CHAPTER 10: Using Language Effectively
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. __________ allows us to talk about the past and the future, and things that are absent. It also
allows us to conceptualize ideas.
A) Abstract language
B) Parallelism
C) Alliteration
D) Concrete language
2. __________ are abstractions that allow us to talk about people, places, things, actions, and
ideas without providing every little detail.
A) Words
B) Values
C) Beliefs
D) Connotations
3. __________ words tend to be more objective and less susceptible to a wide variety of
interpretations.
A) Denotative
B) Connotative
C) Symbolic
D) Familiar
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is unclear, Jerri illustrates the confusion that can result from the absence of detail inherent to
__________ language.
A) connotative
B) abstract
C) denotative
D) concrete
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eath the
detail inherent to __________ language.
A) connotative
B) abstract
C) denotative
D) concrete
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for the use of extreme force in the face of a perceived threat), evokes outrage, while for others it
generates quite the opposite response. For either group, the phrase has strong __________
meaning.
A) ironic
B) stylistic
C) denotative
D) connotative
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generates quite the opposite response. For either group, the phrase has strong __________
meaning.
A) ironic
B) stylistic
C) denotative
D) connotative
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aim to provide health care and financial protections for all citizens with medical issues) evokes
outrage while for others it generates quite the opposite response. For either group, the phrase
has strong __________ meaning.
A) ironic
B) stylistic
C) denotative
D) connotative
9. While advocating sending more troops to a war zone, officials preferred to use the word
with a failed
policy during the Vietnam War, a failure that many Americans continue to find quite painful.
A) connotative
B) abstract
C) denotative
D) concrete
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she becomes visibly shaken and sometimes begins to weep. Her response suggests which of the
following?
A)
B)
C) strong connotative meaning for Alvera.
D)
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sometimes begins to weep. His response suggests which of the following?
B)
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 10.1 Understand the relationship between language and meaning.
Topic: Language and Meaning
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
12. Of the following words, which is MOST likely to evoke strong connotative meaning?
A) cathedral
B) exit ramp
C) fundamentalist
D) prevailing winds
13. What is the main reason that oral communication is repetitious?
A) Listeners inevitably become bored and stop listening carefully.
B) Repetition helps speakers to avoid losing their place in the speech.
C) Listeners cannot stop the speaker to ask for clarification of unfamiliar terms.
D) The speaker can cover up that he/she has not done thorough research.
14. Of the following words, which is LEAST likely to evoke strong connotative meaning?
A) liberal
B) perjury
C) environmentalist
D) politically correct
15. While developing the idea that providing breakfast at school is good, Jean said:
wording?
A) Well done! The wording is simple and clear.
B)
C)
D)
16.
wording can you give Megan as she develops her point?
A) Rethink your wording. The wording is too simple.
ical language.
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17. __________ language is that which has a very precise meaning for persons with specific
knowledge, training, or expertise.
A) Connotative
B) Denotative
C) Technical
D) Abstract
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just against Drunk Driving. Even so, our name remains unchanged and imparts the same sense
__________.
A) acronym
B) connotation
C) concrete word
D) technical word
19. The wounded Marine recalled that an IED (improvised explosive device) had detonated
A) acronym
B) connotation
C) concrete word
D) technical word
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a certified instructor and certification standards are rigorously em
A) acronym
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B) connotation
C) concrete word
D) technical word
21. Which of the following statements exemplifies the use of precise language?
A) As a fabric choice, hemp has many desirable qualities.
B) Hemp fabric is lightweight, durable, and breathable.
C) The advantages hemp offers makes it an ideal fabric.
D) Hemp, as a fabric source, is environmentally friendly.
22. Of the following, which sentence construction offers good oral style?
A) The president signed the bill. Consumer groups rejoiced, as did Republicans, Democrats, and
Independents in the House and Senate.
B) The proposal, drafted by a nonpartisan coalition and endorsed by consumer-advocate groups,
will provide improved safety measures for our food supply.
C) A coalition, comprised of House and Senate Independents, Democrats, and Republicans,
called upon the White House to sign the bill.
D) Responding to the pressures of a united Congress, consumer groups, and the general public,
the president signed a bill calculated to combat bioterrorism.
23. Of the following, which sentence offers good oral style, particularly with regard to active
versus passive voice?
A)
numerous hazards.
B) Grave concerns over the hazards posed by neglected playground equipment were expressed
by concerned citizens at the city council meeting.
C) Citizens told the city council that children were placed in grave danger by playground
equipment that had been neglected.
D) The city council was warned by citizens that neglected playground equipment posed a real
and present danger to the children who played there.
24. In his speech, Dylan
A) circumlocutions
B) abstract words
C) empty words
D) clichés
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experience are due to the fact that many experience complications subsequent to various
medical procedures, such as elective and non-
speaker, Matti should avoid __________.
