CHAPTER 3: Speaking with Confidence
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding communication apprehension?
A) Scholars do not study communication apprehension, believing it to be too rare to study.
B) Few speakers experience what can be referred to as communication apprehension.
C) Most of us experience only occasional or moderate communication apprehension.
D) Most of us frequently experience what is known as high communication apprehension.
2.
professional success?
A) Communication apprehension can be a significant barrier to personal success, but it has no
significant impact on professional success.
B) Communication apprehension can be a significant barrier to professional success, but it has
no significant impact on personal success.
C) Communication apprehension can be a significant barrier to personal success, as well as a
significant barrier to professional success.
D) Researchers have yet to examine these contexts and instead focus on the impact of
communication apprehension in the academic setting.
3. During college, Jo avoided speaking in public due to the extreme dread she felt. Even now,
several years into her career, she remains generally apprehensive whenever called upon to
speak no matter what the context, topic, or audience. Scholars would say Jo suffers from
__________.
A) trait anxiety
B) state anxiety
C) stage fright
D) shyness
4. Speakers with __________
a group of people they know from their church or neighborhood. Even informal speeches to
small groups make these people nervous.
A) trait anxiety
B) state anxiety
C) stage fright
D) shyness
5. A person who experiences speaking anxiety no matter what the context, topic, or audience,
has what scholars of Communication Studies refer to as __________.
A) trait anxiety
B) state anxiety
C) stage fright
D) shyness
6. Devon is completely at ease speaking to a group of clients about a proposal he and his
colleagues have put together, and he often takes the lead during brainstorming sessions with a
dozen or so colleagues from various departments. Whenever he is scheduled to present a
progress report to upper management, though, he experiences significant communication
apprehension. Devon exhibits what scholars of Communication Studies refer to as __________.
A) trait anxiety
B) state anxiety
C) stage fright
D) shyness
7. Charly can fire up her team at half-time in the locker room with inspiring remarks, and she
can lead a pep rally at the high school assembly with great enthusiasm and no discomfort. When
she is to address boosters at the end-of-the-semester banquet, however, she experiences
significant communication apprehension. Charly exhibits what scholars of Communication
Studies refer to as __________.
A) trait anxiety
B) state anxiety
C) stage fright
D) shyness
8. Phil is an engineer at a large corporation. He feels at ease when discussing materials and
equipment with groups of workers, scientists, or managers in a conference room setting. When
he has to address a large gathering from behind a lectern in an auditorium, though, he
experiences significant communication apprehension. Phil exhibits what scholars of
Communication Studies refer to as __________.
A) trait anxiety
B) state anxiety
C) stage fright
D) shyness
9. If you address a topic that really matters to you personally, what physical symptoms of
anxiety will likely transpire as you present a speech?
A) Your physical symptoms will soon intensify.
B) Your physical symptoms will remain constant throughout.
C) Your physical symptoms will soon subside.
D) Your physical symptoms will aggravate you and your listeners.
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10. Riley has chosen a speech topic that she cares little for. As a result, what might transpire
during her speech?
A) Her speaking anxiety will subside while she speaks because she will realize she has no
genuine concern with the topic.
B) She will have virtually no anxiety, even at the beginning of her speech, since she feels no
concern with her topic.
C) Her speaking anxiety will increase since she has not chosen a topic that diverts her attention
to a desire to share her message.
D) Her speaking anxiety will increase at first but then will subside once she remembers that a
speaker must be able to speak about insignificant matters.
11. The best psychological defense for speech anxiety is __________.
A) being able to say to yourself that you are prepared
B) being able to say to yourself that the speech will soon be over
C) having the knowledge that most of the audience are poor listeners
D)
12. Scholars report that as you give more speeches, you will __________.
A) undoubtedly find that you no longer need to employ strategies for managing communication
apprehension
B) no doubt find strategies for managing communication apprehension that work especially well
for you
C) find that fewer and fewer strategies for managing communication apprehension continue to
work for you
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D)
rarely listen constructively and carefully
13. Taking deep breaths before giving a speech, __________.
A) speeds up your heart rate, and makes it more likely that you will rush through your speech.
B) re saying.
C) relaxes you and gives you better vocal control.
D) dries out your vocal cords, and gives you a raspy voice.
14. Denetra awoke early the day of her speech, prepared a nice breakfast, and took her time
getting ready for class. All the while, she concentrated on how well she had prepared, how
much her audience would appreciate her message, and how they would see her as a credible
speaker with their best interests at heart. Denetra has engaged which technique found to be
effective in subduing communication apprehension?
