U.S. Public Speaking Test 2015

1. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

Which of the following is NOT a strategy for capturing the audience's attention during the delivery of the introduction of a speech?

Answers:

• Using humor

• Making a shocking statement

• Demonstrating goodwill

• Asking a question

2. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

To avoid alienating the audience by stereotyping or otherwise patronizing people on the basis of gender, race, religion, or other factors, the speaker should strive to use ______________.

Answers:

• relevant quotes

• inclusive language

• industry jargon

• simple words and sentence structure

3. Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

A/An ______________ speech is one that is designed to change, influence, or reinforce the attitudes, beliefs, or actions of the audience.

Answers:

• demonstration

• persuasive

• informative

• motivational

4. Choose the phrase that best completes the following sentence.

A _________________ is a method of organization used in persuasive speeches that seek immediate action from the audience.

Answers:

• problem-cause-solution order

• refutative design

• motivated sequence

• causation design

5. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

When performing a situational audience analysis, the first thing a speaker should consider is _____________.

Answers:

• the values or attitudes of the audience

• the speaking occasion

• the demographics of the audience

• the time and place of the speech

6. Choose the best option based on the following statement.

The term "____________" refers to the impact made on the audience when they perceive the speaker as confident, decisive, and enthusiastic.

Answers:

• adrenaline

• empathy

• dynamism

• identification

7. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

Performing thorough research and using specific, relevant evidence from reliable sources is most important when ____________.

Answers:

• the speaker is not recognized as an expert

• the target audience opposes the speaker's views

• the speaker is addressing an audience of experts on the speech topic

• the target audience is in accordance with the speaker's views

• a and b

• b and c

8. Choose the series of phrases that best completes the following sentence.

The term "______________" refers to a brief statement that sums up the main ideas of a speech, whereas the term "____________" refers to the speaker's goal or the response he wants to evoke.

Answers:

• central idea; specific purpose

• topic; thesis

• specific purpose; central idea

• thesis; central idea

9. Which of the following is NOT a demographic characteristic of an audience?

Answers:

• ethnicity

• education

• religion

• sexual orientation

• gender

• attitudes

• family background

10. A thesis statement that begins "There are three major considerations" would most likely use which of the following methods of organization?

Answers:

• Spatial design

• Comparative design

• Sequential design

• Topical order

11. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

When performing a post-speech audience analysis, the speaker should take into consideration all of the following EXCEPT _____________.

Answers:

• attitude responses

• nonverbal responses

• behavior responses

• survey responses

• verbal responses

12. Choose the best option based on the following statement.

The body of a speech should generally not address more than five main points.

Answers:

• True

• False

13. Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The verbal, visual, and vocal responses a speaker receives to his message is called __________.

Answers:

• feedback

• affirmation

• concurrence

• recognition

14. Choose the series of phrases that best completes the following sentence.

A _____________ interprets and analyzes _____________ and may include history textbooks, criticisms, encyclopedias, and journal articles.

Answers:

• secondary source; primary sources

• source card; secondary sources

• primary source; citations

• primary source; secondary sources

15. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The two most important strategies to keep in mind when preparing presentational aids are _____________ and _____________.

Answers:

• to make them easy to use; to keep them simple

• to make them large enough; to make them easy to use

• to keep them simple; to make them colorful

• to use complete sentences; to include a lot of information

16. Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

A presentation on a five-step process for making a banana cream pie would be an example of a/an ______________ speech.

Answers:

• informative

• demonstration

• impromptu

• persuasive

17. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

Music, diaries, pottery, autobiographies, novels, clothing, and official documents are all examples of _____________.

Answers:

• secondary sources

• source cards

• source citations

• primary sources

18. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

_______________ is a process in which people share thoughts, ideas, and feelings in understandable ways.

Answers:

• Speaking

• Communication

• Feedback

• Listening

19. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The term "_______________" refers to a type of inductive reasoning in which a speaker notes that two things are similar in some respects and comes to the conclusion that they must be similar in a further respect.

Answers:

• reasoning from specific instances

• causal reasoning

• deductive reasoning

• analogical reasoning

20. Which of the following methods of organization would be the best choice for an informative speech that describes a process as a series of steps?

Answers:

• Problem-solution design

• Spatial design

• Categorical design

• Sequential design

21. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

All of the following are characteristics of effective vocal delivery EXCEPT ____________.

Answers:

• rate of speech

• articulation

• volume

• facial expressions

• use of pauses

22. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The term "____________" refers to the twisting or misrepresentation of facts to suit the speaker's purpose.

Answers:

• plagiarism

• egocentrism

• distortion

• disinformation

23. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

All of the following constitute best practice for using narrative as a form of evidence in a speech EXCEPT ____________.

