Public Speaking

Mr. Johnny
Midterm Exam (MOD)

Name: ___________________________________

Period: ______________________

Date: ______________________
Directions: Use the answer key to fill in the bubble that answers each item in your test packet.

1. Which of the following tells the difference between the specific purpose statement and the
central idea of a speech?
A. The specific purpose statement is what a speaker expects to say in a speech while the
central idea is what a speaker hopes to accomplish in a speech.
B. The specific purpose statement introduces the topic of a speech while the central idea
highlights supporting details of a speech.
C. The specific purpose statement is what a speaker hopes to accomplish in a speech while
the central idea is what a speaker expects to say in a speech.
D. The specific purpose statement begins the introduction of a speech while the central idea
ends the introduction of a speech.

2. Which of the following tells the most important thing to remember when organizing supporting
materials in the body of your speech?
A. It’s important that your supporting materials include quotes.
B. It’s important that your supporting materials sum up the introduction of your speech.
C. It’s important that your supporting materials are relevant to the main points.
D. It’s important that your supporting materials get the listener’s attention.

3. Which answer best represents the following connective?

So how can we solve this problem? Is there a way to legalize marijuana in the United States
without making it more accessible to teenagers?
A. internal preview
B. internal summary
C. transition
D. signpost

4. Which answer best represents the following connective?

In discussing the legalization of marijuana as a medicinal drug, we’ll look at some public
concerns about dispensaries, what doctors and scientist are saying about the drug, and the
possibilities of how it can enhance the economies of some states.
A. internal preview
B. internal summary
C. transition
D. signpost

5. Which of the following best explains the elements of good speech delivery?
A. speak intelligibly; avoid distracting mannerisms; establish eye contact
B. use technical jargon; establish eye contact; use gestures
C. refer to note cards; speak in dialect; avoid too much eye contact
D. be courteous; respect the audience; keep an open mind
6. Which specific purpose statement represents an informative speech about a process?
A. To inform my audience how to save people from drowning.
B. To inform my audience about why so many lives were lost when a major tsunami hit
Southeast Asia in 2004.
C. To inform my audience about the basic principles of nonviolent resistance.
D. To inform my audience about the differences among the five major Hawaiian Islands.

7. Which specific purpose statement represents an informative speech about a concept?

A. To inform my audience of the common methods used by stage magicians to perform their
tricks.
B. To inform my audience what to look for when buying a digital music player.
C. To inform my audience about the equipment used in mountain climbing.
D. To inform my audience about the different philosophies of education in Europe and the
United States.

Directions: Read the informative speech “Ramadan” attached at the end of the test packet. Use the
numerical paragraphs in the text to answer items 8—14.

8. The introduction section of the speech exist within paragraphs –

A. 1-2
B. 1-3
C. 1-4
D. 1-5

9. The first main point of the speech exist within paragraph(s) –

A. 4
B. 5
C. 4-6
D. 5-7

10. The second main point of the speech exist within paragraph(s) –
A. 8-9
B. 9-10
C. 9-11
D. 9-12

11. How many sub-points are used within the second main point of the speech?
A. 4
B. 3
C. 2
D. 1
12. The speaker uses a connective to begin paragraph 8. The paragraph begins with a –
A. transition
B. internal preview
C. internal summary
D. signpost

13. Which strategy does the speaker use to gain the attention and interest of the audience?
A. arouse the curiosity of the audience
B. question the audience
C. relate the topic to the audience
D. tell a story

14. “Ramadan” is an informative speech that is organized in –

A. spatial order
B. chronological order
C. topical order
D. causal order

Directions: Items 15–30 cover Chapter 1 of your public speaking textbook.

