CHAPTER 13: Speaking to Inform
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Erika gave a speech about the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution to help her audience
understand the context and content of the amendment. Which type of speech has Erika given?
A) a speech to inform
B) a speech to actuate
C) a speech to persuade
D) a speech to commemorate
2. In her speech, Kathy explains several different ways of improving traffic flow in the city to
empower listeners to make free choices among the various options by helping them truly
understand the options. By doing so, she is __________.
A) sharing ideas
B) articulating alternatives
C) providing a demonstration
D) shaping listener perceptions
3. In his speech, Roger explains
trash disposal needs. He discusses an annual city-wide cleanup as one possibility versus a
as another possibility. He presents the information in a fair and unbiased manner, in the interest
of empowering the council to choose freely and intelligently a program for waste management.
By doing so, he is __________.
A) sharing ideas
B) articulating alternatives
C) providing a demonstration
D) shaping listener perceptions
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Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
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fair and unbiased manner, in the
interest of empowering the committee to choose freely and intelligently the best site to
recommend to city council. By doing so, he is __________.
A) sharing ideas
B) articulating alternatives
C) providing a demonstration
D) shaping listener perceptions
5. In her speech, Lindsay
new multipurpose arena and civic center it plans to build. She discusses one downtown location
and another location on the edge of town along an interstate highway. She presents the
information in a fair and unbiased manner, in the interest of empowering the committee to
choose freely and intelligently the best site to recommend to city council. By doing so, she is
__________.
A) sharing ideas
B) articulating alternatives
C) providing a demonstration
D) shaping listener perceptions
6. In her speech, Nikki explains to the city council the common ways cities pursue a recycling
program. She discusses recycling centers as one possibility versus curbside pickup as another
possibility. She presents the information in a fair and unbiased manner, in the interest of
empowering the council to choose freely and intelligently a program for recycling. By doing so,
she is __________.
A) sharing ideas
B) articulating alternatives
C) providing a demonstration
D) shaping listener perceptions
7. This type of speech seeks to educate audiences about matters they will find interesting or
useful.
A) a speech to commemorate
B) a speech to persuade
C) a speech to actuate
D) a speech to inform
8. The ultimate purpose of a __________ speech is to help the audience gain some
understanding of a theory, concept, process, program, procedure, or other phenomenon.
A) commemorative
B) persuasive
C) actuating
D) informative
9. Nora presented a speech about Switchgrass as a clean-burning, renewable fuel source,
speech functioned to __________.
A) share ideas
B) raise awareness
C) articulate alternatives
D) dispel misinformation
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10. Lauren presented a speech to acquaint listeners
would pursue the topic further. Her speech functioned to __________.
A) share ideas
B) raise awareness
C) articulate alternatives
D) dispel misinformation
11 Blaise presented a speech to acquaint listeners with the practice of indoor composting,
speech functioned to __________.
A) share ideas
B) raise awareness
C) articulate alternatives
D) dispel misinformation
12. Veronica presented a speech about smart stoplights implemented successfully in other
the topic further. Her speech functioned to __________.
A) share ideas
B) raise awareness
C) articulate alternatives
D) dispel misinformation
13. In this type of informative speech, the speaker will want to take great pains with language;
precision, color, and clarity are essential.
A) speech of description
B) speech of explanation
C) speech of demonstration
D) the informative oral report
14. When presenting a speech of description, it is particularly important to __________.
A) take great pains with your language to help your audience visualize your subject
B) use numerous visual aids rather than try to depict things in language
C) explain the technical intricacies of your subject using technical terms
D) avoid addressing philosophical subjects since description is impossible
15. This type of informative speech helps an audience understand concepts that are
complicated, abstract, or unfamiliar.
A) speech of description
B) speech of explanation
C) speech of demonstration
D) the informative oral report
16. Louisa gave a speech aimed at helping her audience understand the intricate and complex
the process of enriching uranium and the additional steps that are necessary for building a
nuclear bomb. Louisa has given a(n) __________ by helping her audience understand this
difficult concept.
A) speech of description
B) speech of explanation
C) speech of demonstration
D) informative oral report
17. With his speech, Neal hoped to help the audience get a clear, vivid picture of life on a space
mission, providing a close-up look at how astronauts dine, sleep, work, and exercise to maintain
physical fitness. Neal has presented which type of informative speech?
A) speech of description
B) speech of explanation
C) speech of demonstration
D) the informative oral report
18. With her speech, Noreen hoped to help the audience get a clear, vivid picture of the
-up look at its birds and
mammals and the principal types of vegetation that help to sustain them. Noreen has presented
which type of informative speech?
