Test Item File for Excellence in Business Communication, Fourth Canadian Edition
Chapter 14
1) The three-step oral presentation process is quite similar to the three-step writing
process.
A) True
B) False
2) It’s not as important to research your audience for an oral presentation as it is for a
written one.
A) True
B) False
3) Organizing an oral message is similar to organizing a written message.
A) True
B) False
4) The main idea for a speech links your subject and purpose to the audience’s frame of
reference.
A) True
B) False
5) Developing the main idea of a presentation by using a “you” attitude helps keep the
audience’s attention.
A) True
B) False
6) As a general guideline, when delivering a speech allow yourself 10 minutes per slide.
A) True
B) False
7) Organize short presentations the same way you would a letter or brief memo.
A) True
B) False
8) All speeches and presentations are organized the same way you would organize letters
or memos.
A) True
B) False
9) Limit the number of main points to three or four—even when the speech or
presentation is lengthy.
A) True
B) False
10) A presentation outline performs a very different function from an outline for a written
report.
A) True
B) False
11) The speaking outline is not an appropriate place to include notes about the visual
aids.
A) True
B) False
12) In general, you use a casual style when speaking to small groups and a formal style
for large groups.
A) True
B) False
13) In a formal speech, it is important to impress your audience with your extensive and
even obscure vocabulary.
A) True
B) False
14) If you are addressing a group of business executives about a serious matter, it’s best
to break the ice by telling a joke or a personal anecdote.
A) True
B) False
15) You must establish credibility quickly; people tend to decide within a few minutes
whether you’re worth listening to.
A) True
B) False
16) Having someone else introduce you lets you avoid appearing boastful.
A) True
B) False
4
17) Giving your audience a preview of what you’ll be talking about will reduce their
interest and attention.
A) True
B) False
18) Transitional words and sentences are less important in oral presentations than in
written reports.
A) True
B) False
19) To keep an audience’s attention, try to present every point in light of the audience’s
needs and values.
A) True
B) False
20) The ending is the least important part of a speech.
A) True
B) False
21) It’s best to plan your close carefully so your audience leaves with your main idea
fresh in their minds.
A) True
B) False
22) When concluding a speech, don’t bore your audience by restating points you already
made in the body of the speech.
5
A) True
B) False
23) If the action you advocate in a speech is likely to be difficult, use the final summary
to ensure that everyone understands the problems involved.
A) True
B) False
24) Even if parts of your speech have been downbeat, you always try to close on a
positive note.
A) True
B) False
25) A question-and-answer session isn’t that important and should be included only if you
have not filled the allotted time.
A) True
B) False
26) Using visual aids dramatically increases the audience’s ability to absorb and
remember information.
A) True
B) False
27) A drawback of using overhead transparencies is that they are limited to static
displays.
A) True
B) False
28) Effective text visuals consist of no more than six lines, with a maximum of six or
seven words on each line.
A) True
B) False
29) Slide transitions in presentation software allow users to move objects around on each
slide.
A) True
B) False
30) The best way to prepare for a speech is to memorize the whole thing.
A) True
B) False
31) Making a speech with the help of an outline or note cards is the most effective and
easiest delivery mode.
A) True
B) False
32) It is considered rude to ask to see the computer and projector equipment you will be
using for your speech prior to the presentation.
A) True
B) False
7
33) A good way to deal with nervousness over speaking is to prepare more material than
you really need.
A) True
B) False
34) It’s often a good idea to repeat the question aloud to confirm your understanding
during the question-and-answer period following your speech.
A) True
B) False
35) Speeches and oral presentations are much like any other messages in that
___________________
A) they require similar planning.
B) the size of the groups to which they are delivered is similar.
C) the interaction between the audience and speaker is similar.
D) they deal with emotional or personal issues to a similar extent.
36) When you prepare a speech or presentation, your first step involves
___________________
A) defining your purpose.
B) analyzing your situation.
C) planning the content, length, and style of your speech or presentation.
D) all of the above.
37) Analyzing your audience helps you ___________________
A) gear the style and content of your speech to audience needs and interests.
B) remember to keep your speech or oral presentation short.
C) define your purpose.
D) prepare a detailed, informative outline.
38) When organizing a speech or presentation, your first step is to
___________________
A) develop an outline.
B) define the main idea.
C) write the introduction.
D) decide on the delivery style.
39) The average speaker talks at a rate of about ___________________
A) 50 words a minute.
B) 10 double-spaced pages an hour.
C) 2000 words an hour.
D) between 125 to 150 words per minute.
40) Longer speeches and presentations are organized like ___________________
A) reports.
B) memos.
C) letters.
D) email messages.
41) When organizing a speech, use the direct approach _________________
A) to entertain the audience.
B) when the audience is resistant.
C) whenever possible.
D) when your speech is lengthy.
9
42) When preparing a detailed planning outline for your speech, keep in mind that
___________________
A) you may want to prepare a simpler speaking outline.
B) you should keep each item to two- to three-word descriptions of what you will say.
C) you can leave out all transitions.
D) this is not the place to include “stage directions.”
43) If you’re speaking to a small group, particularly people you already know
______________
A) use a casual style that encourages audience participation.
B) ask them to hold questions until the end of your presentation.
C) use formal language to build your credibility.
D) make sure you enforce the rules of no talking or cell phones.
44) In both formal and informal presentations ___________________
A) the indirect approach is never used.
B) organization is not important.
C) choose your words carefully.
D) speakers are separated from the audience by a lectern.
45) To arouse interest at the start of a speech, whether it’s serious or light,
___________________
A) always start things off with a joke.
B) do something dramatic.
