CHAPTER 8: Organizing Your Speech
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Yusef organized his speech carefully, which according to scholars, will __________.
A) enhance credibility and promote learning but have little impact on retention
B) enhance credibility but have little impact on learning or retention
C) enhance credibility as well as promote learning and retention
D) promote learning and retention but have little impact on credibility
2. The
drawbacks of using gaming as a revenue stream. Given this purpose, which of the following
A) Gaming is frequently used by states and municipalities to generate revenue.
B) Over half of the states allow gaming establishments so to generate revenue.
C) Gaming has often been associated with organized crime and corruption.
D) Using gaming to produce revenue presents several noteworthy drawbacks.
3.
health benefits of a plant-based diet. Given this purpose, which of the following comprises the
A) A plant-based diet is heavily championed by environmentalists.
B) Residents of Oregon have led the way in championing a plant-based diet.
C) A plant-based diet is also widely known as a vegan diet.
D) A plant-based diet is a major component in living a healthy life.
4. Which of the following comprises the best main point in a speech advocating universal health
care for citizens in the United States?
A) The present system cost and access.
B) The number of citizens with no coverage or insufficient coverage is alarming.
C) The 2003 U.S. Census found that the number of uninsured rose to 45 million and another 16
million were underinsured.
D) The U.S. needs to address the shortage of nurses through various incentives.
5. Which of the following comprises the best main point in a speech advocating a plant-based
diet as the best
A) unhealthy and expensive!
B) Plant-based diet healthy and inexpensive!
C) A plant-based diet is better for the circulatory system.
D) Plant-based does not have to mean eating bland food.
6. Which of the following comprises the best main point in a speech advocating fiscal
responsibility by Congress?
A)
B) Congress spent too much on prescription drug benefits and on the Energy Bill.
C) ed the prescribed caps of four percent growth, at a
whopping eight percent.
D) Any economist will tell you, you cannot have this level of debt and increasing deficits
without eventually affecting interest rates and inflation.
7. Bryant is drafting a speech advocating the health benefits of a plant-based diet. He asks you
to critique the draft of his first point, which states: -based diet can be good for the
grown without pesticides and h
provide Bryant?
A) The point seems nicely balanced and suggests a defensible thesis statement.
B) The point seems appropriate to the classroom setting as it is helpful and new.
C) You will want to sort out the various ideas and focus separately on each.
D) What you present is actually supporting material rather than a point.
8. During her speech examining the similarities between kidnapped victims and victims of
domestic violence, many in Kao- over what she meant by
–
Ping should have __________.
A) used a contemporary example, rather than one dating back to 1973
B) used domestic examples from the U.S., rather than Eurocentric ones
C) considered the level of complexity appropriate to the listener and context
D) considered the ethnocentric nature of her audience and adapted accordingly
9. During her speech examining the way revenue is generated in the United States, many in
Kao-
she never explained as she continued her remarks. As a speaker, Kao-Ping should have
__________.
A) used a contemporary example, rather than one dating back to 1942
B) used an example from Wall Street rather than one from the world market
C) considered the level of complexity appropriate to the listener and context
D) considered the ethnocentric nature of her audience and adapted accordingly
113
10. In his presentation, Jeffrey noted, decade by decade over the last 50 years, how
deforestation, coupled with emissions from burning fossil fuels, correlate with measurable
pattern of organization has Jeffrey used?
A) spatial
B) categorical
C) transitional
D) chronological
11. In her presentation, Selma reviewed the lack of progress in the issue of equal pay for
women, examining how long the problem has persisted. She began in the mid-1880s and moved
forward in time, noting the various efforts women had made to be paid wages or a salary
comparable to their male counterparts and how, even today, women typically earn less for doing
the same job. Which pattern of organization has Selma used?
A) spatial
B) categorical
C) transitional
D) chronological
12. At the public forum, Tyler described what the recreational trail would feature, from start to
finish, using the following points. Which organizational pattern has she used?
I. The section between River Road and Elm Street will be quite popular, given its gentle
grade and rest areas.
II. Fitness buffs will love the section through Arena Park for its moderately challenging hills
and various exercise stations along the trail.
III. The side loop through Cedar Hills will test even the most serious athletes.
IV. Th
A) spatial
B) categorical
C) transitional
D) chronological
13. In his speech, Keenan underscored how AIDS was a widespread problem, offering the
following points. Which organizational pattern has he used?
I. AIDS is a problem in our urban areas.
II. AIDS is a problem in our suburbs.
III. AIDS is a problem in our small towns.
A) spatial
B) categorical
C) transitional
D) chronological
14. Adrian is developing a presentation on touring the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast region,
examining the devastation state by state. Which organizational pattern has she selected for her
topic?
A) cause-and-effect
B) chronological
C) transitional
D) spatial
15. __________ is an organizational pattern where several distinct yet interrelated ideas are
used to advance a larger idea.
A) Spatial
B) Causal
C) Categorical
D) Chronological
16. :
develops four independent claims to support the contention: 1) prohibition does not work; 2)
marijuana has medicinal qualities; 3) revenue can be generated from taxes; and 4) various
products can be made/manufactured. By examining these aspects, Alec has employed which
organizational pattern?
A) cause-and-effect
B) chronological
C) narrative
D) categorical
17. tion in her persuasive speech is:
: 1) trees improve the
quality of our air; 2) trees lessen our energy demands; and 3) trees protect and enrich our soil.
