Deck 16: Developing Oral and Online Presentations

Question 1

For business presentations, time constraints are usually

A)rigid, permitting little or no flexibility.
B)meaningless-audiences expect presenters to take a little more time than they're allotted.
C)imposed only on lower-level employees.
D)not important if you are presenting to your colleagues.

Answer 1

A
Explanation:A)In the business world, time is usually tight. Do not expect open-ended, unlimited time to present your material. In most businesses, time limits are strictly enforced. For example, at TechCrunch presentations are limited to six to eight minutes.

Question 2

If you need to design a venue for delivering a presentation to a large audience, ________ will usually be the best seating arrangement.

A)café style seating
B)conference table seating
C)classroom or theater seating
D)horseshoe or "U" shaped seating

Answer 2

C
Explanation:C)Classroom or theater seating helps keep attention focused on the speaker and is usually the best method for accommodating large audiences.

Question 3

When you prepare a speech or presentation, your first step involves

A)analyzing the situation.
B)choosing the right words.
C)planning the content, length, and style of your speech or presentation.
D)doing all of the above.

Answer 3

A
Explanation:A)Before you begin to organize or gather information, you need to analyze the situation by answering questions such as: What is the purpose of the presentation? Who is the audience for the presentation? What are the important ideas that need to be dealt with in the presentation? In which medium can these ideas be best expressed?

Question 4

When you're speaking to an international audience, ________ will enhance the clarity of your message.

A)keeping the message simple
B)supporting your message with slang and idioms
C)talking fast without pausing
D)avoiding the use of visual aids

Question 5

To reduce the formality of an oral presentation,

A)deliver your remarks in a conversational tone.
B)use a large room.
C)seat the audience in rows.
D)do all of the above.

Question 6

The best way to clarify your main idea in a presentation is to

A)provide a lengthy handout for your audience to review during your presentation.
B)describe it using jargon and complicated language to emphasize its importance.
C)develop a single sentence that links your subject and purpose to your audience's frame of reference.
D)allow your audience to gradually figure it out on their own.

Question 7

You want to prepare a speaking outline for an upcoming presentation. Which one of the following will help you get off to a good start?

A)Ignore your planning outline and chart a new course based on your personal idiosyncrasies.
B)Find your planning outline and remove anything you don't plan to say directly to your audience.
C)Keyboard your script onto your presentation slides so you can read each slide word-for-word.
D)Insert additional examples, details, and data into your original planning outline.

Question 8

When you're introducing a presentation, include a ________ to help your audience understand the structure and content of your message.

A)catalogue of sources
B)preview section
C)bimodal transition
D)contextual pattern

Question 9

Selecting the right medium for your presentation is

A)easy-you're simply giving a speech.
B)an important decision since technology offers a number of choices.
C)only an issue when addressing audiences from other cultures.
D)not something you need to think about early on.

Question 10

When using conventional structured slides, try to average one slide for

A)each minute you speak.
B)every 3 minutes you speak.
C)every 7 minutes you speak.
D)every 10 minutes you speak.

Question 11

Speeches and oral presentations are much like any other messages in that

A)they require similar planning.
B)they require no planning.
C)the interaction between the audience and speaker is similar.
D)they deal with emotional or personal issues to a similar extent.

Question 12

When organizing a speech or presentation, your first step is to

A)develop an outline.
B)define the main idea.
C)write the introduction.
D)decide on the delivery style.

Question 13

When organizing a speech, use the indirect approach if your purpose is to ________ and the audience is ________.

A)entertain; resistant
B)motivate; receptive
C)persuade; resistant
D)inform; receptive

Question 14

Longer speeches and presentations are organized like

A)reports.
B)memos.
C)letters.
D)email messages.

Question 15

One of the steps in analyzing your audience is to

A)determine whether your audience is comfortable listening to the language you speak.
B)remember to keep your speech or oral presentation short.
C)define your purpose.
D)prepare a detailed, informative outline.

Question 16

The two most common purposes of business presentations are to

A)analyze and synthesize.
B)regulate and validate.
C)inform and persuade.
D)illustrate and entertain.

Question 17

If the audience for your presentation will be interested in but neutral to what you have to say,

A)reward their goodwill by speaking in a relaxed, confident manner.
B)dismiss their concerns and persuade them that they are mistaken for feeling that way.
C)consider the indirect approach to find common ground and diffuse skepticism.
D)build your credibility as you present compelling reasons to accept your message.

Question 18

When preparing an outline for your speech, keep in mind that

A)it can include delivery cues, such as where you plan to pause for emphasis or use visuals.
B)you should keep each item to two- to three-word descriptions of what you will say.
C)you can leave out all transitions.
D)this is not the place to include "stage directions."

Question 19

If you have 10 minutes or less to deliver a presentation

A)speak as quickly as you possibly can.
B)limit yourself to four or five main points.
C)always use the indirect approach to organize your material.
D)organize your presentation like a brief written message.

