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
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 ___________ delivery.
A) manuscripted
B) memorized
C) impromptu
D) extemporaneous
Anecdotes can be used effectively as the opening of a speech as long as they are vividly
told and are clearly related to the topic of the speech.
A) True
B) False
Which theory helps explain how people change their attributions of someone’s physical
appearance as they communicate with them more?
A) interaction appearance theory
B) fundamental attribution theory
C) communication processing theory
D) cultural myopia theory
Which of the following forms of communication would be considered to have the
greatest media richness?
A) a text message conversation
B) a televised speech
C) a telephone conversation
D) a face-to-face conversation
U.S. companies identify public speaking as one of the most important skills needed for
professional success.
A) True
B) False
People from which type of culture perceive themselves first and foremost as members
of a group?
A) individualist
B) collectivist
C) low-context
D) high-context
“Our government should license more offshore drilling to bring down the price of oil” is
an example of a proposition of value.
A) True
B) False
Imagine that your mother watched a horror film in which young people visiting a
foreign country are abducted and killed. You tell her that you are interested in studying
abroad next term and she begins to fret that something terrible will happen to you. Her
perceptual challenge is caused by undue influence.
A) True
B) False
The authors of your textbook explain that informative speakers have several goals and
strategies at their disposal as they tailor a speech to their audience. Which of the
following is not one of those goals or strategies?
A) get his or her audience interested in the speech
B) choose a clear organization and structure
C) get the audience to follow through on their commitment to the topic
D) build on what the audience already knows
Content-oriented listeners prefer to listen to information from sources they perceive to
be credible and enjoy examining the information they receive from a variety of angles.
A) True
B) False
In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the desire to be accepted and liked by other people and
the need for love, affection, and affiliation are referred to as
A) physiological needs.
B) social needs.
C) esteem needs.
D) self-actualizing needs.
The people in a group whose job it is to break up cliques (or coalitions) are called
counter-coalitions.
A) True
B) False
A speech organized using a chronological pattern may present the main points of a
message either forward or backward in a systematic time-related fashion.
A) True
B) False
Attributing the success of a rival team to the referees making bad calls during the game
may be an example of the fundamental attribution error influencing our perception.
A) True
B) False
Active listeners are considered by others to be more competent communicators overall.
A) True
B) False
Vocal sounds such as a sigh, a scream, or laughter are considered verbal communication
behaviors.
A) True
B) False
“We are drowning in high-fructose corn syrup and there is no lifeguard on duty, so it’s
time for us to learn to swim,” is an example of a(n)
A) allusion.
B) simile.
C) metaphor.
D) repetition.
Speakers who vary their pitch are more interesting to listen to than speakers who do
not.
A) True
B) False
Displaying sexually suggestive materials in the workplace, although unprofessional, is
no longer considered sexual harassment.
A) True
B) False
Numerical expressions used to show trends, the size of something, or relationships
between things are called
A) testimony.
B) comparisons.
C) contrasts.
D) statistics.
A protg is a seasoned, respected member of an organization who serves as a role model
for a less experienced individual.
A) True
B) False
Whereas the FCC has the authority to regulate broadcast television networks, cable and
satellite networks often self-censor in order to avoid offending viewers and advertisers.
A) True
B) False
Research in nonverbal communication has concluded that it is, indeed, possible to
accurately determine if another person is lying just by monitoring that person’s
nonverbal behavior.
A) True
B) False
“People should wait until they are in their thirties to marry” is an example of a
proposition of
A) value
B) policy
C) fact
D) attitude
Using nonverbal behaviors to contradict one’s verbal message may create a sarcastic
tone.
A) True
B) False
Social groups are not considered true groups because they do not have a clear-cut
common goal or purpose.
A) True
B) False
Listening is an involuntary passive activity.
A) True
B) False
Poorly managed relational conflict can result in poor health.
A) True
B) False
“My audience should realize that a coffee tasting is more complicated than just brewing
a pot of coffee and inviting some friends over but feel like it’s something they could
organize if they wanted to,” is an example of a thesis statement.
A) True
B) False
____________ refer to group members’ personal motives, goals, attitudes, and values.
A) Cognitive forces
B) Psychological forces
C) Physiological forces
D) Social forces
In your own words, define a transition.
Briefly describe a situation in which you were required to engage in empathic listening.
Compare and contrast the four approaches to managing an organization. Do any offer
distinct advantages or disadvantages? Explain.
Briefly describe the process of clustering, as it is explained in your textbook.
Define the uses and gratifications perspective.
You have just been elected president of your school’s student government. Based on
what you have read in this chapter, describe the steps you need to take to be effective at
running the group’s meetings.
Why are ethics important in public speaking, and what steps should a speaker take to
ensure he or she takes responsibility for his or her own speech and communicates
ethically?
Describe one element of the physical environment in your favorite public place to hang
out with friends (a restaurant, caf, pub, etc.), and what that aspect of the environment
communicates to patrons.
Answer:
Examples will vary.
What is the difference between an information-gathering interview and a selection
interview?
What is the difference between probing and playing devil’s advocate?
What do we mean when we say that a culture has a polychronic time orientation, and
what is an example of a culture that fits this description?
Define plagiarism.
Frank wants to start a gaming club at his college. He knows there are other students
who are interested in joining the club, but he will need to take responsibility for leading
the group through the forming and into the norming stages of development.
Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter, what recommendations do
you have for Frank to help him function effectively as a leader for this group? Consider
what type and style of leadership might work well, the forces that might shape how the
group interacts, and the process group members should take to accomplish their goals.
Lilly and her significant other have been having trouble lately. She had hoped that they
were just going through a rough patch, but now she’s starting to wonder if their
relationship is, indeed, in serious decline. What tactics can Lilly use to repair her
relationship? Make sure to explain each strategy and provide concrete examples to
illustrate your ideas.
What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?
Jean routinely reads her Real Communication textbook while also watching her favorite
sitcoms and communicating with her friends on Facebook. She believes she is good at
_____________, but what she doesn’t realize is that focusing her attention on so many
different things at once presents a listening barrier because her attention is finite.
What are the three issues discussed in the textbook that influence our choice of whether
or not another person is attractive to us as a relational partner?
Compare and contrast the four approaches to informative speaking: description,
demonstration, definition, and explanation.