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Chapter 5: Making Presentations
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. When a presentation includes more than one main point, the speaker should use
______.
A. reviews
B. previews
C. numbering of points
D. all of these
2. Which of the following is a poor strategy for getting the attention of business
audiences?
A. a startling statement
B. a hypothetical example
C. a rhetorical question
D. a loud noise
3. Which of the following is optional for the introduction of a speech?
A. establishment of the speaker’s credentials
B. a purpose statement
C. motivation for the audience to listen
D. a preview of main points
4. Which of the following organizational patterns is best when discussing a relatively
complicated problem, especially if the audience is largely unfamiliar with the facts or is
likely to be hostile to the message?
A. problem-solving pattern
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B. the state-the-case-and-prove-it
C. the psychological progressive
D. the sociological pattern
5. Which of the following is an inductive organizational approach?
A. state-the-case-and-prove-it
B. problem-solving pattern
C. psychological-progressive pattern
D. sociological regressive
6. Which of the following is not a step in the psychological-progressive pattern?
A. arouse
B. dissatisfy
C. gratify
D. empathize
7. Which of the following is not described in the chapter as a message variable that
contributes to a persuasive effort?
A. arrangement of the information
B. using humor
C. giving a range of evidence
D. stating explicitly what is desired
8. When choosing material for a presentation, which of the following audience
characteristics is not relevant?
A. demographics
B. knowledge levels
C. size
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D. attitudes
9. Which of the following is the best organizational pattern for an informative
presentation about changes to the employees’ benefits package?
A. spatial
B. written
C. importance
D. chronological
10. Which statement concerning informative presentations is false?
A. Lay opinions are appropriately used when citing nonexperts.
B. Audiences judge evidence on its timeliness and source.
C. Heavy use of data is key to the psychological-progressive pattern.
D. Factual evidence can be both logical and emotional.
11. Which of the following is a criterion for an effective visual aid?
A. relevance
B. simplicity
C. visibility
D. all of these
12. Which of the following is true about whiteboards as visual aids?
A. They don’t allow the audience to actively engage with the speaker.
B. Spontaneous diagrams and flowcharts confuse a speaker’s explanations.
C. They are useless when brainstorming.
D. They can be useful when there is no time to prepare any other visual aids.
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13. The best solution to stage fright is ______.
A. preparation
B. deep breathing
C. gripping the podium
D. memorizing the start
14. Which type of posture may emphasize or show involvement?
A. backward leaning
B. standing on tip toes
C. folding arms
D. forward leaning
15. When emphasizing an important or primary point, the speaker should ______.
A. slow down
B. speed up
C. pace back and forth
D. nod repeatedly
16. Which is not a standard purpose for a business presentation?
A. inform
B. inspire
C. convince
D. cause action
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17. “I encourage you to place an order for a new 2200 Convet today” is a(n) ______.
A. rationale
B. general purpose statement
C. specific purpose statement
D. overview
18. Rules for using speaker notes include all of the following except ______.
A. do not bend, roll, or twist hardcopy notes
B. do not gaze at the notes to avoid eye contact with the audience
C. do not write out your notes in full sentences
D. do not look at your notes at all
19. A good way for a business speaker to focus on audience benefits is to use the word
______.
A. profit
B. you
C. boss
D. me
20. When a speaker believes that presenting statistics will persuade the audience,
he/she is confusing ______.
A. features and benefits
B. numbers and facts
C. assumptions and observations
D. past and future
21. When persuading an apathetic audience, when should the speaker deliver his/her
strongest reason?
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A. in the middle
B. first
C. last
D. any order
22. According to Grinols, ethical persuasion requires analyzing the audience’s ______.
A. relationships and knowledge
B. attitudes and beliefs
C. age and education level
D. driving forces and restraining forces
23. Which of the following is the best sequence of topics for an informative presentation
about a change in procedures?
A. comparison and contrast
B. spatial
C. chronological
D. economic
24. “Tell–show–do” is the best sequence for a speaker when ______.
A. summarizing
B. giving instructions
C. telling a story
D. persuading
25. A Janus statement is a type of ______.
A. Roman numeral
B. month
C. opening
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D. transition
26. Which is the best way for a speaker to begin the Q & A session?
A. “I hope you don’t have any questions.”
B. “Now I will answer your questions.”
C. “Are there any questions?”
D. “Do we have time for a question?”
True/False
1. The first step in planning an effective presentation is preparing the introduction.
2. The best way to ensure clarity in a presentation is to write a detailed outline.
3. Many presentations are delivered poorly, but they succeed because the speakers
anticipate their audience’s reaction.
4. Although the speaker may know the audience well, a thorough analysis is still
necessary.
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5. A presentation should begin with a statement that captures the audience’s attention.
6. The problem-solving pattern is a deductive organizational approach, whereas the
state-the-case-and-prove-it approach is inductive.
7. When speaking persuasively, the order in which you should present your reasons
(primacy/recency) should be determined by the audience’s attitude toward you as a
speaker.
8. Research indicates that the indirect approach is generally best for hostile audiences.
9. An intelligent audience could be both easier and more difficult to persuade.
10. An audience needs to be moved both rationally and emotionally by persuasive
appeals.
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11. Among the persuasion variables described in the chapter that are associated with
the speaker, the most significant variable is the speaker’s credibility.
12. A manager uses expert opinion when citing an authority to provide evidence.
13. The closing of a presentation should contain a summary and new information that
was omitted during the presentation.
14. During the Q & A session after a presentation, you should admit it if you don’t know
the answer to an audience question.
15. PowerPoint slides should have very little blank space.
16. Approximately 30% of all speakers experience anxiety to some degree before
speaking.
17. The main difference between an informal presentation and an impromptu one is the
size of the audience.
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18. The key to impromptu speaking is to organize your thoughts so you begin with a
main point, support it, and conclude by restating it.
19. Audiences are more likely to remember a speaker’s delivery style than content.
20. Most managers do not need impromptu speaking skills since they usually have lots
of preparation time.
Short Answer
1. This chapter lists five rules for speaking to the media. What are they?
2. Audience analysis is a key activity during presentation preparation. What are some
elements?
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3. Explain the three major phases of team presentations. Give an example of a situation
when you participated in a team presentation and analyze the extent to which your team
did or did not follow the chapter’s guidelines. What were the consequences?
4. You are in a routine department meeting when suddenly the leader calls on you to
“say a few words” about the progress of your task force on the employee retention
problem your company is facing. You have no time to prepare. What strategies
described in the chapter should you apply for this impromptu speaking situation?