Page 1
1. Supporting material is defined as facts and statistics presented by the speaker.
A) True
B) False
2. In any given speech, speakers should choose one appropriate type of supporting material
and stick with it for consistency.
A) True
B) False
3. If a source is reputable, it will be appropriate for any audience.
A) True
B) False
4. A quotation can be an example.
A) True
B) False
5. Examples in a speech can be brief, extended, factual, or hypothetical.
A) True
B) False
6. In a speech that explores the possible negative consequences of a piece of proposed
legislation, a speaker might use a hypothetical example.
A) True
B) False
7. Narratives tell tales that are either real or imaginary.
A) True
B) False
8. Brief stories of interesting, often humorous, incidents based on real life are called
biographies.
A) True
B) False
Page 2
9. Testimony comprises firsthand findings, eyewitness accounts, and opinions.
A) True
B) False
10. A description of the experience of 9/11 by a person who was present in New York City
that day would be considered lay testimony.
A) True
B) False
11. Most people require some type of evidence before they will accept a speaker’s position or
claims. A) True
B) False
12. Statistics are quantified evidence that summarizes, compares, and predicts things.
A) True
B) False
13. A frequency is the quantified portion of a whole.
A) True
B) False
14. The mean, median, and mode are all types of averages.
A) True
B) False
15. The median is the most frequently occurring score in a distribution.
A) True
B) False
16. A source is likely to be more credible if it includes information about the methods used
to generate the data, such as how and why the data were collected.
A) True
B) False
Page 3
17. When a speaker selectively presents only those statistics that buttress his or her point of
view while ignoring competing data, he or she is cherry-picking.
A) True
B) False
18. Which is true of supporting material?
A) It must come from experts to be credible.
B) Most people in Western society expect evidence of claims, usually in the form of
facts and statistics.
C) It is credible only if it contains statistics.
D) The level of the speaker’s own expertise does not affect the need for supporting
material.
19. When speaking about the case for vegetarianism, Callie gives several examples of
protein-rich foods vegetarians can eat, including nut butters, quinoa, and beans. Callie’s
examples are
A) brief and factual.
B) brief and hypothetical.
C) extended and factual.
D) extended and hypothetical.
20. Which type of example essentially asks, “What if?”
A) hypothetical
B) extended
C) factual
D) brief
21. What is another word for a story?
A) an anecdote
B) a narrative
C) an example
D) a myth
22. Which type of example offers a multifaceted illustration of an idea, item, or event?
A) brief
B) extended
C) factual
D) hypothetical
Page 4
23. Legends, fairy tales, myths, and other stories are considered to be
A) perspectives.
B) narratives.
C) testimonies.
D) statistics.
24. Plot, characters, setting, and a time line are all essential to
A) contextual examples.
B) extended examples.
C) storytelling.
D) credibility.
25. Brief stories of interesting, often humorous, incidents based on real life are called
A) facts.
B) testimony.
C) statistics.
D) anecdotes.
26. If a medical doctor provides cutting-edge information on the threat of cholesterol, she is
providing which type of supporting material?
A) narrative material
B) lay testimony
C) expert testimony
D) statistics
27. Which type of average provides the center-most number in a distribution?
A) mean
B) mode
C) median
D) arithmetic
28. A speaker selectively presenting only those statistics that buttress his or her point of
view while ignoring competing data is said to be
A) giving expert testimony.
B) cherry-picking.
C) speaking ethically.
D) giving lay testimony.
Page 5
29. Serena is looking for supporting material that would prove the extent of the sex
trafficking problem in the United States. What would do this best?
A) an example
B) a statistic
C) a story
D) a testimony
30. Marco is looking for supporting material that will communicate the tragedy of the 2016
Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting. What would do this best?
A) a frequency statistic
B) an anecdote
C) a testimony
D) a hypothetical example
31. Bennett is researching his informative speech on the health benefits of honey. What type
of supporting material would work best for him?
A) facts
B) statistics
C) stories
D) testimony
Page 6
Answer Key
9. A
10. A
11. A
12. A
13. B