Deck 1: Building Confidence and Your First Speech

Question 1

The idea of providing students with a "playbook" implies that, in order to be an effective public speaker, you need ______.

A) athletic ability
B) a game plan
C) natural ability
D) prior knowledge

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following is an area of your life benefitting from speechmaking?

A) societal life
B) professional life
C) personal life
D) all of these

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which of the following is a benefit of public speaking for your personal life?

A) It can help you understand specialized knowledge in a scientific field.
B) It can help you improve your relationships with your friends.
C) It can help you increase your self-confidence.
D) It increases your chances to become a media professional.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which of the following is not a benefit of public speaking for your personal life?

A) You can make your friends do what you want them to.
B) You can become more confident.
C) You can better control your environment by controlling yourself.
D) You can clarify and refine your own opinions and ideas.

Question 5

Our political system depends on which of the following types of people?

A) citizens who do not listen to others
B) citizens who carefully examine all sides of an issue
C) citizens who attempt to convince others to vote like them
D) citizens who do not speak honestly

Question 6

Which of the following is not an element of the communication process?

A) the person who speaks
B) the people who listen
C) other people who might be referenced in the speech
D) the message

Question 7

Which of the following is an aspect of the content of our communication?

A) words and visuals we use to express our ideas and feelings
B) the sounds of our voices
C) our body language or non-verbal communication
D) All of these are aspects of the content of our communication.

Question 8

Which of the following refers to the pathways or media through which messages are carried?

A) channels
B) noise
C) dimensions
D) media

Question 9

Communication is usually a ______ event.

A) single-channel
B) dual-channel
C) multi-channel
D) channel-less

Question 10

A phone ringing in the audience is an example of ______.

A) channels
B) noise
C) dimensions
D) sound

Question 11

After John presents his speech in class, his classmate Ryan raises his hand and asks him a question regarding one of his points. Ryan's question is a form of ______.

A) noise
B) feedback
C) sound
D) reaction

Question 12

When you contemplate how conditions of place and time influence both behavior and the outcome of the communication event, you are considering ______.

A) the demographic context
B) the environmental context
C) the historical context
D) the situational/cultural context

Question 13

Jen is scheduled to make a speech about the benefits of public speaking at a professional gathering, and she is also scheduled to make a speech on the same topic in a community setting. She is working on making changes to the content and delivery of the speech based on the typesetting and location. Which element of the communication process is Jen taking into consideration?

A) noise
B) feedback
C) channels
D) situational/cultural context

Question 14

Sam was in an accident as a child and received a blood transfusion, which influences his persuasive speech on blood donation. Sam's topic was influenced by his ______.

A) background
B) worldview
C) culture
D) field of experience

Question 15

Which of the following skills is not especially important for public speakers?

A) Organize ideas logically.
B) Make others believe what you are saying.
C) Encode or express ideas clearly.
D) Analyze and adapt to receivers readily.

Question 16

Public speaking anxiety (PSA) affects what percentage of all speakers?

A) 10-20%
B) 30-40%
C) 40-80%
D) 80-100%

Question 17

Which of the following is not a way in which you can address the physical effects of speech anxiety?

A) Cry in private before the speech.
B) Repeat tensing and relaxing different muscles.
C) Stand tall and lean slightly forward.
D) Leaning slightly forward, stake out a broad surface with your hands.

Question 18

Which of the following refers to our internal communication that can often derail our attempts to control our anxiety?

A) self-deprecation
B) self-control
C) self-talk
D) thought-stopping

Question 19

Sally is very nervous about presenting her speech in class. While waiting to present, she thinks to herself "Stop!" and then repeats "calm" in her head. Sally is using ______.

A) thought-control
B) self-control
C) self-talk
D) thought-stopping

Question 20

______ refers to a technique that focuses attention on our thoughts rather than on our bodily reactions that works by altering the beliefs people have about themselves and their abilities.

A) Self-control
B) Inner focus
C) Cognitive restructuring
D) Cognitive focus

Question 21

You are very nervous about your speech, so you take a deep breath and follow with a strong exhalation. Which of the following did you just enact?

A) thought-stopping
B) centering breath
C) self-talk
D) focus breath

Question 22

Which of the following doesn't help combat both the physical and the mental effects of speech anxiety?

A) speaking on a topic you really care about
B) paying more attention to details than to main ideas
C) preparing thoroughly for the speechmaking event
D) keeping in mind that listeners are unlikely to perceive our signs of anxiety

Question 23

Which of the following is not a part of the game plan for conquering speech anxiety?

A) I have assessed my own feelings and fears about giving a speech.
B) The morning before my speech, I went for a walk, a run, or a swim.
C) The morning before my speech, I had a big breakfast.
D) Just before my speech, I took a moment to center my breathing and thoughts.

Question 24

The night before the speech, Mara tried standing tall, leaning forward, and opening her arms to the audience, staking out a broad surface with her hands. Which part of the game plan for conquering speech anxiety was Mara pursuing?

A) practicing a powerful pose
B) relaxing before the speech
C) centering her breadth before the speech
D) being ready to deliver her speech

Question 25

Instead of focusing on negative thoughts and fears, Amanda is focusing on potential positives of her performance. Which strategy for using her anxiety to perform more effectively is Amanda employing?

A) preparing thoroughly
B) visualizing a positive experience
C) reminding herself that the audience cannot usually see or hear fear
D) focusing on her audience, not herself

Question 26

During the speech, Breanne takes time to make eye contact with various audience members. Which strategy for using her anxiety to perform more effectively is Breanne employing?

A) preparing thoroughly
B) visualizing a positive experience
C) reminding herself that the audience cannot usually see or hear fear
D) focusing on her audience, not herself

Question 27

Which of the following is not a suggestion for handling speech anxiety?

