Question 1

Verbal immediacy is used to reduce the psychological distance between the speaker and her topic.

Accepted Answer

Verbal immediacy is a communication technique that involves using language to create a sense of closeness and involvement with the listener or audience. It can be used to reduce the psychological distance between the speaker and her topic, making the message more engaging and persuasive.

Question 2

To demonstrate linguistic sensitivity, avoid using ___________________________.
A)generic language
B)nonparallel language
C)offensive humor
D)all of these

Accepted Answer

All of these options should be avoided to demonstrate linguistic sensitivity. Using generic language can be exclusionary and dismissive of diversity, nonparallel language can create confusion and imply unequal importance, and offensive humor can be hurtful and disrespectful. To truly be linguistically sensitive, it is important to use language that is inclusive, respectful, and appropriate for the audience and context.

Question 3

Language used to reduce the psychological distance between a speaker and her audience is known as _________________________
A)verbal immediacy
B)common ground
C)marking

Accepted Answer

Verbal immediacy refers to the use of language that makes the audience feel closer to the speaker, such as using "we" or "us" instead of "they" or "them." This helps to reduce the psychological distance between the speaker and her audience, making the audience more receptive to the speaker's message. Common ground refers to shared beliefs or experiences between the speaker and audience, and marking refers to the use of cues in language to indicate emphasis or importance. While both common ground and marking can also be used to create a sense of connection between speaker and audience, verbal immediacy specifically refers to language use.

Question 4

Talking about common experiences will ________________________________.
A)cause the audience to disrespect the speaker
B)make the speech boring
C)cause the audience to interrupt the speech
D)allow the audience to identify with the speaker

Accepted Answer

Talking about common experiences will allow the audience to identify with the speaker. This can help to build a connection and keep the audience engaged in the speech. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they suggest negative outcomes that are not necessarily true when talking about common experiences.

Question 5

Establishing relevance can be done ______________________.
A)just in the introduction of the speech
B)only in technical topics
C)by showing the audience how the information relates to them personally
D)when the audience has a lot of time on their hands

Accepted Answer

Establishing relevance is important in any type of speech, not just technical ones, and it should be done throughout the speech by showing the audience how the information presented is relevant and applicable to them personally.

Question 6

Asking rhetorical questions is one of the best ways to develop common ground.

Accepted Answer

Rhetorical questions can engage the audience, prompting them to think and reflect, which can help establish a shared understanding or perspective.

Question 7

Aileen is giving a speech about homelessness.If she wanted to adapt her speech in terms of proximity she could ____________________________.
A)startle her audience by telling them how many people are homeless
B)narrow her speech to talk about homelessness in the city in which most of her audience members live
C)tell her audience what they can do to help solve the problem
D)provide her audience with a personal story about homelessness.

Accepted Answer

Adapting a speech in terms of proximity involves relating the topic to the audience's location or area of interest. Aileen can narrow her speech to talk about homelessness in the city in which most of her audience members live. This will make the speech more relevant and engaging to the audience.

Question 8

An effective oral style does all of the following except __________________________.
A)tend toward short sentences and familiar language
B)use strong-I statements
C)incorporate clear structural elements

Accepted Answer

An effective oral style does tend toward short sentences and familiar language, and incorporates clear structural elements as well. However, using strong-I statements can be seen as self-centered and may not always connect with the audience. Instead, an effective oral style may use inclusive language and focus on the needs and interests of the audience.

Question 9

A speaker who changed his or her phrasing from "When an individual eventually gets enough money for a down payment on a house, he needs to ask himself some very serious questions" to "When you eventually get enough money for a down payment on a house, you need to ask yourself some very serious questions" has learned the value of _____________________.
A)rhetorical questions
B)being specific
C)personal pronouns
D)repetition

Accepted Answer

The speaker has learned the value of using personal pronouns to create a stronger connection with the audience. By using "you" instead of "an individual," the speaker is speaking directly to the audience and making the message more relatable.

Question 10

Sensory language refers to using precise words that clarify meaning by narrowing what is understood from a general category to a particular item or group within that category.

Accepted Answer

Sensory language refers to descriptive language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) to create vivid imagery, not to narrowing down categories.

Question 11

A speaker using the strategy of proximity in a speech on economic hardships might
A)show how it affects every listener's "own back yard"
B)show how it affects every listener today
C)show how it affects every listener's bank account
D)show how it affects everyone physically

Accepted Answer

The strategy of proximity refers to demonstrating how a topic or issue affects the audience personally or locally. By showing how economic hardships impact each listener's "own back yard," the speaker is utilizing this strategy effectively. This makes the message more relevant and impactful, as the audience can see the direct consequences of the issue in their own lives.

