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Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1. True or false? The way a speaker dresses can enhance their credibility to speak on a subject.
a.
True
b.
False
2. The nervousness we experience when we know we have to communicate publicly to an audience is called:
a.
communication apprehension.
b.
stage fright.
c.
public speaking anxiety.
d.
speech panic response.
3. What do we call the general fear or anxiety associated with either real or anticipated communication with
another person or persons?
a.
communication apprehension
b.
stage fright
c.
public speaking anxiety
d.
speech panic response
4. True or false? Seeking out opportunities to practice public speaking can improve confidence and reduce
communication apprehension.
a.
True
b.
False
5. Which is emphasized as a function of effective presentation aid use?
a.
Use small font on presentation slides.
b.
Display a list of references used so that the speaker doesn’t need to cite orally.
c.
Include as much information as you can in a slide, poster, or chart.
d.
Convey information clearly and concisely.
6. True or false? Speaking in front of a mirror is a foolproof way to view yourself from the audience’s
perspective while you practice.
a.
True
b.
False
7. True or false? Speaking from manuscript gives the speaker more opportunities to communicate nonverbally
than other styles.
a.
True
b.
False
8. True or false? The authors of your text recommend practicing your speech using the working outline and then
transitioning to the speaking outline for your presentation.
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a.
True
b.
False
9. True or false? Effective speeches involve a delivery style that reflects a conversation with, rather than a
speaker talking to, their audience.
a.
True
b.
False
10. True or false? Expressing genuine and appropriate emotion during a presentation can help a speaker connect
with their audience on a personal level.
a.
True
b.
False
11. Shereen’s parents moved to the United States from Egypt before she was born. Although both of her parents
speak English fluently, and she speaks English as her first language, her upbringing has influenced the way she
forms word sounds, as well as the cadence and rhythm of her speech. What term describes this aspect of
Shereen’s speech?
a.
articulation
b.
accent
c.
mumbling
d.
monotone
12. While preparing for his speech, David took time each afternoon to imagine himself walking confidently to
the front of the room, smiling at his audience, and then speaking calmly and confidently. Which technique is
David using to build his confidence and reduce his anxiety?
a.
meditation
b.
systematic desensitization
c.
fear alleviation
d.
performance visualization
13. True or false? Audiences notice the signs of nervousness more than most speakers believe they display
them, and are usually very critical of speakers who appear nervous.
a.
True
b.
False
14. True or false? Vocal characteristics such as pitch, rate, and volume are all part of a speaker’s verbal
delivery.
a.
True
b.
False
15. The clarity or forcefulness with which sounds are produced, regardless of whether the words are said
correctly, is called:
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a.
articulation.
b.
pronunciation.
c.
filtering.
d.
mumbling.
16. True or false? Reading from a script or a teleprompter restricts the speaker’s vocal variety.
a.
True
b.
False
17. During his speech about a new breakthrough in the treatment of cancer, Joe has a hard time figuring out how
to say the scientific words correctly. Joe is having trouble with:
a.
articulation.
b.
pronunciation.
c.
projection.
d.
filtering.
18. True or false? When giving a speech, do not speak quickly in order to try to cram in more information.
a.
True
b.
False
19. The aspect of speech delivery that relates to the position of the speaker’s arms and legs and how the speaker
carries their body is referred to as:
a.
articulation.
b.
body language.
c.
posture.
d.
gestures.
20. True or false? Pronunciation and articulation are interchangeable terms: both mean correctly producing the
sounds that make up a word.
a.
True
b.
False
21. True or false? An effective way of using PowerPoint as a visual aid is to transfer all the details from the
speaking outline to PowerPoint, because the speaker can read their notes from the screen instead of from
handheld notes.
a.
True
b.
False
22. True or false? Speakers who vary their pitch are more interesting to listen to than speakers who do not.
a.
True
b.
False
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23. True or false? Most news broadcasters and high-level politicians today deliver their speeches from memory.
a.
True
b.
False
24. Memorized delivery, an ancient public speaking tradition that is fairly uncommon today due to time
constraints and the risks involved, is also known as:
a.
oratory.
b.
allegory.
c.
improvisation.
d.
manuscripting.
25. True or false? An audience’s perception of a speaker’s skills may be affected by the speaker’s accent.
a.
True
b.
False
26. True or false? Fear of speaking up, or speaking out, can negatively impact your career prospects.
a.
True
b.
False
27. True or false? In Western cultures, use of eye contact signals respect for and interest in the audience.
a.
True
b.
