Public Speaking
Chapter Exam Questions
Course Introduction
Public Speaking is a foundational course focused on developing students ability to communicate effectively in front of an audience. The course covers key principles of speech organization, audience analysis, and delivery techniques, with an emphasis on reducing anxiety and building confidence. Students will practice preparing and delivering a variety of speech types, such as informative, persuasive, and special occasion speeches. By participating in constructive peer feedback and self-evaluation, students will enhance their critical listening skills and develop the poise needed for public presentations in academic, professional, and social settings.
Recommended Textbook
A Concise Public Speaking Handbook 4th Edition by Steven A. Beebe
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Page 2
Chapter 1: Speaking in Public
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Sample Questions
Q1) Turn of the nineteenth century speakers who expressed their emotions through prescribed dramatic postures, movements, gestures, facial expressions, and tones of voice were practicing the art of
A) pontification.
B) prophesy.
C) declamation.
D) elocution.
Answer: D
Q2) During her speech to a student group about the importance of voter registration, Celine spoke very casually, sat on the table in the front of the room, and was dressed in shorts and an old t-shirt. Whichofthe following statements BEST describes this situation?
A) Celine adapted to her audience well by making her speech an informal event.
B) Celine did nothing wrong by taking a casual approach to a casual topic.
C) Celine violated several ethical principles about public speaking.
D) Celine ignored the rule that public speaking is more formal than conversation.
Answer: D
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3
Chapter 2: Improving Your Confidence
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Q1) 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.
Answer: B
Q2) 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.
Answer: B
Q3) When practicing your speech, you should rehearse the speech mentally to yourself; practicing out loud will only make you more nervous.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
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4
Chapter 3: Presenting Your First Speech
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Q1) In her speech about American government, Jaleesa simply subdivided her central idea into the three branches of government. Based on this decision, Jaleesa likely took which of the following approaches forsubdividing her central idea?
A) She looked for several reasons why the central idea is true
B) She looked for logical divisions.
C) She asked herself if the central idea could be supported with a series of steps.
D) She looked for multiple central ideas.
Answer: B
Q2) Introductions and conclusions should be prepared before you have organized the body of your speech.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q3) Sensitivity to the audience response during the speech can enable the speaker to make appropriate adjustments.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
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Chapter 4: Ethics and Free Speech
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Q1) Rudy is giving a persuasive speech about getting preventive cancer screenings, and she decides to tell a hypothetical story about receiving a cancer diagnosis in her introduction and present it as ifitactually happened to her. Is this ethical?
A) Yes, because the overall goal of the speech is clear and responsible.
B) No, because she is violating an ethical principle that requires that speakers be honest.
C) No, because only factual stories should be used as introductory devices.
D) Yes, because it will have strong emotional appeal which will sway her audience.
Q2) A speaker who is sensitive to and tolerant of differences does all of the following EXCEPT
A) avoids biased or offensive language.
B) learns about different beliefs and values.
C) listens to opposing viewpoints.
D) abandons his or her own convictions.
Q3) Beliefs and values by which we determine right from wrong are termed ethics.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 5: Listening
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Q1) Paul remains alert and mentally re-sorts, rephrases, and repeats key information when listening to a speech. What type of listener is Paul?
A) an apprehensive listener
B) an attentive listener
C) an active listener
D) a critical listener
Q2) We listen at a much slower rate than the rate an average person speaks.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Aperson who likes information delivered with lots of facts and details is likely a(n)
A) relational-oriented listener.
B) analytical-oriented listener.
C) task-oriented listener.
D) critical-oriented listener.
Q4) When you listen to empathize, you pay attention to both the nonverbal cues and the major ideas.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 6: Analyzing Your Audience
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Q1) The age of adult audience members has little effect on speech content.
A)True
B)False
Q2) When a speaker uses terms like "African-American" and "Asian-American," the speaker is attending to
A) racial elements of psychological audience analysis.
B) ethnic elements of demographic audience analysis.
C) elements of situational audience analysis.
D) cultural elements of psychological audience analysis.
Q3) The culturally-based perception of self as masculine or feminine is A) gender.
B) ethnocentrism.
C) sexuality.
D) socioeconomic status.
