Question 1

An idea we hold to be true even if we can't prove it is true is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A belief is an acceptance that a statement is true even if there is no empirical evidence to support the statement. Values, attitudes, and behaviors can stem from beliefs, but they do not necessarily require an unprovable idea.

Question 2

In a persuasive speech (as opposed to an informative speech), the speaker's intent is to

Accepted Answer

In a persuasive speech, the speaker is aiming to change the audience's beliefs or actions, rather than just providing information or giving unbiased choices.

Question 3

Which of the following statements is true of audience members from Pacific Rim nations?

Accepted Answer

Pacific Rim nations are generally considered to be part of collectivistic cultures, where group harmony and consensus are valued. In such cultures, communication tends to be more indirect, as it is important to maintain harmony and avoid confrontation. Therefore, audience members from these cultures are more likely to be persuaded by an indirect approach that respects these cultural norms.

Question 4

Social judgment theory holds that the

Accepted Answer

Social judgment theory suggests that individuals have a "latitude of acceptance" wherein they are willing to consider and potentially accept views that fall within a certain range of their preferred position. The more ego-involved an individual is with their preferred position, the narrower their latitude of acceptance becomes. This means they are less likely to be persuaded by views that fall outside of their range of acceptable opinions. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 5

Khadija gives a persuasive speech urging listeners to support a college tuition hike. According to social judgment theory, audience members whose anchor is in the same position as Jane's are within which latitude on the continuum?

Accepted Answer

Social Judgment Theory posits that individuals have a range of opinions on a certain issue, categorized into latitudes of acceptance, rejection, and noncommitment. If an audience member's anchor (or initial stance) aligns with the speaker's position, they are within the latitude of acceptance, meaning they are predisposed to agree with the speaker's arguments.

Question 6

Which of the following is a speech to convince?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a speech...

Question 7

Which of the following would not be a primary goal of a speech to actuate?

Accepted Answer

A speech to actuate focuses on motivating or persuading listeners to take action or change their behavior. Changing a previous belief would fall under the category of a speech to inform or a speech to persuade, but not necessarily a speech to actuate. The primary goals of a speech to actuate include urging listeners to continue or discontinue a behavior, or adopt a new behavior.

Question 8

Speakers who rely heavily on their charisma are using which persuasive appeal?

Accepted Answer

Ethos is the persuasive appeal that relies on the character or credibility of the speaker, which includes their charisma.

Question 9

A candidate for State Senate gives a campaign speech in which she begins by reminding her audience that during her 10 years on the city council, she has been an honest and capable public servant. Which persuasive appeal is she using?

Accepted Answer

The candidate is using the persuasive appeal of ethos, as she is establishing her credibility and character as a trustworthy public servant.

Question 10

Which of the following is not a guideline for using logos?

Accepted Answer

Using fallacious reasoning goes against the guidelines for using logos, as it is a form of flawed or invalid argument. The other options (A, B, and C) are all valid guidelines for using logos.

Question 11

Which type of reasoning begins with the conclusion and then offers evidence and arguments to support that conclusion?

Accepted Answer

This type of reasoning is known as deductive reasoning. It starts with the conclusion and then presents evidence and arguments to lead the audience to accept the conclusion as true. This type of reasoning is often used in formal logic and mathematics.

Question 12

A speaker tries to persuade listeners to install burglar alarms by making them fearful about the dangers of leaving their homes unprotected. Which persuasive appeal is this speaker using?

Accepted Answer

The speaker is using pathos, as they are appealing to the listeners' emotions of fear to persuade them to install burglar alarms.

Question 13

An advertisement features a professional athlete endorsing a computer manufacturer. This example is which type of fallacious argument?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of ad verecundiam or appeal to authority fallacy. The argument is trying to persuade the audience based on the endorsement of a professional athlete, rather than providing evidence for the quality of the product.

Question 14

A speech contains these main points:I. You should quit smoking because it is an unattractive habit.II. You should quit smoking because it is expensive.III. You should quit smoking because it causes health problems. You recognize this speech as following which organizational pattern?

Accepted Answer

The speech is organized by presenting multiple logical reasons (unattractive habit, expense, health problems) for why one should quit smoking, fitting the logical reasons organizational pattern.

Question 15

Which of the following is not true of the problem-solution pattern of organization?

Accepted Answer

The majority of time should be spent on developing the problem in order to fully inform the audience of its significance and impact before offering a solution.

Question 16

In her speech, Araceli talks about the spread of antibiotic-resistant diseases, and then sherecommends that doctors prescribe fewer antibiotics. Which organizational pattern is she using?

Accepted Answer

Araceli presents a problem (the spread of antibiotic-resistant diseases) and suggests a solution (prescribing fewer antibiotics), which is the problem-solution organizational pattern.

Question 17

Which organizational pattern considers how a current situation arose, what will happen if it continues, why continuing is unacceptable, and how it can be changed?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which organizational pattern considers how a current...

Question 18

In a progressive-questions speech about the increase in childhood obesity, Rebecca asks, "How can we solve this problem?" She is asking a question of

Accepted Answer

Rebecca is asking for solutions to a problem, which falls under the category of policy questions. Policy questions are focused on what actions should be taken to solve a problem or achieve a goal.

Question 19

Which organizational pattern is most appropriate when the audience agrees that a problem exists but disagrees on how to solve that problem?

Accepted Answer

The comparative advantages pattern is most appropriate when the audience agrees on the existence of a problem but disagrees on the solution. This pattern allows the speaker to compare different solutions, highlighting the advantages of one over the others, which can be effective in persuading an audience towards a specific solution.

Question 20

City residents know the local government is facing a budget shortfall. The mayor gives a speech presenting two options for reducing costs: laying off employees or closing city parks one day per week. He focuses on getting residents to agree that the second plan is best. Which organizational pattern is he using?

Accepted Answer

The mayor is comparing two different solutions to address the budget shortfall and emphasizing the advantages of one over the other, which aligns with the comparative advantages pattern.

Quiz 14: Persuasive Speaking