Page 1
1.
The specialized language of a given profession is called _______.
2.
_______ language is specific, tangible, and definite.
3.
A(n) _______ explicitly compares one thing to another, using like or as to do so.
4.
A(n) _______ compares an unfamiliar concept to a more familiar one in order to
increase audience understanding of the unfamiliar concept.
5.
A ______ _____ is an inaccurate or misleading comparison suggesting that because two
things are similar in some ways, they are necessarily similar in other ways.
6.
Using the ____ voice will make your statement more clear and assertive.
7.
The _______ meaning of a word is its literal, or dictionary, definition.
8.
The _______ meaning of a word is the special association that different people bring to
bear on it.
9.
_______ is the repetition of the same sounds, usually initial consonants, in two or more
neighboring words or syllables.
Page 2
Answer Key
Page 3
1.
Speeches require an oral style, which is typically more complex and stilted than the
written word.
A)
True
B)
False
2.
Unlike readers, listeners only get one chance to hear your message.
A)
True
B)
False
3.
You should use fewer rather than more words to express your thoughts.
A)
True
B)
False
4.
The use of jargon is considered accessible and easy to understand.
A)
True
B)
False
5.
Using personal pronouns such as we, us, I, and you draws the audience into the message.
A)
True
B)
False
6.
Abstract language is specific, tangible, and definite.
A)
True
B)
False
7.
The words peace, freedom, and love are examples of concrete language.
A)
True
B)
False
8.
A speaker who describes activities and objects with colorful and concrete language
helps create a vivid image for audience members and engages their senses.
A)
True
B)
False
Page 4
9.
Figures of speech include similes, metaphors, and analogies.
A)
True
B)
False
10.
A metaphor compares one thing to another, using like or as to do so.
A)
True
B)
False
11.
An analogy is an extended metaphor that compares an unfamiliar concept to a more
familiar one in order to emphasize or explain key ideas.
A)
True
B)
False
12.
“Love is a battlefield” is an example of a simile.
A)
True
B)
False
13.
Since few contemporary audiences are culturally diverse, a speaker need not be aware of
or sensitive to cultural variations in language.
A)
True
B)
False
14.
A speaker’s use or misuse of language has a significant effect on the level of credibility
he or she establishes with the audience.
A)
True
B)
False
15.
In the sentence, “Adam invited Heather on a date,” the active voice is used.
A)
True
B)
False
16.
His and he are examples of gender-neutral language.
A)
True
B)
False
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17.
Connotative meaning refers to the associations that different people bring to bear on a
word.
A)
True
B)
False
18.
The denotative meaning is the literal, or dictionary, definition of a word.
A)
True
B)
False
19.
Repetition can help implant important ideas in listeners’ minds.
A)
True
B)
False
20.
Alliteration is the arrangement of words, phrases, or sentences in a similar form.
A)
True
B)
False
21.
Parallelism is the repetition of the same sounds, usually initial consonants, in two or
more neighboring words or syllables.
A)
True
B)
False
22.
You can prepare your speech for the ear (for hearing and understanding) by
A)
using jargon.
B)
using familiar words.
C)
avoiding simple, easy-to-follow sentences.
D)
avoiding a direct form of address.
23.
A speaker who uses vivid imagery
A)
elicits mostly negative responses.
B)
distracts listeners from the main point of the speech.
C)
engages audience members’ senses.
D)
uses abstract language.
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24.
Forms of expression that make striking comparisons between the unfamiliar and the
known, allowing listeners to more quickly grasp meaning, are called
A)
jargon.
B)
sentence fragments.
C)
figures of speech.
D)
personal pronouns.
25.
In Mariam’s presentation on her graduate school experiences she said, “Graduate school
is an uphill battle.” Mariam used which figure of speech?
A)
simile
B)
metaphor
C)
analogy
D)
alliteration
26.
“White as snow.” This phrase best illustrates which of the following?
A)
code-switching
B)
cliché
C)
parallelism
D)
alliteration
27.
In a public speaking situation, it is always important to
A)
use words appropriately.
B)
use jargon.
C)
use malapropisms.
D)
mix metaphors.
28.
The literal, dictionary definition of a word is its
A)
alliterative meaning.
B)
analogous meaning.
C)
denotative meaning.
D)
connotative meaning.
29.
When people disagree about the meaning of a word, they are usually responding to the
word’s
A)
denotative meaning.
B)
connotative meaning.
C)
use as jargon.
D)
colloquial expression.
Page 7
30.
Repeating a word or phrase at the beginning of successive phrases, or sentence is called
A)
epiphora.
B)
anaphora.
C)
alliteration.
D)
parallelism.
31.
“His character plays a rocking, rolling, rip-roaring, raging role.” This statement best
illustrates which of the following techniques?
A)
simile
B)
metaphor
C)
epiphora
D)
alliteration
32.
One way that a speaker can leave a lasting impression on listeners is to incorporate oral
language that is artfully arranged and infused with rhythm. One device that helps a
speaker accomplish this specific purpose is
A)
repetition.
B)
jargon.
C)
analogy.
D)
malapropisms.
Page 8
Answer Key
Page 9
1.
Why does a speaker’s use of jargon often exasperate an audience?
2.
How can a speaker create vivid imagery for the audience?
3.
Give a situation in which a speaker’s selective use of dialect, or code-switching, might
have a positive effect on the speech. Explain the appropriateness of the code-switching.
4.
Explain and demonstrate the difference between speaking in the active voice and the
passive voice.
5.
How does the use of repetition affect the speech and the audience?
6.
What is the difference between anaphora and epiphora? Provide an example of each.
Page 10
Answer Key