A) empty words
B) clichés
C) synonyms
D) acronyms
26. Of the following, which sentence contains a commenting modifier?
A) Giving blood is worth the minor inconvenience.
B) Giving blood is well worth the inconvenience.
C) The Red Cross is worried about the shortage of type A units.
D) The Red Cross is very seriously worried about the shortage of units.
27. When presenting a speech assessing the proposed policy,
function of __________.
A) commenting modifiers
B) defining modifiers
C) restatement
D) circumlocutions
28 -setting amounts of soft money in the last presidential
blicans, Democrats, and Independents alike have expressed
concern over record-
employed __________ to promote clarity and eliminate unnecessary words.
A) passive voice
B) active voice
C) transitional language
D) parallelism
29.
A) commenting
B) dangling
C) defining
D) active
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suc
A) commenting
B) dangling
C) defining
D) active
31. Figures of speech should be used to __________.
A) create interest and enhance understanding
B)
C) challenge the audience
D)
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tournament, uses which type of language device?
A) simile
B) antithesis
C) alliteration
D) personification
33. Ty obser
bulb with an Energy Star-approved compact fluorescent bulb, it would be like taking 800,000
ech?
A) personification
B) alliteration
C) metaphor
D) simile
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figure of speech?
A) personification
B) alliteration
C) metaphor
D) simile
35. Language that encourages an audience to see, hear, smell, taste, or feel something is termed
__________.
A) figures of speech
B) circumlocutions
C) sensory appeals
D) technical language
36. Which of the following is the best example of antithesis?
A)
C)
D)
37. Which of the following is the best example of parallelism?
A)
B)
C)
D)
38 eful
help her audience understand depression?
A) simile
B) antithesis
C) alliteration
D) personification
39. In the wake of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School,
words the President harnessed the power of __________.
A) a rhetorical question
B) alliteration
C) simile
D) irony
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40. To use language ethically, a speaker should __________.
A) avoid controversy and use lively, vivid wording that is aesthetically pleasing
B) shock the audience, to the point of generating discomfort, so they will understand the ethical
importance of the speech
C) use language true to his or her own character, even if it might be uncomfortable for the
audience, since it is unethical to not be true to yourself
D) try to promote mutual respect, and avoid language the audience may find offensive
41. In his speech, Howie stated: ist. He
can help you. If your belly aches, what do you do? You got to a doctor. He can help you. If you
arrive home and find your door ajar, what do you do? You call a policeman. He can help you.
Similarly, when you need advice on your investments you call a financial advisor. He can help
disconcerting about these remarks?
A)
B) The sensory appeals were too rich and, as a result, quite unnerving.
C) The speaker has employed gendered, as opposed to gender-inclusive, language.
D)
42 are one of
those liberal, tree-hugging types, you wi
response illustrates __________.
A) language that helps clarify positions
B) style substituted for argument
C) language that promotes heightened awareness
D) language that captures, precisely, the essence of the opposition
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one of those ultra-
___.
A) language that helps clarify positions
B) style substituted for argument
C) language that promotes heightened awareness
D) language that captures, precisely, the essence of the opposition
True/False Questions
44. The words we choose reflect our values, our perceptions, and our attitudes.
45 tly maintain meaning.
46. The careful listener looks for clues as to how a speaker translates ambiguous terms into
specific ideas or policies.
47. Oral style and written style are usually the same.
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49. Listeners usually find it easier to follow short, concise sentences.
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ear, which increases audience engagement with a speech.
52. A speaker who lacks confidence in her or his argument should increase their use of sensory
language and vivid imagery.
53. In her speech on product safety recalls, Gemma cites a newspaper article that reported a
1974 incident in which the US Consumer Product Safety Commission had to issue a safety
recall on its own pro-product safety lapel pins, because the pins were painted with lead paint.
Gemma effectively used irony by citing this example.
54. Graham used appropriate, ethical language when he asked classmates to write letters to
their Congressmen.
55. After discussing it with his teacher, Waleed decided to use a profane word in his speech on
use of the word was appropriate in the speech, even though the word itself is not appropriate.
56. It is important that speakers modify their speaking style to conform to the speaking style of
the audience.
57. When the presidential candidat
against tax relief is against doing what i
her opponents.
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58. Mikhail feels very passionate about abstinence-only sex education. He is having trouble
finding credible research to support his case, but he wants his audience to feel as passionate
about the issue as he does, so he used the emotion-filled anecdotes of others to inspire the
audience. Mikhail made an ethically unacceptable choice.
Essay Questions
59. Identify two figures of speech and give a general explanation of each, then provide an
illustrative example of how each figure might function in a speech.
60 –
use gender-inclusive language?
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61. What is oral style, and how does it differ from written style?
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for his impressive command of language, or has he made a judgment error? Explain your
answer in detail, citing relevant definitions and examples.
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