Question 1

Oral communication often uses a rather formal language and structure.

Accepted Answer

Oral communication typically uses more informal language and a less rigid structure compared to written communication, allowing for more spontaneity and adaptability in the interaction.

Question 2

General words are often abstract words,which refer to ideas or qualities.

Accepted Answer

General words refer to broad and abstract concepts, such as love, freedom, and justice.

Question 3

Spoken communication is usually more formal and characterized by longer words and phrases than written communication.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Written communication is typically more formal and characterized by longer words and phrases than spoken communication. This is because written communication requires more precise language and leaves less room for interpretation. Spoken communication is often more colloquial and informal, using contractions, slang and simpler language.

Question 4

Specific words are concrete words,which appeal to one of our five senses.

Accepted Answer

Specific words are indeed concrete words, which appeal to one of our five senses. They help to create detailed and vivid images in our minds.

Question 5

One way to make your message memorable is to use figures of speech to create arresting images.

Accepted Answer

When we use figures of speech like metaphors, similes, personification, or hyperbole, we create vivid mental pictures that are more likely to be remembered by the audience. These pictures also help to engage the audience emotionally and make the message more interesting and impactful.

Question 6

The public speaker can take advantage of language rhythms by using such devices as repetition,parallelism,antithesis,and alliteration.

Accepted Answer

Language rhythms are created using devices such as repetition, parallelism, antithesis, and alliteration, all of which can be utilized by a public speaker to enhance the overall impact of their speech. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 7

The choice word structures can help give your message a distinctive style.

Accepted Answer

Choice word structures can indeed help give your message a distinctive style by using creative word order, sentence length variation, and unique phrasing to make your message stand out.

Question 8

If you want to give your audience an accurate depiction of your message,you should use concrete words.

Accepted Answer

Concrete words are specific, clear, and tangible words that give a more accurate description of what you are trying to communicate. Using concrete words instead of abstract or general terms helps your audience to better understand your message and make it more memorable.

Question 9

The denotation of a word consists of the meaning we associate with the word,based on our past experiences.

Accepted Answer

Denotation refers to the literal, dictionary definition of a word, not the meanings associated with it based on personal experiences.

Question 10

To communicate successfully with the diverse group of listeners who comprise your audience,make sure your language is understandable,respectful,and unbiased.

Accepted Answer

It is important to use language that is easy for everyone in the audience to understand, respectful of different cultural backgrounds or perspectives, and unbiased or non-discriminatory towards any particular group. This helps to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment in which everyone can participate and engage with the topic at hand.

Question 11

In order to use memorable word structures effectively,you must
A)use distinctive stylistic devices abundantly.
B)use stylistic devices at specific points in your speech.
C)use stylistic devices to maximize.
D)avoid the use of stylistic devices.

Accepted Answer

Using memorable word structures effectively involves using stylistic devices at specific points in your speech to emphasize important points and make them stand out in the audience's mind. Overusing stylistic devices can have the opposite effect and make the speech seem contrived, so it's important to use them selectively and strategically. Avoiding the use of stylistic devices entirely would make the speech less engaging and less memorable.

Question 12

The statement,"now is the time for determination,decisiveness,and dedication" employs what linguistic device?
A)antithesis
B)alliteration
C)repetition
D)parallelism

Accepted Answer

The statement uses alliteration, which is the occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of adjacent or closely connected words. In this case, "determination, decisiveness, and dedication" all start with the letter "d."

Question 13

What is antithesis?
A)going against the thesis that was established within the introduction
B)having two or more clauses or sentences with the same grammatical pattern
C)a sentence that has two parts with parallel structure but contrasting meanings
D)closing with a series of ideas that are less important than those preceding them

Accepted Answer

Antithesis is a rhetorical device that involves contrasting two opposing ideas or concepts in a sentence or a set of sentences. Choice C describes this definition best, as it involves a sentence with two parts that are structured similarly but have opposite meanings. Choices A, B, and D do not accurately define antithesis.

Question 14

The connotation of a word is its literal meaning,the definition you find in a
dictionary.

Accepted Answer

The connotation of a word refers to the associated feelings, ideas, or qualities that a word evokes beyond its literal or dictionary meaning.

Question 15

When Reverend Jesse Jackson says,"we must relate instead of debate; we must inspire instead of retire; and we must repair instead of despair," what linguistic device is he using?
A)metaphor
B)omission
C)parallelism
D)inversion

Accepted Answer

The repetition of similar syntactical forms ("we must [verb] instead of [verb]") creates parallelism, a common rhetorical device.

Question 16

Using a key word or phrase at the end rather than the beginning of a sentence,such as in the statement "she's an inspiration,a best friend,and a teacher; she's also my mom" is a stylistic device known as
A)alliteration.
B)omission.
C)suspension.
D)inversion.

Accepted Answer

This stylistic device is known as suspension because it withholds a key piece of information until the end of the sentence, creating suspense and adding emphasis to the final word or phrase.

Question 17

The best language is often the simplest.

Accepted Answer

Simple language is generally easier to understand and communicate effectively. Complex language can lead to confusion and miscommunication.

Question 18

Regionalisms are words or phrases that are used uniquely in one part of a country but rarely used in the same way in other places.

Accepted Answer

Regionalisms are words or phrases used in a specific region or locality and are not commonly used in other areas or countries.

Question 19

Memorized speeches usually sound as if they were written because the words and phrases are longer,more complex,and more formal than those used by most speakers.

Accepted Answer

Memorized speeches are often written down beforehand and carefully crafted, which can lead to longer, more complex, and more formal language than what a speaker might use in conversation or impromptu speaking.

Question 20

Oral style is characterized by looser construction,repetition,rephrasing,and comment clauses.

Accepted Answer

Oral style is typically less formal than written style, and thus often features looser construction, repetition, rephrasing, and comments that help to clarify or expand on a point being made. These features can make the speaker's intentions and meaning clearer, but may also result in less structured and more meandering speech.

Quiz 12: Using Words Well: Speaker Language and Style