Question 12

Which of the following is a valid reason not to establish credibility?
A)Your topic is too important to waste time on credibility.
B)You are a widely known expert in the field.
C)You received a formal introduction.
D)You don't have any credibility on the topic.

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

A speaker using the strategy of timeliness in a speech on the importance of recycling __________________________.
A)show how it affects every listener's "own back yard"
B)show how it affects every listener today
C)shows how it affects every listener's pocketbook
D)shows how it affects everyone physically

Accepted Answer

Timeliness in a speech refers to making the topic relevant to the present moment or current events, so showing how recycling affects listeners today aligns with this strategy.

Question 14

Overuse of alliteration can hurt a speaker's message.

Accepted Answer

While alliteration can be a powerful tool for emphasizing certain words or phrases, an overuse of it can become distracting and take away from the overall message the speaker is trying to convey. It's important for speakers to use alliteration in moderation and with purpose.

Question 15

Information that may have a physical, economic, or psychological impact on audience members should be avoided.

Accepted Answer

Information that may have a physical, economic, or psychological impact on audience members should be handled with care, but not necessarily avoided, as it can be important for informed decision-making and awareness.

Question 16

In order to effectively manage cultural differences, you should ________________________.
A)demonstrate linguistic sensitivity
B)be especially careful when you are not speaking in your primary language
C)avoid marking
D)all of these

Accepted Answer

All of the given options are important for effectively managing cultural differences. Demonstrating linguistic sensitivity is essential when communicating with someone who may not speak your language as their first language. Being extra careful when communicating in languages other than your primary language can help avoid misunderstandings or offense. Avoiding markings (such as gestures or language that may offend someone from a different culture) is also important to maintain respectful communication.

Question 17

One way of building an audience's perception of your knowledge and expertise is to _________________________________.
A)share high-quality examples and illustrations
B)make sure you are well dressed and well groomed
C)avoid excessive use of "like" and "you know"
D)emphasize the important of the information to the well-being of the audience

Accepted Answer

Sharing high-quality examples and illustrations can demonstrate your knowledge and expertise by providing tangible evidence of your experience with the subject matter. It helps to showcase your expertise to the audience, thereby increasing their confidence in your abilities.

Question 18

Which of the following is not a rhetorical figure or structure of speech listed in the text?
A)Analogy
B)Assonance
C)Articulation
D)Alliteration

Accepted Answer

The other choices, analogy, assonance, and alliteration, are all examples of rhetorical figures or structures of speech. Articulation refers to the clear pronunciation and enunciation of words and is not considered a rhetorical figure or structure of speech.

Question 19

Oral style refers to ______________________.
A)a person's ability to recount the written word
B)how we convey messages through the spoken word
C)the words one chooses when outlining a speech
D)a person's accent when speaking in a second language

Accepted Answer

Oral style refers to how we convey messages through the spoken word. It includes factors such as tone, pacing, emphasis, and inflection.

Question 20

Choosing specific language is easier when you have __________________________.
A)a large vocabulary
B)credibility
C)common ground
D)a thesaurus of obscure terms

Accepted Answer

Having a large vocabulary allows you to select the most precise and appropriate words for effective communication.

Quiz 14: Language

Verbal immediacy is used to reduce the psychological distance between the speaker and her topic.

To demonstrate linguistic sensitivity, avoid using ___________________________.

Language used to reduce the psychological distance between a speaker and her audience is known as _________________________

Talking about common experiences will ________________________________.

Establishing relevance can be done ______________________.

Asking rhetorical questions is one of the best ways to develop common ground.

Aileen is giving a speech about homelessness.If she wanted to adapt her speech in terms of proximity she could ____________________________.

An effective oral style does all of the following except __________________________.

Sensory language refers to using precise words that clarify meaning by narrowing what is understood from a general category to a particular item or group within that category.

A speaker using the strategy of proximity in a speech on economic hardships might

Which of the following is a valid reason not to establish credibility?

A speaker using the strategy of timeliness in a speech on the importance of recycling __________________________.

Overuse of alliteration can hurt a speaker's message.

Information that may have a physical, economic, or psychological impact on audience members should be avoided.

In order to effectively manage cultural differences, you should ________________________.

One way of building an audience's perception of your knowledge and expertise is to _________________________________.

Which of the following is not a rhetorical figure or structure of speech listed in the text?

Oral style refers to ______________________.

Choosing specific language is easier when you have __________________________.