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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CONSIDERING LANGUAGE
True-False
T F 1. According to the text, one of the rules of language usage is to say what you
mean.
T F 2. A nonoffensive term used to convey a message is a euphemism.
T F 3. According to the text, repetition is unnecessary and unwanted in a speech.
T F 4. According to the text, speakers who exhibit consistent grammatical errors
should be able to eliminate their grammar problems by the end of the speech
course.
T F 5. Obscure terms and ornate vocabulary which are designed to impress an audience
are preferable to words and phrases that are simpler and less eloquent.
T F 6. The text suggests that a speaker should analyze the audience to determine the
type of language to use in a speech.
T F 7. Since appropriateness is highly subjective, it is impossible for a speaker to make
decisions about what constitutes appropriate language in a speech.
T F 8. “Clutter” refers to unnecessary verbiage in a speech.
T F 9. The words--”you know,” “and so,” “well,”-- are “linking words” which help to
connect subordinate ideas in a speech.
T F 10. External transitions connect main points in a speech.
T F 11. According to the text, a speaker should avoid terms or phrases that offend any
segment of an audience.
T F 12. Grammatical errors can reduce a speaker’s credibility.
T F 13. A thesaurus is the same as a dictionary.
T F 14. Transitions are connectives between major or minor ideas in a speech.
T F 15. “Now that I’ve told you about the materials you need to paint a car, let me
describe the entire process.” This phrase is an example of an internal transition.
T F 16. Amplification refers to the use of a microphone and speaker tin order to be heard
in the back part of the room or auditorium.
T F 17. It is acceptable for a speaker to use four-letter words in order to shock an
audience and to arouse their attention.
T F 18. A speaker who described a child as a “cute, curly-haired little angel” would be
using denotative language.
T F 19. A connotative meaning of a word refers to the dictionary meaning.
T F 20. An individual making a speech to listeners from a different culture can generate
trust by using a joke which pokes fun at the language or customs of the listeners’
culture.
T F 21. Research indicates that women talk more than men.
T F 22. According to research, women tend to speak with more disclaimers, qualifying
words, and short “tag” lines than do men.
T F 23. According to the text, concrete language is preferred over vague language.
T F 24. A metaphor uses the words like or as to show comparison.
T F 25. “This exam was a piece of cake” is an example of a simile.
T F 26. “Careless cars cutting corners create confusion” is an example of alliteration.
T F 27. The text suggests that it is helpful for a speaker to learn greetings or important
words that reflect the language or culture of the speaker’s audience.
T F 28. Women tend to use more tentative phrases in their speech patterns.
T F 29. When a speaker uses contrasting ideas to convey a concept, s/he is using
antithesis.
T F 30. Ear-catching phrases that summarize main ideas and help listeners remember
significant themes are called mnemonic.
T F 31. Men tend to use more profanity in their speaking than women.
T F 32. Women tend to speak using more disclaimers and qualifying words and
vocabulary.
T F 33. Women tend to issue orders and directives more than men do.
T F 35. The text advises that differences in men’s and women’s language patterns
often depend upon the situation, place, or environment.
T F 36. The textbook suggests that men and women should appreciate their differences
in language.
T F 37. Expressions such as “the moral of the story is” and “TMI” are included in the
text discussion on trite expressions.
Multiple Choice
38. The text suggests that rhetoric of confrontation between men and women is
a. helpful in forcing each gender to understand each other more completely.
b. helps us express shades and meanings in our language.
c. harmful and divisive.
d. helps us to be more direct and assertive.
39. In understanding the speaking patterns of each gender, the text advises us to
a. become more alike in the manner we speak.
b. be more accepting of our unique perspectives.
c. make more generalizations about speaking based upon gender.
d. avoid making any changes in our language patterns.
40. A speaker who uses American slang in a speech to listeners from a different culture
a. is helping to relax the audience.
b. contributes to enlightening the audience about American culture.
c. excludes listeners.
d. shows a command of the English language.
41. The textbook advises that a speaker who has an accent that is different from listeners
should
a. speak slowly and distinctly.
b. recognize that the accent is bad and try to change it.
c. emphasize the accent and make it more pronounced.
d. speak at a faster rate, hoping that the audience will eventually understand it.
42. With regard to offensive terms
a. it is important to be use them to make a point.
b. it is acceptable to use them when the speaker thinks the audience members also
use them, too.
c. the speaker should refrain from language that offends the audience.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.
43. When considering irrelevant language,
a. it can add interest to the speech.
b. it can cause the audience to lose interest.
c. it can lead to the presentation being sidetracked.
d. B and C above only.
e. none of the above.
44. In their speech patterns, men
a. speak with greater grammatical exactness than women.
b. use more technical vocabularies that women.
c. try to keep conversations moving along.
d. make more negative statements than women.
45. “Tag” questions are
a. short prepositional phrases used by both men and women.
b. complex sentence structures used almost exclusively by women.
c. descriptive words used mostly by women.
d. short, tentative statements ended by questions used by women.
46. Which of the following statements is not true about grammatical errors?
a. Men tend to be less concerned with them.
b. They can disturb listeners.
c. They can raise questions about the speaker’s credibility.
d. It is acceptable to use such errors because they indicate your personal style.
47. The phrase, “You need to take that report to the personnel office,” would probably be
stated by
a. a women
b. a man.
c. either a man or woman.
48. One way to be concrete
a. is to employ euphemisms.
b. is to use connotation rather than denotation.
c. is to use flowery language.
d. all of the above
e. none of the above.
