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Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1. A specific purpose statement is a detailed paragraph that explains the specific topic and goal of the
presentation.
a.
True
b.
False
2. One reason that speakers need to pick a speech topic that is important to them is that:
a.
most speakers have insufficient knowledge about topics they are not interested in.
b.
speakers who are interested in a topic are more likely to convey body language that excites the
audience.
c.
speakers generally speak to audiences that consist of people similar to themselves.
d.
speakers are less likely to review, edit, and practice a speech on a topic that is not of interest to them.
3. When brainstorming to determine a speech topic, the speaker should:
a.
narrow down topic ideas as quickly as possible.
b.
write down all ideas generated.
c.
imagine the audience’s response.
d.
ignore the constraints of the speaking situation.
4. Maria has created a list of possible speech topics that she finds interesting. Before she selects a topic, which
basic question should she ask to help ensure that her speech is appropriate for the speech situation?
a.
“Which topics will be the easiest to research?”
b.
“Which topics will be interesting and relevant to my audience?”
c.
“Which topics do I have the most knowledge about?”
d.
“Which topics are the least controversial?”
5. Which statement is an example of an informative specific purpose statement?
a.
“To encourage college students to vote in the next election”
b.
“To bring my grandparents’ friends together to celebrate their wedding anniversary”
c.
“To increase the audience’s understanding of heart disease causes”
d.
“To urge my coworkers to support my fund-raising event”
6. Invention is the first step of speech creation.
a.
True
b.
False
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7. A listener’s unconscious thoughts can affect how that person responds to a speech.
a.
True
b.
False
8. Which adjective BEST describes the process of brainstorming?
a.
preplanned
b.
structured
c.
involuntary
d.
free-form
9. Compared with speeches given for a classroom assignment, public speaking and professional speaking
courses are typically associated with:
a.
less time to prepare.
b.
fewer speech constraints.
c.
more homogeneous audiences.
d.
an increased use of visual aids.
10. Going to a natural history museum for speech topic inspiration is a form of:
a.
free association.
b.
research.
c.
concept mapping.
d.
relationship exploring.
11. As part of developing his speech topic, Luis uses the word association technique. Which question should he
ask himself when he is done?
a.
“How will this fit with my purpose statement?”
b.
“What are the main points identified in this list?”
c.
“What is the underlying link among these words?”
d.
“Which of these words has the narrowest focus?”
12. Payton is giving a speech to try to get more college students to vote. The general purpose of her speech is to:
a.
entertain.
b.
inform.
c.
celebrate
d.
persuade
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13. Which action represents body language?
a.
saying “hello” to each person who enters the room
b.
speaking loudly and confidently
c.
using a person’s name when speaking to them
d.
making changes to the speech outline right before the speech
14. Which statement is an example of a celebratory specific purpose statement?
a.
“To teach a small group of peers how to dice onions”
b.
“To convince my bandmates to go on tour for the summer”
c.
“To acknowledge the extraordinary life of my grandfather on his eightieth birthday”
d.
“To educate my classmates about Malala Yousafzai and her role as an advocate for female
education”
15. The MOST important factor a speaker should consider when choosing a topic is:
a.
personal knowledge about the topic.
b.
the audience’s interest in the topic.
c.
the speech situation.
d.
personal interest in the topic.
16. In the context of speech writing, what does the word “invention” refer to?
a.
organization
b.
delivery
c.
rehearsal
d.
development
17.     Cooper is having trouble deciding what to focus on for his speech. His main topic is music, so he writes
the word “music” on a piece of paper. He then writes “bands,” the next word that comes to mind. He continues,
writing “brass,” “New Orleans,” and “jazz.” Which technique is Cooper using?
a.
outlining
b.
metacognition
c.
concept mapping
d.
free association
18. Ava is evaluating the speech situation for her upcoming speech. What is the first question she should ask
herself at this stage?
a.
“What is the purpose of my speech, and what constraints do I need to be aware of?”
b.
“What specific topics do I have the greatest knowledge about that are also of interest to me?”
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c.
“What is the specific purpose statement of my speech?”
d.
“What topics have the most supporting resources available?”
19. Although there are occasional exceptions, most speaking situations have similar contexts and constraints.
a.
True
b.
False
20. How does a thesis statement differ from a specific purpose statement?
a.
The thesis statement follows a formulaic structure, whereas the specific purpose statement is less
structured.
b.
The thesis statement is created first and provides guidance for the rest of the speech.
c.
The thesis statement is part of the speech itself, whereas the specific purpose statement is not.
d.
The specific purpose statement is created from the thesis statement.
21. What is the purpose of brainstorming?
a.
to generate ideas
b.
to identify the speech situation
c.
to focus on the audience’s interests
d.
to learn more about a topic of interest
22. Someone who is letting their mind wander through ideas is engaged in:
a.
thesis writing.
b.
creating an inventory.
c.
outlining.
d.
brainstorming.
23. Nathan has been asked to give a presentation to his biology class explaining the steps in the scientific
method. What is the general purpose of Nathan’s speech?
a.
to inform
b.
to persuade
c.
to celebrate
d.
to inspire
24. A thesis statement is sometimes referred to as a:
a.
specific purpose statement.
b.
research question.