Question 20

In preparing presentations, keep in mind that audience attention levels and retention rates drop sharply after ________ minutes.

A)5
B)20
C)45
D)60

Question 21

One effective way to arouse interest at the start of a speech is to

A)always start things off with a joke.
B)unite the audience around a common goal.
C)tease the audience by not mentioning specifically what you'll be talking about.
D)do none of the above.

Question 22

Except for very short speeches, don't try to memorize a presentation because

A)you might forget your lines.
B)you'll probably sound stilted while your talking.
C)you won't be able to respond to questions during your presentation.
D)all of the above.

Question 23

Rehearsing your presentation on video will

A)help you check your voice, timing, phrasing, and physical gestures.
B)increase your nervousness.
C)most likely ruin your ability to make an effective presentation.
D)rob you of the confidence you need.

Question 24

When speaking from notes, it is best to print them on

A)regular white typing paper.
B)heavy note cards.
C)brightly colored note cards.
D)your smartphone.

Question 25

When you have covered all the main points in your speech

A)wrap up the presentation as quickly as possible.
B)get ready to to end your message on a strong, positive note.
C)avoid using such phrases as "To sum it all up" and "In conclusion."
D)conclude with a detailed explanation of how hard you worked when preparing for your speech.

Question 26

If there is a lack of consensus among the audience at the end of your presentation, you should

A)gloss over it as quickly as possible.
B)make the disagreement clear and be ready to suggest a method for resolving the differences.
C)identify the individuals causing the disagreement and ask them pointed questions.
D)do all of the above.

Question 27

When checking the location of your presentation in advance, you should

A)not worry about seating arrangements-they have no effect on how you deliver your remarks.
B)always request a whiteboard, even if you aren't sure you will need it.
C)find out whether the venue offers a projection system that you will be expected to use.
D)do all of the above.

Question 28

You should always close your speech

A)on an encouraging and memorable note.
B)by leaving the audience with a feeling of incompleteness, which you can resolve in the question-and-answer period.
C)with something dramatic or flamboyant.
D)by introducing some new ideas for the audience to think about.

Question 29

Answering questions at the end of a presentation gives you a chance to

A)obtain important information.
B)build enthusiasm for your point of view.
C)emphasize your main ideas and supporting points.
D)all of the above.

Question 30

To hold your audience's attention during the body of your speech

A)make at least seven or eight main points.
B)include numerous abstract ideas.
C)relate your subject to your audience's needs.
D)do all of the above.

Question 31

The most effective and easiest mode of speech delivery in nearly all situations is

A)memorization.
B)reading from a prepared script.
C)speaking from an outline or notes.
D)impromptu speaking.

Question 32

When you're concluding a business presentation

A)bring up any information you forgot to include during the presentation.
B)briefly restate the main points of your presentation.
C)don't let the audience know you're ready to close the presentation.
D)rely on the audience to decide how they feel and what they'll do about your presentation.

Question 33

If the purpose of your presentation is to get your audience involved in an upcoming project, you should

A)open the floor for questions, as soon as you've covered your main points.
B)make sure that your close is ambiguous.
C)close by explaining who'll be involved and what they'll do.
D)gloss over any difficulties that will be involved when completing the project.

Question 34

________ is not a primary function of the preview section in the introduction to a presentation.

A)Identifying your main supporting points
B)Establishing your credibility as a speaker
C)Summarizing the main idea of your presentation
D)Revealing the order in which you'll develop your main points

Question 35

An effective introduction to a presentation will accomplish all of the following except

A)arousing the audience's interest in your topic.
B)establishing your credibility.
C)preparing the audience for the rest of the presentation.
D)telling the audience how to take action based on your recommendations.

Question 36

Delivering your presentation by reading it word-for-word is usually a bad idea except when

A)your presentation is very lengthy.
B)you're covering policy statements or legal documents that must be presented verbatim.
C)the presentation is humorous.
D)the audience is hostile.

Question 37

Formal speeches differ from informal ones in that

A)formal speeches always include obscure, unfamiliar vocabulary.
B)formal speeches are always much longer.
C)formal speeches are often delivered from a stage or platform.
D)when delivering a formal speech, you should speak more rapidly.

Question 38

Which of the following is not a good way to deal with speaking anxiety?

A)Prepare more material than necessary.
B)Focus on being perfect.
C)Take a few deep breaths before speaking.
D)Have your first sentence memorized and on the tip of your tongue.

Question 39

Best practices for the question-and-answer session after a presentation include

A)counting on being able to set ground rules for the session.
B)assuming that you'll be able to handle questions without some preparation.
C)anticipating likely questions and thinking through your answers.
D)acknowledging that the question-and-answer session is relatively unimportant.

Question 40

The sentence "Now that we've identified the problem, let's take a look at some solutions" is an example of

A)a problem statement for a presentation.
B)a transition between major sections of a presentation.
C)a statement of intent for a presentation.
D)a statement of the main idea for a presentation.

