Deck 10: Beginning and Ending Your Speech

Question 1

When do audience members generally begin to form their impressions of both the speaker and the speech?

A) after the first piece of evidence
B) at the end of the introduction
C) during the first few moments of the presentation
D) in the middle of the speech

Answer 1

C

Question 2

There is wide agreement that opening strong is ______.

A) not important to speechmaking success
B) of some importance to speechmaking success
C) vital to speechmaking success
D) not a part of the considerations about speechmaking

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following is an effective attention-getting technique to use at the beginning of your speech?

A) standing still so the audience focuses on you
B) startle or shock the audience
C) maintain an even vocal tone
D) stick to stating the facts

Answer 3

B

Question 4

The introduction usually takes approximately what percentage of the time during a speech?

A) 5
B) 25
C) 10
D) 40

Question 5

The introduction is often ______.

A) written first
B) written last
C) written when you decide your topic
D) not actually written down

Question 6

An effective introduction accomplishes which of the following?

A) capturing attention and interest
B) differentiating between the introduction and the structure of the rest of the speech
C) keeping your own expertise out of the speech
D) presenting evidence for specific ideas contained in the speech

Question 7

Which of the following is an effective attention-getting technique?

A) confuse the audience
B) use an interesting quote from a relevant source
C) use off-color humor to upset the audience
D) use a story to arouse anger

Question 8

When attempting to startle or shock your audience as an attention-getting technique, you should ask yourself which of the following questions?

A) Will audience members perceive it as relevant to the topic?
B) Will it ignite their emotions so they believe what I say?
C) Is it unbelievable enough to shock them?
D) Will it reflect what they secretly believe?

Question 9

Discussing the surprisingly high percentage of cancers caused by secondhand smoke would most likely be an example of which attention-getting technique?

A) startling or shocking the audience
B) using an interesting quote from a relevant source
C) using humor to gain the audience's attention
D) using a story to arouse emotion

Question 10

When audience members believe your topic directly affects them they will ______.

A) pay closer attention
B) not pay attention
C) likely be outraged
D) feel there is a conflict of interest

Question 11

Questions which require no overt answer or response and which can be curiosity arousers and suspense builders for an audience are called ______ questions.

A) actual
B) hypothetical
C) rhetorical
D) knowledge-related

Question 12

Which of the following is a way to arouse curiosity or build suspense?

A) state an obvious fact
B) lie to your audience, but later tell them the truth
C) tell a story
D) speak quickly

Question 13

Which of the following may help you communicate information in a more comprehensible manner than your words alone?

A) the words of an unknown figure
B) a passage from a work of literature
C) jargon
D) a phrase that is unfamiliar to the audience

Question 14

Humor works best when it is ______.

A) not directly related to the content of a speech
B) "stuck on" for effect
C) shocking
D) appropriate

Question 15

Which of the following is true regarding humor use in speeches?

A) Humor about yourself is generally acceptable.
B) Off-color jokes can motivate your audience.
C) Humor shouldn't be planned.
D) Humor limits audience attention.

Question 16

Arousing strong emotion can be beneficial when it ______.

A) makes the audience cry
B) is relevant to the topic and purpose
C) confuses the audience
D) makes the audience believe you

Question 17

Which of the following is a way to increase your credibility?

A) sharing your experiences
B) discussing concerns with the topic choice
C) avoiding outside sources
D) sharing what you know outside of your topic

Question 18

You will likely perceive speakers as trustworthy and believable when they have done which of the following?

A) discussed topics outside of the speech
B) shown a lack of sincerity
C) convinced you that they are qualified people with whom you can identify
D) convinced you that their ideas are popular

Question 19

Which of the following is a way to establish feelings of goodwill for your audience?

A) the monotone voice
B) telling them what they want to hear
C) avoiding eye contact
D) your gestures

Question 20

Audience members need to be provided with an answer to the following question.

A) What do I already know about the speaker?
B) What's in it for me?
C) What do I already know about the topic?
D) Is the speaker's tone appropriate?

Question 21

Which of the following is true regarding credibility and culture?

A) Every culture values an emotional speaker.
B) All cultures value an expressive speaker.
C) Age is respected regardless of culture.
D) Being of the same cultural background as your audience gives you an advantage.

Question 22

A preview does what?

A) tells your audience what to think
B) lets the audience know your speech's subject and purpose
C) introduces your sources
D) identifies the evidence included in the body of your speech

Question 23

Your introduction should ______.

A) confuse receivers
B) clarify receivers
C) entertain receivers
D) enthuse receivers

Question 24

Which of the following is a common introductory blooper?

A) writing the introduction after the rest of the speech
B) relying on gimmicks
C) avoiding being long-winded
D) showing credibility in the introduction

Question 25

Not caring about your topic, but pretending you do, is an example of which common introductory blooper?

A) pretending to be something you are not
B) relying on gimmicks
C) being long winded
D) not establishing credibility

Question 26

Which of the following is true of gimmicks?

A) They can be a fun way to liven up a speech.
B) They can help convince the audience.
C) They should be used in moderation.
D) They do not treat the audience fairly.

Question 27

The introduction in general is not used to ______.

A) discuss your first main point
B) capture attention
C) build credibility
D) preview the speech's main ideas

Question 28

You typically do not want your conclusion to be ______.

A) lengthy
B) short
C) interesting
D) engaging

Question 29

The average conclusion comprises about ______ percent of a speech.