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c.
concept map.
d.
central idea.
25. Which specific purpose statement would be MOST appropriate for a speech whose primary objective is to
inform?
a.
“To convince my listeners to stop using plastic straws”
b.
“To demonstrate the appropriate way to hold a cello bow”
c.
“To acknowledge the contributions of CEO Kallie Newhouse during her tenure at TechKnow”
d.
“To increase support for increasing taxes to pay for road maintenance”
26. The general purpose of a speech is to inform, to persuade, or to celebrate.
a.
True
b.
False
27. Callie sees an ad for a company that provides prepackaged specialized diets for people with various chronic
conditions, such as kidney disease. Unaware that this was a thing, Callie begins searching online for “diets for
kidney disease.” What is Callie engaging in?
a.
research
b.
concept mapping
c.
free association
d.
brainstorming
28. Which type of brainstorming involves drawing a diagram of related concepts?
a.
concept mapping
b.
word association
c.
free association
d.
visualization
29. What term refers to the purpose for a speech, or what is required of a speech?
a.
central idea
b.
speech situation
c.
invention
d.
exigency
30. Which idea is MOST likely to catch on with others?
a.
an idea that is tied to feelings
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b.
an idea that is logical and well-reasoned
c.
an idea that is supported by multiple sources
d.
an idea that is repeated
31. Which statement about research is true?
a.
It is a step to be completed only after a topic has been selected.
b.
It is a commonly used technique to visually show the relationship between concepts.
c.
It is a technique that can help a speaker identify potential speech topics.
d.
It is the preferred method to help a person get “unstuck” when brainstorming.
32. Which person is giving a speech whose general purpose is to inform?
a.
Abril, who tries to convince registered voters to vote yes on Prop A
b.
Raina, who makes a sales pitch to a group of executives at a company
c.
Darnell, who gives an impromptu speech at his graduation
d.
Josh, who records an online demonstration of how to replace a zipper on a jacket
33. Which of these is a visual technique used to think about the relationships between ideas?
a.
specific purpose statement
b.
research
c.
free association
d.
concept mapping
34. To analyze the speech situation, the speaker must know the reason they are speaking and the constraints
associated with the speech. Which of these is a constraint?
a.
the occasion for the speech
b.
the speech topic
c.
the size of the audience
d.
the audience’s interest in the topic
35. Olivia has been asked to speak to the sales staff of a large company. Her interests include relationship
building, sales tools, and communication approaches. The sales staff have expressed interest in prospecting for
new clients, understanding personality styles, and closing sales faster. Which topic would be MOST likely to
engage the audience?
a.
Creating Effective Sales Pitches for New Clients
b.
How Technology Can Help You Track Your Sales Efforts
c.
ABC: Always Be Closing!
d.
Why You Should Be Checking in with Existing Customers
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36. At what point in the speech writing process should the speaker create a specific purpose statement?
a.
after completing research
b.
before selecting a speech topic
c.
after writing a thesis statement
d.
after determining the general speech purpose
37. The word “invention” was originally used to describe what action?
a.
letting the mind wander
b.
finding something
c.
solving a problem
d.
discovering links between ideas
38. What is the first question to ask when deciding on a speech topic?
a.
“What topics are interesting and relevant to me?”
b.
“What topics will be interesting and relevant to my audience?”
c.
“What is the speaking situation?”
d.
“What topics have I spoken about previously?”
39. A speaker is selecting a speech topic. Which topic is MOST likely to result in a successful speech?
a.
a topic the speaker feels neutral about
b.
a topic the speaker has recently discovered   
c.
a topic the speaker has a strong feeling about
d.
a topic the speaker has spoken about previously
40. When a topic is interesting to the speaker, it will be interesting to the listeners.
a.
True
b.
False
41. Which thesis statement would be MOST appropriate for a speech whose general purpose is to celebrate?
a.
“We are here together for Emily and Chuck.”
b.
“Emily and Chuck are the love story we all strive for.”
c.
“There are a number of dessert options that couples can select from.”
d.
“Emily and Chuck have been going through a tough time financially, and they need your support.”
42. Which term describes digging through materials, usually printed or online, in search of information—often
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background and context—about a topic of interest?
a.
visualization
b.
free association
c.
concept mapping
d.
research
43. Which general speech purpose is matched with the appropriate related action?
a.
to inform = encourage a new behavior
b.
to celebrate = increase awareness of a person
c.
to persuade = change other people’s minds
d.
to teach = receive recognition from others
44. What term describes a collection of materials on a given topic or person?
a.
library
b.
museum
c.
story
d.
archive
45. When brainstorming, the best practice is to write down the best ideas.
a.
True
b.
False
46. Above all else, the speaker must first understand the speech situation before selecting a speech topic.
a.
True
b.
False
47. The general speech purpose answers what question related to the speech?
a.
when
b.
how
c.
what
d.
why
48. Valerie gives a toast to her brother at his wedding. The location of the speech suggests that this would be
classified as what type of speech?
a.
objective
b.
persuasive
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c.
celebratory
d.
informative
49. After a speaker has determined the reason for giving a speech, which basic question should the speaker
consider next?
a.
