Southern New Hampshire University
COM-212 Public Speaking
EXAM 18 questions and answers
1
Maria is starting a new job as an assistant lecturer in economics at the university where she received her PhD.
She has never taught in a large lecture hall before and is not sure whether her normal way of speaking will be
effective in this setting. She convinces her friend to sit in the back of an empty lecture hall while she
practices.
Determine which of the following statements represents a good strategy Maria could use for speaking.
Maria tries out a lavalier microphone and moves it around
frequently when talking.
Maria maintains the same speaking rate throughout an
entire lecture.
Maria chooses to use her "naked" voice and sits in a chair.
Maria slows down when introducing a particularly
important concept.
RATIONALE
Slowing down before critical points is a good strategy, as it gives the audience more time to process the most
important information. Maintaining the same speaking rate throughout a lecture is a bad strategy, as it makes it
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harder for the speaker to draw attention to important points. Handling a lavalier microphone is a bad strategy, as
such mics do not
have protection from noises caused by movement. Sitting in a chair is a bad strategy, as it will make it difficult for a
"naked" voice to project to the back of a large lecture hall.
CONCEPT
Volume
Rate
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2
James is a science teacher in his first year teaching at a middle school. He notices his students' grades are
falling below what he expected, so he reviews his teaching strategy. James concludes that he is not doing
enough to make the material memorable, so he begins incorporating new strategies in every class. Soon he
notices grades rising again.
Select the description of James using association to improve memory in class.
James asks the students to think of the elements as ingredients in
a cooking recipe.
James repeatedly asks the students to recite the layers of the
earth at the start of each class.
James vividly describes what life is like for organisms in the
deepest parts of the ocean.
James divides the organs of the human body into groups based on
the systems to which they belong.
RATIONALE
Comparing the elements to cooking ingredients is an example of James using association by relating new concepts
to familiar ideas.
Vividly describing ocean life is an example of James relying on affect by trying to create an emotional connection
in the audience with striking imagery. Dividing human organs into smaller groups is an example of James using
limiting sets by taking a large number of concepts and making them more manageable by putting similar items
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together. Having his
students repeat something at the start of class is an example of repetition.
CONCEPT
Make Messages Easy to Remember
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3
Select the communication that takes place in secondary territory.
A woman gives a toast at a dinner party she hosts in her apartment.
A family holds a reception party in the main section of an
expensive restaurant.
A pair of students compare notes after seeing each other on a
staircase.
A couple of elderly men carry on a conversation on their
preferred park bench.
RATIONALE
The elderly men converse in secondary territory, as they feel an unofficial ownership of the bench due to past
custom. The students on the staircase are in interaction territory, as their interaction temporarily gives them a
claim on a portion of the staircase. The family's party happens in public territory, as the restaurant is open to the
public but is theirs for a limited amount of time. The woman hosting a dinner party is in private territory, as she
would have exclusive use of her apartment.
CONCEPT
Proxemics
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4
Determine which of the following statements is an ineffective use of pitch and pause when speaking.
A senator repeats words every time he pauses during a campaign
speech.
A sales manager varies her pitch when making a presentation to
her bosses.
A woman at a fundraising gala pauses before making a final plea
for donations.
A teacher keeps his pitch high at the end of a sentence to
indicate he has more to say.
RATIONALE
By keeping his pitch high, the teacher effectively prepares his audience for the continuation of a thought. By
varying her pitch, the sales manager is making her presentation more dynamic and interesting, and therefore
effective. By pausing right before her conclusion, the woman at the gala gives herself a moment to collect her
thoughts for one last argument. However, by repeating words, the senator is creating unnecessary pauses that
prove distracting.
CONCEPT
Pitch
Pauses
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5
Which of the following methods for preparing for a Q&A session should the spokesperson for an auto
company use first?
The spokesperson asks for a question to be repeated to be
sure that everyone in the audience has heard it.
The spokesperson solicits questions on upcoming models from
attendees via email.
The spokesperson politely interrupts a person who begins offering
a detailed opinion on expected gas mileage.
The spokesperson addresses the most common concerns about
new models in a short introductory statement.
RATIONALE
The spokesperson can first solicit questions via email to gather insights about what the most common questions will
be. He can then address some of these questions in advance in a prepared statement or speech to more effectively
answer the concerns of the audience. Finally, the spokesperson can politely interrupt an audience member who is
talking for too long to ensure the session runs smoothly, or ask an audience member to repeat a question so that
everyone has heard it.
CONCEPT
Preparing for a Q&A
Session Conducting a Q&A
Session
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6
Carissa handles public relations for a local politician. The politician is making national headlines due to some
controversial statements regarding access to healthcare for asylum seekers and refugees. For an upcoming
press conference, Carissa will try to answer questions from a room of reporters. Carissa has not handled a
press conference with a Q&A session before and she is terrified.
