Quiz 13: The Importance of Language

The denotative meaning of a word is: A) clear, even for a conceptual word. B) essentially a dictionary definition. C) the one meaning that everyone shares. D) the underlying significance. E) universally understood.

A connotative meaning is: A) an analytical explanation of a conceptual word. B) the idea suggested by or associated with a word. C) a meaning created by a unique way of using a word. D) the one, universally agreed upon meaning of the word. E) a popular, but incorrect, meaning of a word.

Speakers should try to know: A) how their audiences could interpret words used in their speeches. B) how to give an extended definition of a conceptual term. C) the exact dictionary definitions of all the terms they plan to use. D) the technical definitions of all the terms they plan to use. E) which words have multiple dictionary definitions.

Public speaking should sound: A) carefully written. B) conversational. C) eloquent. D) intellectual. E) spontaneous.

Language is a system through which we strive to: A) communicate our thoughts and meanings. B) convey universally understood ideas. C) create groundwork for discussions. D) deliver exact directives and definitions. E) gain audience attention and compliance.

Oral communication is different from written communication because it: A) is less spontaneous than written communication. B) is more likely to be denotative and precise. C) reliably communicates exact meanings. D) relies on an extensive working vocabulary. E) uses fewer words and shorter sentences.

Reading is different from listening because a: A) listener can re-hear a sentence and look up a word. B) listener exerts more effort to understand a message. C) reader agrees with the content; a listener does not. D) reader can reread a sentence or look up a word. E) reader can sustain his or her focus for a long time.

Connotative meanings are: A) errors or misunderstandings. B) exact dictionary definitions. C) ideas associated with a word. D) less important than denotation. E) most often found in written messages.

Denotative language: A) can be misunderstood. B) conveys one clear meaning. C) eliminates all confusion. D) is conversational language. E) is universally understood.

Oral communication should be: A) carefully crafted to make definitions clear. B) composed of extreme and superlative terms. C) focused on challenging intellectual concepts. D) simple enough to be understood by your audience. E) thought-provoking and interesting to listeners.

Connotative meanings are precise dictionary meanings.

Oral communication is more carefully worded than written communication.

Most misunderstandings occur because of connotative meanings.

Oral communication should be conversational.

Oral language tends to use shorter sentences than written language.

We often refer to a _________ meaning as a dictionary definition.

Oral communication should sound _______________.

A _______________ meaning is an idea associated with a word.

We convey ideas and meanings through __________________.

The majority of misunderstandings occurs because of differing ____________ meanings.

What are connotative meanings? Give an example showing a variety of ways in which a single word can be understood.

What are denotative meanings?

What are three of the differences between written language and oral language?

Explain some of the differences between reading and listening. What does this imply that public speakers should do?

Differentiate between connotative and denotative meanings. Explain why public speakers should consider both.

Concrete language: A) is boring and unimaginative and should be avoided. B) is considerate of the feelings of the audience. C) helps an audience see specific realities or actual instances. D) makes a comparison between two things or ideas. E) presents ideas in a grammatically parallel fashion.

Appropriate language is: A) the correct use of terminology for the topic. B) denotative, precise, and politically correct language. C) intellectual, conceptual, and lofty language. D) language that makes a speaker sound intelligent. E) suitable for audience, speaker, topic, and occasion.

Repeated words and phrases: A) allow an audience to relax and agree with the message. B) emphasize the commitment of a speaker to the main ideas. C) help listeners recall information after the end of a speech. D) reveal a lack of vocabulary or imagination in the speaker. E) are transitions that clarify the relationship between ideas.

Language that is appropriate for the audience is: A) expressions of appreciation and respect. B) language they are able to understand. C) language that provokes new thoughts. D) vocabulary defined within the speech. E) words they can remember and look up.

Language that is appropriate for the speaker is: A) connotative language focused on the speaker's personality. B) familiar, understood, and comfortable for the speaker. C) a speaker's unique patterns and usages of common words. D) the spontaneous, informal way a speaker usually speaks. E) the use of high-level terms that makes him or her sound smart.

Vivid language is used to: A) clarify the difference between two things or ideas. B) emphasize the importance of the meanings in the message. C) evoke a dramatic response from a passive audience. D) help listeners create strong, distinct, memorable images. E) reveal the level of sincerity and commitment in the speaker.

Concrete language helps the audience: A) apply the message to their own lives. B) comprehend conceptual ideas. C) create images in memorable ways. D) decide whether a speaker is credible. E) understand actual, specific things.