A) 25
B) 10
C) 5
D) 30

Question 30

A well-crafted conclusion should ______.

A) reinforce the goals of your speech
B) depart from the goals of your speech
C) not affect the goals of your speech
D) not be memorable

Question 31

The phrases "In conclusion," "To review," "In closing," or "Let me end by noting..." are examples of ______ in your conclusion.

A) transitional phrases
B) main points
C) arguments
D) closing phrases

Question 32

______ ideas have no place in the conclusion to a speech.

A) New
B) Old
C) Exciting
D) Clear

Question 33

During your conclusion of a speech, you are putting your presentation on ______ for a moment.

A) fast forward
B) rewind
C) pause
D) slow motion

Question 34

You can say that your conclusion does not restate your ______.

A) main points
B) central idea
C) thesis
D) previous evidence for main points

Question 35

If used appropriately and wisely, ______ can be beneficial in creating a memorable conclusion.

A) sarcasm
B) humor
C) crying
D) anger

Question 36

New ideas should not be introduced in the ______ of the speech.

A) attention-getter
B) introduction
C) body
D) conclusion

Question 37

At the end of the speech, you should strive to achieve ______.

A) closure
B) novelty
C) amazement
D) puzzlement

Question 38

According to speech consultant Sharon Bower, "Listeners forget ______, colorless, and complicated endings."

A) short
B) long
C) loud
D) quiet

Question 39

Speech coach Stephen C. Rafe, advises you to look over your material and ask yourself, "What is the most important or ______ way to end this communication?"

A) pleasant
B) difficult
C) logical
D) convincing

Question 40

A well-designed conclusion fulfills all of the following functions EXCEPT ______.

A) it lets the audience know a presentation is drawing to a close
B) it summarizes key ideas the speaker shared
C) it typically bores receivers
D) it provides the speech with a sense of closure

Question 41

The final minutes of your speech constitute your last opportunity to ______.

A) position your ideas firmly in the minds of audience members
B) introduce new ideas
C) present new evidence
D) allow audience to leave the speech setting early

Question 42

It takes ______ to end a speech well.

A) conniving
B) skill
C) luck
D) persuasion

Question 43

Which of the following would be a good way to end a speech?

A) "That's all folks."
B) "That's the way it is."
C) using an inspirational quote
D) "And so it goes."

Question 44

Taking the easy way out when bringing a speech to a close could ______.

A) improve a presentation
B) destroy an otherwise fine presentation
C) embellish a presentation
D) not affect your presentation

Question 45

An introduction orients receivers to the organizational ______ your speech will follow.

Question 46

Startling statements must be both true and ______.

Question 47

______ questions are questions that do not require overt answers or responses.

Question 48

During a presentation's final few moments, the speaker can drive home the message of the speech while leaving the audience with a ______ impression.

Question 49

Once you've aroused the collective curiosity of your audience, if you make them wait before satisfying their curiosity, you are building ______.

Question 50

______ is based on the receiver's judgments of a source's expertise on a particular topic.

Question 51

A common introductory blooper is forgetting to ______.

Question 52

You should not create your introduction ______.

Question 53

A well-designed conclusion summarizes key ______ the speaker shared.

Question 54

During a presentation's final few moments, the speaker can drive home the message of the speech while leaving the audience with a ______ impression.

Question 55

A conclusion needs need to provide audience members with a sense of ______.

Question 56

In your ______ you do not introduce new ideas, but instead restate your central ideas.

Question 57

Your closing comments are your last chance to make a good impression and fulfill the ______ of your speech.

Question 58

An ______ ending is an undesirable ending, as you need to carefully build and explain your concluding thoughts.

Question 59

Speakers should ______ the audience that they are about to stop speaking.

Question 60

The materials you use in your conclusion should be appropriate to the ______ and _______.

Question 61

Your audience's motivation to listen can be damaged by a poor introduction.

Question 62

Audience members quickly form impressions of you.

Question 63

A good introduction makes such an impact that it becomes virtually impossible for the thoughts of audience members to stray.

Question 64

When audience members believe your topic directly affects them, they will pay closer attention.

Question 65

As your listeners mull over how to respond to your questions during the speech, their participation is decreased.

Question 66

A quote from a well-known source should be avoided in an introduction.

Question 67

Lack of preparation is easily forgiven by the audience.

Question 68

Adding tricks and gimmicks to your speech will ensure that the audience pays attention.

Question 69

Your conclusion is your last chance to make a favorable impression on your audience.

Question 70

The conclusion can be used for restating ideas you already introduced.

Question 71

In a persuasive conclusion, it would be smart to make the audience feel guilted into action.

Question 72

The conclusion should take the audience by surprise.

Question 73

Asking the same rhetorical question you did in the introduction is a way to create psychological balance and achieve closure in your speech.

Question 74

Ending abruptly is a common concluding pitfall.

Question 75

You can cute the audience that you are about to stop speaking by altering your voice tone and either increasing or decreasing your speaking rate.

Question 76

The conclusion should be striking and reinforce what has been covered.

Question 77

Effective conclusions should serve the purpose of forecasting the end of the speech and provide closure.

Question 78

An appropriate ending can make or break the entire speech.

Question 79

"Let me end by noting," is an example of a strong transitional phrase for the conclusion.

Question 80

The conclusion doesn't necessarily need to provide audience members with a sense of completion.