Which of the following statements describes an ineffective way for Carissa to handle her Q&A session?
Carissa repeats the questions she is asked so that everyone in
the press room can hear them.
Carissa keeps her answers simple whenever a reporter asks a yes-
or-no question.
Carissa decides to take a question from another reporter
when someone brings up a subject with which she is
unfamiliar.
Carissa tries to manage anticipated questions in advance by
addressing them in a prepared statement.
RATIONALE
By avoiding an unfamiliar subject, Carissa will appear uninformed and unprepared— or worse, as if she is hiding
something.
By keeping certain answers simple, Carissa can keep the press conference from running too long. By repeating
questions the audience might not be able to hear, Carissa reduces the odds that they will misinterpret the answers.
By anticipating questions in a written statement, Carissa can show how prepared she is while addressing issues
important to the reporters.
CONCEPT
Q&A Considerations in Non-Academic Environments
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7
Which of the following alternatives to PowerPoint allows users to create and share linear,
slide-based presentations online in exchange for an annual subscription?
Mind Maps
Prezi
Google Docs
SlideRocket
RATIONALE
SlideRocket is the correct answer because it is an online platform used for creating, sharing, and managing
presentations. Mind Maps specializes in using graphic symbols to represent connections. Prezi is slideware, but
specializes in allowing users to zoom around a non-linear visual workplace. Google Docs allows users to save
documents to a Google server.
CONCEPT
Other Presentation Software Options
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8
Select the statement that describes a speaker encountering an advantage of using PowerPoint presentations.
Karen reordered slides in her presentation shortly before taking
the stage.
Ethan spent more time designing his slides than focusing on
his message.
Libby reduced specificity in explaining religious ideologies when
using a series of bullet points.
Pedro found that the auditorium he is presenting in lacks
projection equipment.
RATIONALE
The ability to quickly modify PowerPoint presentations through such methods as reordering slides is an advantage,
as it lets speakers incorporate any last minute ideas or feedback.
The need to have certain projection equipment can be a disadvantage since some venues may not be
properly equipped, increasing the work for the speaker. The ability to reduce complex topics to bullet
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points can be a
disadvantage, as it often fails to communicate the depth and breadth of topics to audiences. The danger of focusing
too much on slides at the expense of the message can be a disadvantage as well.
CONCEPT
The Advantages and Disadvantages of
PowerPoint An Overview of PowerPoint
The Elements of a Slide
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9
Which of the following statements describe someone delivering a presentation speech?
Holly thanks a critics association for considering her worthy of an
acting award.
Nancy talks about the life of the scientist after whom a
prestigious chemistry award is named.
Mel admits that he is humbled to accept an award for engaging
in community outreach.
Brad remembers to credit all of his friends when picking up a
highly sought-after scholarship.
RATIONALE
Nancy is delivering a presentation speech because she introduces and describes an award that is about to be given.
All the other speakers are engaged in acceptance speeches for awards that they have earned.
CONCEPT
The Speech of Presentation or Acceptance
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10
The local credit union is hosting a consumer information night regarding savings plans and financial tools for
customers. Margaret, the assistant manager, is giving a short PowerPoint presentation at the end of the
evening. She knows the crowd is large and that most of the audience will be standing. Her goal is a
presentation that achieves both clarity and brevity.
Which of the following statements describe something Margaret could do that would decrease the
effectiveness of her PowerPoint presentation?
Margaret makes sure the slide text is not a verbatim copy of
her speech.
Margaret uses 12-point font for most of the text on the slides.
Margaret avoids using too many types of transition animations.
Margaret employs a consistent color scheme throughout the
slideshow.
RATIONALE
Using font smaller than 18 points is a mistake, as it increases the risk that audience members will be unable to
discern information on the slides.
Making sure the slide text does not simply repeat the speech is a good idea that keeps elements of a presentation
from becoming redundant. Employing a consistent color scheme helps coordinate the speaker's message. Avoiding
an emphasis on transition animations is advisable, as too many can prove to be distracting.
CONCEPT
The Do's of Using Sensory
Enhancements The Don'ts of Using
Sensory Enhancements
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11
Which of the following statements describes a speaker improperly analyzing and adapting to
feedback?
Andrew continues talking after hearing groans at the start of
the third anecdote in his speech.
Bob asks citizens of a town hall meeting if his point was clear,
then continues after hearing affirmation.
Gita changes the flow of her speech with an audience query
after seeing crowd members were not maintaining eye contact.
William changes his speaking tone after noticing students
shifting their bodies to the sides of their chairs.