A) speech of description
B) speech of explanation
C) speech of demonstration
D) the informative oral report
19. Ronnie gave a speech to teach her audience the process and procedures that were
undertaken to drain Midwestern swamps and transform those areas into rich farmland. She has
presented a(n) __________.
A) speech of description
B) speech of explanation
C) speech of demonstration
D) informative oral report
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20. Bo gave a speech to teach his audience how wetlands along the Gulf Coast of the United
States function as a buffer from storm surges during hurricane events. He has presented a(n)
__________.
A) speech of description
B) speech of explanation
C) speech of demonstration
D) informative oral report
21. Melanie gave a speech to teach her audience the process by which seeds are being
preserved in a high tech, secure vault so they will be on hand if disaster ever strikes and they are
needed. She has presented a(n) __________.
A) speech of description
B) speech of explanation
C) speech of demonstration
D) informative oral report
22. Wynn gave a speech to teach his audience the process in which off-shore drilling permits
are issued, so the audience will understand how drilling is regulated and monitored. He has
presented a(n) __________.
A) speech of description
B) speech of explanation
C) speech of demonstration
D) the informative oral report
23. This type of informative speech often functions to provide background information that a
group will use in making decisions or solving problems.
A) the informative oral report
B) speech of demonstration
C) speech of explanation
D) speech of description
24. Members of local government called upon Emery, a traffic control specialist, to brief them
s airport, reviewing several instances in which planes had nearly
collided. Emery must present a(n) __________.
A) speech of description
B) speech of explanation
C) speech of demonstration
D) informative oral report
25. Although the various types of informative speeches are not always distinct, they all share a
common goal, which is to __________.
A) increase audience understanding
B) foster audience belief and specific attitude
C) lay preliminary groundwork for persuasion to occur
D) motivate listeners to alter their belief and take specific action
26. Erik is giving a speech of demonstration in which he is showing listeners how to make an
emergency-preparedness kit for their home. By taking listeners through the preparation process
step by step, Erik is using a __________ organizational pattern.
A) chronological/sequential
B) spatial
C) causal
D) categorical
27. Rachel provided a step-by-step explanation of how her listeners should proceed when
applying for disaster relief in their tornado-ravaged community. The pattern of organization she
has employed is __________.
A) categorical
B) spatial
C) chronological/sequential
D) causal
28. Luke explained the roots of the green energy cooperative in his city and how it had
blossomed into the robust entity it is today. His overview of its evolution followed a _________
organizational pattern.
A) chronological/sequential
B) categorical
C) spatial
D) causal
29. Jarid is helping newcomers to the United States understand how to apply for and obtain
citizenship. Which organizational pattern should Jarid use to help listeners understand the steps
involved and in what order they should proceed?
A) categorical
B) chronological/sequential
C) spatial
D) causal
30. Aoife wants listeners to understand how to apply for Backyard Wildlife Certification.
Which organizational pattern should Aoife use to help listeners understand the steps involved
and in what order they should proceed?
A) categorical
B) chronological/sequential
C) spatial
D) causal
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escorting listeners on a virtual tour of the Safe House headquarters, explaining what transpires
in each of the rooms counseling, social-support services, legal advocacy, and children/teen
services. The director employed a __________ pattern of organization.
A) spatial
B) causal
C) categorical
D) chronological
32. The director discussed the inner workings of the Teen Challenge program by escorting
listeners on a virtual tour of the typical buildings in a Teen Challenge community, explaining
what transpires in each of the facilities from the woodshop to the maintenance garage to the
educational building. The director employed a __________ pattern of organization.
A) causal
B) spatial
C) categorical
D) chronological
33. In a speech to inform new students about the recreational activities in the area, Kyla told
them about the recreational trail that was ideal for biking, rollerblading, running, and walking.
She first discussed the southernmost portion of the trail, then the central portion, then the
northern section. Which pattern has Kyla employed?
A) spatial
B) causal
C) categorical
D) chronological
34. Makiko serves on the welcoming committee in her town and is to present a speech
acquainting new residents of the community with the local parks. Which organizational pattern
is appropriate?
A) chronological
B) categorical
C) spatial
D) causal
35. Ryanne presented an informative speech to help listeners understand how a hurricane could
become so strong that its winds would cool the warm water upon which it feeds and ultimately
blow itself out. Which organizational pattern would be most appropriate for this presentation?
A) causal
B) spatial
C) categorical
D) chronological