Deck 14: Speaking Informatively

Question 1

We rely on accurate ____________ from websites, newspapers, interpersonal encounters, and many other sources to make decisions in our personal and professional lives.

A) speeches
B) wisdom
C) input
D) information

Answer 1

information

Question 2

Which of the following types of speech publicly addresses others to increase their knowledge, understanding, or skills?

A) Persuasive
B) Demonstrative
C) Informative
D) Narrative

Answer 2

Informative

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a method used strictly to inform?

A) Defining
B) Editorializing
C) Describing
D) Explaining

Answer 3

Editorializing

Question 4

If a speaker _________, he or she is providing the meaning of a word or concept.

A) defines
B) describes
C) explains
D) demonstrates

Question 5

Abby is giving a speech on invasive species, but she isn't sure her audience will understand what the term means. She decides that her first main point should provide a(n) ___________ of invasive species so her listeners can more easily follow her other points.

A) Explanation
B) Definition
C) Description
D) Demonstration

Question 6

In an informative speech about serial killers, Roxanne says, "According to the dictionary, a serial killer is someone who murders a number of people over a period of time". Roxanne is defining the term by providing its ____________ meaning.

A) connotative
B) denotative
C) synonymous
D) antonymous

Question 7

Gustav is giving a speech on abortion. He feels it is important to define the word life, as it is central to his speech. Gustav says, "Life is defined as the moment a heart starts beating, which is just 22 days after conception". Since this is not a dictionary definition but a meaning often cited by one side of the abortion debate, Gustav is using a ______________ meaning for life.

A) denotative
B) symbolic
C) connotative
D) synonymous

Question 8

The _____________ of a term is its origin or history.

A) etymology
B) synonym
C) history
D) denotation

Question 9

Adore, worship, and care for are ____________ for the word love.

A) connotations
B) synonyms
C) antonyms
D) denotations

Question 10

Exciting, thrilling, and stimulating are _____________ for the word boring.

A) antonyms
B) synonyms
C) denotations
D) connotations

Question 11

Dennis is giving a speech on pandemics. Dennis thinks that he can help his audience understand the concept further by defining by ____________. Therefore, he references the influenza pandemic of 1918 and the AIDS pandemic of the 1980s.

A) connotation
B) example
C) synonym
D) compare-and-contrast

Question 12

In an informative speech, you can define a term by discussing similarities and differences between two or more definitions of a term. Which method would you be using?

A) Compare-and-contrast
B) Connotative
C) Antonymous
D) Example

Question 13

"To some people, the definition of family is limited to legal and biological relationships, whereas to others, it includes anyone to whom they feel emotionally close". This statement is an example of defining by

A) example.
B) connotation.
C) compare-and-contrast.
D) denotation.

Question 14

Which of the following terms means using words to depict or portray a person, a place, an object, or an experience?

A) Describing
B) Defining
C) Explaining
D) Demonstrating

Question 15

What are two forms of description?

A) Interpretation and illustration
B) Representation and narration
C) Comparison and narration
D) Recitation and symbolism

Question 16

When you describe by _____________, you are helping your listeners to imagine the physical or emotional experiences they would have if they were to encounter what you are describing.

A) narration
B) illustration
C) comparison
D) representation

Question 17

Kaili is giving an informative speech on the Willis Tower in Chicago, the tallest building in the city. As she describes the Skydeck, one of the upper levels of the Willis Tower open to visitors, she says, "Imagine standing on the 'Ledge', a clear glass balcony. Look straight down. What a thrill! Now, look out into the city. Not only do you see the city, you can even see other states like Michigan"! Kaili is using which of the following to help her audience imagine the physical and emotional experience of visiting the tower?

A) Narration
B) Definition
C) Representation
D) Illustration

Question 18

If you use _____________ in your speech, you are incorporating storytelling to help your topic to come alive.

A) narration
B) illustration
C) representation
D) description

Question 19

Olivia's informative speech is on diabetes. After she finishes defining the disease, she discusses her own journey in dealing with diabetes as a child. Olivia is using _______________ to create a richer mental image for her audience.

A) explanation
B) representation
C) illustration
D) narration

Question 20

Which of the following terms means revealing why something occurred or how something works?

A) Defining
B) Explaining
C) Describing
D) Demonstrating

Question 21

If your topic is how tsunamis form, you would most likely __________ the process.

A) demonstrate
B) define
C) explain
D) illustrate

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT true about explaining in an informative speech?

A) A speaker must use clear, concrete language.
B) A speaker must avoid jargon.
C) A speaker should assess how much listeners already know about the topic.
D) A speaker should be subjective.

Question 23

Of all the techniques speakers can use to inform an audience, _____________ often comes closest to crossing the line from informing to persuading.

A) Defining
B) Explaining
C) Demonstrating
D) Describing

Question 24

You can avoid crossing the line from informative to persuasive speaking by keeping your remarks ______________, meaning based on facts rather than opinions.

