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Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1. True or false? “Ethnocentrism is not the same as racism and should not be confused with stereotyping” is an
example of definition by synonym.
a.
True
b.
False
2. True or false? If your speech reveals highly personal information or ridicules the audience, this is a highly
effective informative speech.
a.
True
b.
False
3. True or false? Audiences usually perceive speeches with a greater number of points to be more significant
than speeches that are organized more simply.
a.
True
b.
False
4. “Today, the term dry run is often used to refer to a rehearsal of some sort. This meaning originated in the
field of firefighting, where dry represented a practice drill where the hoses were turned off, and run simply
meant a response to a fire alarm, whether real or for a drill.” What type of definition is given in this statement?
a.
operational definition
b.
definition by example
c.
definition by synonym
d.
definition by etymology
5. True or false? Ethical considerations are of little consequence to informative speakers because they do not
intend to influence the audience’s attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors.
a.
True
b.
False
6. True or false? Informative speeches should focus on only one category (for example, people, places, things,
or processes) and should not include descriptions of more than one category of information in a single
presentation.
a.
True
b.
False
7. True or false? Effective informative speakers often have to put effort into generating audience interest in their
topic by emphasizing how learning the information will benefit them, or they risk losing their audience
members’ attention.
a.
True
b.
False
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8. True or false? Informative speakers do not need to present new information as long as the information is
interesting or relevant.
a.
True
b.
False
9. True or false? Explanatory speeches usually delve deeper into a subject than a speech of description would.
a.
True
b.
False
10. True or false? An informative speech about “how to open a locked car door without a key” would be
ethically questionable.
a.
True
b.
False
11. True or false? Issue and policy speeches are persuasive by nature and should be avoided for informative
presentations.
a.
True
b.
False
12. True or false? Informative speakers do not have to give thought to issues like relevance and usefulness when
the topic is assigned to them—they only need to make sure the information they present is accurate and clear.
a.
True
b.
False
13. True or false? In order to function effectively, examples need to be familiar to an audience—examples that
need to be described in detail usually have little impact on an audience’s understanding.
a.
True
b.
False
14. True or false? Informative speaking should always be appropriate and ethical.
a.
True
b.
False
15. Which adjective describes an informational speaker?
a.
subjective
b.
objective
c.
opinionated
d.
biased
16. Informative speakers have several goals and strategies at their disposal as they tailor a speech to their
audience. Which is one of those goals or strategies?
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a.
Get your audience interested in the speech.
b.
Choose an improvisational organization and structure.
c.
Give your audience as much information as you can find.
d.
Focus on information that your audience already knows.
17. True or false? “Popular dark roast coffees include Italian and French roasts” illustrates definition by
negation.
a.
True
b.
False
18. Which type of speech goes into depth by providing reasons or causes and demonstrating relationships?
a.
explanatory speech
b.
definition speech
c.
demonstration speech
d.
descriptive speech
19. Answering “how” questions is the goal of a(n):
a.
descriptive speech.
b.
demonstration speech.
c.
definitive speech.
d.
explanatory speech.
20. True or false? Informative speakers take a subjective perspective on the information they present.
a.
True
b.
False
21. Which type of informative topic is especially challenging to cover because it is difficult to keep one’s own
opinions from influencing the speech?
a.
places
b.
events
c.
issues
d.
processes
22. “The isokinetic resistance mechanism used in most rehabilitative exercise equipment works on centripetal
force, similar to the way the Gravitron carnival ride does—the faster the motor or the patient moves, the faster
the resistance mechanism spins, and the more resistance is created.” What method of explanation is employed in
this example?
a.
elucidating
b.
quasi-scientific
c.
transformative
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d.
demonstrative
23. Which definition defines something by explaining what it is or what it does?
a.
definition by etymology
b.
definition by example
c.
definition by negation
d.
operational definition
24. True or false? Speeches about people must be about subjects who are well known in order to be significant
enough to warrant the audience’s attention.
a.
