Deck 13: Oral Presentations

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT true about oral presentations?

A) They are a key test of technical ability.
B) They are more personal than written reports.
C) They don't convey facts as well as written reports.
D) They are more persuasive than written reports.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

The main purpose of a presentation is to ________.

A) convey facts and details
B) provide an overview of a subject
C) make a personal impression on your colleagues
D) reiterate the contents of a written report

Answer 2

B

Question 3

If you want to get constructive feedback when practicing your presentation, which of the following questions should you ask?

A) "How did I do?"
B) "What can I improve?"
C) "Was it good or bad?"
D) "That was terrible, wasn't it?"

Answer 3

B

Question 4

A good way to open a presentation is to ________.

A) ask the audience a question
B) tell a joke
C) introduce yourself
D) state simply "The topic of my presentation is…"

Question 5

Which of the following statements is true about exceeding your time limit?

A) It indicates you are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about your material.
B) It indicates you are not in control of your material.
C) It is acceptable, so long as you give people a head's up.
D) It is acceptable, so long as the audience remains fully engaged.

Question 6

Which of the following belongs in the introduction of a presentation?

A) facts
B) take-away message
C) outline
D) constructive repetition

Question 7

What is the best way to handle large amounts of data in a presentation?

A) Display it visually in graph or table format.
B) Describe it in detail in a paragraph on your slide.
C) Describe it in detail, but only verbally.
D) Summarize it and leave out the details.

Question 8

In effect, the conclusion of a presentation functions like the ________ section of a report.

A) summary
B) introduction
C) conclusion
D) recommendations

Question 9

Microsoft PowerPoint should NOT be used to ________.

A) contain your notes
B) time your presentation
C) view your next slide
D) automatically advance slides at preset times

Question 10

Speech notes should take the form of bullet points and ________.

A) clauses
B) full sentences
C) full paragraphs
D) phrases

Question 11

The purpose of text-based slides is NOT to ________.

A) provide visual support
B) provide confirmation
C) explain things in detail
D) help the audience keep track of where they are in the presentation

Question 12

Each slide should contain no more than ________ bullets.

A) 3
B) 6
C) 10
D) 15

Question 13

Each bullet should contain roughly ________ words.

A) 6
B) 10
C) 30
D) 50

Question 14

The purpose of illustrations is NOT to ________.

A) verify the concepts already described in words
B) provide visual clarification and confirmation
C) make your argument for you
D) make complex information easier to understand

Question 15

Which of the following should you NOT do with graphics?

A) Tell the audience what it is about as soon as you reveal it.
B) Reveal details and labels progressively.
C) Allow the audience a second to absorb the information it contains before continuing to speak.
D) Use animations to draw attention to specific parts.

Question 16

When presenting, it's generally a good idea to pitch your voice ________.

A) slightly faster and higher than regular speech
B) slightly slower and lower than regular speech
C) slightly slower, but in the same pitch as regular speech
D) the same speed and pitch as regular speech

Question 17

Which of the following is the best method for practicing your presentation?

A) quietly in your head
B) out loud with a voice recorder
C) out loud with a video-cam
D) out loud in front of a mirror

Question 18

When you are thinking of what to say next, what should you do?

A) Make a vocal pause.
B) Make a silent pause.
C) Make a joke.
D) Say whatever spontaneously comes to your mind.

Question 19

Which of the following statements is NOT true of the assertion-evidence model of slide design?

A) It reduces text on slides.
B) It can be used for every point in a presentation, so you should not use text-based slides ever again.
C) The slide title repeats a statement or claim from the presentation.
D) The graphic supports or provides proof (evidence) for the statement in the title.

Question 20

When presenting, you should ________.

A) keep your eye on one person the whole time
B) share eye contact with the entire audience
C) look at the back of the room
D) focus on your notes or monitor

Question 21

Which of the following is true about gestures?

A) They are distracting.
B) They should be exaggerated.
C) They should be repetitive.
D) They should be natural.

Question 22

Repeating the same body movements during your presentation can ________.

A) reinforce meaning
B) keep the audience more engaged
C) help you stay relaxed
D) distract your audience

Question 23

Which of the following will NOT help you relax before a presentation?

A) withdrawing for some quiet time in the corner of the room
B) reminding yourself that you know more than the audience
C) checking out the venue ahead of time
D) avoiding over-practice and just "winging it"

Question 24

Which of the following is true about the audience?

A) They are unforgiving.
B) They will overlook glitches in your delivery.
C) They would rather be presenting themselves.
D) They hope that you will embarrass yourself.

Question 25

Which of the following should you NOT do when someone asks you a question?

A) Repeat the question.
B) Address your answer to the whole audience.
C) Finish with "Does this answer your question?"
D) Avoid saying "I don't know."

Question 26

Poor public speaking abilities could stall your career.

Question 27

Opening your presentation with a joke is a good idea.

Question 28

For specific numbers, refer your audience to the report that accompanies the presentation.

Question 29

You should never exceed your time limit when making a presentation.

Question 30

The slides used during your presentation are not meant to make your argument for you, but to confirm your argument.

Question 31

A speaker should only make eye contact with the most important person in the audience.

Question 32

Etiquette about eye contact varies among cultures.

Question 33

The assertion-evidence model of slide design is an effective way to create clean, clear, and supportive slides.

Question 34

Audiences can't read and listen to your slides at the same time.

Question 35

Graphics should be simplified.

Question 36

Large, expressive gestures are distracting and should be avoided.

Question 37

If you can't think of what to say, a vocal pause is better than a silent pause.

Question 38

Making yourself speak like someone who is relaxed will make you feel more relaxed.

Question 39

Gestures used in conversation are the same as those that should be used in presentations.

Question 40

Saying "I don't know" when someone asks a question should be avoided.

Question 41

How should a presentation be structured? Briefly describe each section.

Question 42

How should you open a presentation?

Question 43

What guidelines should you follow when working on the body of your presentation?

Question 44

What form should slide text be in? Why?

Question 45

What is a "progressive reveal" and why is it useful?

Question 46

How should you vocalize your presentation?

Question 47

What is a "vocal pause"?

Question 48

Describe proper body language and posture when making a presentation.

Question 49

What are some calming rituals one could perform before a presentation?

Question 50

Describe the proper way to handle questions at the end of your presentation.

Question 51

The text mentions that presentations often accompany a written report. Why do you think this is? What might the purpose of a presentation be in respect to a written report?

Question 52

Compare the role of visuals in presentations to procedures, as discussed in Chapter 12.

Question 53

Summarize the textbook's advice on body language, posture, voice, and eye contact. Why are these guidelines effective?