Q4) Ethnocentrism is the same thing as patriotism.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Socioeconomic status is NOT a relevant factor in demographic audience analysis. A)True
B)False
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Chapter 7: Adapting to Your Audience as You Speak
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Sample Questions
Q1) 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
Q2) 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.
Q3) 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.
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Chapter 8: Developing Your Speech
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Q1) Brainstorming involves dividing your central idea into logical divisions.
A)True
B)False
Q2) It is BEST to only consider the audience, rather than your own personal experience, when selecting a topic.
A)True
B)False
Q3) What technique in selecting a speech topic will BEST motivate both your research and delivery?
A) choosing a topic of interest to you
B) choosing a topic of interest to the audience
C) choosing a topic no one else is using
D) choosing a simple, easy to research topic
Q4) When wording the statement of your ________, use verbs that refer to observable or measurable behavior.
A) general purpose
B) central idea
C) specific purpose
D) blueprint
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Chapter 9: Gathering Supporting Material
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Q1) Books in a library's collection are often organized by publication date.
A)True
B)False
Q2) The domain of an educational Web site is usually .edu.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Evaluating a source for usability means making sure the information is NOT biased.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Your personal knowledge often has the advantage of heightening your credibility in the minds of your listeners.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Libraries' collections of books are generally called A) stacks. B) archives.
C) stashes.
D) periodicals.
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Chapter 10: Supporting Your Speech
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Questions
Q1) If you describe the relationships among a group of coworkers as a seething snake pit, filled with hissing gossip and sharp-fanged attacks, you are using a
A) literal analogy.
B) figurative analogy.
C) extended illustration.
D) brief illustration.
Q2) Lay testimony is usually preferable to expert testimony because of its personal impact on an audience.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Both analogies and definitions deal with relationships and comparisons.
A)True
B)False
Q4) A skilled public speaker should consider accountability, accuracy, objectivity, recency, usability, and diversity in evaluating any supporting material he or she hopes to use.
A)True
B)False
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Page 12
Chapter 11: Organizing Your Speech
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Sample Questions
Q1) The pattern of speech organization used in a speech topic that progresses in order of time is a
A) topical pattern.
B) cause-effect pattern.
C) spatial pattern.
D) chronological pattern.
Q2) Speeches on how to do something or how to make something are usually organized spatially.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Specificity means that you can organize your supporting material either from general to specific or from specific to general.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Speakers should only use previews at the beginning of their speeches.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Most cultures tend to organize and process information in a linear pattern.
A)True
B)False
Page 13
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Chapter 12: Developing an Introduction
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Q1) Thanking someone for inviting you to speak as part of your introduction is termed
A) a reference to a recent event.
B) a personal illustration.
C) a personal reference.
D) a rhetorical device.
Q2) Leah walked to the podium, wrapped a large black scarf around her head, neck, and shoulders, then asked the audience: "How would you feel if someone looking like this got on a plane with you?" What introductory device was Leah using?
A) establishing her credibility
B) asking a rhetorical question
C) opening with a startling fact
D) using a personal reference
Q3) Proximity refers to the degree to which listeners should act.
A)True
B)False
Q4) The first goal of the speech introduction is to gain the attention of the audience. A)True
B)False
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Page 14
Chapter 13: Developing a Conclusion
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Q1) "Keep the components of health care in mind to ensure you will have a happy child to love and keep safe." This statement is an example of a(n)
A) call to action.
B) inspirational appeal.
C) reference to the introduction.
D) use of startling facts.
Q2) Answering a rhetorical question from your introduction is an excellent way to provide closure in your conclusion.
A)True
B)False
Q3) One of the purposes of a conclusion is to help your audience remember your main ideas.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Which of the following is NOT an effective conclusion technique?
A) referring to the introduction
B) using humor
C) using propaganda
D) creating an inspirational appeal
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Chapter 14: Outlining and Revising Your Speech
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Q1) Why should you use complete sentences in a preparation outline, according to the text?
A) because this will help you judge the coherence of the speech
B) because this will help you to realize the importance of good grammar
C) because you will use these exact same sentences when you deliver the speech
D) because this will ensure that you use the best wording possible for the speech
Q2) Which of the following should be written out in full in your speaking notes?
