Page 1
1.
Feeling different from the audience, a lack of positive public-speaking experience, and
uneasiness about being the center of attention can lead to ______ ______.
2.
Katarina experienced ______ anxiety as soon as she realized she had to give a speech.
3.
The onset of nervousness that occurs during the rehearsal of a speech is called ______
anxiety.
4.
The type of anxiety that is most pronounced during the introduction phase of a speech is
______ anxiety.
5.
As Nadia prepared to give her speech, she mentally pictured herself giving a successful
speech. To build confidence, Nadia was practicing ______.
6.
______ breathing gives more movement in the stomach than in the chest.
Page 2
Answer Key
Page 3
1.
Properly channeling your nervousness can boost speech performance.
A)
True
B)
False
2.
Public-speaking anxiety is the situation-specific social anxiety that arises from the
anticipation of giving an oral presentation.
A)
True
B)
False
3.
A lack of positive speech experiences is key to overcoming anxiety.
A)
True
B)
False
4.
Inexperienced speakers experience nervousness, and experienced speakers usually do
not.
A)
True
B)
False
5.
Self-consciousness can make a speaker less sensitive to things that might be wrong with
his or her performance.
A)
True
B)
False
6.
The onset of public-speaking anxiety can occur at different times during the
speechmaking process.
A)
True
B)
False
7.
Pinpointing the stage at which you become anxious when speaking publicly can help
you manage the anxiety.
A)
True
B)
False
8.
Pre-preparation anxiety usually occurs when a speaker rehearses the speech.
A)
True
B)
False
Page 4
9.
Performance anxiety in speechmaking is usually most pronounced as the speech builds
to its climax.
A)
True
B)
False
10.
A speaker’s anxiety is heightened when he or she perceives the audience as negative or
neutral to the speech.
A)
True
B)
False
11.
Gaining confidence in public speaking comes through preparation and practice.
A)
True
B)
False
12.
Having a positive attitude toward speechmaking results in a raised heart rate during the
delivery of a speech.
A)
True
B)
False
13.
One way to encourage positive self-talk is to identify negative self-talk.
A)
True
B)
False
14.
Imagining your speech as a conversation can help you relax about public speaking.
A)
True
B)
False
15.
Visualization is not an effective technique to reduce speaker nervousness.
A)
True
B)
False
16.
When you feel stressed, the center of your breathing tends to move from the abdomen to
the upper chest, leaving you with a reduced supply of air.
A)
True
B)
False
Page 5
17.
Stress-control breathing gives more movement in the throat than in the chest.
A)
True
B)
False
18.
Stage one of stress-control breathing involves using a calming word in a mantra.
A)
True
B)
False
19.
A speaker should always try to stand perfectly still and not walk around.
A)
True
B)
False
20.
To help manage anxiety, it is helpful to practice natural gestures.
A)
True
B)
False
21.
Giving a speech can be a satisfying and empowering experience.
A)
True
B)
False
22.
A speaker can improve in the next speech by learning from the objective evaluations of
others.
A)
True
B)
False
23.
A speaker’s general fear or anxiety associated with either actual or anticipated
communication to an audience is known as
A)
communication nervousness.
B)
communication uneasiness.
C)
public-speaking anxiety.
D)
stage fright.
24.
One reason many people are uncomfortable about public speaking is feeling
A)
attractive.
B)
superior to the audience.
C)
different.
D)
depersonalized.
Page 6
25.
Feeling different when delivering a speech
A)
does not bother most public speakers.
B)
is least common among politicians.
C)
makes a speaker think no one is interested.
D)
can help reduce anxiety.
26.
Stephen began to panic as soon as his instructor gave the speech assignment to the class.
Stephen experienced
A)
pre-preparation anxiety.
B)
preparation anxiety.
C)
pre-performance anxiety.
D)
performance anxiety.
27.
Maureen began to feel nervous once she began organizing and writing her speech.
Which type of anxiety did Maureen experience?
A)
pre-preparation anxiety
B)
preparation anxiety
C)
pre-performance anxiety
D)
performance anxiety
28.
Stress, procrastination, and avoidance contribute to
A)
pre-preparation anxiety.
B)
preparation anxiety.
C)
pre-performance anxiety.
D)
performance anxiety.
29.
What is NOT a successful strategy for gaining confidence in public speaking?
A)
modifying thoughts and attitudes.
B)
evaluating your own speech performance.
C)
visualizing success.
D)
practicing the speech.
Page 7
Answer Key
Page 8
1.
Explain why public speaking is such a source of anxiety for most people.
2.
Describe some ways a speaker feels different when presenting a speech.
3.
Explain how being the center of attention can contribute to an uncomfortable speech
situation.
4.
Identify the type of public-speaking anxiety that affects you most, and describe how you
cope with it.
5.
List two times when anxiety can occur in the speechmaking process.
6.
How can speakers increase their confidence by changing their thinking about public
speaking from a performance orientation to a conversation orientation?
7.
Write a brief account of how you can use visualization to build public-speaking
confidence.
Page 9
Answer Key