49. When a speaker arranges words or phrase in order of importance to emphasize an
opening or closing statement, s/he is using
a. alliteration.
b. simile.
c. anthithesis.
d. amplification.
50. According to the text, bureaucratese
a. is an important form of communication.
b. is helpful in large corporations.
c. is an example of euphemistic language.
d. will not survive.
51. If you were to give an anti-drug speech to teenagers in an inner-city public school,
you would be more successful if your language were
a. elaborate
b. grammatically proper and correct
c. clear and direct
d. imprecise.
52. “My car is a friend--when I’m good to my friend, my friend takes care of me; but when I’m
abusive, my friend turns into my enemy.”
This statement is an example of
a. a simile
b. an alliteration
c. a metaphor
d. amplification
53. “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.”
This line from President John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address is an example of
a. antithesis
b. a mnemonic phrase
c. alliteration
d. a metaphor
54. “...Wherever you are tonight you can make it. Hold your head high, stick your chest
out. You can make it. It gets dark sometimes, but the morning comes. Don’t you
surrender. Suffering breeds character. Character breeds faith. In the end faith will
not disappoint.”
These lines from Jesse Jackson’s 1988 speech to the Democratic national
Convention are an example of
a. a simile
b. amplification
c. antithesis
d. alliteration
55. “Dream of teachers who teach for life and not for living. Dream of doctors who are
concerned more about public health than private wealth. Dream of lawyers more
concerned about justice than a judgeship. Dream of preachers who are concerned
more about prophecy than profiteering.”
These lines from Jesse Jackson’s 1988 speech to the Democratic National
Convention are examples of
a. antithesis
b. repetition
c. mnemonic phrasing
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
56. “We must get the American public to look past the glitter beyond the showmanship—
to reality, to the hard substance of things. And we will do that not so much with
speeches that sound good as with speeches that are good and sound.”
These lines from Mario Cuomo’s 1984 speech to the Democratic National
Convention are an example of
a. a simile
b. a metaphor
c. mnemonic phrasing
d. alliteration
57. “I’ve been reflecting on what the past eight years have meant, and mean. And the
image that comes to mind like a refrain is a nautical one...It has been quite a journey
this decade, and we held together through some stormy seas.”
These lines from the 1988 Farewell Address of Ronald Reagan are an example of
a. a simile
b. a metaphor
c. antithesis
d. amplification
58. A vocalized pause is
a. a dramatic pause used for emphasis
b. a necessary break in a speech
c. the utterance of a word such as “um”
d. the repetition of an idea
59. Former President George W. Bush’s constant use of the word “um” in his speeches
a. added to his speaking style
b. was an annoying distraction
c. was an example of figurative repetition
d. all of the above
e. none of the above
60. One piece of advice which the text does not suggest for speakers with grammatical
problems is
a. attend a writing lab
b. listen to famous speakers
c. take a backup course
d. get a tutor
Fill in the Blank
63. This excerpt from a speech by Jesse Jackson--”Today when we debated, differed,
64. When contrasting ideas or qualities are combined to convey a concept, the device is
65. A speaker who arranges words or phrases in order of importance to emphasize an
66. Ear-catching lines which summarize the main ideas of a speech and help people to
67. Non-offensive words or phrases in which people avoid saying what they really mean
Short Answer
69. Define the term “internal transition,” and provide 4 examples of internal transitional
elements.
70. Choose a topic for an informative speech and write specific purpose and thesis statements.
Write out each numeral of the body, and develop external transitions to connect the following
segments of the speech outline: the introduction and numeral I, each numeral of the body, and
the body and the conclusion.
71. Briefly explain how similes and metaphors differ.
72. Explain how denotative and connotative meanings differ.
Essay Questions
73. Provide some suggestions which could help a speaker to avoid language that is improper or
inappropriate.
74. Plan a strategy that could help you to build a unique speaking style.
Online Chapter Quiz Questions
Chapter 13
Considering Language
True False
1. According to the text, speakers who use simple words and phrases to convey meaning are
usually less powerful and expressive in their presentations than speakers who use impressive
words and flowery language.
2. Amplification arranges words or phrases in order of importance to emphasize an opening or
closing statement.
3. Because a speaker does not wish to bore the audience, repetition should be avoided.
4. External transitions are words such as “also, in addition, next, finally.”
5. According to some research, many women tend to use more tentative language than men.
Multiple Choice
6. In Patrick Henry’s famous speech, the phrase, “Give me liberty, or give me death,” is what
kind of figure of speech?
a. simile
b. antithesis
c. mnemonic phrase
d. alliteration
7. “Your car is your friend.” This sentence is what figure of speech?
a. simile
b. metaphor
c. alliteration
d. antithesis
8. “The student government is like the sun, and the clubs, organizations , and committees are like
the planets that revolve around it.” This sentence is what figure of speech?
a. simile
b. metaphor
c. antithesis
d. repetition
9. Using the phrase “taking a dirt nap” rather than “he died” is a form of
a. denotation
b. connotation
c. mnemonic phrase
d. euphemism
10. The repetition of the same sounds to emphasize ideas in a speech is known as
a. amplification.
b. repetition.
c. alliteration.
d. antithesis.
Fill in the Blank
11. A vague term or phrase that is used to cover the real, underlying meaning of an idea is called
a ________________________.
12. Terms such as “you, your, our” are called ___________________ _________________.
13. Name a reference source that can help you build vocabulary skills. ___________________
14. Name 3 guidelines that can help a speaker use appropriate language in a speech.
__________________ ______________________ __________________.
15. A speaker who uses _______________ or _____________language, the listener will react
with hostility.
Answers