Answers:

• using examples that draw only from the speaker's personal experience

• keeping narratives brief and few in number

• making an explicit connection between the anecdote and the point being made

24. Which of the following statements regarding the development of the central idea of a speech is/are TRUE?

Answers:

• The central idea should express a single idea only.

• The central idea should be audience-centered.

• The central idea should use specific language.

• The central idea should be at least a paragraph long.

• All of the above are true.

• a, b, and c

• a, c, and d

25. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

Speaking ______________ is a mode of delivery that allows for the most fluid interaction with the audience and that often makes a speech sound more dynamic, spontaneous, and fresh.

Answers:

• extemporaneously

• from memory

• impromptu

• from a manuscript

26. Which of the following statements regarding the use of a personal story in a speech is/are TRUE?

Answers:

• Telling a personal story helps the audience connect emotionally to the topic.

• Telling a personal story is a good way to illustrate a specific point, process, or truth.

• Telling a personal story ruins the credibility of the speaker.

• a and b

27. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

All of the following are characteristics of effective physical delivery EXCEPT ____________.

Answers:

• gesture

• pronunciation

• appearance

• facial expressions

• eye contact

• movement

28. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

In general, supporting materials like descriptions, examples, statistics, and testimonies should be _____________ by the speaker.

Answers:

• used sparingly

• paraphrased

• avoided

• quoted verbatim

29. Which of the following is/are types of supporting materials commonly used in speech writing?

Answers:

• Examples

• Testimony

• Statistics

• Definitions

• Comparisons

• All of the above

• a, c, d, and e only

30. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The term " _______________" refers to a brief phrase (such as "First," "The next step," and "Finally") that focuses the audience's attention on the speaker's key points or that indicates where the speaker is in the speech.

Answers:

• summary statement

• signpost

• transition

• connective

31. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The three types of claims or questions a speaker might address in a speech are those of __________.

Answers:

• principle, fact, and value

• fact, belief, and policy

• fact, value, and policy

• fact, policy, and culture

32. Choose the phrase that best completes the following sentence.

All of the following are ways to focus the topic of a persuasive speech except ___________.

Answers:

• focusing on a question of fact

• focusing on a question of value

• focusing on a question of public opinion

• focusing on a question of policy

33. Which of the following modes of delivery would be LEAST effective for an important speech in which word choice is crucial?

Answers:

• Speaking extemporaneously

• Speaking from memory

• Speaking impromptu

• Speaking from a manuscript

34. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

Presentational aids enhance a speaker's confidence in all of the following ways EXCEPT _____________.

Answers:

• by enhancing the clarity and impact of the speaker's message

• by diverting the audience's attention

• by helping the speaker remember the speech

• by giving purpose to the speaker's movement

35. Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

We are practicing a/an ____________ listening style when we listen to seek enjoyment or inspiration.

Answers:

• empathic

• discriminative

• therapeutic

• appreciative

36. Which of the following statements regarding the use of humor in speech delivery is/are TRUE?

Answers:

• Any tasteful joke that makes the audience laugh is an appropriate attention getter.

• Humor should never be used in a speech addressed to a business or other formal audience.

• Humor can be used effectively in almost any type of speech as long as it is relevant to the topic.

• Humor makes the speaker more likeable and disarms audience hostility.

• a, c, and d

• c and d

37. Which of the following presentational aids would be most effective if the speaker wanted to show changes among variables over time?

Answers:

• bar graph

• circle graph

• line graph

• pie graph

38. Which of the following is NOT a type of presentational aid?

Answers:

• Person

• Object

• Slide

• Handout

• Laser pointer

39. Which of the following statements regarding the use of presentational aids DURING a speech is NOT true?

Answers:

• The speaker should direct his speech to the audience, not to the aid.

• The speaker should ensure that the aid is positioned properly.

• The speaker should not reveal the aid until he is ready to use it.

• The speaker should keep the aid in view until he is sure the audience understands the point.

40. Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

All of the following are listening styles except ______________ .

Answers:

• therapeutic

• comprehensive

• conclusive

• evaluative

• empathic

41. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The term "_____________" refers to an error in reasoning in which the speaker assumes that one event will establish a trend that will in turn lead to disastrous results.

Answers:

• post hoc fallacy

• causal fallacy

• straw man fallacy

• slippery slope fallacy

42. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The element of physical delivery that conveys the most information to the audience is _____________.

Answers:

• gesture

• facial expression

• vocal quality

• eye contact

• movement

43. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

A/An _______________ would be the most appropriate presentational aid to use for information that cannot be effectively displayed or that the audience must study or refer to before, during, or after the speech.