False
28. An effective way to make eye contact with the audience during a speech is to move your eyes from one
person to another or from one section of people to another as you move from one idea to another. This
technique is called:
a.
staring.
b.
gazing.
c.
scanning.
d.
bouncing.
29. True or false? Another person could be used as a visual aid if a speaker wanted to use a live prop for
demonstration purposes.
a.
True
b.
False
30. True or false? Practicing your speech repeatedly will worsen your presentation and make it less natural.
a.
True
b.
False
31. Which scenario references the recommended use of a presentation aid?
a.
Julia plays a short audio clip from Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony in her speech about Beethoven.
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b.
Andre brings in a high-quality microphone so the listeners in the back can hear him better.
c.
Denise describes how to stretch out your quadriceps in her speech about physical fitness.
d.
Allan reads from his presentation slides for his speech about the oil industry.
32. When Jonah is suddenly and unexpectedly called out by his physical geography professor to explain how
the warming of ocean currents due to global warming could trigger another ice age, he is required to use:
a.
manuscripted delivery.
b.
memorized delivery.
c.
impromptu delivery.
d.
extemporaneous delivery.
33. Which term refers to how high or low a person’s voice is on the sound range?
a.
monotone speech
b.
pitch
c.
speaking volume
d.
speaking rate
34. When Joe gets up to deliver his speech, he stands with his feet at about shoulder width apart and his knees
slightly bent so that they cannot lock. He is able to move and gesture freely and present himself confidently.
The technique Joe is using is called:
a.
planting.
b.
posturing.
c.
clustering.
d.
gesturing.
35. True or false? Mindful speakers can usually anticipate that an impromptu speech opportunity is coming and
prepare for it.
a.
True
b.
False
36. True or false? Poor posture and uncontrolled body movements can create the impression that a speaker is
unpolished or unprepared.
a.
True
b.
False
37. A speaker who plans the content, organization, and delivery of the speech in advance, but does not write the
speech out word for word, uses which speech delivery method?
a.
manuscripted
b.
memorized
c.
impromptu
d.
extemporaneous
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38. Give an example of a time when you might be required to give an impromptu speech.
39. Define extemporaneous delivery and give an example of an instance when you would use it.
40. Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter, what advice would you give Alex, who is
preparing to give a speech in class and planning to use PowerPoint as a presentation aid? Specifically, what
would you remind Alex about vocal and physical delivery, about presentation aid usage, and about practicing
the speech?
41. What are the three key anxiety triggers your textbook discusses?
42. We all get nervous when presenting from time to time; this is true even of the most experienced public
speakers. When presenting in class, sharing our experience in a job interview, or speaking to people we don’t
know, we may find we do not sound our most confident. Think about how your speaking anxiety affects your
speaking performance, and discuss how your speech delivery is affected.
43. Why is it important for a speaker to vary the pitch of their voice?
44. Considering the chapter as a whole, identify your own strengths and weaknesses as a speaker. What do you
think you do well, and how could you improve?
45. Impromptu speaking is difficult to do effectively. How can a speaker prepare himself or herself to speak
effectively in this context?
46. Imagine that you’ve finished this course, have done well, and have been hired to tutor students who are
taking a course similar to this one. What would you say to help them understand the importance of effective
speech delivery, as well as to help them learn how to deliver their presentations more effectively?
47. Briefly describe one of the pitfalls of using slideshows like PowerPoint.
48. Describe two strategies a speaker can use to help build their confidence.
49. What is the difference between public speaking anxiety (PSA) and communication apprehension (CA)?
50. List and define the four methods of speech delivery. Describe any advantages or disadvantages each method
holds for speakers. For each method, identify a context in which that method of delivery would be appropriate.
51. “It’s not just what you say, but also how you say it.” With this expression in mind, explain how nonverbal
elements of vocal delivery help to make a message clear.
52. List and describe the various types of presentation aids a speaker could use to clarify their message. Based
on what you have learned in this chapter, what would you recommend as some guidelines for creating good
presentation aids and for using them well during a presentation?
53. Lindsay is a fairly typical student in an introductory speech class. Her anxiety about giving speeches is by
no means crippling, but she doesn’t feel especially confident about her abilities. Based on what you have learned
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in this chapter, what advice would you give to help Lindsay build her self-confidence?
54. Describe three types of presentation aids that you, as a speaker, have access to in your classroom and how
you would use each of these in a speech.
55. Define and give an example of communication apprehension.
56. We’ve all heard the saying, “Practice makes perfect,” but you’ve learned in this chapter that there are
effective and also not-so-effective ways to practice. Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter
(and, quite possibly, other chapters), explain what you understand to be effective methods of practicing for a
speech.
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