Public Speaking Foundations
According to the text, public speaking is defined as:
A) “A speaker attempting to move an audience by engaging their emotions.”
B) “A speaker sending and receiving messages simultaneously with an audience.”
Answer: B
(From “Communication Models” — the transactional model: communication happens simultaneously.)
Plagiarism is defined as:
A) “Taking someone else’s ideas or language and passing them off as your own.”
B) “Using too many citations.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The text explicitly gives this definition as the core of plagiarism.
Section: Chapter 3 – Ethics in Public Speaking
A well-organized speech should have:
A) “Two to five main points.”
B) “Eight to ten main points.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The text recommends limiting speeches to 2–5 major ideas.
Section: Chapter 6 – Organizing the Body of the Speech
Extemporaneous speaking is:
A) “Prepared and rehearsed but presented from brief notes.”
B) “Delivered without preparation.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The text describes this as the preferred delivery method.
Section: Chapter 11 – Methods of Delivery
Listening is defined as:
A) “The mental process of attending to and making sense of what we hear.”
B) “The automatic act of hearing.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The text distinguishes listening from hearing.
Section: Chapter 4 – Listening
The text states that communication anxiety can be reduced most effectively through:
A) “Preparation, practice, and experience.”
B) “Avoidance and last-minute decision-making.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The text states that repeated practice and preparation are the strongest reducers of anxiety.
(From “Overcoming Public Speaking Anxiety.”)
Ethical speakers must:
A) “Make sure their goals are ethically sound.”
B) “Avoid persuasion entirely.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The text lists “having ethically sound goals” as its first rule of ethical speaking.
Section: Chapter 3 – Guidelines for Ethical Speaking
A transition is:
A) “A phrase indicating the relationship from one point to the next.”
B) “A paragraph summarizing the whole speech.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The text defines transitions as connectors between ideas.
Section: Chapter 6 – Transitions
Effective vocal delivery requires:
A) “Controlled rate, pitch, volume, and articulation.”
B) “Speaking as fast as possible.”
Answer: A
Explanation: These elements form the basis of vocal variety.
Section: Chapter 12 – The Speaker’s Voice
Appreciative listening means listening for:
A) “Enjoyment.”
B) “Argument evaluation only.”
Answer: A
Explanation: One of the textbook’s four types of listening.
Section: Chapter 4 – Types of Listening
According to the textbook, a speech is most successful when it is:
A) “Audience-centered.”
B) “Speaker-centered.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The text emphasizes adapting messages to the audience as the foundation of effective public speaking.
Section: Chapter 5 – Audience Analysis
Credibility refers to:
A) “The perception of the speaker’s competence and character.”
B) “The speaker’s ability to speak loudly.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The text defines credibility with these two components.
Section: Chapter 16 – Building Credibility
A conclusion should:
A) “Reinforce the central idea and leave something memorable.”
B) “Introduce new arguments.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The text states conclusions must re-emphasize the main idea and provide closure.
Section: Chapter 9 – Conclusions
Gestures should be:
A) “Natural and reinforcing.”
B) “Rigid and rehearsed.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The text emphasizes naturalness in nonverbal delivery.
Section: Chapter 12 – The Speaker’s Body
Egocentrism means:
A) “Audiences care about how topics relate to them.”
B) “Speakers should focus only on themselves.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The text says audience members are naturally concerned with relevance.
Section: Chapter 5 – Audience Egocentrism
Communication is described as:
A) “Linear and unidirectional.”
B) “Transactional and ongoing.”
Answer: B
Explanation: The textbook rejects the linear model and supports a dynamic transactional process.
Section: Chapter 1 – Communication Models
Patchwork plagiarism is:
A) “Stealing ideas from two or more sources and passing them off as one’s own.”
B) “Copying word-for-word from one source.”
Explanation: The textbook uses this exact phrase to describe borrowing from multiple sources.
Section: Chapter 3 – Types of Plagiarism
A preview statement is:
A) “A statement in the introduction identifying the main points.”
B) “A citation list for the audience.”
Answer: A
Explanation: Preview statements prepare the audience for what’s ahead.
Section: Chapter 8 – Introductions
Inclusive language is:
A) “Language that does not stereotype or demean.”
B) “Language reserved for experts.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The textbook defines inclusive language as respectful and non-biased.
Section: Chapter 13 – Using Inclusive Language
Situational audience analysis considers:
A) “Size, setting, and audience disposition.”
B) “The speaker’s favorite ideas.”
Answer: A
Explanation: These elements determine how the audience might respond.
Section: Chapter 5 – Situational Audience Analysis
Effective public speaking requires:
A) “Understanding cultural, gender, and age differences.”
B) “Focusing only on the speaker’s viewpoint.”
Answer: A
Explanation: Demographic audience analysis is required for adapting messages ethically and effectively.
Section: Chapter 5 – Demographic Audience Analysis
Ethical listening requires:
A) “Avoiding prejudgment and listening with an open mind.”
B) “Agreeing with everything the speaker says.”
Answer: A
Explanation: Ethical listeners give speakers a fair chance and avoid premature judgment.
Section: Chapter 4 – Guidelines for Ethical Listening
Supporting materials are used to:
A) “Clarify, explain, and provide evidence for points.”
B) “Add length to the speech.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The textbook identifies examples, statistics, and testimony as support.
Section: Chapter 7 – Supporting Your Ideas
Good eye contact means:
A) “Looking at the audience 80–90% of the time.”
B) “Looking only at your notes.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The book states effective eye contact is frequent and consistent.
Section: Chapter 12 – The Speaker’s Body
Critical listening focuses on:
A) “Evaluating a message to accept or reject it.”
B) “Listening only for enjoyment.”
Answer: A
Explanation: The text defines this as the highest level of listening.
Section: Chapter 4 – Types of Listening