“What topics are interesting and relevant to me?”
b.
“What topics will be new to my audience?”
c.
“What is the speaking situation?”
d.
“What topic do I have the most knowledge about?”
50. If a speaker picks a speech topic of little personal interest, that is likely to be conveyed through the person’s
body language.
a.
True
b.
False
51. Which technique did Sigmund Freud develop to help his patients overcome shyness and begin talking about
their lives?
a.
outlining
b.
metacognition
c.
concept mapping
d.
free association
52. Which statement is an example of a persuasive specific purpose statement?
a.
“To encourage my peers to invest in their retirement accounts”
b.
“To explain the phases of matter”
c.
“To bring family together to celebrate my brother’s wedding”
d.
“To teach my classmates how bills become laws”
53. Although selecting a speech topic is a creative process with many possibilities, there are some rough
guidelines that can make the process more manageable.
a.
True
b.
False
54. Speech topics should be of interest to both the speaker and the audience. Which of these can help a speaker
identify where their interests and the audience’s interests intersect?
a.
audience analysis
b.
concept mapping
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c.
inventory assessment
d.
free association
55. The thesis statement is used by the speaker when developing a speech but is not part of the speech.
a.
True
b.
False
56. Which scenario demonstrates how the speech situation can constrain a speech?
a.
Melana chooses to speak about basketball to an audience that enjoys watching basketball.
b.
Ahmet avoids talking about the benefits of working from home to a group of grocery store
employees.
c.
Iris reads through old magazines at the local library to prepare for a speech about advertising.
d.
Travis enjoys drawing, so he decides to speak to his audience about how to draw faces.
57. Which term describes a single sentence in the speech itself that refers to the main purpose and topic of the
speech?
a.
thesis statement
b.
general speech purpose
c.
specific purpose statement
d.
research question
58. All of these words are part of Hoda’s concept map. Which word would be in the center of her map?
a.
hurricanes
b.
California wildfires
c.
climate change
d.
rain forest
59. A speaker has determined her topic area. What should she do next?
a.
Narrow her topic.
b.
Write down her ideas.
c.
Discern the tools at her disposal.
d.
Determine what interests her most.
60. Myrta is brainstorming topic ideas. She decides to use word association and fills an entire page with words
that popped into her head. What should Myrta do next?
a.
Try to determine what links the words together.
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b.
Identify the word that sparks the most interest for her.
c.
Decide which word best relates to her audience’s interests.
d.
Research each term to learn more about the concepts she identified.
61. Which is considered a primary element of the speech situation?
a.
the gender of the audience members
b.
the size of the room where the speech will be given
c.
the reason for the speech
d.
the speaker’s interest level in the topic
62. “To teach my classmates how to pack forty items of clothing in a carry-on bag” is an example of a(n):
a.
informative thesis statement.
b.
informative specific purpose statement.
c.
persuasive thesis statement.
d.
persuasive specific purpose statement.
63. Bethany calls a meeting with her band and gives a prepared speech. She argues that they should change the
band’s name from Sundried to Best Coast because Best Coast better communicates their love for the West
Coast. What is the general purpose of Bethany’s speech?   
a.
to gain status
b.
to inform
c.
to celebrate
d.
to persuade
64. A speaker’s meaning is communicated both by what the speaker says and by the speaker’s body language.
a.
True
b.
False
65. What step must a speaker complete before writing an effective thesis statement?
a.
Assess the available inventory for the topic.
b.
Write a draft of the speech outline.
c.
Determine the purpose for speaking.
d.
Create a concept map of the main points.
66.     John is considering giving a speech about the importance of having emotional intelligence when
managing others. When a friend asks him why he selected this topic, he answers, “I don’t know. I have seen a
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lot of articles about this recently. What do you think about this topic?” How should his friend respond?
a.
“Select something else. You don’t seem to have much interest in this topic.”
b.
“Select something else. This topic is already being covered by many others.”
c.
“Keep this topic. It appears to be of high interest to many audiences.”
d.
“Keep this topic. You may become interested as you learn more about it.”
67. What general speech purpose refers to increasing the audience’s awareness about a topic?
a.
to inform
b.
to persuade
c.
to celebrate
d.
to control
68. The first step in creating a concept map is identifying the three main points of the speech.
a.
True
b.
False
69. Ellen will be speaking to a group of professional women at a conference. She is considering topics that she
is interested in, such as gaining mentors, eliminating gender biases in the workplace, and improving work-life
balance. Which piece of information would help Ellen select the topic most appropriate for this situation?
a.
the estimated size of the audience
b.
the overall theme of the conference
c.
controversies related to her topic ideas
d.
the social norms associated with her topic ideas
70. What is the goal of creating a concept map?
a.
defining key terms
b.
identifying relationships among concepts
c.
increasing one’s knowledge about a topic
d.
organizing a speech
71. Regardless of the speech situation, after speakers choose a speech topic, they typically need to narrow the
topic.
a.
True
b.
False
72. The fundamental purpose of speaking is to increase the audience’s understanding of a topic.
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a.
True
b.
False
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