Question 1

Which of the following is a function of a speech conclusion?
A) restating the main ideas
B) providing new material
C) invoking guilt in the audience
D) fading out gradually

Accepted Answer

Restating the main ideas in the conclusion helps to reinforce the message of the speech and leave a lasting impression on the audience. Providing new material at the end can confuse the audience and make the speech feel unfinished. Invoking guilt in the audience is not an appropriate function for a conclusion as it can be manipulative and disingenuous. Fading out gradually is also not the best function as it can leave the audience feeling uncertain about the speaker's message.

Question 2

In his speech about registering to vote, Dan explains the new legislation that allows voter registration to coincide with driver's license renewal. But he concludes by stating that anyone who is notregistered should immediately register in time for the next election. Finally, Dan reiterates: "Everyone please register to vote; it's your right and your duty as a citizen." What aspect of effective conclusions has Dan utilized?
A) an appeal to respond on the part of the audience
B) a personal reference to his own experience
C) an effective summary of main points in a speech
D) an inspirational appeal or challenge to the audience

Accepted Answer

Dan has utilized an inspirational appeal or challenge to the audience by emphasizing that registering to vote is not only a right but also a duty as a citizen. This encourages the audience to take action and fulfill their responsibility to participate in the democratic process.

Question 3

"With all that I have presented here today, how could you not put your money into Company X?" This is an example of a(n)
A) inspirational appeal.
B) challenge.
C) summary of key points.
D) desperate plea.

Accepted Answer

This statement is an example of an inspirational appeal, as it is attempting to motivate the listener/reader to put their money into Company X by inspiring confidence and positive feelings.

Question 4

"I encourage everyone to understand that prejudice negatively affects our society." This statement is an example of
A) an inspirational appeal.
B) an appeal to action.
C) humor.
D) a question.

Accepted Answer

This statement is an example of an inspirational appeal because it aims to inspire or motivate the audience to recognize and understand the negative impacts of prejudice on society, rather than directly calling for a specific action, making a joke, or posing a question.

Question 5

When Kristen said, "So we must all do something to end domestic violence; we must all be prepared to confront this issue in our own neighborhoods and homes, so that we become part of the solution, not partof the problem," you recognize this as
A) a concluding summary statement.
B) a startling statement.
C) a reemphasis on the central idea.
D) a statement to motivate the audience to respond.

Accepted Answer

Kristen's statement is a call to action and a motivating statement for the audience to become part of the solution in ending domestic violence.

Question 6

One of the purposes of a conclusion is to motivate the audience to act.

Accepted Answer

One of the primary goals of a conclusion is to encourage the audience to take action based on the information presented in the speech or article. The conclusion should reinforce the main points of the piece and inspire the audience to make changes or take steps based on what they have learned.

Question 7

"In less than two weeks summer will begin. We will all have our beach trips planned and our weekends at the lake to look forward to. Please consider using sunscreen." This is an example of a(n)
A) reference to the introduction.
B) inspirational appeal.
C) challenge.
D) use of anecdotes.

Accepted Answer

The answer of "In less than two weeks summer will...

Question 8

Verbal and nonverbal signals should NOT be used to provide closure.

Accepted Answer

Verbal and nonverbal signals can be used to provide closure, such as saying goodbye, shaking hands, or giving a hug. These signals can communicate an ending to a conversation or relationship and provide a sense of closure.

Question 9

In the introduction to her speech about eating disorders, Sheila told the story of her friend who almost died of anorexia. In her conclusion, she reminded her audience what her friend went through and addedthat her friend was currently doing well in her battle against the disease. Was this an appropriate strategy for her speech?
A) Yes; this is a concluding strategy known as a reference to the introduction.
B) Yes; this is a concluding strategy known as a reference to the occasion.
C) Yes; this is a concluding strategy known as an appeal to action.
D) No; the introduction and conclusion are separate elements of a speech and should not overlap.

Accepted Answer

Referencing the introduction in the conclusion is a valid and appropriate strategy in public speaking known as a reference to the introduction. It helps to tie together the main points of the speech and leave a lasting impression on the audience. Additionally, in this case, mentioning that the friend is doing well in her battle against the disease provides hope and inspiration for the audience that recovery is possible.

Question 10

All of the following are effective ways to provide closure in the conclusion EXCEPT
A) finishing a story from the introduction.
B) answering your opening rhetorical question.
C) introducing a new fact or statistic that is even more startling than the ones you used throughout your speech.
D) reminding the audience of the startling fact or statistic you presented in the introduction.

Accepted Answer

Introducing a new fact or statistic that is even more startling than the ones used throughout the speech does not provide closure, but rather leaves the audience with a new topic to contemplate. The other choices (A, B, and D) all provide closure by circling back to the beginning of the speech and tying up loose ends.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT an effective conclusion technique?
A) referring to the introduction
B) using humor
C) using propaganda
D) creating an inspirational appeal

Accepted Answer

Using propaganda is not an effective conclusion technique as it can be seen as manipulative and unethical. The other options can all be effective in concluding an argument or essay. Referring to the introduction can tie the essay together, using humor can leave a lasting impression on the audience, and creating an inspirational appeal can motivate the audience to take action.