A) introduction
B) conclusion
C) statistics
D) specific purpose
Q3) In a preparation outline, the blueprint should come immediately after the
A) speech body.
B) central idea.
C) conclusion.
D) introduction.
Q4) You should include your central idea in your speaking notes.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 15: Using Words Well
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Q1) It is easy to avoid biased language.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Using the term "gasping for breath" instead of "sick" is an example of what language style technique?
A) specific and concrete
B) simple
C) ambiguous
D) alliteration
Q3) ________ refers to words unique to a speaker's particular hobby or profession.
A) Ethnic vernaculars
B) Regionalism
C) Jargon
D) Ebonics
Q4) Most people can agree on the denotative meaning of a word.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Referring to a female top executive as "chairman of the board" is sexist.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 16: Methods of Delivery
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Q1) What is one advantage of memorized speaking?
A) most natural delivery style
B) easiest for most speakers to do well
C) maximum eye contact with audience
D) best technique for persuasive speaking
Q2) A few minutes remain in the class period. The teacher assigns a student to stand before the class and give a brief speech on effective study habits. What method of delivery is utilized in this situation?
A) impromptu speaking
B) manuscript speaking
C) memorized speaking
D) extemporaneous speaking
Q3) What is one advantage of manuscript speaking?
A) It increases your credibility.
B) It makes your speech more interesting.
C) You can choose your words very carefully.
D) It makes it easier to make eye contact.
Q4) Memorized speaking rarely sounds stiff, stilted, and overrehearsed.
A)True
B)False
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Chapter 17: Nonverbal Communication
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Q1) If the audience focuses on your movement rather than on what you are saying, it is better to stand still.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Without uttering a word, you can hold up the palm of your hand to calm a noisy crowd. This is an example of a _____ gesture.
A) regulating
B) complementing
C) substituting
D) contradicting
Q3) Movements such as standing or moving closer to listeners or coming out from behind a lectern can help to create a perception of _____ between you and your audience.
A) constancy
B) recency
C) immediacy
D) urgency
Q4) It is acceptable to keep your hands in your pocket while delivering your speech. A)True
B)False
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Chapter 18: Verbal Communication
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Q1) The BEST public speakers vary their inflection considerably.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Most speakers average between 120 and 180 words per minute.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Alavaliere microphone clips onto the speaker's clothing.
A)True
B)False
Q4) The process of producing language and speech sounds that are clear and distinct is termed
A) pronunciation.
B) articulation.
C) variation.
D) inflection.
Q5) _____ is NOT considered an element of dialect.
A) Intonation pattern
B) Vowel production
C) Articulation pattern
D) Consonant production
Page 20
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Chapter 19: Adapting and Delivering Your Speech
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Q1) A high-context culture places considerable emphasis on unspoken messages.
A)True
B)False
Q2) _____ is the assumption that your own cultural approaches are superior to those of other cultures.
A) Recency
B) Racial profiling
C) Prejudice
D) Ethnocentrism
Q3) You should never use verbal signpost while answering audience questions.
A)True
B)False
Q4) According to the ________ principle, people move closer to things they like and away from things they dislike.
A) complementing
B) intimacy
C) emphasizing
D) immediacy
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Chapter 20: Selecting Presentation Aids
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Q1) Most designers agree that you should NOT use more than two fonts on a single visual aid.
A)True
B)False
Q2) _____ fonts are designed to convey a special tone or mood.
A) Serif
B) Sans serif
C) Script
D) Decorative
Q3) Using the same background color on all visuals and no more than two colors for words will help unify your presentation.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Which of the following is NOT a primary consideration when selecting a presentation aid?
A) your skill and experience
B) length of the speech
C) interests of the audience
D) purpose of the speech
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Chapter 21: Preparing and Using Presentation Aids
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Q1) When you use presentation aids, you should always remember A) Moore's Law
B) the Law of Attraction.
C) the Law of Averages.
D) Murphy's Law.
Q2) Some presentation aids speak for themselves, you don't need to explain them.
A)True
B)False
Q3) When you distribute handouts, you should tell audience members to keep them face down until you are ready to talk about them.
