Chapter 11 Choosing, Developing, and Researching a Topic Answer Key
Multiple Choice Questions
1.
What is the first step to preparing an effective speech?
A.
analyzing the audience for your speech
B.
choosing a topic for your speech
C.
identifying the goals you want to accomplish in your speech
D.
gathering information to support your speech
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Remember
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 11-01 Describe the five goals a speaker might have for a speech.
Topic: Effective Speeches
2.
Which of the following is NOT a goal of public speaking?
A.
B.
to inform
C.
to give honor
D.
to entertain
Type of question: Analyze
3.
Jordan is responsible for training new employees at the restaurant where she works. She must
let them know how to greet customers correctly, where to find the specials for each day, and
how to ensure repeat business. What is Jordan’s goal during these training sessions?
A.
to entertain
B.
to persuade
C.
to introduce
D.
to inform
AACSB: Knowledge Application
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Understand
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 11-01 Describe the five goals a speaker might have for a speech.
Topic: Goals of Public Speaking
4.
When we speak to __________________, we are appealing to our listeners to think or act in a
certain way.
A.
give honor
B.
persuade
C.
introduce
D.
inform
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Understand
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 11-01 Describe the five goals a speaker might have for a speech.
Topic: Goals of Public Speaking
5.
Before his death in 2009, Billy Mays was a famous television pitchman for household products
such as Mighty Putty and Grater Plater. He was best known for his opening line, “Hi, Billy
Mays here for…” What was Mays’s primary goal in his commercials?
A.
to inform
B.
to persuade
C.
to introduce
D.
to entertain
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Analyze
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 11-01 Describe the five goals a speaker might have for a speech.
Topic: Goals of Public Speaking
6.
Kathy Griffin, a stand-up comedian and actress, has a goal to ______________ her audiences
during a stand-up routine.
A.
entertain
B.
inform
C.
persuade
D.
give honor to
AACSB: Knowledge Application
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Apply
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 11-01 Describe the five goals a speaker might have for a speech.
Topic: Goals of Public Speaking
7.
To be effective, speakers who _______________ must be keenly aware of who their listeners
are and what they are likely to find amusing.
A.
inform
B.
introduce
C.
entertain
D.
persuade
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Understand
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 11-01 Describe the five goals a speaker might have for a speech.
Topic: Goals of Public Speaking
8.
In March 2012, the Hall of Fame quarterback and team vice president John Elway of the
Denver Broncos spoke at a press conference in which he announced that Peyton Manning
would be the new starting quarterback for the team. Elway spoke of Manning’s past
successes as well as his future potential with the team. After his remarks, Elway welcomed
Manning to the stage. Elway’s goal in giving the speech was to
A.
introduce.
B.
inform.
C.
give honor.
D.
entertain.
AACSB: Knowledge Application
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Evaluate
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 11-01 Describe the five goals a speaker might have for a speech.
Topic: Goals of Public Speaking
9.
In his speech class, Gavin’s first speech assignment is to interview a classmate and tell the
class about the classmate’s past, as well as his or her current activities and hopes for the
future. Gavin’s goal for the speech is
A.
to inform.
B.
to give honor.
C.
to introduce.
D.
to entertain.
AACSB: Knowledge Application
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Apply
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 11-01 Describe the five goals a speaker might have for a speech.
Topic: Goals of Public Speaking
10.
At the 2015 funeral of Beau Biden, former Delaware attorney general and son of Vice
President Joe Biden, Beau’s younger brother Hunter Biden gave a eulogy, stating in part, “We
will always be one family. You are at the center of the greatest love.” The younger Biden’s
goal during his eulogy was to
A.
introduce.
B.
give honor.
C.
entertain.
D.
persuade.
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Analyze
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 11-01 Describe the five goals a speaker might have for a speech.
Topic: Goals of Public Speaking
11.
A speech of ___________ honors someone who is receiving an award.
A.
dedication
B.
commemoration
C.
toast
D.
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Remember
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 11-01 Describe the five goals a speaker might have for a speech.
