Selecting a Topic and a
Purpose
he questions for each chapter are organized according to type: true-false, multiple-choice, short-
answer, and essay. Within each of these categories, questions are clustered by topic, roughly
following the order of topics in the textbook.
To provide as much flexibility as possible in constructing examinations, there is deliberate overlap
among the questions, both within and across question types. This enables you to choose the wording
and question type that best fits your testing objectives. In deciding which questions to use, take care to
avoid items such as a multiple-choice question that gives away the answer to a true-false or short–
answer question, or an essay question that covers essentially the same ground as a true-false, short-
answer, or multiple-choice question.
Each type of question—true-false, multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay—has an automatic
numbering system, which means you can copy and paste items from within a question type, and they
will automatically number themselves consecutively, beginning with “1.” The five answer choices for
each multiple-choice question are also ordered automatically, so you can add, change, or reorder answer
choices without rearranging the lettering.
If you would like to preserve the fonts, indents, and tabs of the original questions, you can copy
and paste questions into the Exam Master provided at the end of the Test Bank. In the Exam Master,
spaces for your course name, exam type, and the student’s name and section are followed by headings
and instructions for true-false, multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay questions. You can add
elements unique to your exams and delete elements you don’t want to use. After you customize the
Exam Master, you can save it with your changes. Then, each time you open it, click “Save As” to give
it the name of the exam you are currently constructing.
T
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CHAPTER 5—SELECTING A TOPIC AND A PURPOSE 69
True-False Questions
audience, and the speaker’s qualifications.
choosing a speech topic.
words and ideas.
speech topic.
process early.
idea.
general purpose.
purpose.
specific purpose.
inform or to demonstrate.
explaining and entertaining.
teaching and advocating.
accomplish in a speech.
idea.
the body of the speech.
“The three major elements of the architectural style of Frank Lloyd Wright are low–
pitched roofs, functional designs, and lines that blend into the landscape.”
“The five most common types of volcanoes are the cinder cone volcano, the shield
volcano, the strato-volcano, the giant caldera, and the fissure volcano.”
in a single infinitive phrase.
an example of an effective specific purpose statement for an informative speech.
is a well-worded specific purpose statement for an informative speech.
an example of an effective specific purpose statement for a speech.
effective specific purpose statement for a speech.
for students” is an example of a well-worded specific purpose statement for a
persuasive speech.
school buses” is an example of a well-worded specific purpose statement for a
persuasive speech.
purpose statement for an informative speech.
purpose statement for a speech.
statement for a speech.
purpose statement.
statement for a persuasive speech.
statement for a speech.
statement for a speech.
your speech.
purpose statement should contain a reference to your audience.
specific purpose statement.
specific purpose statement.
well-worded specific purpose statement.
the military should be conducted by civilian authorities” is an example of a well–
worded specific purpose statement.
a well-worded specific purpose statement for a speech.
worded specific purpose statement for a speech.
an example of an effective specific purpose statement for an informative speech.
birds” is an example of an effective specific purpose statement for a speech.
purpose.
have decided on the main points of the speech.
completed.
body of the speech.
encourages eating only foods high in fat and protein has major advantages, as well as
serious risks.”
sales tax to help pay for social programs” is an example of an effective central idea for
a speech.
example of a well-worded central idea for a speech.
coats, and their manes” is an example of a well-worded central idea for a speech.
lodging” is an example of an effective specific purpose statement for a speech.
lodging” is an example of a well-worded central idea for a speech.
treating injuries” is an example of a well-worded central idea for a speech.
treating injuries” is an example of a well-worded specific purpose statement for a
for a $10 increase in student fees to pay for a new fitness center because the current
one is too small and its equipment is out of date.”
Multiple-Choice Questions (Students are to indicate the best answer for each
question by circling the correct letter.)
1. According to your textbook, brainstorming is especially helpful when you are having trouble
2. The process of generating ideas for speech topics by free association of words and ideas is
known as
3. Which of the following does your textbook recommend as a method of brainstorming for a
speech topic?
4. After choosing a topic, what is the next step of speech preparation?
5. Which of the following is inappropriate in a speech to inform?
6. Advocating a position is most appropriate when the general purpose of your speech is to
7. When the general purpose of your speech is to __________ , you act primarily as a teacher or
lecturer.
8. When the general purpose of your speech is to __________ , you act primarily as an advocate.
9. According to your textbook, what is the most important early step in the process of developing a
successful speech?
10. The __________ expresses precisely what you hope to accomplish with your speech.
11. According to your textbook, the specific purpose for a speech should
CHAPTER 5—SELECTING A TOPIC AND A PURPOSE 75
12. According to your textbook, the specific purpose statement for a speech should be
13. “To inform my audience about the history of the Super Bowl” is an example of a
14. “To inform my audience about the three basic steps in preventive medicine” is an example of a
15. “To inform my audience about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of Hodgkin’s disease” is an
example of a
16. “To inform my audience about the four major elements in rope climbing” is an example of a
23. “Learning how to deal with stress” is a poorly phrased specific purpose for a classroom speech
because it
24. “To explain the three major benefits of cycling as a form of exercise” is a poorly phrased
specific purpose statement because it
25. “To explain how to write an effective job résumé” is a poorly phrased specific purpose statement
because it
26. “To inform my audience that learning digital photography is a piece of cake” is a poorly phrased
specific purpose statement for a speech because it
27. “To persuade my audience that continuing to spend money on the space program is like throwing
good money after bad” is a poorly phrased specific purpose statement for a speech because it is
39. The specific purpose of Stephanie’s informative speech is “To inform my audience about
economics.” Are there any flaws in Stephanie’s specific purpose?
40. Charity’s specific purpose statement for her classroom informative speech is “To inform my
audience about the changes in Medicare benefits for next year.” According to your textbook, are
there any flaws in Charity’s specific purpose?
41. Cesar’s specific purpose for his classroom informative speech is “To inform my audience how to
load apps onto their cell phones.” According to your textbook, are there any flaws in Cesar’s
specific purpose?
42. Sky’s specific purpose statement for his classroom informative speech is “To inform my
audience how to change a tire.” According to your textbook, are there any flaws in Sky’s specific
purpose?
43. The __________ is a one-sentence statement that sums up or encapsulates the major ideas of a
speech.