15. The time and place in which speech communication occurs.

A. channel
B. setting
C. location
D. situation

16. The person who is presenting an oral message to a listener.

A. speaker
B. listener
C. messenger
D. announcer

17. The belief that one’s group or culture is superior to all other groups or cultures.
A. ethnocentrism
B. cultural ethnicity
C. ethnocultural
D. cultural dynamics

18. Focused, organized thinking about such things as the logical relationships among ideas, the
soundness of evidence, and the differences between fact and opinion.
A. frame of reference
B. analyzing
C. critical thinking
D. nonverbal communication
19. The person who receives the speaker’s message.
A. target audience
B. listener
C. receiver
D. feedback

20. Whatever a speaker communicates to someone else.

A. message
B. information
C. channel
D. situation

21. The messages, usually nonverbal, sent from a listener to a speaker.

A. body language
B. feedback
C. nonverbal communication
D. gestures

22. Anxiety over the prospect of giving a speech in front of an audience.

A. nervousness
B. adrenaline
C. positive nervousness
D. stage fright

23. Anything that impedes the communication of a message; it can be external and internal to
listeners.
A. noise
B. channel
C. interference
D. movement

24. The means by which a message is communicated.

A. channel
B. speaker
C. sound waves
D. noise

25. Controlled nervousness that helps energize a speaker for his or her presentation.
A. positive nervousness
B. positive energy
C. good energy
D. adrenaline

26. The sum of a person’s knowledge, experience, goals, values, and attitudes.
 A. frame of reference
B. ethnocentrism
C. critical thinking
D. beliefs

27. Mental imaging in which a speaker vividly pictures himself or herself giving a successful
presentation.
A. imagery
B. descriptions
C. visualization
D. anecdote

28. Which one does not speak of how public speaking is similar to everyday conversation?
A. organize your thoughts logically
B. tell story for maximum impact
C. listen attentively
D. adapt to listener feedback

29. Which one does not speak of how public speaking is different from everyday conversation?
A. public speaking requires more formal language
B. public speaking is more intellectual
C. public speaking requires a different method of delivery
D. public speaking is more highly structured

30. Which of the following is not one of the seven elements of the speech communications process?
A. feedback
B. messenger
C. interference
D. channel

Directions: Items 31–37 cover Chapter 2 of your public speaking textbook.

31. Stealing ideas or language from two or three sources and passing them off as one's own is
called—
A. global plagiarism
B. patchwork plagiarism
C. incremental plagiarism
D. reference plagiarism

32. _____ is the branch of philosophy that deals with issues of right and wrong in human affairs.
A. ethics
B. linguistics
C. theology
D. ethnic

33. _____ is the use of language to defame, demean, or degrade individuals or groups.
 A. name-calling
B. ethnocentrism
C. slandering
D. jargon

34. A speaker is _____ when he or she restates or summarizes an author's ideas in his or her own
words.
A. quoting a source
B. summarizing
C. paraphrasing
D. citing

35. In public speaking, sound ethical decisions involve weighing a potential course of action against
–
A. principle values
B. a set of ethical standards or guidelines
C. set of legal criteria for acceptable speech
D. the speaker’s goal in a given situation

36. Which of the following is not one of the five guidelines for ethical speechmaking?
A. be fully prepared for each speech
B. put ethical principles into practice
C. be kind and courteous
D. make sure your goals are ethically sound

37. Which of the following is not one of the three guidelines for ethical listening?
A. be courteous and attentive
B. avoid prejudging the speaker
C. adapt to listener feedback
D. maintain the free and open expression of ideas

Directions: Items 38—42 covers Chapter 4 of your public speaking textbook.