C) tease the audience by not mentioning specifically what you’ll be talking about.
D) appeal to human nature and encourage the audience to take the subject personally.
46) In the introduction to your speech ___________________
A) discuss the three or four main points on your outline.
10
B) establish credibility.
C) ask for audience input.
D) boast about your qualifications.
47) As a speaker, your credibility depends on ___________________
A) having outstanding credentials.
B) arousing interest in the audience.
C) quickly establishing a good relationship with the audience.
D) the points you make in the main body of your speech.
48) “Now that we’ve reviewed the problem, let’s take a look at some solutions” is an
example of ___________________
A) a poor transition.
B) a good transition between major sections of a speech.
C) a small link between sentences or paragraphs in a speech.
D) the kind of wording that should never appear in a speech.
49) To hold your audience’s attention during the body of your speech,
___________________
A) make at least seven or eight main points.
B) include numerous abstract ideas.
C) relate your subject to your audience’s needs.
D) do all of the above.
50) When you have covered all the main points in your speech, ___________________
A) reinforce your theme by repeating and summarizing the three or four main supporting
points.
B) wrap up as quickly as possible.
C) avoid using such phrases as “to sum it all up” and “in conclusion.”
D) do all of the above.
51) If your speech or presentation requires the audience to reach a decision or take some
specific action, ___________________
A) go directly to the question-and-answer session after you cover the main points of your
speech.
B) close your speech on a note of uncertainty.
C) close your speech by explaining who is responsible for doing what.
D) lead people to believe that the decision will be easy to carry out.
52) You always close your speech ___________________
A) on a positive note.
B) by leaving the audience with a feeling of incompleteness, which you can resolve in the
question-and-answer period.
C) with something dramatic or flamboyant.
D) by introducing some new ideas for the audience to think about.
53) What is the visual of choice for most business situations?
A) Podcasts
B) Electronic presentations
C) Overhead transparencies
D) Chalkboards
54) Using electronic presentation software ___________________
A) is too difficult for most speakers.
B) allows you to incorporate photos, sound, video, and animation into your presentations.
C) allows you to make each slide much more complicated than you would a visual for a
printed report.
D) is all of the above.
12
55) When preparing graphic visuals for oral presentations ___________________
A) eliminate anything that is not absolutely essential to the message.
B) just use larger versions of the graphics you would include in a written report.
C) try to include as many ideas as possible in each visual.
D) stick to line and bar charts.
56) When selecting design elements for your visuals, contrasting colours
_________________
A) decrease readability.
B) increase readability.
C) can be confusing.
D) usually includes blue.
57) Sans serif fonts are usually ___________________
A) more difficult to read than serif fonts.
B) offered in small sizes.
C) easier to read than serif fonts,
D) lower resolution than serif fonts.
58) The easiest and most effective delivery mode for most speakers is
__________________
A) presenting in an online meeting.
B) speaking from carefully prepared notes.
C) impromptu speeches.
D) using someone else’s slides.
59) Which of the following is a good way to deal with speaking anxiety?
A) Prepare less material to avoid confusion.
B) Concentrate on your nervousness.
C) Take a few deep breaths before speaking.
D) Use big words to impress the audience.
60) A question-and-answer period after a speech ___________________
A) is usually unnecessary.
B) is helpful only if the purpose of the speech is to motivate or entertain.
C) is one of the most important parts of any presentation.
D) is included only for small audiences.
61) If you face a hostile question ___________________
A) be prepared to avoid it.
B) treat the questions as a joke and quickly change questioners.
C) maintain professionalism.
D) turn the question into a question.
62) The __________ __________ of a speech is a you-oriented statement that points out
how the audience can benefit from your subject and purpose.
63) __________ presentations are organized like reports.
64) A presentation outline helps you plan your ___________ notes.
65) For a large audience and an important event, your tone will be __________.
66) The __________ ___________ to your speech captures the audience’s attention and
inspires confidence.
67) At the beginning of a speech, you need to establish __________ with your audience.
68) Whatever the topic of your speech, you should always try to end on a __________
note.
69) Using __________ __________ such as flip charts and slides can help you create
audience interest, illustrate points, and increase your audience’s ability to remember
information.
70) A(n) ____________ is a series of computerized slides.
71) ___________ control how one slide replaces another in an electronic slide show.
72) __________ instruct your computer to jump to another slide in your presentation, to a
website, or to another program entirely.
15
73) Printed __________ are an efficient way to offer your audience additional material
without overloading your slides with information.
74) If you are asked to speak without any advance warning, your talk will
be___________.
75) You can overcome __________ by concentrating on your message and your
audience, not on yourself.
76) During a speech, take particular care to maintain ___________ with friendly
audience members.
77) List the four steps involved in planning an oral presentation.
78) When making presentations to international audiences, language fluency might vary
widely. List 5 tips for making presentations around the world.
79) In a longer presentation, how does your purpose influence the way you organize your
material?
80) Briefly explain the difference between a planning outline and a speaking outline.
81) What three tasks should an effective speech introduction accomplish?
82) List two goals to achieve in the body of a business presentation.
83) List three types of visuals commonly used in business presentations.
84) Generally speaking, what font sizes are best for the text in an electronic presentation?
17
85) Briefly describe the benefits and challenges of giving business presentations online.
86) List at least three guidelines for effectively handling questions following a business
presentation.
87) When planning a presentation, what does it mean to “analyze the situation?” Briefly
explain each of the tasks involved.
88) Describe the four steps to organizing a presentation effectively.
89) List and briefly explain five strategies for holding your audience‘s attention.
90) Give 8 suggestions for becoming a more confident speaker.
91) List 5 guidelines for creating effective slides.
