Question 1

After the terrorist attacks of September 11,the United States government passed the ______ which broadened the investigative powers of government agencies and restricted free speech.

Accepted Answer

The Patriot Act was passed in 2001 in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. It broadened the investigative powers of government agencies, including allowing increased surveillance and intelligence gathering. It also included provisions that restricted certain civil liberties, such as free speech and privacy protections.

Question 2

If your speech goal is to ______,it is probably ethical.

Accepted Answer

The goal of informing or persuading is an ethical speech goal because it seeks to educate or convince the audience through reasonable arguments and does not aim to manipulate or coerce them. The other options involve unethical methods of influencing the audience.

Question 3

In 1989,the Supreme Court overturned a statute that made burning the United States flag illegal because

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court overturned the statute that made burning the United States flag illegal because they found it to be a "speech act" protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees the right to free expression. The court argued that flag burning was a form of symbolic speech and therefore, protected under the First Amendment. This decision was based on the principle that the government cannot restrict or punish individuals for expressing political or ideological views, even if those views are unpopular or offensive to some.

Question 4

While researching,Gabe found a tragic story about a young girl who died from a drunk -driving accident.In presenting his speech,Gabe told the story as if this girl was his sister.The speech was quite moving and afterward everyone told Gabe how sorry they were for his family.At this time,he told them it wasn't really his sister but thought that telling it that way was more effective for this speech.Why is this unethical?

Accepted Answer

Gabe violated the ethical principle of honesty by presenting a fictional story as if it were true. This not only undermines the credibility of the speaker but also unjustly manipulates the emotions of the audience.

Question 5

During World War I,the U.S.Supreme Court ruled that it was lawful to restrict speech that

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Schenck v. United States (1919) that speech could be restricted if it presented "a clear and present danger" to the nation, particularly in times of war or national crisis. This ruling allowed for the government to limit speech critical of the war effort during World War I.

Question 6

Lee gave an informative speech on the poor quality of local drinking water.He brought in a test kit and presented statistics that proved local water was dangerous to drink.He advised the class to purchase a certain type of water filter pitcher guaranteed to remove these impurities.At the end of his speech,he mentioned that he worked for the company that made the pitcher and had them for sale.What was Lee's mistake?

Accepted Answer

Lee's mistake was that he violated the ethical guideline of having a responsible goal for a speech by promoting a product he sells, which could bias the information presented.

Question 7

What must balance the right to free speech?

Accepted Answer

The right to free speech comes with the responsibility of speaking ethically, ensuring that the speech does not harm others or spread misinformation.

Question 8

Hypothetical illustrations within a speech are

Accepted Answer

Hypothetical illustrations can be a useful tool to emphasize a point or illustrate a complex concept. However, it is important for the speaker to clearly state that they are hypothetical and not based on real evidence. This can prevent the audience from being misled or confused. If solid, current evidence is available, it should always be the preferred choice over hypothetical illustrations.

Question 9

______ speech or speech acts are legally protected.

Accepted Answer

Free speech is legally protected under the First Amendment of the US Constitution. While there are limits to free speech in certain contexts (such as incitement to violence or defamation), generally speaking, individuals have a right to express themselves without government interference.

Question 10

In 1940,what speech act did Congress declare illegal?

Accepted Answer

In 1940, Congress passed the Smith Act which made it illegal to advocate or teach the overthrow of the federal government by force or violence. This act was aimed at Communist Party members and was used to prosecute many during the Cold War era.

Question 11

Being ______ involves becoming as aware as possible of others' feelings,needs,interests,and backgrounds.

Accepted Answer

Audience-centeredness involves focusing on the needs and interests of others, and being aware of their feelings and backgrounds in order to communicate effectively with them. Empowerment refers to giving power or control to others, denotative refers to the literal or dictionary meaning of a word, and subjective refers to personal opinions or perspectives.

Question 12

Only a few years after the ratification of the First Amendment,Congress passed the ______ which punished those who spoke out against the government and was later declared unconstitutional.

Accepted Answer

The Sedition Act was passed by Congress in 1798, just a few years after the ratification of the First Amendment. The Act made it illegal to speak out against the government and imposed fines and imprisonment for those who did so. The Act was widely criticized for violating the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech and press, and was later declared unconstitutional. The Patriot Act and Tenth Amendment are not relevant to this question.

Question 13

According to the National Communication Association,_______ is fundamental to responsible thinking,decision-making,and the development of relationships and communities within and across contexts,cultures,channels,and media.

Accepted Answer

The statement mentions responsible thinking, decision-making, and the development of relationships and communities, which all require ethical behavior. Ethical communication is the practice of engaging in honest, respectful, and accountable communication behavior. Therefore, ethical communication is fundamental to achieving the desired outcomes outlined in the statement. The other options (A, B, and C) are not as comprehensive or appropriate to the context.

Question 14

Our beliefs,values,and moral principles by which we determine what is right or wrong are our

Accepted Answer

Our beliefs, values, and moral principles are the basis of our ethics, which guide our behavior and decision-making in determining what is right and wrong. Laws and rules are external measures that are often based on ethical principles, but can also be influenced by other factors such as politics and power dynamics. Truths refer to objective facts, whereas ethics are subjective and can vary between individuals and cultures.

Question 15

Sometimes called _______,sensitivity to differences does not mean that speakers must abandon their own convictions for those of their audience

Accepted Answer

Accommodation refers to the ability to adapt to different cultural or social environments. Sensitivity to differences means being aware of and respectful towards differences in cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs. It does not require abandoning one's own values or beliefs, but rather finding ways to communicate effectively and respectfully with others who may hold different perspectives. Empowerment refers to enabling individuals or groups to gain control over their lives and environments. Ethnocentrism refers to the belief that one's own culture or group is superior to others. Confidence refers to having trust or belief in oneself or one's abilities.

Question 16

What was the first organization formed to protect free speech in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was formed in 1920 with the primary goal of protecting individual freedoms and rights, including free speech. It is considered the first and largest nonprofit organization devoted to preserving and protecting civil liberties in the United States.

Question 17

In a persuasive speech,you tell a hypothetical story in your introduction and represent it as actually happening to you.Is this appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Presenting a hypothetical story as true violates the ethical principle of honesty in speaking. Speakers should always strive for truthfulness and transparency in their presentations, and misrepresenting oneself or inventing stories to manipulate an audience is not an appropriate practice. It is important to stick to factual and reliable information in persuasive speeches to establish credibility and trust with the audience.

Question 18

Speakers who bring in false claims and tug at the emotions of the audience,instead of using sound evidence and logical arguments,are classified as _____ speakers.

Accepted Answer

Speakers who use false claims and emotional appeals instead of valid evidence and logical arguments are indulging in unethical behavior.

Question 19

The U.S.Constitution states,"Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech." This is part of the _____ Amendment.

Accepted Answer

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution includes the clause "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech."

Question 20

In 1964,the Supreme Court ruled that before a public official can recover damages for slander,he or she must prove that

Accepted Answer

The Supreme Court ruled that before a public official can recover damages for slander, he or she must prove that the slanderous statement was made with "actual malice." This means that the statement was made with the knowledge that it was false or with reckless disregard for whether it was false or not. This standard was established in the case of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan in 1964.

Quiz 3: Speaking Freely and Ethically