn't do the speech.
D) No, an accomplished, confident speaker shouldn't need this kind of pep talk.

Accepted Answer

Giving yourself a mental pep talk is a helpful technique to reduce nervousness and build confidence before a speech. By affirming positive statements and beliefs about yourself, you can calm your nerves and feel more confident in your ability to deliver the speech effectively.

Question 20

Which of the following traits is linked to increased speaking apprehension?
A) creativity
B) impatience
C) perfectionism
D) extraversion

Accepted Answer

Perfectionism is linked to increased speaking apprehension because perfectionists are often very hard on themselves and may fear making mistakes or not meeting their own high standards during speech. This can lead to heightened anxiety and nervousness while speaking. The other traits listed do not necessarily have a direct correlation with speaking apprehension.

Quiz 2: Improving Your Confidence

How should nervous speakers breathe to reduce speaking anxiety?

All of the following are common reasons that people experience speaking anxiety EXCEPT

Before delivering her speech, Jean closed her eyes and pictured herself walking confidently in front of the audience and delivering her well-prepared opening remarks. She imagined herself giving theentirespeech as a controlled, confident speaker. In this example, Jean is

The closer to the time came for Dennis to present his speech, the more anxious he became. While watching the speech just before his, Dennis felt his heart pounding and felt as though he would forgeteverything he planned to say. Which of the following statements BEST reflects this situation?

Felicia always gets really nervous before speaking in public, so she decided to face her fear and join the public speaking organization Toastmasters. In this example, Felicia has chosen to reduce herspeaking anxiety by

When facing public speaking anxiety, the goal for the speaker should be to

_____ speakers feel high levels of anxiety, and show the highest heart rates, all the way through their speeches.

_____ speakers have the most anxiety and highest heart rates as they begin speaking, then taper off to average levels as they continue.

A study found that _ are likely to experience more anxiety than _ when speaking to people from a culture different from their own.

The most experienced speakers are usually _____ speakers.

In order to reduce speaking apprehension, you should choose a topic that

According to the text, _____ percent of people report feeling anxious about public speaking.

According to the text, how does learning about your audience reduce speaking anxiety?

Which speaking apprehension style applies to most people?

According to the text, when you feel the physical symptoms of anxiety you should

Right before her speech, Tasha says in her mind, "I can do this! I am excited about sharing this material with my audience. I am a powerful, confident speaker." Is this is a helpful technique to reduce nervousness and build confidence?

Which of the following traits is linked to increased speaking apprehension?