Deck 12: Using Language  

Question 1

Concrete words add to the imagery olanguage use by creating sensory impressions.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

The connotative meaning oa word includes all the feelings, associations, and emotions that the word touches ofin different people.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

A speech dominated by abstract words will almost always be clearer than one dominated by concrete words.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Abstract words are usually clearer to listeners than are concrete words.

Question 5

The words we use to label an event determine to a great extent how we respond to that event.

Question 6

Both similes and metaphors compare things that are essentially different yet have something in common.

Question 7

You can usually assume that ithe words you use are clear to you, they are also clear to your audience.

Question 8

In dealing with technical topics, a speaker has little choice but to use technical language.

Question 9

One way to think oa word's denotative meaning is as its dictionary definition.

Question 10

It is often possible to use words accurately without using them clearly.

Question 11

Denotative meaning gives words their emotional power.

Question 12

The denotative meaning oa word includes all the feelings, associations, and emotions that the word touches ofin different people.

Question 13

A speaker should avoid using familiar words because they make a speech sound trite.

Question 14

The more abstract a word, the more ambiguous it will be.

Question 15

As your textbook explains, iyou want to sound eloquent, you should use words that are unfamiliar to the audience.

Question 16

Connotative meaning is precise, literal, and objective.

Question 17

Abstract words are easier to misinterpret than are concrete words.

Question 18

The connotative meaning oa word is more variable, figurative, and subjective than its denotative meaning.

Question 19

Ithe meaning oa word is clear to you, you can assume that it is also clear to your audience.

Question 20

A public speaker needs to use big words to impress the audience.

Question 21

Alliteration is the repetition ovowel sounds in close or adjoining words.

Question 22

"His smile flashed on and oflike a neon sign" is an example osimile.

Question 23

"He argued like a rabid dog, angry and unreasoning," is an example osimile.

Question 24

"The Olympic flame burns inside every competitor, igniting their desire to win gold" is an example osimile.

Question 25

"His smile flashed on and oflike a neon sign" is an example ometaphor.

Question 26

Antithesis and alliteration are excellent ways to enhance the imagery oa speech.

Question 27

The use orepetition in a speech usually results in parallelism.

Question 28

"Silence settled over the audience like a block ogranite" is an example osimile.

Question 29

Language has a rhythm created by the speaker's choice osupporting materials.

Question 30

Using metaphor is an excellent way to enhance the rhythm oa speech.

Question 31

"She darted around the bookstore like a hummingbird in a flower garden" is an example ometaphor.

Question 32

"The Olympic flame burns inside every competitor, igniting their desire to win gold" is an example ometaphor.

Question 33

"History is a drama with many acts" is an example ometaphor.

Question 34

Antithesis and alliteration are excellent ways to enhance the rhythm oa speech.

Question 35

"History is a drama with many acts" is an example osimile.

Question 36

"She darted around the bookstore like a hummingbird in a flower garden" is an example osimile.

Question 37

"Silence settled over the audience like a block ogranite" is an example ometaphor.

Question 38

Language has a rhythm created by the choice and arrangement owords.

Question 39

A simile is an explicit comparison that contains the words "like" or "as."

Question 40

"He argued like a rabid dog, angry and unreasoning," is an example ometaphor.

Question 41

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" is an example ometaphor.

Question 42

Using language with a strong rhythm can increase the impact oa speaker's words.

Question 43

According to your textbook, language is important because it
a. mirrors reality.
b. gives meaning to events.
c. has unambiguous connotations.
d. is separate from thought.
e. all of the above.

Question 44

Using the masculine pronoun "he" in a speech is an inclusive way to designate "all persons."

Question 45

The connotative meaning oa word is
a. its dictionary definition.
b. determined by the speaker.
c. concrete and precise.
d. what the word suggests or implies.
e. usually too technical for a general audience.

Question 46

Using inclusive language is an important aspect oaudience adaptation in public speaking.

Question 47

According to your textbook, using inclusive language in a speech is a matter opersonal courtesy.
Multiple-Choice Questions Students are to indicate the answer for each question by circling the correct letter.)

Question 48

You can seldom be too cautious in avoiding language that may confuse or offend your audience.

Question 49

According to your textbook, "Despite progress in recent years, homosexuals still face many forms odiscrimination" is a good example oinclusive language.

Question 50

Language needs to be appropriate to a speaker himselor herself, as well as to the audience, topic, and occasion.

Question 51

According to your textbook, alliteration is most effective when it is used sparingly.

Question 52

"Your success as a family, our success as a society, depends not on what happens in the White House, but on what happens inside your house" is an example oantithesis.

Question 53

Language helps to shape our sense oreality by
a. causing events.
b. giving meaning to events.
c. communicating events.
d. mirroring events.
e. reflecting events.