A) productive anxiety
B) positive attitude
C) myth making
D) self critique
15.
or for your job, you are more likely to __________.
A) experience a severe level of communication apprehension
B) experience a moderate level of communication apprehension
C) experience a low level of communication apprehension
D) experience no detectable level of communication apprehension
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16. Jason has gathered information about the audience he will address in an upcoming speech,
as well as information about the speaking situation. As a result, he will likely __________.
A) noticeably lessen his communication apprehension
B) noticeably intensify his communication apprehension
C) have no discernible effect on his communication apprehension
D)
17.
her topic and what they would like to learn. She also inquires about how the room will be
arranged and whether she will speak from a seated position or standing, and if she will be using
a microphone. By gathering such information, Kylie will likely __________.
A) noticeably lessen her communication apprehension
B) noticeably intensify her communication apprehension
C) have no discernible effect on her communication apprehension
D)
18. Which of the following suggestions might help Talia decrease her anxiety when she speaks
to the city council for her first time?
A) She should accept realistic expectations of her success considering it is her first speech to the
city council.
B) She should plan what she wants to say but not practice it aloud until she arrives at the
meeting in order to keep her ideas fresh.
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C) She should prepare in advance so that she can begin practicing her presentation a few days
prior to the meeting.
D) She should arrive at the meeting just before it is her turn to speak so that her anxiety does not
have time to build.
19. During the introduction of his speech, Marty senses that his anxiety is not yet under control.
What should he do to calm his nerves?
A) do some isometric exercises as he continues to speak
B) tell his audience about his anxiety to increase their empathy
C) ask his audience a few, impromptu questions and actively listen
D) remind himself that he has to be in complete control of the situation
20. Ben is minutes away from addressing a gathering of community leaders. He is nervous, and
his heart is beating rapidly. He wants a glass of water, and the water cooler is downstairs. At
this point, would you advise him to take the stairs or the elevator?
A) Avoid the stairs, as the physical exertion will only increase his heart rate.
B) Take the stairs, as the physical exercise can help him relax.
C) Take the elevator, as the elevator music can help calm his nerves.
D) Avoid the elevator, as other riders may only add to his anxiety.
21. A friend of yours is taking his first public speaking class and is experiencing some
nervousness. As he approaches his first speech, what might be the best advice you could give
him?
A) Just look over listeners heads while you speak, to give the appearance of directness and ease
your anxiety.
B) Moderate anxiety can be an asset to your performance; channel that extra adrenaline into a
more dynamic presentation.
C) Avoid practicing the speech; practicing will only diminish your speech s spontaneity.
D) Prepare a carefully written, detailed outline and read it to the audience to help you control
your anxiety.
22. Mitzi was nervous before her speech. When she spoke, though, she found that she was
energetic and alive, from start to finish. Mitzi now knows what is meant by __________.
A) a little anxiety can be a good thing
B) anxiety is often imagined rather than real
C) isometric exercise can occur subconsciously
D) a speaker can achieve complete control over the situation
True/False Questions
23. High communication apprehension might embarrass you, but it has no discernible impact on
academic performance.
25. A famous survey discovered that people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of
dying.
26.
apprehension, studies indicate that listene
anxiety.
27. The best way to practice your speech, to make sure you are well prepared and to help you
manage your communication apprehension is to practice a day or so before your speech, then
cease practicing in order to be fresh.
28. If you experience speech anxiety, one of your goals during this course should be to manage
it using a variety of techniques, recognizing that speech anxiety is natural and there are many
strategies to decrease its impact on your speech.
29. Listening to the speeches before you is a good idea, as it will draw your attention away from
your own anxieties and may even give you ideas about last-minute changes to your own speech.
30. The best way to prepare for a speech is to mentally rehearse all of the things that could go
wrong, so that you are prepared to deal with them.
Essay Questions
31. W
response, enlist historical examples as well as current ones to support your answer. What would
it look like to model your own speaking aspirations on these examples?
32. Identify and describe, in detail, at least four strategies for managing speech anxiety.
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nt program to his boss
and several other superiors in two weeks. He will be one of several speakers giving
presentations that day. He is extremely nervous around his boss, though he normally likes
talking in front of people and was even in an Improv group in college. He needs advice about
how to manage his anxiety and calm his nerves the day of his speech. Identify what type of
speech anxiety Jason is experiencing, and give him advice about how to manage his anxiety as
he prepares his speech and how to manage it the day of his speech.
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