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1. One key question you should be able to answer with total confidence before delivering
any speech is “How will my audience respond to my speech?”
A) True
B) False
2. Speakers are usually given time constraints for a speech.
A) True
B) False
3. The three general speech purposes are to inform, to persuade, and to mark a special
occasion.
A) True
B) False
4. The general purpose of a speech is often suggested by the occasion.
A) True
B) False
5. A speech that defines, describes, explains, or demonstrates is persuasive in nature.
A) True
B) False
6. When narrowing a topic for an informative speech, the speaker should try to gauge how
much the audience already knows about it.
A) True
B) False
7. The speaker should present his or her informative speech with the goal of giving the
audience something new to expand their understanding and awareness of the topic.
A) True
B) False
8. The general purpose of a persuasive speech is to effect some degree of change in the
audience’s attitudes, beliefs, or specific behaviors.
A) True
B) False
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9. Issues on which there are competing perspectives are generally most appropriate for
persuasive speeches.
A) True
B) False
10. A eulogy is a type of special occasion speech.
A) True
B) False
11. Special occasion speeches sometimes have secondary specific purposes to inform or to
persuade.
A) True
B) False
12. As long as the topic interests your audience, it is not important that it interest you.
A) True
B) False
13. Current events are generally considered boring choices for speech topics.
A) True
B) False
14. Speaking about grassroots issues provides opportunities to engage with the community.
A) True
B) False
15. A common topic, such as the health risks of smoking, is a good choice for a speech
because it touches upon a subject the audience is likely familiar with.
A) True
B) False
16. Brainstorming is a problem-solving process involving the spontaneous generation of
ideas. A) True
B) False
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17. It is best to steer clear of social media when trying to find a topic.
A) True
B) False
18. Brainstorming by word association involves placing a potential topic in the middle of a
piece of paper, drawing a circle around it, and writing related ideas branching from the central
topic. A) True
B) False
19. Internet tools, such as popular search engines, should not be used when brainstorming a
topic. A) True
B) False
20. To narrow a speech topic, you need to consider delivery time constraints, audience
adaptation, and the nature of the occasion.
A) True
B) False
21. The specific speech purpose lays out precisely what outcome you want to achieve with
the speech.
A) True
B) False
22. The thesis statement is the theme or central idea of the speech.
A) True
B) False
23. A well-written thesis statement aids the speaker in developing a coherent,
understandable arrangement of information.
A) True
B) False
24. The specific speech purpose is the same thing as the thesis statement.
A) True
B) False
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25. When crafting a speech, it is a good idea to create the main points and supporting
material first, then work on the thesis statement.
A) True
B) False
26. Deliberately distorting information is a practical consideration when selecting a topic
and a purpose.
A) True
B) False
27. Topic (mind) mapping and word association are both forms of brainstorming that can be
done alone.
A) True
B) False
28. General search engines (Yahoo, Google) can reveal the same level of results that a
scholastic database, such as Academic OneFile, can.
A) True
B) False
29. “To persuade my audience to eat more eggs” is an example of a
A) general purpose statement.
B) specific purpose statement.
C) thesis statement.
D) topic.
30. “To inform” is an example of a
A) general purpose statement.
B) specific purpose statement.
C) thesis.
D) topic.
31. The purpose of a(n) ______ speech is to increase the audience’s understanding and
awareness of a topic.
A) commemorative
B) persuasive
C) informative
D) motivational
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32. A persuasive speech topic is most suitable when
A) there are competing perspectives.
B) the issue discussed has very little controversy.
C) the audience disagrees with the speaker’s position and is likely to encounter
opposing information in the near future.
D) the audience completely agrees with the speaker before the speech.
33. One example of a special occasion speech is
A) a lecture in an art museum.
B) a roast.
C) a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate.
D) a sales training session.
34. A _____ must be a complete, concise, declarative sentence.
A) general purpose statement
B) specific purpose statement
C) thesis statement
D) topic
35. People rarely respond to persuasion directed at their core values, so steer clear of topics
that are
A) highly charged.
B) personal.
C) novel.
D) civic minded.
36. Topic mapping is a ______ technique.
A) speech organization
B) speech delivery
C) critical-thinking
D) brainstorming
37. When narrowing a topic, the speaker should consider the
A) time constraints.
B) physical setting of the speech.
C) size of the audience.
D) psychographics of the audience.
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38. The ______ speech purpose describes in action form what outcome you want to achieve
with the speech.
A) general
B) initial
C) specific
D) ethical
39. “Scientists have discovered a new kind of stem cell that could lead to advances in
regenerative medicine and the study of birth defects and reproductive problems” is an example
of a A) topic
B) thesis statement
C) general purpose statement
D) specific purpose statement
40. A quality thesis statement should be restricted to
A) two to three main points.
B) a single idea.
C) two paragraphs.
D) the size of the audience.
41. Speakers should avoid talking about topics that include
A) anything the audience may disagree with.
B) anything the audience is not already interested in.
C) common issues.
D) spiritual or political matters.
42. Which is likely to help you find fresh topics?
A) brainstorming
B) Google searches
C) your college library
D) Twitter trends
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Answer Key
1. B
2. A
3. A
4. A