Chapter 11: Introducing Your Speech
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. When do audience members generally begin to form their impressions of both
the speaker and the speech?
a. After the first piece of evidence
b. At the end of the introduction
c. During the first few moments of the presentation
d. In the middle of the speech
2. There is wide agreement that opening strong is
a. not important to speechmaking success.
b. of some importance to speechmaking success.
c. vital to speechmaking success.
d. not a part of the considerations about speechmaking.
3. If you succeed in convincing the audience that what you have to share merits
their attention, all of the following will happen EXCEPT
a. their faces will register appreciation and concentration.
b. their bodies will display interest and concern.
c. they will sit still and listen to you.
d. they will get bored.
4. The introduction usually takes approximately what percentage of the time
during a speech?
a. 5
b. 25
c. 10
d. 40
5. The introduction is often
a. written first.
b. written last.
c. written when you decide your topic.
d. not actually written down.
6. An effective introduction accomplishes all of the following EXCEPT
a. capturing attention and interest.
b. building the speaker’s credibility and goodwill.
c. orienting receivers to the organizational pattern the speech will follow.
d. presenting evidence for specific ideas contained in the speech.
7. Which of the following is NOT an effective attention-getting technique?
a. Startle or shock the audience
b. Use an interesting quote from a relevant source
c. Use off-color humor to upset the audience
d. Use a story to arouse emotion
8. When attempting to startle or shock your audience as an attention-getting
technique, you should ask yourself all of the following EXCEPT
a. will audience members perceive it as relevant to the topic?
b. will it ignite their emotions so they believe what I say?
c. will they follow it without difficulty?
d. will it ignite their interest?
9. Discussing the surprisingly high percentage of cancers caused by secondhand
smoke would most likely be an example of which attention-getting technique?
a. Startling or shocking the audience
b. Using an interesting quote from a relevant source
c. Using humor to gain the audience’s attention
d. Using a story to arouse emotion
10. When audience members believe your topic directly affects them
a. they will pay closer attention.
b. they will not pay attention.
c. they will likely be outraged.
d. they will feel there is a conflict of interest.
11. Questions which require no overt answer or response and which can be
curiosity arousers and suspense builders for an audience are called
a. actual questions.
b. hypothetical questions.
c. rhetorical questions.
d. knowledge-related questions.
12. Which of the following is NOT a way to arouse curiosity or build suspense?
a. Pose a question
b. Lie to your audience, but later tell them the truth
c. Tell a story
d. Provide a surprising fact
13. All of the following may help you communicate information in a more
comprehensible manner than your words alone, EXCEPT
a. the words of a well-known figure.
b. a passage from a work of literature.
c. the words of ordinary people.
d. a phrase that is unfamiliar to the audience.
14. Humor works best when
a. it is not directly related to the content of a speech.
b. it is “stuck on” for effect.
c. it is shocking.
d. it is appropriate.
15. Which of the following is true regarding humor use in speeches?
a. Humor about yourself is generally acceptable.
b. Off-color jokes can motivate your audience.
c. Humor shouldn’t be planned.
d. Humor limits audience attention.
16. Arousing strong emotion can be beneficial when it
a. makes the audience cry.
b. is relevant to the topic and purpose.
c. confuses the audience.
d. makes the audience believe you.
17. Which of the following is NOT a way to increase your credibility?
a. Sharing your experiences
b. Discussing your interests
c. Showing your research findings
d. Sharing what you know outside of your topic
18. You will likely perceive speakers as trustworthy and believable when they
have done all of the following EXCEPT
a. convinced you that they are qualified.
b. convinced you that they are sincere.
c. convinced you that they are qualified people with whom you can identify.
d. convinced you that their ideas are popular.
19. Which of the following is NOT a way to establish feelings of goodwill for your
audience?
a. The sincerity of your voice
b. Telling them what they want to hear
c. Your facial expressions and eye contact
d. Your gestures
20. Audience members need to be provided with an answer to the question:
a. What do I already know about the speaker?
b. What’s in it for me?
c. What do I already know about the topic?
d. Is the speaker’s tone appropriate?
21. Which of the following is true regarding credibility and culture?
a. Every culture values an emotional speaker.
b. All cultures value an expressive speaker.
c. Age is respected regardless of culture.
d. Being of the same cultural background as your audience gives you an
advantage.
22. A preview
a. tells your audience what to think.
b. lets the audience know your speech’s subject and purpose.
c. introduces your sources.
d. identifies the evidence included in the body of your speech.
23. Your introduction should
a. confuse receivers.
b. clarify receivers.
c. entertain receivers.
d. enthuse receivers.
24. Which of the following is NOT a common introductory blooper?
a. Writing the introduction lafter the rest of the speech
b. Relying on gimmicks
c. Being long-winded
d. Pretending to be something you’re not
25. Not caring about your topic, but pretending you do, is an example of which
common introductory blooper?
a. Pretending to be something you are not
b. Relying on gimmicks
c. Being long winded
d. Not establishing credibility
26. Which of the following is true of gimmicks?
a. They can be a fun way to liven up a speech.
b. They can help convince the audience.
c. They should be used in moderation.
d. They do not treat the audience fairly.
27. The introduction should NOT be used to
a. discuss your first main point.
b. capture attention.
c. build credibility.
d. preview the speech’s main ideas.
28. An introduction orients receivers to the organizational ______ your speech
will follow.
29. Startling statements must be both true and ______.
30. ______ questions are questions that do not require overt answers or
responses.
31. Once you’ve aroused the collective curiosity of your audience, if you make
them wait before satisfying their curiosity, you are building ______.
32. ______ is based on the receiver’s judgments of a source’s expertise on a
particular topic.
33. A common introductory blooper is forgetting to ______.
34. You should not create your introduction ______.
True/False
35. Your audience’s motivation to listen can be damaged by a poor introduction.
36. Audience members quickly form impressions of you.
37. A good introduction makes such an impact that it becomes virtually
impossible for the thoughts of audience members to stray.
38. When audience members believe your topic directly affects them, they will
pay closer attention.
39. As your listeners mull over how to respond to your questions during the
speech, their participation is decreased.
40. A quote from a well-known source should be avoided in an introduction.
41. Lack of preparation is easily forgiven by the audience.
42. Adding tricks and gimmicks to your speech will ensure that the audience pays
attention.
Essay
43. Discuss and exemplify what an effective introduction helps you do.
44. Discuss what you need to be careful of when using the startle or shock
approach to getting the audience’s attention
45. Discuss how arousing emotion can be beneficial to a strong introduction.
46. Discuss why it is important that your audience sees you have credible on
your specific topic.
47. Why is it important to keep your introduction relatively brief?