Title: Public Speaking
Course: Question Banks

Q: Chris is speaking to his team about his recent project success. Before he went, he reviewed the project’s Lessons Learned files to ensure he had the details right. Which characteristic of public speaking was Chris focused on?
- Passion
- Practice
- Authenticity
- Confidence
A: Confidence

Q: As Carlos plans to speak to his department, he considers what each individual might need from his speech. What characteristic of public speaking is Carlos demonstrating?
- Paint a Picture through Storytelling
- Practice until you know it
- Confidence by having an easy audience
- Connect with your Audience
A: Connect with your Audience

Q: JT let some else do most college presentations. They looked forward to full time employment and never having to make a speech again. Will they be safe from speeches in their career?
- No, formal speeches occur in all careers
- Yes, depending on the career they select
- Yes, fear of speeches is covered by the ADA
- No, impromptu speeches are a common occurrence.
A: No, impromptu speeches are a common occurrence.

Q: To avoid fear of public speaking, we should realize that?
- Public speaking is only changed by the more formal clothes we wear.
- Public speaking is simple, just speak a bit louder.
- Public speaking is scary, so admit it and jump in.
- Public speaking is merely an extension of speaking skills we already have.
A: Public speaking is merely an extension of speaking skills we already have.

Q: Frank’s coworker said, “Don’t worry about one bad speech. Public speaking is not needed for a good career.” While nice to say, was this consolation correct?
- No, there may have only been a few in attendance.
- Yes, lots of people are afraid of public speaking.
- Yes, Frank should work on his research more.
- No, effective public speaking helps build a career.
A: No, effective public speaking helps build a career.

Q: Barack Obama was a junior senator from Illinois with little national name recognition when he addressed the Democratic National Convention in 2004. This is an example of what?
- Just more politics.
- A significant achievement to put on his resume.
- A very expensive way to become recognized.
- Public speaking building a brand.
A: Public speaking building a brand.

Q: Connie paid $25 to attend a speech about retirement planning. Which of the following summaries of the speech would leave Connie most satisfied?
- Three reasons Fidelity is the right investment company.
- Three reasons to become excited about retirement
- Three government prosecutions of scams
- Three investment steps to take before retiring
A: Three investment steps to take before retiring

Q: Phillips chose to speak without notes at the $200 children’s hospital fundraiser. He covered topics from his early days as a doctor, to cancer, and the new parking garage. What the audience likely satisfied?
- No, the audience likely wanted to hear more jokes about the tough situation.
- Yes, just having the important man there is the main idea.
- Yes, the $200 each paid goes to hiring the parking lot attendant.
- No, he does not seem to have a specific point or purpose for this audience to take away.
A: No, he does not seem to have a specific point or purpose for this audience to take away.

Q: Trudy could pay $15 to view recertification training online or $100 to attend the in-person training. Why might she prefer to pay more?
- Her boss might be there and this will look good.
- Most live presentations have trinkets and free food.
- Specific findings and results.
- The live speaker will offer greater engagement in the topic.
A: The live speaker will offer greater engagement in the topic.

Q: Mina has been asked to speak at the Business and Professional Women’s club meeting. She is both honored and worried. What should be her key priority as she prepares?
- Watch the five most popular YouTube speakers to find commonalities.
- Meet with five prior speakers to see what they did.
- Complete five pre-checks of attire, microphone, notes, location, and audience.
- Use the five-step process related to topic, benefit, positions, title and content.
A: Use the five-step process related to topic, benefit, positions, title and content.

Q: Which is the best benefit statement for a speech to the Cashiers Association meeting?
- Cashiers need better ideas about how to keep their drawers in balance.
- Avoid coming up short! Hear this talk on balancing your drawer.
- Let me share some research I found on balancing a cashier’s drawer.
- After eight years as a cashier, I’d like to offer some easy ways to keep your drawer in balance.
A: After eight years as a cashier, I’d like to offer some easy ways to keep your drawer in balance.

Q: Which is the best title for a speech to the Cashiers Association meeting?
- Hear These Cashier Ideas
- Learn to Balance Your Cashier Drawer
- My Ideas on Balancing and Drawer
- Three Steps to Cashier Accuracy
A: Three Steps to Cashier Accuracy

Q: Which of the following is the best opening to a speech requesting funding for a new line of holiday-inspired fingernail polish colors?
- This proposal outlines Netty Nails expansion request.
- You will be excited to hear about this investment opportunity.
- My name is Netty Neighbors and I own Netty Nails.
- “Luck consists largely of hanging on by your fingernails until things start to go your way,” said Aaron Alston.
A: “Luck consists largely of hanging on by your fingernails until things start to go your way,” said Aaron Alston.