True
b.
False
25. Which specific purpose statement represents a demonstration speech?
a.
To explain to my audience how the process of becoming a U.S. citizen has changed over time so that
they have greater awareness of the current immigration debate in our country.
b.
To help my audience understand the reasons why immigrants choose to leave their country and move
to the United States.
c.
To show and explain to my audience how to fill out the paperwork to become a naturalized citizen of
the United States so that they will be aware of how complicated the process is.
d.
To show my audience the impact anti-immigrant bias has had on public policy in the United States,
including drug laws, zoning laws, and even education policies.
26. Details that illuminate a concept’s meaning and use are called:
a.
elucidating explanations.
b.
quasi-scientific explanations.
c.
transformative explanations.
d.
demonstrative explanations.
27. Andrew’s informative speech will help his audience understand how to upgrade and replace the hard drive
in their computers. What type of topic has he chosen?
a.
concept
b.
process
c.
issue
d.
event
28. True or false? Speakers are considered more knowledgeable and trustworthy when they know more than
their audience does, so their language should be as technical and complex as possible.
a.
True
b.
False
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29. True or false? Information overload refers to the experience of a speaker having too much information to
cover within the time allotted and feeling unsure about what information to include and what to leave out.
a.
True
b.
False
30. True or false? Process speeches require the speaker to demonstrate how to do or make something.
a.
True
b.
False
31. True or false? Important events in a speaker’s life can serve as foundations for effective and interesting
informative presentations.
a.
True
b.
False
32. True or false? Using graphic presentation aids helps most audiences comprehend and retain the information
in a speech better than they would if they only heard the information.
a.
True
b.
False
33. Pooja has chosen to deliver her speech on the topic of badminton. Specifically, she plans to discuss the
process of playing the sport. She has discovered that no one else in her class has ever played the sport, so the
information will be new. Unfortunately, none of the classmates she spoke to seemed to indicate any interest in
the subject. What advice, besides simply selecting a new topic, would you give Pooja to help her get her
audience excited about and interested in her topic?
34. Describe the steps informative speakers can take to make their speech clear and easy for the audience to
understand.
35. What is the difference between a definition by example and a definition by synonym?
36. “People” is just one of the eight categories of informative speech topics. List at least four of the remaining
categories of informative speeches as discussed in your text.
37. Define issue as a category of informative speech topics, and provide an example of an issue that would
make for a good informative speech.
38. Synthesizing what you have learned up to this point in the course, explain the role of ethics as it relates to
informative speaking.
39. What do we mean when we say that a good informative speaker will keep a speech simple for the audience
by building on their prior knowledge?
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40. Your friend Sam’s family has owned a health food store since she was a little girl. She has decided to do her
informative speech about natural alternatives to the dangerous cleaning products made by large corporations.
She wants her audience to know that natural cleaning products are healthier and less polluting and hopes that
she can inspire her classmates to switch to using more natural products in their own homes. Will Sam’s topic
work for her informative speech? Why or why not? If changes are needed, what specific advice would you give
Sam to help her modify the topic?
41. Compare and contrast the four approaches to informative speaking: description, demonstration, definition,
and explanation.
42. In your own words, what do the authors of your text mean when they say you should create information
hunger?
43. List, describe, and provide examples of the eight categories of informative speeches that are discussed in
your textbook. What cautionary advice would you give to an informative speaker about any of these eight
categories?
44. Give an example of an object or a phenomenon that could serve as the topic of an informative speech, then
outline some of the information you might cover in this speech.
45. Compare and contrast the three types of explanations for explanatory speeches, and provide an example of
each.
46. In your own words, what does it mean to be an objective speaker rather than a subjective speaker?
47. Provide an example of a phrase that would be helpful in drawing the audience’s attention to an important
piece of information just before you state it, then describe how highlighting important information during a
speech benefits the audience.
48. In your own words, define a quasi-scientific explanation, and provide an example of an explanation that
would be considered quasi-scientific.
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