38. The preview statement is usually formulated as the first topic sentence to begin the body of a
speech.
A. True
B. False

39. One of the most common mistakes students make on their first speech is trying to cover too
much. Students should __________ so that it conforms to the assigned time limit.
A. preview the topic
B. focus the topic
C. develop the topic
D. structure the topic
40. When a speaker thinks of ways to structure a speech, so it will be interesting and meaningful to
an audience, it is an example of –
 A. previewing the topic
B. focusing the topic
C. developing the topic
D. structuring the topic

41. Which of the following your textbook does not suggest you do when concluding a speech?
A. Let the audience know you are about to finish
B. Ask the audience to answer questions about the speech
C. Reinforce the central idea
D. All of the strategies above are suggested in the text

42. Which of the following is not one of the steps you should take when rehearsing a speech?
A. Concentrate on controlling what the audience will think about the topic.
B. Rehearse the speech out loud.
C. Ask friends and family to listen and to give constructive feedback.
D. All of the strategies above are suggested in the text.

Directions: Items 43–48 cover Chapter 5 of your public speaking textbook.

43. A method of generating ideas for speech topics by free association of words and ideas.
A. reference search
B. clustering
C. brainstorming
D. residual message

44. The broad goal of a speech

A. general purpose
B. message
C. specific purpose
D. central idea

45. What a speaker wants the audience to remember after it has forgotten everything else in a
speech.
A. conclusion
B. specific purpose
C. central idea
D. residual message

46. A one-sentence statement that sums up or encapsulates the major ideas of a speech.
A. general purpose
B. specific purpose
C. central idea
D. topic sentence
47. A single infinitive phrase that states precisely what a speaker hopes to accomplish in his or her
speech.
A. topic sentence
 B. general purpose
C. specific purpose
D. central idea

48. Which of the following is not one of the five tips for formulating a specific purpose statement?
A. write it as a full infinitive phrase
B. make sure it’s not too vague or general
C. limit it to one distinctive idea
D. be sure it provides details for main points

Directions: Items 49–58 cover Chapter 9 of your public speaking textbook.

49. Which of the following is not one of the tips for preparing your main points?
A. keep main points separate
B. include all the information from the central idea
C. balance the amount of time devoted to main points
D. try to use the same pattern of wording

50. The specific purpose statement should highlight the main points of a speech.
A. True
B. False

51. Supporting materials are used to support a speaker’s ideas.

A. True
B. False

52. An effective specific purpose statement can include 2 or more topics.

A. True
B. False

53. The major points developed in the body of a speech are called main points
A. True
B. False

54. Which method of speech organizations does the following central idea represent?
Centuries before the arrival of Columbus there were major civilizations in what is today New
York, Florida, New Mexico, the Pacific Northwest, and the Mississippi Valley.
A. Causal order
B. Chronological order
C. Topical order
D. Spatial order

55. Which method of speech organization does the following central idea represent?

The Great Wall of China was built in three major stages

 A. Spatial order
B. Chronological order
C. Topical order
D. Process order

56. Which method of speech organization does the following main points represent?

I. Space exploration will open access to vital natural resources that are in limited supply on earth.
II. Space exploration will produce scientific knowledge that will benefit life on earth.
III. Space exploration will further the search for extraterrestrial life.

A. Topical order
B. Chronological order
C. Causal order
D. Spatial order

57. Which method of speech organization does the following main points represent?

I. Mayan civilization flourished for over a thousand years until 900 A.D., when it mysteriously began
to disintegrate.
II. Scholars have advanced three major explanations for the causes of this disintegration.

A. Causal order
B. Chronological order
C. Topical order
D. Problem-solution order

58. Which method of speech organization does the following specific purpose statement represent?

To persuade my audience that our state legislature should enact tougher laws to deal with the
problem of motorists who run red lights.
A. Causal order
B. Chronological order
C. Topical order
D. Problem-solution order

Directions: Items 59—61 covers Chapter 10 of your public speaking textbook.

Use the following speech introduction to answer items 59 and 60.