Topic: Goals of Public Speaking
12.
On the fifteenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States,
President Barack Obama gave a speech of ____________________ in which he honored the
memory of victims and rescue workers who lost their lives.
A.
dedication
B.
C.
commemoration
D.
evaluation
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Understand
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 11-01 Describe the five goals a speaker might have for a speech.
Topic: Goals of Public Speaking
13.
To select an appropriate speech topic when none has been specified, you can start by
___________ to generate a list of potential topics.
A.
researching
B.
suggesting
C.
creating
D.
brainstorming
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Understand
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
14.
Which of the following strategies encourages you to identify as many ideas as possible
without stopping to evaluate them?
A.
brainstorming
B.
ideawriting
C.
innovating
D.
listing
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Remember
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
15.
Pace is asked to give a speech to a local youth group. He considers his experience, hobbies,
beliefs, values, and attitudes, how he enjoys spending his time, and what issues he cares
about. What question is Pace answering as he brainstorms?
A.
What topics are in the news?
B.
What does my audience know about?
C.
What topics do you care about?
D.
What topics are relevant?
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Analyze
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
16.
Julia is asked to speak at a university conference, so she reads the university’s website and its
student newspaper to find out what students and faculty are talking about these days. Which
question is she most likely trying to answer?
A.
What topics are interesting?
B.
What topics do you care about?
C.
What topics are relevant?
D.
What topics are in the news?
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Evaluate
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
17.
Answering questions such as “What do you talk about the most with your friends and family?”
and “What is your fantasy career?” relates to what brainstorming technique?
A.
finding topics that you care about
B.
finding topics that are in the news
C.
finding topics that are current
D.
finding topics that are relevant
AACSB: Knowledge Application
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Apply
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
18.
If you read
Time
magazine or visit a website such as www.cnn.com, you are answering what
question for brainstorming?
A.
What topics are interesting?
B.
What topics are relevant?
C.
What topics are in the news?
D.
What topics do you care about?
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Understand
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
19.
Read the following list of potential speech topics: the U.S. economy, same-sex marriage laws,
the upcoming election, immigration policy. What question did the speaker most likely answer
to generate this list?
A.
What topics are interesting?
B.
What topics do you care about?
C.
What topics are relevant?
D.
What topics are in the news?
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Evaluate
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
20.
When choosing a topic, which question will allow you to speak with credibility and
confidence?
A.
How much to I care about this topic?
B.
What do I already know about this topic?
C.
How much do I need to learn about this topic?
D.
How valuable is this topic?
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Understand
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
21.
Eliza is assigned a persuasive speech in her communication course. When brainstorming, she
knows it is important to pick a topic ____________ because it will make preparing her speech
more enjoyable, and her presentation will be more engaging for the audience.
A.
she cares about
B.
she knows about
C.
that is valuable
D.
she doesn’t need to learn about
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Evaluate
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
22.
To give an effective speech, you need to select a topic that is right not only for yourself but
also for your
A.
assignment.
B.
audience.
C.
interests.
D.
experience.
Type of question: Understand
23.
Asking yourself which of the following questions will help you to consider whether the topic
will be suitable for your listeners?
A.
How much will my audience care about this topic?
B.
How much do I know about this topic?
C.
How much do I care about this topic?
D.
How appropriate is this topic for my audience?
AACSB: Knowledge Application
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Apply
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
24.
To give an effective speech, you need a topic that is right for the _______________, meaning
that it is appropriate for the situation.
A.
audience
B.
occasion
C.
assignment
D.
juncture
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Remember
Bloom’s: Understand
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
Type of question: Understand
25.
When identifying a topic that is right for the occasion, you should ask yourself,
A.
What do I know about this topic?
B.
How much will my audience care about this topic?
C.
How much do I know about this topic?
D.
Why am I speaking?
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Evaluate
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
26.
