Chapter 25: Speaking in College Courses
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. In every class in which an oral presentation is assigned, students need to define all of
the following EXCEPT
a. the purpose of the assignment.
b. the professor’s expectations.
c. their fellow students’ needs.
d. community member’s views of college students.
2. ______ presentations are a staple in many courses across the college curriculum.
a. Oral
b. Written
c. Curricular
d. Extracurricular
3. Class presentations tend to have which characteristic as compared to public
speeches?
a. To be less formal
b. To be more formal
c. To be equally formal
d. To be completely informal
4. Class presentations tend to have which characteristic as compared to daily
conversations?
a. To be less formal
b. To be more formal
c. To be equally formal
d. To be completely informal
5. Class audiences tend to have which characteristic as compared to public audiences?
a. To be more homogeneous
b. To be more heterogeneous
c. To be larger
d. To be more diverse
6. Although you will speak less formally before an audience of your peers than to a
general audience, demonstrating your ______ for everyone present remains essential.
a. respect
b. empathy
c. disregard
d. compassion
7. Which of the following should you NOT do when reviewing a scholarly article?
a. Introduce the article.
b. Describe the research methods used.
c. Summarize the article’s weaknesses.
d. Discuss the author’s additional texts.
8. When reviewing a scholarly article, you should evaluate all of the following EXCEPT
a. its strengths.
b. its weaknesses.
c. its significance.
d. its aesthetics.
9. A ______ is a graphical approach to presenting information and/or research.
a. location presentation
b. location argument
c. poster presentation
d. poster argument
10. A textual block on a poster should typically not exceed ______ words.
a. 10
b. 25
c. 50
d. 100
11. Which of the following is NOT true regarding your poster presentation?
a. The title should be brief and descriptive.
b. The title should have a short abstract.
c. Jargon should be used.
d. Summarize your message clearly.
12. Which of the following is a good idea for preparing your poster?
a. Let your message come to you as you create the poster.
b. Give the poster a short, vague title.
c. Keep the message simple.
d. Impulsively edit text.
13. ______ are important to explore the multiple sides of an issue.
a. Arguments
b. Classes
c. Debates
d. Speeches
14. When giving a(n)______, you simply deliver a persuasive argument on a
controversial issue.
a. debate
b. position presentation
c. poster presentation
d. argument presentation
15. Debates have which of the following sides?
a. Pro and con
b. Con and logical
c. Logical and emotional
d. Pro and emotional
16. The “pro” side of a debate is called the ______ side.
a. positive
b. affirmative
c. negative
d. confirming
17. The role of the ______ side is to support a resolution calling for change.
a. positive
b. affirmative
c. negative
d. confirming
18. The affirmative side’s task is
a. to support a resolution.
b. to convince the judges and/or members of the audience that change is not needed.
c. to reject a resolution calling for change.
d. to maintain the status quo.
19. The “con” side of a debate is also called the ______ side.
a. pessimistic
b. affirmative
c. negative
d. anti
20. The ______ side seeks to convince the judges and/or members of the audience that
change is not needed, working to defeat the resolution and maintain the status quo.
a. pessimistic
b. affirmative
c. negative
d. anti
21. Whether you are debating solo or part of a team, your job is
a. to develop and present arguments to support your stance.
b. to tear down the opposing side.
c. to “win” the debate.
d. to trick people into believing your side.
22. Which of the following is NOT a way to enact refutation?
a. Pointing out errors in reasoning
b. Demonstrating the use of weak evidence
c. Accusing the opposing side of misleading the audience
d. Offering new evidence in support of your claims
23. Which of the following is NOT advice for prevailing in a debate?
a. Communicate your passion for your position.
b. Identify and present credible and convincing evidence in support of your side’s
position.
c. Admit the opposing side’s strong points.
d. Stress your side’s strong points.
24. Service learning refers to
a. a project that addresses a community need.
b. learning while serving in a restaurant.
c. learning while in military service.
d. any project pursued in college.
25. When presenting about a service learning project, you should do all of the following
EXCEPT
a. provide the audience with background information.
b. share your expectations going into the experience.
c. review the kinds of tasks you performed.
d. discuss confidential information about the organization you did service with.
Short Answer
26. The skills needed to speak in ______ share much in common with the skills needed
to speak before any audience.
27. Class audiences tend to be more ______ than a public audience since receivers
usually possess knowledge similar to the presenter.
28. In a ______, two sides take turns presenting pro and con positions, with each side
competing to win adherents in the audience and/or support from those judging the
debate.
29. In a debate, ______ involves pointing out the flaws of the other side’s arguments
and rebuilding the arguments you presented yourself.
30. A debate is like a fencing match in that you both need to attack and ______.
31. A speech on your experience volunteering with a non-profit group would be an
example of reporting on ______.
32. In a service learning presentation, you should review the kinds of tasks you
performed, telling ______ about the nature of particular days as appropriate.
True/False
33. Public speaking is likely the only class where you will be required to give speeches.
34. Class presentations tend to be less formal than public speeches but more formal
than daily conversations.
35. A poster’s layout should be visually creative.
36. Debates only happen in social science and science courses.
37. In a debate, two sides take turns presenting pro and con positions, with each side
competing to win over the audience.
38. If you do not personally believe in the pro/con stance you’ve been asked to take,
you aren’t expected to deliver an argument that is passionate.
39. Whether you are debating solo or part of a team, your role is to develop and present
arguments to support your stance.
40. While important for an internship, reflection and analysis need not play integral parts
in your report on service learning.
Essay
41. Discuss and exemplify how you might have to speak publicly in your college
courses.
Ans: Area to explain: Oral presentations are a staple in many courses across the
42. Discuss and exemplify what the objectives of a poster presentation can be.
43. How is a debate like a fencing match?
Ans: Area to explain: You both need to attack and defend—attack the other side while
44. Discuss and exemplify how you would report on your service learning project.
Ans: Area to explain: Begin by providing the audience with background information on
the organization, agency, or group you served and your specific department or
45. Discuss and exemplify how audiences for your presentations can be different.
Ans: Area to explain: Every audience is different, requiring different information and the