By examining these aspects, Rae has employed which organizational pattern?
A) cause-and-effect
B) chronological
C) categorical
D) spatial
116
18. Marika selected the following topic for her informative speech:
on three main areas in the presentation: the current
status of women in the labor force; the impact of working women on marriage patterns; and
male reactions to the increasing number of women in management. Which pattern of
organization most clearly describes this specific speech pattern?
A) categorical
B) chronological
C) spatial
D) cause-to-effect
19. Yan offered the following points, in the following order, in a speech advocating the
development/use of clean energy sources. Which organizational pattern has Yan used?
I. Continued dependence on fossil fuels is economically unwise.
II. Continued dependence on fossil fuels is politically irresponsible, prompting conflicts
around the globe that will only worsen over time.
III. Continued dependence on fossil fuels is nothing short of insane when one contemplates
the environmental effects and their consequences.
A) spatial
B) narrative
C) climactic
D) chronological
20. Bosco offered the following points, in the following order, in a speech advocating flossing
health. Which organizational pattern has Bosco used?
I. Flossing regularly promotes healthy teeth.
II. Flossing regularly promotes healthy gums.
III. Flossing regularly promotes a healthy heart.
A) spatial
B) narrative
C) climactic
D) chronological
21. In his presentation, Malik cited leading authorities who found that burning fossil fuels (such
as coal, gas, and oil) along with disappearing forests (due to clearing, wildfires, and insect
infestation) have dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the Ear
atmosphere. This increase in carbon dioxide, Malik noted, has resulted in rising temperatures on
Health Organization which predicts that deaths from climate change will double in just 25
years, to 300,000 people a year. Which pattern of organization has Albert used?
A) categorical
B) transitional
C) chronological
D) causal
22. In her speech, Makiko argued that cutting physical education programs in school had
resulted in lethargic students who could not concentrate as well in class and also contributed to
organization is the __________.
A) climactic order
B) narrative pattern
C) causal order
D) problem-solution order
118
23. Dustin researched the effects of violent content in movies and video games. He found that
experts continue to warn that the content increases the likelihood and intensity of violent
behavior as well as lessens the valuing of human life. His research also suggests that
government regulations need to be tightened and parents need to be vigilant/protective. In light
of these findings, which organizational pattern makes the best sense for Dustin to use while
advocating that we must take action to address this concern?
A) climactic order
B) narrative pattern
C) sequential order
D) problem-solution order
24. In his speech on the destruction of the rain forest, Omar advanced the following main ideas
in this order. Which organizational pattern has Omar used?
I. forests are disappearing at an astonishing pace.
II. To curb this destruction, we must come up with solutions for both commercial interests
and those of indigenous people.
III. Four possible solutions could help meet these competing needs.
IV. Developing alternative forms of forestry is the most viable alternative.
A) problem-solution
B) causal
C) categorical
D) narrative
25. After alerting listeners to the likelihood of a natural disaster in their area, Wren is going to
help them see the need for a disaster-preparedness kit, learn what it should consist of, and then
simple as preparing the kit. If Wren proceeds in this fashion, which organizational pattern will
she use?
A) spatial
B) narrative
C) chronological
D) motivated Sequence
26. Listeners were shocked when the speaker reported the costs for repairs and maintenance to
their aging school buildings, as well as the hazards to their children. They were pleasantly
surprised to learn that the cost of a new school was more easily achievable than they had
imagined. The speaker then had them envision the safer, more appealing surroundings in which
for generations to come, and how their town
would set a fine example for others to follow. Presenting his remarks in this fashion, the speaker
employed which organizational pattern?
A) narrative
B) chronological
C) motivated Sequence
D) spatial
27. In a speech to inspire students at a school assembly to serve in their community, the speaker
paid tribute to a recent graduate of the school, Pam Greer, suggesting that she was the perfect
example of one dedicated to helping others. He recalled, in detail, how Pam was an honor roll
student and a star athlete but still managed time to tutor at-risk students even on the weekends.
He told how, during college, she continued tutoring, plus served as a Big Sister for all four
career, but also delivers Meals on Wheels on the weekends and some evenings, and also collects
and restores donated computers for needy households. By sharing these various stories and
exploring each in some depth, the speaker has employed which organizational pattern?
A) narrative
B) chronological
C) motivated Sequence
D) problem-solution
28. In a speech examining how America transports its goods, Scott offered as his thesis that
consisted of rail, water, truck, and air and that he would discuss each in turn. In the body of his
speech he discussed rail and truck at great length but provided little development for water and
air. Scott needs to rethink the organization of his speech in terms of __________.
A) strategy
B) symmetry
C) placement of ideas
D) suitability to the situation
29. In a speech examining how the President had campaigned for office, Ross offered as his
that those types consisted of speeches at rallies, television advertisements, social media, and
electronic messages, and that he would discuss each in turn. In the body of his speech he
discussed television advertisements and social media at great length but provided little
development for speeches at rallies and electronic messages. Ross needs to rethink the
organization of his speech in terms of __________.
A) strategy
B) symmetry
C) placement of ideas
D) suitability to the situation
30. According to researchers, where should a speaker place the most powerful argument?
A) first in the speech
B) in the middle of the speech
C) last in the speech
D) either first or last in the speech