Question 41

In business presentations, the "backchannel" is

A)the "notes" portion of an electronic slide, which only the presenter can see.
B)subtle, nonverbal cues the presenter sends during the presentation.
C)electronic communication among audience members during the presentation.
D)password-protected electronic slides that only certain audience members are allowed to view.

Question 42

Sending preview materials to the audience prior to an online presentation

A)will cause most audience members to ignore what you present later.
B)suggests that you are not confident.
C)can be helpful.
D)is an example of the backchannel in action.

Question 43

Simplicity of organization is important only if your speech is short.

Question 44

Presentations offer important opportunities for you to put all your communication skills on display.

Question 45

Planning a business presentation is similar to organizing a written message.

Question 46

You will communicate more successfully with a multilingual audience if you speak slowly and distinctly and pause frequently.

Question 47

In general, you should use a conversational style when speaking to small groups and a more formal style for large groups who are unfamiliar with you.

Question 48

Transitional words and phrases such as, "Now that we've covered..." are generally less important in oral presentations than in written reports.

Question 49

In preparing a speaking outline for your presentation, you should avoid cluttering it with complete sentences.

Question 50

The backchannel can present challenges for business presenters because

A)listeners can build support for your message.
B)audience members who disagree with you can have more leverage.
C)you can get feedback during and after the presentation.
D)supporters can spread your message to a larger audience in a matter of seconds.

Question 51

If you have no working relationship with your audience, you have only a few minutes to convince them that what you have to say is worth listening to.

Question 52

When discussing topics of profound importance to your audience, you can usually count on having their attention as soon as you introduce your main idea.

Question 53

You should be able to summarize the main idea for a speech in a single sentence that links your subject and purpose to the audience's frame of reference.

Question 54

Because you can adapt to your audience while you are speaking, don't worry about analyzing the audience for an oral presentation.

Question 55

If your purpose is to analyze, persuade, or collaborate, you should organize your speech around conclusions and recommendations or a logical argument.

Question 56

Asking, "Did you know that almost 90% of American homeowners are underinsured?" would be a good way to get the audience's attention at the beginning of a presentation on homeowner's insurance.

Question 57

If you face hostile or difficult questions during a question-and-answer session

A)enlist the help of the audience to ridicule the questioner.
B)respond honestly and directly while keeping your cool.
C)stand your ground and answer the questions aggressively.
D)ignore anyone who asks such questions and change the subject.

Question 58

Giving your audience a preview of what you'll be talking about will reduce their interest and attention.

Question 59

If you have 10 minutes or less to deliver your presentation, you should organize it much as you would a brief written message.

Question 60

The most important aspect of any presentation is

A)enveloping your message within a cloak of technology.
B)impressing the audience with your knowledge, skills, and abilities.
C)getting the audience to receive, understand, and embrace your message.
D)regarding your audience as passive recipients rather than trying to engage them.

Question 61

When delivering presentations online, it is especially important to ask the audience for frequent feedback.

Question 62

The ________ to your presentation aims to capture the audience's attention.

Question 63

The ending is the least important part of a presentation.

Question 64

When concluding a presentation, don't bore your audience by restating points you already made in the body.

Question 65

If there is a lack of ________ at the end of your presentation, acknowledge it and be ready to offer a method for resolving the differences.

Question 66

To keep an audience's attention, try to present every point you make in light of the audience's needs and values.

Question 67

You should never ask to see the location for your presentation in advance, since doing so shows a lack of confidence.

Question 68

Effective introductions often unite the audience around a common ________, such as helping solve a problem or capitalizing on an opportunity.

Question 69

To make your presentation memorable, your ending should be spontaneous and impromptu.

Question 70

The ________ ________ of a speech should be expressed in a one-sentence statement that links your subject and purpose to your audience's frame of reference.

Question 71

A presentation ________ helps you organize your material and can serve as the foundation of your speaking notes.

Question 72

As you conclude your presentation, it is vital to emphasize whatever you want your listeners to do or think.

Question 73

Making a presentation with the help of an outline or notes is the most effective and easiest delivery mode.

Question 74

If you sense a lack of consensus at the end of your presentation, you should acknowledge it and be ready to suggest a method for resolving the differences.

Question 75

In the body of your presentation, it is vital to ________ the ideas you are presenting around a common theme.

Question 76

When making a presentation to an unfamiliar audience, you need to establish ________ quickly by listing your qualifications.

Question 77

Early in the planning stages of a speech, you should develop a(n)________ profile.

Question 78

Skilled presenters are quick to put a stop to audience members engaging in "backchannel" communication during a presentation.

Question 79

For a large audience and an important event, you will generally need to establish a(n)________ atmosphere and to deliver your remarks on a stage or platform.

Question 80

The purpose of most business presentations is to inform or ________.