Chapter 1
You post a video online about a hobby you love — you don’t know exactly who will see it and you may not get immediate response. Which type of communication is this?
1. Interpersonal
2. Group
3. Mass
4. Public
Mass
You’re preparing an informative speech for a general education class about “Behavioral Economics and Its Impact on Global Markets.” To make sure your speech resonates, what should you do first?
1. Use lots of economic jargon to sound credible
2. Assume the audience already knows economic basics
3. Adjust the topic or language to match the audience’s likely level of knowledge
4. Skip audience analysis and focus on your own interest
Adjust the topic or language to match the audience’s likely level of knowledge
You need to give a 6-minute informative speech to your class. You want to teach peers how a popular smartphone app processes user data. Which type of informative speech does this topic most likely represent?
1. Speech about a person
2. Speech about an object
3. Speech about a process
4. Speech about an event
Speech about a process
You want to give a speech arguing that “High school students should be required to complete a community-service project before graduation.” What kind of proposition is this?
1. Proposition of fact
2. Proposition of value
3. Proposition of policy
4. Proposition of definition
Proposition of policy
You and two classmates meet every week to plan a charity bake sale. You all share the same goal, contribute ideas, and coordinate tasks. This qualifies as a small group because you exhibit:
1. 3 members with interpersonal interaction
2. At least 3 people, shared identity, common purpose, and mutual influence
3. Virtual communication structure
4. Public communication traits
At least 3 people, shared identity, common purpose, and mutual influence
During a video call, your roommate has the volume low, you mishear half of what they say, and later realize you misunderstood their request. Which concept best explains what happened?
1. Feedback
2. Context
3. Transmission model
4. Noise
Noise
You’re nervous before a speech, so you close your eyes for a moment, inhale deeply, and imagine yourself giving a calm, confident presentation that ends successfully. What technique does this demonstrate?
1. Cognitive restructuring
2. Manuscript delivery
3. Systematic desensitization
4. Practicing
Cognitive restructuring
You’re delivering an informative speech on the physics of black holes. To keep the audience engaged, which strategy aligns with best practices for informative speaking?
1. Dive immediately into complex equations without context
2. Start with a gripping question or vivid description, and explain why the topic matters to the audience
3. Rely solely on academic definitions and skip any real-life or relevant examples
4. Use overly casual language and humor to “entertain,” ignoring clarity
Start with a gripping question or vivid description, and explain why the topic matters to the audience
You plan to persuade a group who is strongly opposed to increasing the local sales tax. According to persuasive-speech guidance, what should you do first?
1. Use a cause-effect organization to show benefits
2. Intensify negative aspects of the current tax rate
3. Build common ground, acknowledge objections, and incorporate counterarguments
4. Assume they’re misinformed and avoid addressing their concerns
Build common ground, acknowledge objections, and incorporate counterarguments
In a study group, Keisha keeps pushing the group to stay on schedule, asks when each person will complete their part, and periodically reviews the agenda to check progress. Which role is Keisha most likely performing?
1. Social-emotional leader
2. Gatekeeper
3. Expediter / procedural task-leader
4. Harmonizer
Expediter / procedural task-leader
You and a classmate from a different background discuss a group project. As you speak, they nod; at the same time you notice their facial expression seems uncertain — so you immediately clarify your point. This simultaneous sending and receiving of messages exemplifies:
1. Interaction model
2. Feedback
3. Transaction model
3. Noise
Transaction model
You’re asked to read a formal report at a business meeting, with precise wording required. There will be minimal audience feedback and accuracy is critical.
Which delivery method should you choose?
1. Impromptu
2. Memorized
3. Extemporaneous
4. Manuscript
Manuscript
A student explaining the timeline of the Olympic Games most likely uses which pattern?
1. Spatial
2. Topical
3. Chronological
4. Problem-solution
Chronological
You want your audience to start donating blood after your speech. Which organizational pattern from persuasive speaking would best support a clear call to action?