Q: Which opening would you use to open a speech to the homeowners of a mountain town about tree mitigation on their property?
- “There are worse things in life than spending the evening with an insurance salesman” said Woody Allen.
- What if you had no fire insurance?
- State Farm will do what it takes to earn your fire insurance business.
- Did you realize Colorado averages 2500 wildfires each year, according to the DNMS?
A: Did you realize Colorado averages 2500 wildfires each year, according to the DNMS?

Q: Which would be your best opener for a speech to the salespeople of an insurance company looking to expand from the United States to Canada?
- On average, Canada has around 100 tornados a year. How does that matter to you and our company’s expansion to Canada?
- The US has a population of 325.7 million people compared to Canada’s 36 million people. Think about us expanding sales in Canada.
- Comedian Jim Carey says, “My upbringing in Canada made me the person I am. I will always be proud to be a Canadian.” Do you think we can break in to that market?
- Emily Carr says, “It’s wonderful to feel the grandness of Canada in the raw.” Let’s put that grandness to work for company growth.
A: Emily Carr says, “It’s wonderful to feel the grandness of Canada in the raw.” Let’s put that grandness to work for company growth.

Q: Amelia truly appreciated the paired speakers’ sincerity as they moved around each other seemingly inspired by how their topic affected them as they spoke. When she later saw them use identical “choreography” for a completely different speech, how did she probably feel?
- Amazed. Appreciative of the practice.
- Entertained. Speakers are the entertainment.
- Indifferent. It was the content that mattered.
- Deceived. Unlikely to trust the speakers because of their artificiality.
A: Deceived. Unlikely to trust the speakers because of their artificiality.

Q: Liam was so anxious to present the team’s ideas to the Executive Team that after he handed out the copies, he gently stretched the rubber band throughout his presentation. Was this a problem?
- No, dissipating nervous tension is a good idea.
- Yes, the rubber band might break and hit someone.
- No, that is why there are slides on the screen for the audience to focus on.
- Yes, while this may remove tension, it can easily be distracting to the audience.
A: Yes, while this may remove tension, it can easily be distracting to the audience.

Q: Whenever Lina trained corporate groups about sexual harassment in the workplace, she told a story about her past years with a boss who made inappropriate advances. During the most intense moments, she tended to tap or hit the podium. Should she stop?
- No. It's a good way to make sure the audience is not distracted by their cell phones.
- Yes. She should stick to the list of things-to-do-in-response.
- Yes. Speeches should be strictly factual.
- No. This is a sensitive topic and a highly visible reaction.
A: No. This is a sensitive topic and a highly visible reaction.

Q: Stefania has a perfectly researched and written speech. While she might find it a bit intimidating to address so many people, she’s sure it won’t be that hard to read her carefully-crafted speech because the words are interesting. What is Stefania overlooking?
- Finding out if there is a teleprompter
- Retyping the speech for larger font
- Memorizing it instead
- Practicing vocal variety
A: Practicing vocal variety

Q: This is Rocky’s first time speaking to 400 people. With such a large room, what will Rocky need to help with his vocal delivery?
- Mixer board to keep his tone low.
- A teleprompter so that he does not speak too fast.
- A somber slow tone to indicate seriousness.
- Microphone to help with volume.
A: Microphone to help with volume.

Q: Rather than assign the speech to the Laboratory expert in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), the company chose to use a communications professional to introduce the new technology to junior engineers. Why?
- The expert had an accent.
- The briefer was the only one available that week.
- The briefer was less expensive by the hour for these junior employees.
- The expert might speak in overly complicated jargon for these junior employees.
A: The expert might speak in overly complicated jargon for these junior employees.

Q: They say that newspapers are written at a fifth-grade reading level. Most fifth graders do not read the paper. What communication point is being made with this writing level?
- Newspapers are so out of date that they are only used for elementary school assignments.
- It is important to keep business terms secret so ideas are not stolen or copied.
- The newspaper does not talk about anything very complex.
- It is important to use common language that is easily understood by the audience.
A: It is important to use common language that is easily understood by the audience.

Q: As the cultural anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson said, “The human species thinks in metaphors and learns through stories." What does this mean for how you think about your speeches?
- Have Powerpoint for all speeches.
- Keep speeches short.
- Bring a brochure with pictures.
- Use stories and analogies.
A: Use stories and analogies.