Question 54

As your textbook explains, using inclusive language in a speech is important primarily as a matter opolitical correctness.

Question 55

Using inclusive language is important in public speaking both as a matter oaudience adaptation and as a matter oaccuracy in language.

Question 56

Alliteration in a speech refers to repeating the initial consonant sound oclose or adjoining words.

Question 57

The main reason to use inclusive language in your speeches is to avoid being accused opolitical incorrectness.

Question 58

There is a difference between one's everyday personal style and one's developed style as a public speaker.

Question 59

The denotative meaning oa word is
a. what the word suggests or implies.
b. based on the audience's sense of appropriateness.
c. usually more abstract than its connotative meaning.
d. often too technical to be used in a speech.
e. its literal or dictionary meaning.

Question 60

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" is an example oantithesis.

Question 61

Which othe following words is the most concrete and specific?
a. performer
b. actress
c. movie star
d. entertainer
e. celebrity

Question 62

Which othe following words is the most concrete and specific?
a. fruit
b. tree
c. plant
d. apricot
e. organism

Question 63

Which othe following words is the most concrete and specific?
a. nonprescription medicine
b. medicine
c. chemical compound
d. aspirin
e. painkiller

Question 64

Zhu wants to create concern among her listeners about the dangers to civil liberties posed by government surveillance. She has decided to use words with strong connotative meanings because she knows they will help her
a. enhance her credibility.
b. arouse an emotional response.
c. appear as impartial as possible.
d. all of the above.
e. b and c only.

Question 65

As a speaker, you would probably use more connotative words iyou wanted to
a. arouse an emotional response.
b. appear as impartial as possible.
c. explain a technical concept.
d. enhance your credibility.
e. exploit the rhythm of language.

Question 66

Which othe following words is the most general and abstract?
a. writing
b. novel
c. Moby Dick
d. book
e. publication

Question 67

Which othe following is discussed in your textbook as a basic criterion for the effective use olanguage in public speaking?
a. Use language clearly.
b. Use language technically.
c. Use language accurately.
d. all of the above
e. a and c only

Question 68

Which othe following words is the most concrete and specific?
a. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
b. symphony
c. classical music
d. entertainment
e. music

Question 69

Which othe following is discussed in your textbook as a basic criterion for the effective use olanguage in public speaking?
a. Use language clearly.
b. Use language accurately.
c. Use language vividly.
d. all of the above
e. a and b only

Question 70

Which othe following is discussed in your textbook as a basic criterion for the effective use olanguage in public speaking?
a. Use language technically.
b. Use language appropriately.
c. Use language clearly.
d. all of the above
e. b and c only

Question 71

Martina wants her audience to understand the fear and isolation experienced by people in the military who are victims osexual assault. In additions to strong supporting materials, she has decided to use words with connotative meanings because they will help her
a. increase her accuracy.
b. appear as impartial as possible.
c. enhance her credibility.
d. arouse an emotional response.
e. have stronger delivery.

Question 72

Phrases such as "dry as a bone," "clear as a bell," "dark as night," and "smart as a whip" should be avoided in speeches because they are
a. abstract.
b. clichés.
c. similes.
d. connotative.
e. figurative.

Question 73

To use language vividly, your textbook recommends that speakers employ
a. metaphor and rhyme.
b. imagery and rhythm.
c. concrete words and quotations.
d. testimony and examples.
e. antithesis and parallelism.

Question 74

According to your textbook, __________ words refer to ideas or concepts rather than to tangible objects.
a. vivid
b. concrete
c. denotative
d. abstract
e. technical

Question 75

Which othe following is discussed in your textbook as a way to use language clearly?
a. Use familiar words.
b. Choose concrete words.
c. Eliminate clutter.
d. all of the above
e. a and b only

Question 76

As your textbook explains, __________ meaning gives words their emotional power.
a. logical
b. definitional
c. connotative
d. denotative
e. ethical

Question 77

Each othe following is discussed in your textbook as a basic criterion for the effective use olanguage in public speaking except
a. Use language clearly.
b. Use language vividly.
c. Use language appropriately.
d. Use language technically.
e. Use language accurately.

Question 78

Jerome wants his audience to appreciate the harsh reality olife for migrant workers in the United States. In addition to using strong supporting materials, he decides to use words with connotative meanings because he knows they will help him
a. have stronger delivery.
b. appear as impartial as possible.
c. arouse an emotional response.
d. add rhythm to his language.
e. increase his accuracy.

Question 79

Which othe following words is the most concrete and specific?
a. musical group
b. human activity
c. Muse
d. entertainment
e. rock band

Question 80

As your textbook explains, connotative meaning gives words their __________ power.
a. logical
b. definitional
c. emotional
d. rhythmical
e. ethical