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1. The introduction and the conclusion of the speech are more important than the body.
A) True
B) False
2. The choices a speaker makes about the introduction of a speech can affect the outcome of
the entire speech.
A) True
B) False
3. Audience members decide in the first several minutes of a speech whether they will give
their full attention to the speaker and believe what he or she has to say.
A) True
B) False
4. A speaker should wait until the introduction is over to reveal the topic and purpose.
A) True
B) False
5. The introduction should be prepared after the speech body is completed.
A) True
B) False
6. The first challenge any speaker faces in developing an introduction is to win the
audience’s attention.
A) True
B) False
7. In an introduction, using a quotation from someone who is not famous will likely
discredit the speaker.
A) True
B) False
8. Using a story in an introduction can make the speaker’s ideas concrete and colorful.
A) True
B) False
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9. An anecdote is a brief story of interesting, entertaining, or real-life incidents.
A) True
B) False
10. Rhetorical questions posed by the speaker seek a direct response from the audience.
A) True
B) False
11. Polling audience members during a speech’s introduction is an effective way to gain their
attention.
A) True
B) False
12. Humor is present in all human groups.
A) True
B) False
13. Since there is no way to anticipate whether your humor will be appreciated in a diverse
audience, you must depend on nonverbal feedback to guide you.
A) True
B) False
14. Sarcasm that belittles others in a speech introduction is always inappropriate.
A) True
B) False
15. Audiences can be won over when speakers express interest in them and show that they
share similar concerns and goals.
A) True
B) False
16. Introductions that include references to the speech occasion and to relevant facts about
the audience make listeners feel recognized as individuals.
A) True
B) False
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17. The speech introduction should capture the audience’s attention, but it does not need to
mention the topic and purpose of the speech.
A) True
B) False
18. Establishing speaker credibility is particularly important when the audience doesn’t know
the speaker well.
A) True
B) False
19. To build credibility in the introduction, a speaker should make a simple statement of his
or her qualifications for speaking on the topic.
A) True
B) False
20. When speakers use the technique of previewing in an introduction, they state the main
points of the speech as well as the order in which they will be addressed.
A) True
B) False
21. Previewing helps the audience mentally organize a speech.
A) True
B) False
22. It is best to let the audience figure out for themselves that your topic is relevant to them,
as they are unlikely to believe you if you try to explain why it is.
A) True
B) False
23. As you are previewing your main points in the introduction to your speech, you should
include some information of substance on each one to give the audience an idea of what they
will be learning.
A) True
B) False
24. There is no universally appreciated joke.
A) True
B) False
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25. The credibility statement in your speech’s introduction should emphasize experience,
knowledge, or perspective you have that is different or more extensive than that of your
audience.
A) True
B) False
26. Communicating respect for your audience’s best interests demonstrates positive logos.
A) True
B) False
27. One function of a speech introduction is to
A) arouse the audience’s attention.
B) provide an in-depth discussion of the topic.
C) review and discuss all the main points of a speech.
D) describe your qualifications in detail.
28. An effective introduction should
A) introduce the speech topic and purpose.
B) comprise at least 25 percent of your total speech.
C) be prepared before the body of the speech.
D) provide a detailed biography of the speaker.
29. Generally, the introduction should be brief and occupy no more than ______ percent of
the overall speech.
A) 5 to 10
B) 10 to 15
C) 15 to 20
D) 20 to 25
30. In her speech about friendship, Becky opened her speech by stating, “As Vanessa Smith
has written, ‘Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave
footprints in your heart.’” Becky began her introduction by using
A) repetition.
B) unusual information.
C) a quotation.
D) a story.
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31. Speechwriter and language expert William Safire remarked that stories are
A) “our hearts laid bare.”
B) “surefire attention getters.”
C) “deeply rooted remnants of childhood.”
D) “the true windows to our souls.”
32. When planning to poll the audience during the introduction, speakers should do which of
the following?
A) Prepare a vague question to inspire varied responses.
B) Perform an audience analysis.
C) Plan to base the speech’s main points on the responses.
D) Plan time for the audience to ask questions during the introduction.
33. “How many of you know how to speak Klingon?” is a(n)
A) rhetorical question.
B) polling question.
C) open-ended question.
D) loaded question.
34. For speech introductions, some of the most effective startling statements are based in
A) statistics.
B) humor.
C) attitudes.
D) personality.
35. What kind of humor should always be strictly avoided?
A) dry humor
B) humor that belittles others
C) puns
D) limericks
36. To build credibility in the speech’s introduction, a speaker should establish his or her
A) logos.
B) pathos.
C) ethos.
D) mythos.
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37. Statistics are most often used in speech introductions to
A) create humor.
B) ask a polling question.
C) offer unusual information.
D) establish your credibility.
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Answer Key
12. A
13. B
14. A
15. A