A)True
B)False
Q4) On her way to public-speaking class, Delaney decided to add one last presentation aid to her speech. Was this a good idea, according to your textbook?
A) No; because Delaney didn't have a chance to rehearse with the new aid.
B) Yes; the more creative the presentation aids, the better the speech will be.
C) Yes; if Delaney was certain that the presentation aid would make a difference.
D) No; because the extra presentation aid would make Delaney's speech too long.
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Page 23
Chapter 22: Informative Speaking
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Q1) Jason is informing the audience about an impending tuition hike at the college. Jason says, "Please, listen to this. This is important and affects all of us in this room; it affects our attitudes aboutschool, our pocketbooks, and our stress levels." This strategy to enhance audience recall is
A) building redundancy into the speech.
B) reinforcing key ideas nonverbally.
C) reinforcing key ideas verbally.
D) pacing the information flow.
Q2) Kelly really prided himself on his knowledge of British royal history. He had three main points in his informative speech, his first being the ancient lineage of Queen Elizabeth. By the time he gotthroughhis first point, his audience looked bored from all these facts. What was Kelly's error in this situation?
A) not pacing the flow of his information
B) not reinforcing his key ideas nonverbally
C) not reinforcing his key ideas verbally
D) not building redundancy into the speech
Q3) A speech about procedures reviews how something works or describes a process.
A)True
B)False
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Page 24
Chapter 23: Understanding Principles of Persuasive Speaking
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Q1) Aristotle believed that the persuasive power of _____ relied upon the credibility of the speaker.
A) logos
B) ethos
C) pathos
D) eros
Q2) In her persuasive speech, Martha spoke about the possibility of dirty nuclear weapons being used against the United States by Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. She challenged her audience to monitor Senatehearings on the problem and to get involved by writing or emailing their legislators. What form of motivation did Martha successfully employ in her speech?
A) negative motivation
B) cognitive dissonance
C) positive motivation
D) an appeal to basic self-esteem and self-actualization needs
Q3) A proposition of value advocates a specific action-changing a policy, procedure, or behavior.
A)True
B)False
Page 25
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Chapter 24: Using Persuasive Strategies
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Q1) A hypothetical example should NOT be used to reach a conclusion.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Aform of dynamism, often projected through delivery, that occurs when a speaker is perceived as charming, talented, and magnetic is
A) charisma.
B) honesty.
C) competence.
D) credibility.
Q3) Shylah states in her persuasive speech, "Marijuana is a safe alternate to alcohol. I know this because most of my friends use it and they're fine." You recognize this fallacy as
A) bandwagon.
B) ad hominem.
C) red herring.
D) false cause.
Q4) When persuading an unreceptive audience, speakers should present only one side of the issue.
A)True
B)False
Page 26
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Chapter 25: Speaking on Special Occasions
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Q1) On the first anniversary of John F. Kennedy's death, a group of close friends and the Kennedy family gathered to pay tribute to JFK's life and accomplishments. Then President Johnson gave a brief speechatthe event. What is the term for this type of speech?
A) a commencement address
B) a presentation speech
C) a speech of dedication
D) a commemorative address
Q2) If a speaker needs no introduction, you should present one anyway.
A)True
B)False
Q3) The keynote speaker at a conference should mention all the other speakers that will follow.
A)True
B)False
Q4) When offering a brief salute to a special occasion or person, you are giving A) an introduction.
B) a eulogy.
C) a toast.
D) an address.
Page 27
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Chapter 26: Speaking in Small Groups
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Q1) The group got together at Ted's apartment to work out a problem. First, they made sure everyone had a clear sense of what the problem was, and then they began to analyze it. Once they analyzed the problem,the group generated some possible solutions. What is going on in this group situation?
A) Group members are effectively going through the decision-making process.
B) Group members are effectively going through the reflective thinking process.
C) Group members are effectively applying the critical thinking method to the problem.
D) Group members are effectively applying the scientific method to solve the problem.
Q2) In a _____ format the group answers audience questions with short impromptu speeches.
A) panel
B) symposium
C) meeting
D) forum
Q3) Criteria are standards for identifying acceptable solutions.
A)True
B)False
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