COMM 110. Public Speaking

Name

Exam 2

Instructions

Always pick the single best answer. Blank answers will be scored as incorrect

Multiple Attempts

This Test allows 2 attempts. This is attempt number 2.

Force Completion

This Test can be saved and resumed later.

Question 1

4 points

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Which type of supporting material can be found in memory?

common knowledge

direct observation

personal experience

all of these

none of these

Question 2

When listeners look at only one side of a topic, the speaker’s purpose may be to provide new perspective.

True

False

Question 3

The process of invention involves:

identifying the ideas that could go into the speech.

conducting research to seek information.

determine which ideas are supportable.

selecting the most effective supporting materials.

all of these

Question 4

When a speaker uses supporting material based on what he or she has seen or heard, that type of support is called:

direct observation.

common knowledge.

testimony.

statistics.

documents.

Question 5

Sarah reasoned that (1) she had earned A’s in three previous English classes, (2) past success predicts future success, so (3) she will likely get an A in her current English class. In this example of rhetorical proof, statement (1) is the:

supporting material.

proof.

attention getter.

reasoning.

claim.

Question 6

What is the most important factor in determining how much supporting material you should include in support of your claims?

your purpose

your thesis

your audience analysis

the rhetorical situation

your research skills

Question 7

Organization is important for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

it helps the speaker stay on track.

it helps the audience remember the ideas in the speech.

it reduces situational distractions for the audience.

it encourages active listening.

it permits listeners to anticipate what comes next.

Question 8

Cause-effect speeches can be organized by starting with an effect and then addressing the cause or by starting with the cause and then addressing the effects.

Question 9

Brainstorming is a method for generating topics through use of the personal inventory.

Question 10

Which organizational pattern focuses on similarities and differences among ideas?

comparison-contrast

chronological

residues

spatial

problem-solution

Question 11

One important function of audience analysis is to identify the constraints on the speaker imposed by the listeners’ attitudes, expectations, and knowledge.

Question 12

In a rhetorical proof, reasoning links the supporting material to the claim.

Question 13

Which of the following characteristics refers to the idea that main points should be stated in single short sentences?

simplicity

completeness

balance

coherence

discreteness

Question 14

Cale knew that his fellow union members opposed a plan to cut overtime at the plant, but he wanted them to view it more positively. He planned to discuss the likelihood that the plant would close altogether if payroll costs were not reduced. His purpose was:

providing new information or perspective.

agenda setting.

strengthening commitment.

weakening commitment.

fighting a lost cause.

Question 15

Problem-solution speeches generally use the process of elimination to arrive at effective solutions.

Question 16

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech is an example of a speech whose purpose is to:

provide new information or perspective.

set an agenda.

strengthen commitment.

weaken commitment.

create a positive or negative feeling.

Question 17

Brent was admiring a beautiful woman at the bar last Friday. He was about to approach her to see if he could get a date when he noticed her wedding ring. Naturally he changed his plans because he inferred that she was married. What type of reasoning did he use to reach this conclusion?

sign

cause

example

analogy

narrative

Question 18

When an audience analysis shows that your audience already agrees with you, it is best to change your topic because no purpose is truly suitable.

Question 19

Ronald Reagan often used a “storytelling” strategy in his speeches. This strategy is an example of ________ reasoning.

example

testimony

causal

sign

narrative

Question 20

A post hoc fallacy is a fallacy that the speaker discovers after the speech has been delivered.

Question 21

Bryce gave a speech about life in a fraternity. As support, he discussed his own activities in his fraternity, including the living arrangements, the meetings, the social activities, and the projects he had been involved in. What type of supporting material is this?

personal experience

common knowledge

testimony

documents

statistics

Question 22

Consider the following main points.
Three are arguments against capital punishment, one is an argument in favor of capital punishment. What problem does this reflect?

The points are not discrete.

The points are not balanced.

The points are not simple.

The points are not parallel.

The points are not coherent.

Question 23

Ralph wanted to show that smoking is dangerous to one’s health, so he read the Surgeon General’s warning on the side of a pack of cigarettes. He was using reasoning by:

example.

narrative.

cause.

testimony.

sign.

Question 24

What type of supporting material includes averages, medians, indices, and standardized scores?

facts

statistics

examples

documents

testimony

Question 25

The final step in strategic planning is to:

determine your purpose.

identify constraints.

identify opportunities.

select the means.

write the outline.