Jocelyn is a dynamic, humorous speaker. When she is asked to give a eulogy for her former
biology professor, she prepares a somber, serious speech commemorating the educator’s
contribution to his field. In order to give a speech appropriate for the occasion, Jocelyn most
likely asked herself,
A.
“What is the emotional tone of the event?”
B.
“How much do I know about this topic?”
C.
“How appropriate is this topic for my audience?”
D.
“How much do I care about this topic?”
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Bloom’s: Evaluate
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
27.
If you start with a broad list of potential topics, you can narrow it down by considering which
topics are right for you, for the audience, and for the
A.
demographic.
B.
assignment.
C.
occasion.
D.
speech.
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Remember
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
28.
Good public speakers engage in ______________, which means thinking carefully about the
characteristics of their listeners in order to address their listeners in the most effective way.
A.
self-analysis
B.
topic analysis
C.
psychoanalysis
D.
audience analysis
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Understand
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 11-02 Summarize the four steps for identifying appropriate speech topics.
Topic: Identifying Speech Topics
29.
Carrie is giving a speech to her political science class. To make her topic interesting and
engaging to her audience, Carrie looks at her audience’s ____________ characteristics, such as
sex and sexual orientation, culture, and political orientation.
A.
demographic
B.
social
C.
psychological
D.
general
AACSB: Knowledge Application
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Apply
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 11-03 Describe how to analyze an audience.
Topic: Audience Analysis
30.
Which of the following is NOT a demographic characteristic?
A.
age and facility with computer-mediated communication
B.
socioeconomic status
C.
attitude toward a topic
D.
education level
Type of question: Analyze
31.
As the president of his college honor society, Quincy has been asked to give a speech to a
local senior citizens’ organization. Quincy spends a lot of time working on his presentation
aids, thinking that they will help his audience follow his topic more easily. He uses many
PowerPoint slides and video clips. About halfway through his speech, Quincy notices that his
audience members seem distracted, and he even sees some of them walk out. In considering
demographic characteristics, it seems that Quincy did not carefully consider
A.
sex and sexual orientation.
B.
occasion.
C.
age and facility with computer-mediated communication.
D.
physical and mental characteristics.
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Evaluate
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 11-03 Describe how to analyze an audience.
Topic: Audience Analysis
32.
Diana, a nontraditional student who is returning to college after raising her children, has not
kept up with technology. Therefore, when she is required to have a presentation aid for her
persuasive speech, she decides to use a poster. As she watches the other speakers with their
PowerPoint slides and YouTube videos, Diana realizes that she probably should have given
more careful consideration to what demographic characteristic?
A.
socioeconomic status
B.
political orientation
C.
physical and mental characteristics
D.
age and facility with computer-mediated communication
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Evaluate
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 11-03 Describe how to analyze an audience.
Topic: Audience Analysis
33.
Tori is giving a speech in her economics class on health care reform. One of her main focuses
is on insurance coverage for families. As she discusses that issue, she uses such terms as
“spouse,” “husband,” and “wife” rather than the more general term “family.” Several members
of her audience feel dismissed and overlooked, as Tori’s speech does not fully consider the
demographic characteristic of
A.
sex and sexual orientation.
B.
physical and mental characteristics.
C.
age and facility with computer-mediated communication.
D.
political orientation.
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Evaluate
Difficulty: Hard
Learning Objective: 11-03 Describe how to analyze an audience.
34.
Effective speakers take into account the _______________ of the audience, as women and men
differ from each other in their attitudes about particular topics.
A.
sexual orientation
B.
sex composition
C.
physical characteristics
D.
political orientation
AACSB: Knowledge Application
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Understand
Difficulty: Medium
Learning Objective: 11-03 Describe how to analyze an audience.
Topic: Audience Analysis
35.
_________ sensitive speakers recognize that many minorities have histories of social,
economic, or political oppression.
A.
Rhetorically
B.
Culturally
C.
Ethnically
D.
Minority
AACSB: Reflective Thinking
Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom’s: Understand
Difficulty: Easy
Learning Objective: 11-03 Describe how to analyze an audience.
Topic: Audience Analysis