KEY
Chapter 13: Delivering Presentations
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. __________ refers to the nervousness we experience when we know we have to communicate publicly to an
audience.
2. What do we call the general fear or anxiety associated with either real or anticipated communication with
another person or persons?
3. While preparing for his speech, David took time each afternoon to imagine himself walking confidently to the
front of the room, smiling at his audience, and then speaking calmly and confidently. Which technique is David
using to build his confidence and reduce his anxiety?
4. Memorized delivery is also known as __________, which is an ancient public speaking tradition that is fairly
uncommon today due to time constraints and the risks involved.
5. When Jonah is suddenly and unexpectedly called out by his ecology professor to explain how the warming of
ocean currents due to global warming could trigger another ice age, he is required to use __________ delivery.
6. A speaker who plans the content, organization, and delivery of the speech in advance, but does not write the
speech out word-for-word, uses what speech delivery method?
7. The term that refers to how high or low a person’s voice is on the sound range is
8. __________ refers to the clarity or forcefulness with which sounds are produced, regardless of whether the
sounds are produced correctly.
9. During his speech about a new breakthrough in the treatment of cancer, Joe has a hard time figuring out how to
say the scientific words correctly. Joe is having trouble with which of the following?
10. Omitting certain sounds in a word is a characteristic of
11. An effective way to make eye contact with the audience during a speech is to move your eyes from one person
to another, or from one section of people to another as you move from one idea to another. This technique is
called
12. The aspect of speech delivery that relates to the position of the speaker’s arms and how the speaker carries his
or her body is referred to as
13. When Joe gets up to deliver his speech, he stands with his feet at about shoulder-width apart and his knees
slightly bent so that they cannot lock. He is able to move and gesture freely, and present himself confidently.
The technique Joe is using is called
14. Which of the following has not been emphasized as a function of effective presentation aid use?
15. Which of the following scenarios does not reference the use of a presentation aid?
True/False Questions
1. Fear of speaking up, or speaking out, can cripple career prospects and is one of the principal reasons why
2. Audiences notice the signs of nervousness more than most speakers believe they do, and are usually very
3. Seeking out opportunities to practice public speaking can improve confidence and reduce communication
5. Reading from a script or a teleprompter restricts body movement and limits the speaker’s ability to
7. Mindful speakers can usually anticipate that an impromptu speech opportunity is coming and prepare for it.
10. Pronunciation and articulation are essentially two words that mean the same thing: correctly producing the
14. Poor posture and uncontrolled body movements can create the impression that a speaker is unpolished or
15. Expressing genuine and appropriate emotion during a presentation can help a speaker connect with his or her
16. Effective speeches involve a delivery style that reflects a conversation with, rather than a speaker talking to, his
17. Another person could be used as a visual aid if a speaker wanted to use a live prop for demonstration purposes.
18. An effective way of using PowerPoint as a visual aid is to transfer all the details from the speaking outline to
PowerPoint, because the speaker can read his or her notes from the screen instead of from hand-held notes.
19. The authors of your text recommend practicing your speech using the working outline, but to transition to the
20. Speaking in front of a mirror is a foolproof way to view yourself from the audience’s perspective while you
Short-Answer Questions
1. Define communication apprehension.
H = Understanding and Addressing Anxiety (p. 288); C = knowledge; D = 1
2. What is the difference between public speaking anxiety and communication apprehension?
H = Understanding and Addressing Anxiety (p. 288); C = comprehension; D = 2
3. What are the three common anxiety triggers your textbook discusses?
H = Identifying Anxiety Triggers (p. 289); C = knowledge; D = 2
4. List two strategies a speaker can use to help build his or her confidence.
H = Building Your Confidence (pp. 289‒290); C = knowledge; D = 1
5. A television news anchor would probably use what method of speech delivery?
H = Speaking from Manuscript (p. 291); C = comprehension; D = 2
6. Give an example of a time when you might be required to give an impromptu speech.
H = Speaking Spontaneously (p. 292); C = comprehension; D = 2
7. Define extemporaneous delivery.
H = Speaking Extemporaneously (p. 292); C = knowledge; D = 2
8. Why is it important for a speaker to vary the pitch of his or her voice?
H = Varying Your Pitch (p. 294); C = comprehension; D = 2
9. A speaker who omits certain sounds in a word, runs words together, and speaks so softly that a listener can
hardly hear what he or she is saying is guilty of what articulation problem?
H = Speaking Clearly and Precisely (p. 295); C = knowledge; D = 2
10. Imagine that you are a physician who will be making a speech presenting your findings regarding your medical
research. How would you dress for the speech, and why?
H = Dressing for the Occasion (p. 295); C = comprehensive; D = 2
11. List three types of presentation aids you, as a speaker, have access to in your classroom.
H = Types of Presentation Aids (pp. 300‒302); C = comprehension and application;
D = 2
12. Briefly describe one of the pitfalls of using slideshows like PowerPoint.
H = Presentation Software (p. 302); C = comprehension; D = 2
Essay Questions
1. Lindsay is a fairly typical student in an introductory speech class. Her anxiety about giving speeches is by no
means crippling, but she doesn’t feel especially confident about her abilities. Based on what you’ve learned in
this chapter, what advice would you have to help Lindsay to build her self-confidence?
C = comprehension; D = 1
2. List and define the four methods of speech delivery. Describe any advantages or disadvantages each method
holds for speakers. For each method, identify a context where that method of delivery would be appropriate.
C = comprehension; D = 2
3. Impromptu speaking is difficult to do effectively. How can a speaker prepare himself or herself to speak
effectively in this context?
C = comprehension; D = 1
4. “It’s not just what you say, but also how you say it.” With this expression in mind, explain how nonverbal
elements of vocal delivery help to make a message clear.
C = comprehension; D = 2
5. Imagine that you’ve finished this course, have done well, and have been hired to tutor students who are taking a
course similar to this one. What would you say to help them understand the importance of effective speech
delivery, as well as to help them learn how to deliver their presentations more effectively?
C = comprehension and synthesis; D = 2
6. List and describe the various types of presentation aids a speaker could use to clarify his or her message. Based
on what you have learned in this chapter, what would you recommend as some guidelines for creating good
presentation aids and for using them well during a presentation?
C = comprehension; D = 3
7. We’ve all heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect,” but you’ve learned in this chapter that there are effective
and also not-so-effective ways to practice. Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter (and,
quite possibly, others), explain what you understand to be effective methods of practicing for a speech.
C = comprehension and synthesis; D = 2
8. Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter, what advice would you give Alex, who is
preparing to give a speech in class, and who is planning to use PowerPoint as a presentation aid? Specifically,
what would you remind Alex about vocal and physical delivery, about presentation aid usage, and about
practicing the speech?