RATIONALE
Andrew does not respond to feedback properly because he hears evidence of the audience's boredom and
annoyance, but does nothing to change his speaking strategy. William and Gita both vary their speeches after
picking up on nonverbal feedback from the audience. Bob receives positive verbal feedback from an audience,
and therefore continues his speech.
CONCEPT
Read Feedback Cues
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12
Clayton runs a small marketing firm and he has been asked to speak at a marketing conference in New York.
He eventually speaks to the conference coordinator on the phone and suggests some topics for the event.
The coordinator finds herself becoming easily distracted while listening to Clayton and struggles to
remember his ideas. Clayton is surprised by this, so he asks the coordinator for advice for communicating his
suggestions.
The conference coordinator advised Clayton to change his more frequently as he speaks so
that his argument sounds less tedious and repetitive.
articulation
tone
accent
dialect
RATIONALE
Tone is correct as it is the manner in which speaking is expressed; sticking to the same tone makes a speech
repetitive and dull. Using a single dialect or accent does not make a speaker’s words sound tedious or repetitive.
Changing articulation frequently can make a speaker’s message seem inconsistent.
CONCEPT
Dialect and Vocal Variety
Articulation and Pronunciation
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13
Eric is the new manager of a chain of local convenience stores. He is preparing to deliver his first address to
his new employees at an upcoming meeting. The meeting will be held near the end of a work day, so many
of the attendees will be tired and easily distracted. Eric knows he will need to work hard to engage them.
Which of the following statements describes an effective way for Eric to keep his audience engaged
through nonverbal interaction?
Eric displays a series of revenue charts highlighting a lot
of information.
Eric quickly sketches a floor plan of a typical store on a whiteboard.
Eric maintains eye contact with audience members throughout
his address.
Eric frowns whenever an audience member raises their hand for
a question.
RATIONALE
By maintaining eye contact with the audience, Eric communicates focus and interest and shows the crowd he
cares about their reaction. Displaying a series of revenue charts may overwhelm the audience with information. A
quick drawing can look both sloppy and unprofessional. Frowning can indicate hostility on the part of the speaker,
reducing the odds the audience will engage with them.
CONCEPT
Adapting to Handouts and
Visuals Interaction in Public
Speaking
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14
Which of the following statements describes a visual aid that would be effective for an
anthropologist who wants her audience to envision an ancient civilization?
A series of photographs displaying a variety of locations
A multimedia presentation with music playing over a video
Graphs and charts that display statistical relationships
Hand-drawn images of an assortment of people and objects
RATIONALE
The photographs would be the most effective for the anthropologist because they are particularly useful for
displaying places and sites that no longer exist. Charts and graphs are more suited for showing statistical
relationships while hand- drawn images may look sloppy and unprofessional compared to photos.
CONCEPT
Dynamic Representations: Video and Multimedia
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15
Select the statement describing visual techniques that would enhance the effectiveness of the
speaker.
The host of a high-end charity dinner chooses to wear a tuxedo.
A professor at an economics conference wears jeans and sandals
while speaking.
A physician keeps her head down while speaking at a seminar.
A town councilman keeps his arms crossed when answering
citizens' questions.
RATIONALE
The host of the charity dinner shows that he takes the event seriously by dressing in formal attire, thereby making
himself more credible as a speaker.
By keeping her head down, the physician makes it harder for the crowd to engage with her speech. The town
councilman will appear hostile and detached by crossing his arms, thereby reducing the effectiveness of his answers.
The professor's choice of clothing makes him appear lazy and disinterested, thereby distracting from his
presentation.
CONCEPT
Appearance: Dress and Posture
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16
Determine which of the following statements represents a speaker choosing visual aids effectively.
Richard believes a chalkboard is a good visual aid for a speech in a
large auditorium.
Alan does math problems on paper and then holds them up for
his class to see.
Sue thinks the flipcharts in her business speech won't be affected
by bad handwriting.
Mary wants to bring a birdhouse onstage for her
woodcutting presentation.
RATIONALE
Bringing a physical object like a birdhouse onstage is an effective strategy if the speaker wants to demonstrate a
procedure like woodcutting.
Using a chalkboard in a large auditorium is an ineffective strategy as the size of a chalkboard cannot be increased,
so it may limit the visibility of a large crowd. Using flipcharts is an ineffective strategy for a speaker with bad
handwriting, as the speaker will be writing on them and the messages may be unclear or distracting. Using
transparencies would be a more effective strategy for Alan to use in his math class than paper.
CONCEPT
Chalkboards, Flip Charts, and
Transparencies Physical Objects and
Animations
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17
Iris works in the city council office. She is concerned about the growing budget deficit and is worried not
enough of her coworkers are aware of the problem. Iris knows she needs to inform people of how the deficit
has grown sharply over the past year and she wants a visual aid that will help her accomplish that at an
upcoming meeting.
