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1. Which method of delivery is the best choice for most classroom speeches?
A) Extemporaneous
B) Impromptu
C) Memorization
D) Reading from a manuscript
2. A document containing the entire text of a speech is called a(n) __________.
A) inflection
B) gesture
C) forum
D) script
3. When delivering a speech while reading from a manuscript, speakers tend to
__________.
A) have difficulty keeping the main points organized
B) maintain better eye contact with the audience
C) move freely around the room
D) speak in a monotone
4. Which is an advantage of delivering a memorized speech?
A) It gives you a prop to use while delivering the speech.
B) It facilitates eye contact with your listeners.
C) It eliminates the need to use nonverbal communication.
D) It allows you to refer to notes if you get lost.
5. A disadvantage of delivering a memorized speech is that it __________.
A) requires you to refer to your notes while speaking
B) discourages you from moving around while speaking
C) can make the presentation seem prepackaged
D) makes it difficult for you to use gestures as you speak
6. Speaking from an outline is advantageous in that __________.
A) your delivery becomes more conversational
B) it is less important to make eye contact with the audience
C) you have your entire speech written out word-for-word
D) memorization drives the presentation
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7. Which type of delivery involves making up your speech as you go, without any
significant preparation?
A) Reading from a manuscript
B) Impromptu delivery
C) Memorizing from a manuscript
D) Extemporaneous
8. Which question should you ask yourself when pulling together a mental outline for an
impromptu speech?
A) How large is the audience?
B) What information should I write in my notes?
C) What is the question or topic?
D) Where should I stand while speaking?
9. Speakers who vary the highs and lows of their voices affect which of the following?
A) Articulation
B) Projection
C) Proxemics
D) Tone
10. A speaker who runs words together at the ends of sentences needs to focus on which
element of speech delivery?
A) Nonverbal delivery
B) Projection
C) Proxemics
D) Rate of delivery
11. Speakers who can be heard in all areas of a room, including the back, are said to have
mastered __________.
A) fillers
B) gestures
C) projection
D) proxemics
12. In speech delivery, articulation involves which of the following activities?
A) Approaching and retreating from listeners
B) Saying words correctly
C) Making consonants and vowels sound clear and distinct
D) Raising and lowering your pitch
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13. A speaker who says the name José as “joe–SAY” instead of “ho–SAY” has failed to
master which aspect of delivery?
A) Gesturing
B) Nonverbal delivery
C) Pronunciation
D) Proxemics
14. To get the most out of pausing, you should __________.
A) use it judiciously
B) fill the silence with verbal filler
C) remain silent for at least twenty seconds before speaking again
D) fill the silence with verbal tics
15. A speaker whose presentation contains multiple instances of “Well, you know”; “And,
like”; and “But . . . and” has fallen victim to __________.
A) nonverbal tics
B) panning
C) projection
D) verbal fillers
16. In the statement “I, um, ah . . . am here today to . . . uh . . . first discuss the mating rituals
of the monarch butterfly and to . . . um . . . like . . . show how you can identify one,” the word
__________ is an example of a vocal tic.
A) ah
B) butterfly
C) first
D) how
17. Which statement about eye contact while delivering a speech is true?
A) Extended eye contact is impossible with large audiences.
B) Eye contact increases the likelihood of mental drifting.
C) Eye contact masks the feelings of audience members.
D) Eye contact helps you interact with your audience.
18. In Western cultures, a speaker who makes eye contact with the audience is commonly
considered __________.
A) nervous
B) credible
C) ill-prepared
D) deceptive
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19. One way to get the most from gestures while delivering a speech is to __________.
A) remember that all audience members will interpret them the same way
B) use nervous gestures, such as rubbing your fingers
C) use them to emphasize points in your speech
D) make sure that you are constantly gesturing throughout your speech
20. A speaker who steps to one side while making an important point and then returns to the
starting spot to continue is using which of the following delivery skills?
A) Articulation
B) Gestures
C) Panning
D) Physical movement
21. Speakers who control how closely they stand to their audience while delivering their
speech remain cognizant of __________.
A) proxemics
B) gestures
C) panning
D) projection
22. The rule for personal appearance when delivering a speech is to __________.
A) wear the most comfortable clothing you have
B) dress in your most formal attire
C) remember that your attire is more important than your grooming
D) do what is appropriate for the audience you are addressing
23. A __________ is anything beyond your spoken words that you employ to help your
audience members understand and remember your message.
A) forum
B) presentation aid
C) script
D) vocal tic
24. When selecting presentation aids for your speech, it is important to make sure that they
__________.
A) support your points
B) include both audio and visual components
C) are as small as possible
D) feature dark writing against a dark background
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25. Which statement about using presentation aids during a speech is FALSE?
A) It is important that your listeners be able to see and hear your presentation aids.
