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

Accepted Answer

A playbook typically refers to a strategic plan used in sports, so providing students with a "playbook" for public speaking suggests that they need a game plan or strategic approach to be effective. Athletic ability (A) is not necessary for public speaking, and while natural ability (C) may give someone an advantage, it is not a prerequisite for being an effective public speaker. Prior knowledge (D) may be helpful, but without a game plan or strategic approach, it may not lead to effective public speaking.

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

Accepted Answer

Speechmaking is a versatile skill that can benefit all areas of life, including societal, professional, and personal. In societal life, being able to express oneself confidently and effectively can help to create positive change and influence others. Professionally, strong communication skills are often essential in order to succeed and advance in many careers. In personal life, being able to communicate effectively with friends, family, and partners can lead to healthier relationships and better quality of life. Therefore, all of the choices (A, B, and C) are correct.

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.

Accepted Answer

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.

Accepted Answer

Public speaking is not about making others do what you want them to, but rather about communicating ideas and information effectively. It is important to use public speaking skills ethically and with respect for others.

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Our political system depends on which of...

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

Accepted Answer

While other people may be referenced in a speech, they are not necessarily an element of the communication process itself. The communication process involves the sender (person who speaks), the receiver (people who listen), and the message itself.

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.

Accepted Answer

All of the choices are aspects of the content of our communication. The words and visuals we use convey our ideas and feelings, the sounds of our voices convey our emotions and tone, and our body language or non-verbal communication adds meaning and context to our message.

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

Accepted Answer

Channels refer to the specific pathways or media through which messages are conveyed from sender to receiver. Noise refers to any interference that can disrupt this communication. Dimensions are not directly related to the transmission of messages. Media is a more general term that can refer to any means of communication, but channels specifically refer to the specific pathways utilized.

Question 9

Communication is usually a ______ event.
A) single-channel
B) dual-channel
C) multi-channel
D) channel-less

Accepted Answer

Communication is considered a multi-channel event because it involves various methods and pathways for conveying messages, including verbal, non-verbal, written, and digital means.

Question 10

A phone ringing in the audience is an example of ______.
A) channels
B) noise
C) dimensions
D) sound

Accepted Answer

A phone ringing in the audience is an example of noise, which is any interference or disturbance in the communication process that affects the clarity and accuracy of the message being conveyed.

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

Accepted Answer

Ryan's question is a form of feedback, which is a response or reaction to John's speech. It is a way for John to gauge his audience's comprehension and engagement with his message.

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

Accepted Answer

The situational/cultural context includes both the environment and the historical context, as well as other factors such as social norms, power dynamics, and the specific communication purpose or goal. This context shapes the interpretation and effectiveness of communication and can vary significantly across different situations and cultures. Therefore, when considering how conditions of place and time influence communication, it is most appropriate to focus on 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

Accepted Answer

Situational/cultural context refers to the specific setting and cultural norms in which communication takes place. Jen is taking into consideration the different contexts of the professional gathering and the community setting to make appropriate changes to her speech content and delivery.

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

Accepted Answer

Sam's field of experience, specifically the fact that he received a blood transfusion, has influenced his perspective on the importance of blood donation.

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.

Accepted Answer

While making others believe what you are saying can be important in certain situations, the primary goal of a public speaker is to effectively communicate their message and connect with their audience. Therefore, this skill is not especially important in comparison to the other options listed.

Question 16

Public speaking anxiety (PSA) affects what percentage of all speakers?
A) 10-20%
B) 30-40%
C) 40-80%
D) 80-100%

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that 40-80% of all speakers experience some form of public speaking anxiety. This can range from mild anxiety to full-scale panic attacks. The exact percentage varies depending on factors such as age, gender, and level of experience. However, it is clear that public speaking anxiety is a common issue that affects a significant number of people.

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.

Accepted Answer

Crying in private before a speech is not a helpful way to address the physical effects of speech anxiety. It may actually increase stress and make it more difficult to give the speech. The other options, such as repeating tensing and relaxing different muscles, standing tall, and using hand gestures, can all help to alleviate physical symptoms of anxiety and improve overall presentation.

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

Accepted Answer

Internal communication is known as self-talk, and negative self-talk can increase anxiety levels. Choices A, B, and D are all techniques for managing anxiety rather than describing the internal communication that fuels it.

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

Accepted Answer

Sally is using thought-stopping, a cognitive intervention technique where an individual consciously commands themselves to stop having a certain thought, often replacing it with a more positive or neutral one.

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

Accepted Answer

The technique described in the question is cognitive restructuring, which involves identifying and challenging negative or dysfunctional thoughts and replacing them with more positive and realistic ones. This can ultimately lead to changes in behavior and emotions. Self-control and inner focus may be helpful for other purposes, but they do not specifically focus on thoughts or beliefs in the same way as cognitive restructuring. Cognitive focus is not a commonly used term in the context of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Quiz 1: Building Confidence and Your First Speech

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Communication is usually a ______ event.

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

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 ______.

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

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 ______.

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

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

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

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

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 ______.

______ 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.