A metaphor is used to: A) analyze a relationship between two ideas or things. B) clarify the meaning of a complicated term. C) define the various meanings of a single term. D) emphasize specific differences between two things. E) suggest a resemblance between two different things.

Repetition can be used to: A) imply various ideas associated with an idea. B) emphasize the importance of a specific idea. C) generate audience enthusiasm for an idea. D) help the audience become familiar with an idea. E) provide an enriched description of an idea.

Inclusive language: A) avoids implying that one group is more important than another. B) carefully avoids acknowledging differences among people. C) includes both masculine and feminine pronouns together. D) refers to the specific cultural identities of audience members. E) uses politically correct terms for all categories of humans.

Ethnic identity refers to a group an individual identifies with based on a common culture.

Heterosexism occurs when a speaker presumes that everyone in an audience is heterosexual.

"Health-care professional" is a more inclusive term than "woman doctor."

Imagery helps a listener clearly distinguish between two things.

The use of real-life examples is one way to be concrete.

____________ language avoids placing any one group of people above or below others.

__________ language is language that is suitable for the audience, topic, speaker, and context.

________ language denotes specific realities or actual things or events.

We are using a ______________ when we say the traffic was a nightmare.

_________ refers to the patterned, recurring variance of elements of sound or speech.

What do we mean when we refer to language that is appropriate for the speaker?

What do we mean when we refer to inclusive language?

What is gender-specific language? How should a speaker manage the use of pronouns? Give examples of inclusive and exclusive pronoun uses.

What is vivid language and why is it important in public speaking?

Clarity is the use of language that: A) analyzes the way words form, evolve, and convey meaning. B) gives an overview of everything the speech will address. C) helps listeners understand ideas the way the speaker intends. D) provides a precise, detailed, denotative definition of a term. E) summarizes a main point and leads to a conclusion.

Economy refers to: A) avoiding topics that will demand too much of the audience. B) keeping a speech as short as possible to keep audience attention. C) the potential for becoming a speaker who will be paid. D) simplifying the language so that any audience can understand it. E) using only the words necessary to convey ideas accurately.

Obscenity is language that: A) clarifies which of two ideas is unworthy or wrong. B) evokes audience response in an intended direction. C) has the potential to distract the audience from the message of a speech. D) reveals the sincerity of a speaker's feelings on the topic. E) sets the tone so the audience will understand a speech.

Obscure language is language that: A) challenges an audience to contemplate new ideas. B) contributes to a speaker's credibility and effectiveness. C) most audience members are unlikely to understand. D) persuades audiences that the speaker is intellectual. E) presents ideas from a new or unusual perspective.

Powerful language: A) alienates almost all audiences. B) can influence audience members. C) is intense, enthusiastic language. D) is most effective in a conclusion. E) is unfair and should be avoided.

Using language variety in a speech refers to: A) adding a little exotic language near the end. B) adding phrases from a foreign language. C) including some specialized vocabulary. D) using a range of words and phrases. E) using things like metaphors and alliterations.

Using the word "chewing" instead of "mastication" is an example of: A) clarity. B) economy. C) obscenity. D) power. E) variety.

Using the term "interlocking slide fastener" instead of "zipper" is an example of: A) clarity. B) economy. C) obscenity. D) obscure language. E) variety.

Saying "poor" instead of "burdened with impecuniousness" is an example of: A) economy. B) obscenity. C) obscure language. D) power. E) variety.

"This idea might actually be possible," is an example of: A) a direct request. B) a hedge. C) ingratiation. D) an intensifier. E) persuasion.

Clarity makes it likely that most people will be confused.

Obscenity is an effective power strategy to use with most audiences.

Jargon refers to language used by a highly specialized group, trade, or profession.

Using a particular linguistic device repeatedly will weaken its power.

Word economy is the use of only those words necessary to accurately express your idea.

______________ is indecent language and pornographic references that are not recommended in speeches.

______________ should be avoided if the audience is diverse.

______________ is the use of language to ensure the audience understands the message in the way the speaker intends.

Language that is not typically understood by most audience members is called ______________ ______________.

Using only the necessary words to clearly express an idea is called ______________.

Why do your textbook authors recommend using economy in a speech?

What is obscure language? What can public speakers do about it? Give an example.

Describe three powerful language strategies, and give an example of each.

What is clarity and why should speakers be concerned with clarity?