 Katy Hubbell was four years old when she was diagnosed with a severe case of
aplastic anemia, a disease in which the bone marrow stops producing new blood cells.
After several types of treatment failed, Katy underwent a bone marrow transplant. Her
donor was a 40-year old airline manager who lived thousands of miles away. Today
Katy is an active preteen girl who loves Harry Potter books and wants to be a
cheerleader.
Bone marrow transplants have been called a medical miracle because of their
life-saving capability. I first became interested in the subject when a 12-year-old
member of my church was diagnosed with leukemia. I joined a committee to publicize
Greg’s case and to seek potential donors. Eventually a suitable donor was found and
Greg is now a healthy high-school sophomore.
Because of Greg’s illness, I learned that anyone can get sick and need a bone
marrow donation. It could be any of us in this room, a close friend, or even a family
member. An estimated 15,000 bone marrow transplants are performed in the U.S. each
year. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, these transplants give
patients “a chance to beat diseases once believed to have no cure.”
Throughout my research for this speech, I have learned much more about this
remarkable procedure. Today I would like to talk with you about bone-marrow
donations—how simple a procedure it is for the donor, how absolutely vital it is for the
recipient, and how donors and recipients find one another.

59. Which three techniques does the speaker use to gain attention and interest?
A. Tell a story, startle the audience, question the audience
B. Tell a story, arouse curiosity, state the importance of the topic
C. Tell a story, state the importance of the topic, relate the topic to the audience
D. Tell a story, reveal the topic, establish goodwill

60. Which of the four objectives of a speech introduction is not represented in the introduction?
A. reveal the topic
B. preview the body
C. get the attention of your audience
D. establish goodwill

Use the following speech conclusion to answer item 61.

 We have seen, then, that becoming a bone marrow donor is safe and relatively
painless. We have also seen the immense benefits to the people who receive bone
marrow transplants. Finally, we have seen how donors and recipients are matched up
through a national network of bone marrow organizations.
It is now more than three years since Greg received his bone marrow transplant.
In that time, he has changed from a very sick boy to a busy, healthy, active young man.
Greg says of his donor, “Without her, I wouldn’t be here today. I owe my whole life, and
everything I ever accomplish, to her.” Through bone marrow donations, all of us have
the opportunity to make that kind of contribution.

61. Which three techniques does the speaker use to reinforce the central idea in the conclusion?
A. Summarize the speech, end with a quotation, make a dramatic statement
B. Summarize the speech, make a dramatic statement, refer to the introduction
C. Summarize the speech, refer to the introduction, end with a quotation
D. End with a quotation, make a dramatic statement, refer to the introduction

Directions: Item 62 covers Chapter 15 of your public speaking textbook.

62. Which of the four types of informative speeches does the following central idea represent?

Olympic-style games for athletes with physical disabilities have made great strides since the first
competition almost 60 years ago.
A. Object
B. Chronological
C. Event
D. Process
E. Concept

Directions: Read the persuasive speech “Lady Liberty” at the end of the test packet. Analyze the
speech text to answer items 63—76. Each item is worth 2 points! You can paraphrase your
responses.
63. Which strategy does the speaker use to get the attention and interest of the audience?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

64. Write the sentence from the speech that identifies when the speaker reveals the topic of the
speech?

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

65. What does the speaker say to establish credibility?

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

66. Write the sentence(s) that identifies the preview statement/central idea?

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

67. What is the 1st sub-point the speaker indicates in the 1st main point?

The torch of the statue.

68. What is the 2nd sub-point the speaker indicates in the 1st main point?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

69. What is the 3rd sub-point the speaker indicates in the 1st main point?
The chains of the statue.

70. What kind of connective does the speaker use to shift from the 1st main point to the 2nd main
point?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

71. What is the 1st sub-point the speaker indicates in the 2nd main point?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

72. What is the 2nd sub-point the speaker indicates in the 2nd main point?

How the statue was constructed.

73. What is the 3rd sub-point the speaker indicates in the 2nd main point?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

74. What is the overall supporting detail the speaker uses for the 3rd main point?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

75. Which organizational method does the speaker use to formulate the speech?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

76. What two things does the speaker do to reinforce the central idea of the speech?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________