Iris realized that using during a city council presentation would be the best way to inform
people about the budget deficit.
photos
video clips
graphs
drawings
RATIONALE
Graphs can be used to communicate statistical information and how stats change over time, putting data in a visual
context. None of the other visual aids would be as useful at accomplishing that.
CONCEPT
Choosing the Right Visual Aid
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18
Determine which the following statements is part of a eulogy.
"This plaque is a symbol of the town's appreciation for the
volunteers who built this park."
"William Ross dedicated most of his life to advancing scientific
research."
"Over 50 years ago, a great march concluded right in the middle of
this plaza."
"We will remember the victims of this tragic fire whenever we
pass this statue."
RATIONALE
The statement about William Ross is part of a eulogy speech because it is commemorating the life of a specific
person. The statements on the march, the fire, and the park are parts of dedication speeches because they
commemorate the memory of events.
CONCEPT
Commemorative Speeches: Dedications and Eulogies
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19
Margaret is an experienced member of a public relations company. After a recent appearance in which she
speaks on behalf of a client, Margaret is approached by a newly hired coworker who offers her some feedback
on her delivery. Margaret is bothered that someone with comparatively little experience speaking publicly is
offering advice. She consults with coworkers to see if they feel the same.
Margaret's coworkers urged her to be more and admit that others may see things she does not.
open-minded
specific
objective
critical
RATIONALE
Open-minded is the correct answer because by being open-minded, Margaret will be more willing to accept
criticism and ideas from people she would ordinarily dismiss. None of the other answers involve becoming more
willing to listen to others.
CONCEPT
Techniques for Accepting Criticism
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20
Which of the following statements describes a speaker effectively building initial credibility?
Albert wears a shirt with his employer's name on it when
speaking at a seminar.
Celine talks about her memories of the town during a town hall.
Roger tries advertising his upcoming conference talk on social
media.
Kristen asks one of her teachers to introduce her before speaking
at a symposium.
RATIONALE
Kristen effectively builds initial credibility by having her teacher introduce her so her audience is familiar with her
positive qualities and accomplishments before she starts speaking, helping to establish her credibility from the
start. Roger and Albert use strategies that do not provide the audience with much information. Celine's attempt
to find common ground with an audience is more appropriate for building derived credibility.
CONCEPT
Build Credibility
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21
Nadine works for the mayor's office in a small town. She is frequently asked to speak in front of a wide variety
of audiences to support various initiatives. She has used a diverse set of visual aids in her career. Her next
assignment is to speak to elementary school students about the importance of fire safety.
Determine which of the following statements describes Nadine using sensory engagement to improve
listener comprehension.
Nadine repeatedly shows students photos of common household
fire hazards.
Nadine includes long lines of text on her visual aids.
Nadine tells students a story about the fire alarm she brings
onstage malfunctioning.
Nadine adds a number of video clips and fun sound effects to the
presentation.
RATIONALE
Showing the same kinds of photos repeatedly increases comprehension by making it more likely the audience will
remember the point of the presentation.
Using anecdotes such as a story about a malfunctioning fire alarm increases listener engagement by keeping a
presentation from becoming tedious and repetitive. Adding video clips and sound effects to a presentation increases
audience engagement because it tailors the visual element to the audience— in this case, children with short
attention spans. Long lines of text are inappropriate for audience engagement in this context.
CONCEPT
Improve Listener Engagement, Comprehension, and Memory
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22
Select the statement describing a speaker effectively rehearsing for a speech.
The new leader of a labor union watches footage of his
predecessor to be able to imitate his speaking voice.
A politician plans to fill her speaking time entirely, leaving no
room for interruptions.
The CEO of a tech company decides to rehearse without his
visual aids in order to ensure his product presentation is a
surprise.
A teacher makes sure each slide of his slideshow presentation
will match up with what he is saying at the time.
RATIONALE
By timing each slide, the teacher ensures that his words and visual support will complement one another rather
than clash.
Select the statement that describes a speaker using a strategy appropriate for lighter special occasion
speeches such as toasts.
Emily spends weeks thinking about her most poignant memories of
her sister before deciding how to commemorate her.
Eliza displays a chart with statistics supporting the main argument
of her presentation.
Nate provides a brief summary of all of the main points he hoped
he communicated during his speech.
Quentin makes a number of good-natured jokes about his friend
when speaking about their relationship.
RATIONALE
Quentin is delivering a lighter speech for a special occasion because such speeches are often accompanied by
humor, specifically jokes about the person to whom the speaker is referring.
Emily is over-preparing for a lighter speech, and may even be delivering a eulogy. Nate and Eliza are delivering more
traditional persuasive speeches in which they support an argument.
CONCEPT
Other Speeches: Farewells, Toasts, and After-Dinner Remarks
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