A) objective
B) subjective
C) realistic
D) accurate

Question 25

Tony is giving an informative speech on tattooing. Although he is a big fan of tattoos and has several himself, Tony wants to make sure his speech remains _______________. He therefore discusses the history of tattooing in different cultures instead of discussing why he thinks his classmates should get tattoos.

A) relevant
B) objective
C) subjective
D) topical

Question 26

Which of the following terms means showing how to do something as you explain it?

A) Explaining
B) Describing
C) Defining
D) Demonstrating

Question 27

When you are ____________ a process, it's important to describe each step as you do it.

A) demonstrating
B) defining
C) finishing
D) devising

Question 28

Which method of informing would you most likely use while explaining to your audience how to make a pizza?

A) Definition
B) Narration
C) Demonstration
D) Representation

Question 29

Charlana is doing her informative speech on yoga. She wants to teach her audience the sun salutation, a common series of yoga poses. Charlana plans to ____________ each of the ten poses so her audience can try them when they get home.

A) explain
B) demonstrate
C) describe
D) narrate

Question 30

Studies show that students who encounter both visual and auditory stimuli accurately recall more of what they learn than those with just one type of stimuli. Thus, of the four informative methods, _______________ might lead to higher retention in your audience.

A) demonstration
B) explanation
C) description
D) definition

Question 31

Of the following topics, which is least likely to work well for an informative speech?

A) People
B) Events
C) Controversies
D) Concepts

Question 32

A speech about the economic recession or the war in Iraq would reflect which category of informative topic?

A) Events
B) Concepts
C) Policies
D) Issues

Question 33

What is another word for occurrences that are noteworthy for the meanings they represent?

A) Policies
B) Concepts
C) Events
D) Issues

Question 34

Niamh lived in New York City in 2001, so she remembers in detail what the city was like during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11 of that year. She decides to give a speech on September 11 and its meaning to her. Niamh is giving an informative speech that fits into what category?

A) Issues
B) Events
C) People
D) Concepts

Question 35

Wyatt wants to focus his informative speech on ____________, so he decides to talk about former Vice President Al Gore. He focuses on Gore's efforts on behalf of the environment and his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

A) people
B) events
C) issues
D) objects

Question 36

A speech about California during the Gold Rush of the 1800s would fall into what category of informative speaking?

A) People
B) Objects
C) Places
D) Events

Question 37

Effective speeches about ____________ often educate listeners about their evolution and development or their significance in history, culture, politics, or ecology.

A) places
B) concepts
C) issues
D) objects

Question 38

Charlie gives an informative speech on the Barbie doll. She focuses on the history of the doll and its influence on pop culture. Charlie is giving what type of informative speech?

A) Object
B) Concept
C) Event
D) People

Question 39

Oppression and forgiveness are examples of ___________ because each is a notion or idea rather than a concrete object.

A) events
B) concepts
C) issues
D) thoughts

Question 40

Jose decides to give his informative speech on homophobia. Although it isn't something tangible, Jose feels it is a complex idea that affects millions of lives as a social

A) suggestion.
B) topic.
C) thought.
D) idea.

Question 41

If you give an informative speech describing how a hurricane forms, you are giving what kind of speech?

A) Event
B) Concept
C) Issue
D) Process

Question 42

If a speaker is focusing his or informative speech on a(n) _________, the speaker will be examining a program that aims to guide decision-making or to achieve some goal.

A) policy
B) issue
C) concept
D) organization

Question 43

Jay's informative speech is on the United States' ____________ during the Cold War era. He plans to discuss how the U.S. utilized "containment" abroad and McCarthyism at home to stop the real and perceived spread of communism.

A) issues
B) policies
C) concepts
D) events

Question 44

Because Najiba wants to give an informative speech on a topic she knows and can get excited about, she decides to discuss her native country of Afghanistan. She is not sure if her classmates know where she is from, so to begin her speech, Najiba says, "Salaam. That is how you say hello in my native country of Afghanistan. Today, I want to share with you all that I love about this amazing place". To frame her topic in a compelling way for the audience, Najiba has related the topic to

A) the audience.
B) a current event.
C) herself.
D) something familiar.

Question 45

Which of the following is NOT a reason to relate yourself to your topic?

A) It establishes that you have credibility.
B) Your listeners will care more about your topic.
C) It ensures you have both the knowledge and the enthusiasm to engage the audience.
D) You won't have to do as much research.

Question 46

If listeners have a(n) _______________ your speech, they have an inherent motivation to pay attention.

A) vested interest in
B) awareness of
C) curiosity about
D) concentration on

Question 47

College students will most likely have a(n) ______________ a speech on scholarships, because many of them would like extra financial assistance to attend college.

A) awareness of
B) curiosity about
C) vested interest in
D) need for

Question 48

Lorna is giving a speech on 3D technology. In her introduction, she states, "Just ten years ago, 3D technology was relegated to the back shelf because of its expense to produce. But with 2009's Avatar, all of that changed. Now, most of our top-grossing movies can be found in 3D format, and I'm sure you've seen at least one movie in 3D in the past six months". With this opening, what is Lorna trying to establish?