1. Chronological pattern
2. Problem–solution pattern
3. Cause–effect pattern
4. Monroe's Motivated Sequence
Monroe's Motivated Sequence
Your group jumps immediately into proposing solutions for low engagement at a club meeting before clarifying what “low engagement” specifically means. According to the recommended process, what is the primary risk?
1. The group wastes time on irrelevant solutions
2. The group will produce the best solution faster
3. The group avoids conflict
4. The group improves creativity
The group wastes time on irrelevant solutions
During a job interview, Maya adjusts her speech to be more formal, listens carefully, and avoids slang. She is demonstrating:
1. Communication appropriateness
2. Communication competence
3. Communication effectiveness
4. Adherence to communication rules
Communication competence
You find a blog post arguing that a health supplement cures insomnia. The author is anonymous, the site gives no publication date, and there’s no citation of research. According to the chapter’s guidelines, what should you do?
1. Use the blog’s claim without citing — it’s easy and quick
2. Use it as your main evidence — blogs are fine for persuasive speeches
3. Discard or only use cautiously because the source lacks credibility and accountability
4. Assume it’s credible if it supports your argument
Discard or only use cautiously because the source lacks credibility and accountability
For a speech about the history and cultural impact of jazz music, which combination of supporting materials would most strengthen your presentation?
1. Your personal opinions, a brief anecdote, and a summary of a blog post
2. Two recent articles critiquing modern music
3. A timeline of major jazz milestones, quotes from jazz historians, and a short audio clip sample
4. A list of jazz song titles only
A timeline of major jazz milestones, quotes from jazz historians, and a short audio clip sample
A speaker argues that people who care about saving money should also support installing energy-efficient lightbulbs. This tactic works by:
1. Attacking the audience’s values
2. Creating cognitive dissonance between stated values and current behavior
3. Using only logos
4. Avoiding ethical reasoning
Creating cognitive dissonance between stated values and current behavior
In a collaborative assignment, some members do minimal work because others are doing most of the effort, yet all get the same grade. This phenomenon is described as:
1. Interdependence
2. Social loafing
3. Group cohesion
4. Procedural conflict
Social loafing
You text your roommate asking them to lock the door. They don’t see the message until hours later, and the door stays unlocked.
This shows a limitation of which model?
1. Transmission model
2. Interaction model
3. Transaction model
4. Interpersonal model
Transmission model
You’re asked to give a 5-minute speech about smartphone overuse. You want the audience to understand the psychological effects of excessive screen time. Which of the following “specific purpose” statements fits best?
1. By the end of this speech, my audience will be convinced to throw away their phones.
2. By the end of this speech, my audience will be aware of three psychological effects of excessive smartphone use.
3. By the end of this speech, my audience will laugh about their screen habits.
4. By the end of this speech, my audience will ignore warnings about phone usage.
By the end of this speech, my audience will be aware of three psychological effects of excessive smartphone use.
You plan a speech explaining the benefits and risks of eating red meat. If your goal is to inform, what should you avoid doing?
1. Presenting credible data and balanced information
2. Using the word “should” or making judgmental claims like “you should avoid red meat”
3. Explaining both potential benefits and risks objectively
4. Citing reputable studies and being transparent about sources
Using the word “should” or making judgmental claims like “you should avoid red meat”
A public health advocate argues that cities with more green space tend to have lower stress levels, pointing to five major cities where this is the case. She concludes that her own city should expand its parks to reduce stress. What type of reasoning is being used?
1. Deductive reasoning
2. Sign reasoning
3. Inductive reasoning
4. Causal reasoning
Inductive reasoning
During a club’s planning meeting, two members argue over whether the fundraising event should be virtual or in-person, while simultaneously one member resents another because they always get assigned easy tasks. The first is an example of ____ conflict; the second of ____ conflict.
A. Interpersonal; substantive
B. Procedural; interpersonal
C. Substantive; procedural
D. Procedural; substantive
Procedural; interpersonal