A) systematic desensitization
B) a single practice session to harness nervous energy
C) cognitive restructuring
D) skills training

Question 28

By mastering the ability to communicate your ideas in public, you harness the power of ______.

A) persuasion
B) interaction
C) speech
D) desensitization

Question 29

Which of the following is a meaning of freedom of speech?

A) You can speak freely without fear of being punished for expressing your ideas.
B) You can make decisions freely based on your evaluation of the choices confronting you.
C) You can debate freely all disputable questions of fact, value, or policy.
D) All of these are meanings of freedom of speech.

Question 30

Comparing and contrasting your expectations of the speech with your actual experience is part of what?

A) post-presentation analysis
B) visualization of presentation
C) audience analysis
D) pre-presentation analysis

Question 31

Highly anxious speakers tend to be ______.

A) mindful
B) poorly-paced
C) self-obsessed
D) patient

Question 32

Each of the following is step you should take once you have selected a speech topic, except ______.

A) formulate your speech's purpose
B) identify main points of the speech
C) research and select materials to support the main points
D) all of these are appropriate steps

Question 33

Once you have become more capable of assessing your speeches, what can you use for a more comprehensive assessment?

A) a scorecard
B) a gradebook
C) a professional
D) Internet resources

Question 34

Which question about the speech you have delivered should you ask in your post-presentation scorecard?

A) Was I nervous?
B) Did my speech persuade the audience?
C) How well did I do?
D) What did I do wrong?

Question 35

In addition to benefiting your personal life and society, being a skilled public speaker can also benefit your ______.

Question 36

The idea of providing students with a "playbook" implies that, in order to be an effective public speaker, you need a ______.

Question 37

Becoming a skilled public speaker has benefits for the individual, both personal and professional, and for ______.

Question 38

______ refers to the pathways or media through which messages pass.

Question 39

The speaker is also referred to as the ______ of the message, and the listener is referred to as the ______ of the message.

Question 40

Mohammad is answering questions from the audience after the speech. Mohammad is receiving ______.

Question 41

Physical discomfort, a psychological state, intellectual ability, or the environment can create ______.

Question 42

The night before the speech, trying to stand tall, lean forward, and open your arms to the audience, is an example of ______.

Question 43

______ anxiety is fear of preparing a speech, and ______ anxiety is fear of presenting a speech.

Question 44

Mo is giving a speech about his ethnic heritage. In a few parts of the speech, he boasts that he feels his ethnicity is much more advanced and intelligent than others. And toward the conclusion he states that he feels his heritage is the most important for anyone to become aware of and appreciate. Though he was trying to sound confident, his overcompensation was presented as a form of ______.

Question 45

Josh succeeds to strike a powerful pose during the speech and thus increase the effectiveness of the speech. Josh is addressing the ______ effects of speech anxiety.

Question 46

Aya takes her nerves about public speaking and uses them to her advantage. Aya is harnessing her ______.

Question 47

Public speaking anxiety has two dimensions: ______ and _______.

Question 48

We often feel more ______ presenting a speech when it does not interest us.

Question 49

Highly anxious speakers tend to be ______.

Question 50

The first step in ______ is to analyze your interests.

Question 51

Your speech's ______ are the blueprint for your speech containing those major ideas your speech will relay to receivers.

Question 52

A speaker will use the specific purpose to develop their central idea or ______.

Question 53

You can use ______, such as "first," "next," and "finally," to let receivers know where you are in your speech.

Question 54

A(n) ______ provides the skeleton upon which you hang your main ideas and support.

Question 55

When it comes to vocal cues, you will want to regulate your ______, ______, ______, and ______.

Question 56

Following a speech, ______ may come in the form of questions from the audience.

Question 57

Becoming a skilled public speaker has benefits for the individual, both personal and professional, and society as a whole.

Question 58

Sending the message is the exclusive job of the source.

Question 59

By mastering the ability to communicate your ideas in public, you harness the power of interaction.

Question 60

If you are answering questions from the audience after the speech, you are receiving feedback.

Question 61

The speaker is also referred to as the source of the message, and the listener is referred to as the receiver of the message.

Question 62

Physical discomfort, a psychological state, intellectual ability, or the environment can create noise.

Question 63

If you say something you regret, it doesn't take much to "erase" that communication in your audience's mind.

Question 64

It is possible to use your stress and anxiety to build your confidence as a speaker.

Question 65

Keeping in mind that listeners are unlikely to perceive our signs of anxiety helps combat both the physical and the mental effects of speech anxiety.

Question 66

Thought stopping is an example of cognitive restructuring.

Question 67

We often feel more anxious presenting a speech when it does not interest us.

Question 68

Practicing is not considered a component of your speech preparation.

Question 69

If you take your nerves about public speaking and use them to your advantage, you are harnessing positive energy.

Question 70

Performance anxiety is fear of preparing a speech, and process anxiety is fear of presenting a speech.

Question 71

Ethnocentricity is the belief that your own group or culture is better than others.

Question 72

Visualizing a positive experience is a helpful way in refocusing your speech anxiety, and visualizing success from start to finish.

Question 73

The first step in topic selection is to analyze your interests.

Question 74

The specific purpose expresses the central theme of your speech in one sentence.

Question 75

The conclusion of your speech should introduce one bit of new information to keep the audience engaged with your content.

Question 76

Signposts signal transitions between sections of your speech to help focus the audience's attention.

Question 77

Presenting a speech should become effortless.

Question 78

List and discuss the three areas in which being a skilled public speaker could benefit you.

Question 79

List and discuss the four meanings of freedom of speech as referenced in the text.

Question 80

Define and discuss the element of "noise" from the communication process. How can that impact a speaker?