A) Her listeners' vested interest in the topic
B) The currency of her topic
C) Her listeners' doubts about the topic
D) The relevance of her topic to the listeners

Question 49

Which of the following is NOT a strategy for delivering an informative speech more effectively?

A) Making learning challenging
B) Creating information hunger
C) Being ethical
D) Involving the audience

Question 50

An informative speaker should create _____________ by sparking listeners' curiosity and giving them a reason to want the information he or she has.

A) excitement
B) information hunger
C) inquisitiveness
D) information need

Question 51

Shanika wants to create information hunger in her audience about her speech on child abuse. She discusses how crucial positive messages are for young children as they develop their self-concept and she talks about the effect verbal and emotional abuse can have on self-esteem. Shanika is appealing to what type of need in her audience?

A) Relational
B) Instrumental
C) Identity
D) Physical

Question 52

Teaching an audience how to do an exercise that is easy and beneficial is a way of appealing to which type of need?

A) Relational
B) Spiritual
C) Instrumental
D) Physical

Question 53

In the popular book Eat, Pray, Love, author Elizabeth Gilbert explores three countries in terms of their cuisine and religious and sacred rituals. Gilbert uses the book to connect food to which type of need?

A) Physical
B) Spiritual
C) Identity
D) Instrumental

Question 54

A speech explaining how to find coupons and deals online appeals to which type of need?

A) Instrumental
B) Physical
C) Spiritual
D) Relational

Question 55

It is important to be _____________ during a speech because most people process information best in a limited number of segments at a time.

A) detailed
B) cohesive
C) practical
D) organized

Question 56

Mongkut wants to make it easy for his audience to listen to his informative speech on physics. He therefore decides to analyze the physics of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, discussing how fast reindeer can fly relative to the number of children needing gifts. Which of the following did Mongkut do to increase his chances of keeping his audience engaged?

A) Kept it simple
B) Kept it short
C) Made it fun
D) Repeated key points

Question 57

Since many listeners feel uneasy when they are asked to learn a new skill or understand new information, it is a good idea to do which of the following?

A) Keep it short.
B) Make it fun.
C) Repeat key points.
D) Start with what's familiar.

Question 58

Individuals pay more attention to stimuli that are repeated than to those they encounter only once, so an effective informative speaker should repeat which of the following?

A) Main points
B) Subpoints
C) Important citations
D) Transitions

Question 59

Because many of us learn better by doing rather than just seeing or listening, which of the following is useful to keep in mind when building a speech?

A) Make it easy to listen.
B) Involve your audience.
C) Have strong visual aids.
D) Use humor.

Question 60

During Latoya's informative speech on palm reading, she asks her audience to examine their own palms. On a PowerPoint slide, Latoya shows them the different lines on the palm and explains how the length influences different aspects of life. By having listeners read their own palms, how did Latoya involve her audience?

A) By polling
B) By posing a hypothetical situation
C) By inviting questions
D) By inviting direct participation

Question 61

When teaching something that may be too complex for the entire audience to participate in, how else might a speaker encourage involvement?

A) Poll the audience.
B) Invite questions.
C) Ask for volunteers.
D) Pose a hypothetical situation.

Question 62

If you say, "Raise your hand if you've ever considered skydiving", you are using what method to involve the audience?

A) Inviting questions
B) Polling the audience
C) Asking for volunteers
D) Posing a hypothetical situation

Question 63

Which of the following is NOT a way to ensure that the information you give in your speech is true and accurate?

A) Be clear about what you are speculating.
B) Incorporate written footnotes.
C) Use information only from reputable sources.
D) Understand the information you are reporting.

Question 64

While researching his informative speech on Nostradamus, Matias thinks the information he finds on Wikipedia will be more interesting for his listeners than the information he finds in periodicals. Since his topic isn't that serious anyway, Matias figures it would keep the audience more engaged if he uses the information from Wikipedia. Matias is not following which guideline for ensuring the accuracy of his information?

A) Be clear about what he is speculating.
B) Understand the information he is reporting.
C) Use information from reputable sources.
D) Incorporate verbal footnotes.

Question 65

Some speakers use informative speeches to disguise their attempts to persuade or coerce their listeners, meaning they are no longer simply informing, but are engaging in which of the following?

A) Bullying
B) Intimidation
C) Misinformation
D) Propaganda

Question 66

Which of the following is a form of propaganda in which speakers use terms with negative connotations to refer to their opponents?

A) Moral labeling
B) False dichotomy
C) Ordinary folk
D) Glowing generalization

Question 67

In an interview with journalist Katie Couric, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was unable to name Supreme Court decisions with which she disagreed. An advisor to presidential candidate John McCain said to Newsweek, "I wonder how many Americans would be able to name decisions they disagree with. The court is very important, but Palin is on the ticket because she connects with everyday Americans". Which form of propaganda does this statement use?

A) Moral labeling
B) Ordinary folk
C) Glowing generalization
D) False dichotomy