B) Your presentation aids should be the main vehicle for delivering your speech.
C) You should not show or display your presentation aids until you are ready for
listeners to see or hear them.
D) You can control audience interaction with your presentation aids.
26. Speakers who read from word-for-word scripts commonly ad-lib and deviate from the
script. A) True
B) False
27. A script can be disadvantageous to a speaker because it tends to limit eye contact with
the audience and inspire monotone delivery.
A) True
B) False
28. In contemporary thought, memorization is considered the best form of speech
preparation and delivery.
A) True
B) False
29. Delivery using a speaking outline offers the best aspects of reading from a script and
memorizing a speech while avoiding the disadvantages of both delivery modes.
A) True
B) False
30. Impromptu speaking involves first preparing a written outline and then drafting a
speaking outline.
A) True
B) False
31. In terms of volume, most speakers’ biggest challenge is hearing audience members ask
questions from the back of the room.
A) True
B) False
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32. If you deliver a speech in a monotone, your listeners may perceive your presentation as
bland, boring, or annoying.
A) True
B) False
33. Like italics on a printed page, inflection draws attention to choice words and
expressions.
A) True
B) False
34. To fit an overly long speech into its allocated time, speakers should increase their rate of
delivery.
A) True
B) False
35. Projection hinges on the mechanics of breathing.
A) True
B) False
36. The phonetic spelling of a word can help a speaker determine the proper pronunciation.
A) True
B) False
37. Pausing during your speech enables you to collect your thoughts.
A) True
B) False
38. During presentations, speakers should insert verbal fillers into pauses.
A) True
B) False
39. Eye contact means that speakers and audience members look directly into each other’s
eyes. A) True
B) False
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40. Eye contact is a good gauge of audience interest in a speech.
A) True
B) False
41. Panning is a technique recommended for maintaining eye contact with small audiences.
A) True
B) False
42. Gestures—such as a clenched fist or a raised forefinger—have universal meanings
among receivers.
A) True
B) False
43. Gestures can communicate messages that are inconsistent with the verbal message.
A) True
B) False
44. Speakers should stuff their hands in their pockets at times to show audiences that they
are not nervous.
A) True
B) False
45. Physical movement can signal transitions between parts of a speech.
A) True
B) False
46. Because a lectern can provide support, a speaker should remain behind it for the duration
of his or her speech.
A) True
B) False
47. Speakers who move toward their audience communicate intimacy.
A) True
B) False
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48. Culture can influence a person’s response to speaker proximity.
A) True
B) False
49. Initial impressions based on personal appearance rarely have a lasting effect.
A) True
B) False
50. In public speaking, presenters who have learned to use their voices to enhance their
messages have mastered ______________ delivery skills.
51. Speaking at an appropriate ______________—a voice’s loudness or softness—can be a
challenge when rooms are large or microphones are lacking.
52. The ______________ of your speaking voice derives from pitch—the highs and lows of
your voice.
53. Speakers using ______________ can “boom” their voices across a speaking forum to
reach all members of the audience.
54. ______________ refers to the crispness or clarity of spoken words.
55. Speakers can use a dictionary to determine the proper _____________ of a word,
ensuring that they will say it correctly during their speech.
56. In speech delivery, the process of ______________ involves leaving gaps between
words or sentences.
57. Phrases such as and so, you know, and like in presentations are considered verbal
______________.
58. Verbal ______________—words like um, ah, and uh—are used when speakers are
searching for a correct word or when they have lost their train of thought.
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59. Speakers who use eye contact, gestures, and physical movement to appropriately support
their spoken words are said to have ______________ delivery skills.
60. Speakers facing large audiences should use the ______________ technique because it
allows speakers to gradually survey all audience members, stopping along the way to establish
extended eye contact with listeners in different sections of the audience, thereby giving the
entire audience the impression of individual attention.
61. ______________—such as hand movements to emphasize a point or a raised forefinger
to capture attention—can add flair to speech delivery.
62. How much or how little a speaker moves around while delivering a speech is described
as ______________ movement.
63. During presentations, the principle of ______________ determines how much space and
distance speakers place between themselves and their audience.
64. Clothing, jewelry, hairstyle, and grooming are all factors influencing a speaker’s
______________ appearance.
65. Discuss the four modes of speech delivery, and provide an example of when each mode
is best used.
66. Define the term volume, and identify some volume-related challenges in speech delivery.
Provide recommendations for improving your volume.
67. Explain eye contact, and discuss its benefits and misconceptions.
68. Discuss the impact of a speaker’s personal appearance on delivery effectiveness, and
provide recommendations for how you should look when delivering a speech.
69. Discuss three advantages of using presentation aids when delivering your speech and
provide an example of each advantage.
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Answer Key
1. A
2. D
3. D
4. B
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