Question 12

Providing closure in a conclusion lets the audience know that the speech is finished.

Accepted Answer

Providing closure in a conclusion signals the audience that the speech is coming to an end and helps create a sense of finality.

Question 13

"Think about your life and whether you would forsake a mother, father, son, daughter, sister, or brother of a long life full of the things we take for granted." This statement is an example of a(n)
A) inspirational appeal.
B) appeal to action.
C) reference to the introduction.
D) use of anecdotes.

Accepted Answer

This statement is meant to inspire the audience to consider the value and importance of their family members and the experiences they share together. It is a powerful emotional appeal meant to motivate action and encourage the audience to prioritize their relationships and make choices based on love and support for their family members.

Question 14

One of the purposes of a conclusion is to help your audience remember your main ideas.

Accepted Answer

A conclusion is meant to summarize and reiterate the main points of your presentation or essay, which can help your audience remember those ideas.

Question 15

_____ lets the audience know the speech has ended.
A) Proximity
B) Accommodation
C) Closure
D) Recency

Accepted Answer

Closure is the sense of bringing a speech to a satisfying end, indicating that the speech has ended. It could include a summary of the main points, a call to action, or a memorable closing statement. Therefore, the option that lets the audience know the speech has ended is closure.

Question 16

Alluding to the introduction in your conclusion will make your speech memorable and
A) motivate the audience to respond.
B) enhance your credibility.
C) invoke a sense of proximity.
D) leave your audience feeling completely satisfied.

Accepted Answer

Alluding to the introduction in the conclusion helps to create a sense of closure and reinforces the main points of the speech, making it more memorable for the audience.

Question 17

What are the two primary purposes of a speech conclusion?
A) to shock the audience and elicit a response
B) to introduce new material and to grab the audience's attention
C) to grab the audience's attention and to elicit a response
D) to summarize the speech and to provide closure

Accepted Answer

The two primary purposes of a speech conclusion are to summarize the speech and to provide closure. This allows the audience to leave with a clear understanding of the main points and a feeling of completion. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not address the main purposes of a conclusion.

Question 18

Most speakers summarize the speech at the end of the conclusion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Most speakers summarize the speech at the...

Question 19

"Keep the components of health care in mind to ensure you will have a happy child to love and keep safe." This statement is an example of a(n)
A) call to action.
B) inspirational appeal.
C) reference to the introduction.
D) use of startling facts.

Accepted Answer

The answer of "Keep the components of health care in...

Question 20

In order to provide the audience with a sense of closure, you should use
A) verbal and nonverbal signals.
B) a formal statement expressing your intent to provide closure.
C) the exact same closing line you used in your introduction.
D) a startling quote or statistic.

Accepted Answer

Verbal and nonverbal signals such as summarizing main points, slowing down your speech, and making eye contact can give the audience a clear indication that the presentation is concluding and provide a sense of closure. A formal statement expressing your intent to provide closure may feel forced and unnecessary, while using the exact same closing line as the introduction may feel repetitive. A startling quote or statistic may not necessarily provide closure, but instead leave the audience with a lingering thought or question.

Quiz 13: Developing a Conclusion

Which of the following is a function of a speech conclusion?

"With all that I have presented here today, how could you not put your money into Company X?" This is an example of a(n)

"I encourage everyone to understand that prejudice negatively affects our society." This statement is an example of

When Kristen said, "So we must all do something to end domestic violence; we must all be prepared to confront this issue in our own neighborhoods and homes, so that we become part of the solution, not partof the problem," you recognize this as

One of the purposes of a conclusion is to motivate the audience to act.

"In less than two weeks summer will begin. We will all have our beach trips planned and our weekends at the lake to look forward to. Please consider using sunscreen." This is an example of a(n)

Verbal and nonverbal signals should NOT be used to provide closure.

All of the following are effective ways to provide closure in the conclusion EXCEPT

Which of the following is NOT an effective conclusion technique?

Providing closure in a conclusion lets the audience know that the speech is finished.

"Think about your life and whether you would forsake a mother, father, son, daughter, sister, or brother of a long life full of the things we take for granted." This statement is an example of a(n)

One of the purposes of a conclusion is to help your audience remember your main ideas.

_____ lets the audience know the speech has ended.

Alluding to the introduction in your conclusion will make your speech memorable and

What are the two primary purposes of a speech conclusion?

Most speakers summarize the speech at the end of the conclusion.

"Keep the components of health care in mind to ensure you will have a happy child to love and keep safe." This statement is an example of a(n)

In order to provide the audience with a sense of closure, you should use