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Chapter 13: Wording the Speech
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. All of the following are wrong choices of words that contribute to audience’s boredom
or confusion during your speech, EXCEPT
a. words that lack vividness.
b. words that are difficult to understand.
c. words that are easy to understand.
d. words that don’t capture the imagination.
2. ______ is a unified system of symbols that permits us to share meaning.
a. Language
b. Meaning
c. Symbol
d. Definition
3. The ______ stands for, or represents, something else.
a. example
b. word
c. symbol
d. definition
4. Communication theorists C. K. Ogden and I. A. Richards model of the tenuous
relationships among words, thoughts, and things is known as the ______.
a. triangle of meaning
b. circle of meaning
c. triangle of power
d. circle of power
5. For language to work, there must be a ______ understanding about what the words
we are using mean to others.
a. universal
b. common
c. separate
d. private
6. Used well, words can cause an audience to feel intensely, overcoming their______.
a. antipathy
b. apathy
c. anxiety
d. differences
7. Meanings exist in ______.
a. words
b. facts
c. objects
d. minds of people
8. Meaning exists not in words, but in the ______.
a. evidence
b. arguments
c. minds of people
d. facts
9. One of your prime speechmaking objectives is to translate your ______ into language
your listeners will understand and respond to.
a. words
b. facts
c. ideas
d. cues
10. The ______ meaning is the word’s dictionary definition.
a. connotative
b. literal
c. denotative
d. subjective
11. The ______ meaning is variable and subjective.
a. connotative
b. literal
c. denotative
d. subjective
12. What audience members do carry with them in their heads is the ______ meaning
of words.
a. connotative
b. literal
c. denotative
d. subjective
13. Describing “home” as a place of warmth and safety would be the ______ meaning.
a. connotative
b. literal
c. denotative
d. subjective
14. People in Western cultures tend to rely on which of the following form of reasoning?
a. inductive
b. deductive
c. both inductive and deductive
d. neither inductive nor deductive
15. ______ reasoning is reasoning that relies on observation and specific instances or
examples to build a case or argument.
a. Inductive
b. Deductive
c. Research based
d. Theory based
16. All of the following are ways to use plain and unbiased language EXCEPT
a. eliminating idioms and jargon.
b. “dumbing down” your content.
c. speaking in short units that facilitate the processing of your words.
d. avoiding using overly technical language.
17. A physician who is giving a speech to a group of non-physicians and continuously
uses advanced medical terminology would be making a mistake by using ______.
a. jargon
b. slang
c. metaphors
d. alliteration
18. While they may make it easier for speakers to handle unpleasant subjects, ______
often also make it harder for audiences to develop a clear and accurate perception of
what the speaker is saying.
a. examples
b. euphemisms
c. evidence
d. analogies
19. For some, though certainly not all individuals, being ______ means using words that
convey respect for and sensitivity to the needs and interests of different groups.
a. culturally sensitive
b. politically sensitive
c. culturally correct
d. politically correct
20. All of the following are true of sexist language EXCEPT that
a. it suggests one gender is the most capable.
b. it can include using masculine words for all.
c. it suggests that the sexes are equal but different.
d. it gives more status to one gender.
21. Terms such as “female doctor” or “male nurse” are examples of
a. labeling.
b. spotlighting.
c. sexism.
d. stereotyping.
22. In terms of ageist language, which of the following is NOT true of the United States?
a. U.S. culture tends to disparage the elderly.
b. U.S. culture tends to advantage the youthful.
c. U.S. culture tends to exalt the elderly.
d. U.S. culture tends exalt the youthful.
23. Saying Usain Bolt “runs like the wind” is an example of using ______ language.
a. figurative
b. literal
c. metaphorical
d. hypothetical
24. ______ is a direct comparison of dissimilar things, usually with the words “like” or
“as.”
a. A simile
b. A metaphor
c. Antithesis
d. Alliteration
25. Parallelism includes the repetition of all of the following EXCEPT
a. words.
b. evidence.
c. phrases.
d. sentences.
26. “For too long, American leadership has waffled and wiggled and wavered” is an
example of
a. a simile.
b. a metaphor.
c. an antithesis.
d. an alliteration.
Short Answer
27. If you select words that have audience ______, words that succeed in moving
others emotionally and intellectually, you are likely to establish a strong connection with
your audience.
28. Words have both denotative and ______ meanings.
29. Whereas North Americans tend to exhibit a frank, direct speechmaking style that is
sometimes confrontational, Asians place a high value on ______.
30. ______ is reasoning that takes a known idea or general principle and applies it to a
situation.
31. ______ language is the deliberate, purposeful, and hurtful use of words intended to
oppress someone who has a different skin color than the speaker.
32. ______ is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in nearby words.
33.______, a word or words imitating natural sounds, also enhances vividness.
34. A symbol stands for, or represents, something else.
35. Different words that describe the same event can evoke very different responses.
36. The words you use can help shape the desired response from your audience.
37. Words have always had the same definitions.
38. Using simple words will make you seem simple.
39. Antithesis involves presenting opposites within the same or adjoining sentences.
40. Describing water with “plip, plop, plop” is an example of onomatopoeia.
41. You should plan to use the personal pronouns I, us, me, we, and you in your
speech.
Essay
42. Discuss and exemplify the Triangle of Meaning
Ans: Area to explain: The Triangle of Meaning, devised by communication theorists C.
43. Discuss and exemplify how the words we choose can influence how our audience
connects with us.
Ans: Area to explain: Different words that describe the same event can evoke very
44. Discuss and exemplify how you can overcome communication obstacles between
you and your audience in your speech.
Ans: Area to explain: By discussing issues of relevance to all members involved,
45. Why is it important to consider culture when choosing our words and style?
Ans: Area to explain: It is counterproductive to be ethnocentric and consider the
46. How can you increase the vividness of your speech?
Ans: Area to explain: To speak vividly, you have to think vividly. Give yourself the