Answers:

• film or video

• handout

• object

• booklet

44. Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

A speech delivered with little or no prior preparation is called an ______________ speech.

Answers:

• extemporaneous

• on-the-spot

• unrehearsed

• impromptu

45. Which of the following is NOT one of the four functions of presentational aids?

Answers:

• To reinforce the impact of the message

• To increase the dynamism of the speaker

• To increase the impact of the message

• To increase the clarity of the message

• To enhance the confidence of the speaker

46. Which of the following is NOT an effective delivery technique?

Answers:

• Maintaining eye contact with the audience

• Using hand gestures to emphasize important points

• Varying the rate, pitch, tone, and volume of the voice

• Using crisp language and a conversational tone

• Pausing after important points in the speech

• Moving around the stage

• All of the above are effective delivery techniques.

47. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The five parts of reasoning a speaker should keep in mind when preparing arguments and supporting materials are ____________.

Answers:

• evidence, warrant, qualifier, rebuttal, and response

• claim, background, qualifier, evidence, and warrant

• opinion, claim, evidence, background, and response

• claim, evidence, warrant, qualifier, and rebuttal

48. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The term " ____________" refers to the testimony of an ordinary person who has some first-hand knowledge, experience, or insight on a given topic.

Answers:

• expert testimony

• prestige testimony

• peer testimony

• reluctant testimony

49. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

A _______________ is an important type of connective that speechwriters use to indicate when the speaker has finished one thought and is moving on to another.

Answers:

• transition

• signpost

• transformation

• summary

50. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

Rhetorical questions, controversial statements, pithy quotations, personal stories, and humor are all examples of _______________.

Answers:

• ways to establish credibility

• attention-getting devices

• effective language use in speechwriting

• elements speechwriters should avoid

51. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The three types of credibility are ____________.

Answers:

• initial, demonstrated, and culminating

• prior, intrinsic, and terminal

• initial, derived, and terminal

• prior, derived, and culminating

52. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

When analyzing the audience during the course of a speech, the speaker should be aware first and foremost of the audience's ________________.

Answers:

• understanding of the main points

• evaluation of the speaker's credibility

• attention to the speaker

• motivation for attending the speech

• attitudes toward the topic

53. Which of the following options represents the proper sequence of initial steps one should take when planning a speech?

Answers:

• select a topic, determine the purpose, analyze the audience, begin research

• analyze the audience, determine the purpose, select a topic, begin research

• select a topic, begin research, analyze the audience, determine the purpose

• determine the purpose, select a topic, begin research, analyze the audience

54. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

A speaker delivering a speech from a manuscript should follow all of the following guidelines EXCEPT _____________.

Answers:

• rehearse with the actual notes to become comfortable with using them

• number the note cards for ease of use

• spend less time practicing the conclusion so that it sounds spontaneous and fresh

• slide notes rather than turn them over to limit distracting movement

55. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

In a public speaking situation, the communication cycle includes all of the following components except ______________ .

Answers:

• feedback

• the listener

• the sender

• the environment

• the message

56. Choose the series of words that best completes the following sentence.

The term ______________ refers to the ____________ experiences, education, knowledge, values, goals, and attitudes.

Answers:

• identification; listener's

• demographics; speaker's

• frame of reference; speaker's

• nonverbal communication; listener's

57. Which of the following presentational aids would be most effective if the speaker wanted to show parts of an object?

Answers:

• bar graph

• handout

• pie chart

• diagram

58. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

All of the following techniques are effective ways for a speaker to bring a speech to a satisfying psychological conclusion EXCEPT ____________.

Answers:

• maintaining eye contact with the audience

• slowing the rate of delivery

• reading from notes before delivering the final statement

• pausing briefly after delivering the final statement

59. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The term "______________" refers to a technique in which the speaker connects himself with the values, attitudes, or experiences of the audience.

Answers:

• creating common ground

• inclusive language

• identification

• self-awareness

60. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

An effective conclusion of a speech should do all of the following except ______________.

Answers:

• leave the audience with a positive, memorable impression of the speech

• let the audience know what action they should take, if any

• briefly introduce a new point for the audience to ponder

• leave the audience with something to think about

• recap the key points of the speech

61. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

Referencing other experts during a speech _____________.

Answers:

• destroys the speaker's credibility as an expert on his topic

• enhances the speaker's credibility as an expert on his topic

• weakens the speaker's arguments, claims, or assertions

• a and c

62. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

The term ______________ refers to what a speaker wants audience members to remember long after they have forgotten everything else about the speech.

