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1. Which of the following is NOT a purpose or goal of informative speaking?
A) reinforcing listener’s attitudes
B) educating about a topic
C) demonstrating how something works
D) telling a story about an event
E) explaining similarities and differences between things
2. Informative presentations have two primary functions. What is one of those functions?
A) to motivate
B) to ascertain values
C) to influence policies
D) to impact beliefs
E) to raise awareness
3. While there are similarities between informative and persuasive speaking, there are
significant differences. What is a difference between the two types of speeches?
A) Persuasive speeches require that listeners understand the topic better.
B) Informative speeches maintain a neutral point of view.
C) Informative speeches seek to reinforce attitudes.
D) Persuasive speeches avoid the use of motivational appeals.
E) Informative and persuasive speeches share similar goals.
4. How can a speaker minimize or avoid information overload?
A) use an oral style
B) don’t talk down to your audience
C) target purpose to audience’s knowledge level
D) use a written style
E) always use technical jargon
5. Which of the following statements reflects the distinction between informative and
persuasive speaking?
A) Persuasion can be accomplished without attempting to inform.
B) Information cannot be presented without attempting to persuade the audience.
C) The speaker’s specific purpose distinguishes the two forms of speaking.
D) Informative speaking is more entertaining than persuasive speaking.
E) There are few differences between informative and persuasive speaking.
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6. Choosing the type of informative presentation to deliver would most likely occur in what
step of speech preparation?
A) thinking
B) investigating
C) rehearsing
D) researching
E) revising
7. What type of informative speech would be most appropriate for a speech on
understanding the benefits of getting a flu shot?
A) process
B) narrative
C) expository
D) comparison/contrast
E) demonstration
8. “To demonstrate or explain the steps necessary to buying a reliable previously owned
vehicle” would be best suited to what type of speech?
A) narrative
B) process or demonstration
C) expository
D) comparison/contrast
E) reinforce an audience attitudes
9. “To compare the Android operating system to the Apple IOS operating system” would
work best with which type of informative presentation?
A) narrative
B) process
C) demonstration
D) comparison/contrast
E) expository
10. “To describe Woodstock as a three-day event of music and peace” would be best suited
for which informative presentation type?
A) narrative
B) comparison/contrast
C) demonstration
D) expository
E) process
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11. What pattern of organization is most appropriate for an expository presentation?
A) topical pattern
B) chronological pattern
C) cause-effect pattern
D) motivated sequence pattern
E) narrative pattern
12. In a process or demonstration presentation, a speaker would be wise to use what type of
organizational pattern?
A) topical pattern
B) cause-effect pattern
C) spatial pattern
D) chronological pattern
E) narrative pattern
13. Narrative presentations are best suited for what type of organizational pattern?
A) topical pattern
B) spatial pattern
C) chronological pattern
D) cause-effect pattern
E) narrative pattern
14. A comparison/contrast presentation is best suited for what type of organizational pattern?
A) chronological pattern
B) topical pattern
C) cause-effect pattern
D) spatial pattern
E) narrative pattern
15. The use of signposts and internal summaries are often recommended for what type of
informative presentation?
A) process or demonstration
B) narrative
C) comparison/contrast
D) expository
E) topical
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16. Which of the following is NOT suggested that a speaker use in an informative
presentation?
A) appropriate nonverbal communication
B) internal summaries
C) connotative meanings
D) denotative meanings
E) signposts
17. What can a speaker do to increase an audience’s attention and ability to recall his or her
message?
A) use connectives
B) limit main points to three to five
C) use repetition
D) use “positive disruptions”
E) all of the options are correct
18. Guidelines for preparing an informative presentation include which of the following?
A) choose a topic that you find uninteresting
B) choose a topic that you are unfamiliar with
C) use a written style
D) choose a topic that does not relate to the audience’s interest
E) choose a topic that you care about
19. When an instructor gains attention by saying, “You might see this information again,” he
or she is adhering to which guideline for informative presentations?
A) capturing listeners’ attention
B) choosing a topic you care about
C) using everyday language
D) making your speech understandable
E) helping the audience remember your message
20. Noise can include all of the following EXCEPT
A) mobile phone ringing.
B) someone talking nearby.
C) overly warm or cool room.
D) distractions from other apps.
E) positive disruptions.
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21. Positive disruptions such as having your audience point north exemplify which strategy?
A) organize your ideas
B) limit your main points
C) get your audience involved
D) repeat yourself
E) provide outside noise
22. The statement “So as you can see, most materials that wind up in your recycle bin can be
in a compost pile” reflects what strategy to help listeners?
A) signposts
B) internal summaries
C) transitions
D) connectives
E) motivational appeals
23. The specific purpose of Mario’s speech is to inform the audience on tsunamis. This is a
speech about a(n)
A) people.
B) event.
C) idea.
D) process.
E) demonstration.
24. By comparing the seasonal flu to the Zika virus, a speaker would be making a(n)
A) expository presentation.
B) demonstration presentation.
C) narrative presentation.
D) comparison/contrast presentation.
E) connective.
25. A speaker can increase an audience’s understanding by using
A) information overload.
B) topical pattern of organization.
C) denotative meanings.
D) connotative meanings.
E) chronological pattern of organization.
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Answer Key