Answers:

• residual message

• call to action

• internal stimulus

• psychological conclusion

63. Choose the best option based on the following statement.

Informative speeches should always be balanced and objective.

Answers:

• True

• False

64. Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

A prepared and rehearsed speech that is not written out or memorized, but that is delivered from a brief set of notes, is called a/an ______________ speech.

Answers:

• extemporaneous

• hypothetical

• abstract

• impromptu

65. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The term " ____________" refers to reasoning that moves from particular facts to a general conclusion.

Answers:

• reasoning from principle

• reasoning from specific instances

• demonstrated credibility

• terminal credibility

66. Choose the phrase that best completes the following sentence.

A _______________ is a tentative plan that shows the basic structure of the major parts of speech, their relative importance, and the way they fit together.

Answers:

• Preparation outline

• Speaking outline

• Working outline

• Key-word outline

67. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The term " ____________" refers to the credibility of a speaker that is produced by everything he says and does during the speech.

Answers:

• derived credibility

• intrinsic credibility

• demonstrated credibility

• terminal credibility

68. Choose the word that best completes the following sentence.

The goal of a/an ______________ speech is to present new information and understanding about a particular topic for the enlightenment of the audience.

Answers:

• demonstration

• persuasive

• informative

• inspirational

69. Which of the following presentational aids would be most appropriate for a speech about the art of Georges Seurat?

Answers:

• diagram

• pie chart

• object

• graphic

70. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

The term "________________" refers to dividing an audience into smaller groups of people with similar needs, preferences, and characteristics.

Answers:

• audience targeting

• audience segmentation

• audience identification

• audience segregation

71. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

When using expert opinion as supporting material, a speaker should ____________.

Answers:

• be certain that sources cited are experts on the subject being discussed

• identify the sources within the speech to demonstrate their credibility to the audience

• cite opinions that veer from prevailing opinions

• quote sources accurately

• a, b, and d

• a, c, and d

72. Which of the following is a detailed outline that includes the title, specific purpose, central idea, introduction, main points, sub-points, transitions, conclusion, and bibliography of a speech?

Answers:

• Preparation outline

• Speaking outline

• Working outline

• Key-word outline

• Chronological outline

73. Choose the best option based on the following statement.

The most effective persuasive speeches are those in which the speaker takes an extreme view on the topic.

Answers:

• True

• False

74. Which of the following statements regarding the preparation and use of slides is/are TRUE?

Answers:

• To reinforce the message, the speaker should read the slide word for word.

• Using standard clipart on a slide lends an air of familiarity and puts the audience at ease.

• Slides should be printed in all caps so that all audience members can read the information.

• When dealing with statistics, slides should contain exact percentages even if the speaker rounds them up or down.

• Slides should contain any and all the details the speaker leaves out of the actual speech.

• When designing slides, the speaker should maintain contrast between text and background.

• b and d

• c and f

75. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

The term ______________ refers to the distractions that listeners often contend with, and may include lack of knowledge about the speaker's topic, headaches, and preoccupation with problems unrelated to the speech.

Answers:

• external noise

• environmental response mode

• internal stimulus

• internal noise

76. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

A presentation entitled "The Eating Habits of Screech Owls" would be an example of a/an ______________ speech.

Answers:

• informative

• demonstration

• impromptu

• special occasion

77. Choose the series of phrases that best completes the following passage.

_______________ is an important part of effective speech delivery. The characteristics of a speaker's voice that distinguish it from others is called __________, while the patterns of change in a speaker's pitch are called _____________.

Answers:

• Timbre; pitch; articulation

• Vocal quality; timbre; inflection

• Rate; vocal quality; inflection

• Articulation; pitch; timbre

78. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

All of the following constitute best practice for using statistics in a speech EXCEPT ____________.

Answers:

• stressing the impact of large numbers

• sharing exact statistics with the audience

• using familiar units of measurement

• rounding off statistics to aid audience retention

79. Choose the word or phrase that best completes the following sentence.

During the communication process, adults tend to rely mostly on ____________ when attempting to determine the meaning of a statement.

Answers:

• written words

• both vocal and visual cues

• spoken words

• feedback

80. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

An effective introduction of a speech should ___________.

Answers:

• grab the attention of the audience

• focus the audience's attention on the central idea

• establish a rapport with the audience

• establish the speaker's credibility

• All of the above

• a, b, and d

81. Choose the option that best completes the following sentence.

When performing an audience analysis before preparing a speech, the speaker should consider the ________________ characteristics of the audience, which include beliefs, values, attitudes, desires, and behaviors.

Answers:

• demographic

• topographic

• physiographic

• psychographic

• sociocultural