Q: Have you ever found yourself in the position of having to give a speech and thinking, “I wonder whether anyone will come or even stay all the way through”? What key aspect of the speech have you overlooked?
- Having a good joke to start the talk.
- Nothing, it is just a boring topic that you’re required to talk about.
- Picking a good time and place for the speech.
- Thinking about what the audience needs and wants to know about this topic
A: Thinking about what the audience needs and wants to know about this topic

Q: Jonah begins his speech on the importance of a living will with a memory of his mother when she was 25 years old. After that, he defines a living will. His speech cycles between the progression of his mother’s life and the formation and use of a living will. What technique of keeping an audience’s attention is Jonah using?
- Surprise
- Senses
- Involvement
- Storytelling
A: Storytelling

Q: Caleb wanted the employees to increase their donations to the company foundation. As he gave the annual report on foundation expenditures and benefits, he added uplifting background music in various places. What techniques of maintaining an audience’s interest is Caleb using?
- Surprise
- Involvement
- Suspense
- Senses
A: Senses

Q: Why do magicians often pull audience members on stage?
- It increases the suspense.
- It’s really not an audience member; it’s a person planted in the audience make the trick look real.
- It adds comedy to make an audience member look foolish.
- It increases audience engagement to have someone participate.
A: It increases audience engagement to have someone participate.

Q: Ollie, who takes his work seriously, is attending a speech given by the CFO of his company about a new benefits package. He knows that some benefits will be enhanced while others are going away entirely, so he really wants to pay attention and capture the details. He arrives in the large meeting room where the speech is being given, and as soon as the CFO begins his talk, the audience is instructed to choose a partner and spend sixty seconds playing catch with a stress ball in order to build team camaraderie. Ollie is most likely to respond to this plan with which feeling?
- Relief. A game like this will relieve some of the tension in the room.
- Happiness. He needed a new stress ball anyway.
- Annoyance. The exercise is a waste of time, and he feels manipulated by the forced playtime when bad news is potentially on the horizon.
A: Annoyance. The exercise is a waste of time, and he feels manipulated by the forced playtime when bad news is potentially on the horizon.

Q: Laila is training new call center associates and wants to ensure they understand the required opening and closing call sequences. What is a good technique for her class of 20 new associates.?
- Introduce each concept and repeat it three times.
- Have a quiz at the end of the session.
- Tell them and have the complete individual written scenarios.
- Partnered role play time with employees.
A: Partnered role play time with employees.

Q: Peggy often became frustrated in her Introduction to Psychology course as the professor answered one student question after another, taking the class further and further from the lecture topic. What has gone wrong?
- The professor is using this as filler when not prepared to lecture.
- Nothing is wrong. The professor is using the audience engagement technique.
- Nothing is wrong. Everyone should have a say in class.
- The professor seems to have lost control of the audience.
A: The professor seems to have lost control of the audience.

Q: Which of the following is an example of the best way to ask for audience questions?
- “Just shout out any questions as they come to mind during our hour together.”
- “Questions may be emailed throughout the session for responses tomorrow.”
- “I don’t expect you’ll have questions if you listen carefully through to the end.”
- “Let’s take 10 minutes here to respond to any urgent questions about our topic.”
A: “Let’s take 10 minutes here to respond to any urgent questions about our topic.”

Q: “An hour and a half isn’t much time for this topic. Do you suppose we could hold all questions until the final 15 minutes” is an example of what Q&A technique?
- Tabling a question
- Paraphrasing the closing
- Keeping your response calm
- Establishing and communicating a time limit
A: Establishing and communicating a time limit

Q: Most of us are comfortable speaking in front of six to ten family members at dinner. Why does the label of “speech” make us so fearful in front of six to ten coworkers?
- We are getting paid at work so they expect a better speaker.
- They may not love us at work and therefore will pick at all the detail.
- At dinner, people don’t pay as much attention.
- We're afraid we don't know enough or will get asked a question we can't answer.
A: We're afraid we don't know enough or will get asked a question we can't answer.

Q: Ryan is anxious about his first company speech. Which of the following will help him overcome this anxiety?
- Buying a new sport coat to look professional.
- Asking to be scheduled last, when most of the audience are thinking about going home.
- Knowing that the audience doesn’t know much at all about this issue.
- Asking a coworker to listen to a run-through of his speech and give constructive comments.
A: Asking a coworker to listen to a run-through of his speech and give constructive comments.

Q: Zoya is fearful of her first speech as a new manager to her employee group, but she has three months before her promotion is announced. What could she do to be less fearful?
- Start eating a few more lunches with the new team so they’ll know her personally.
- Undergo hypnosis to get over her phobia.
- Prepare the notes but have someone on the team who is more comfortable do the actual talk.
- Learn more about public speaking by joining a speaking group outside the company.
A: Learn more about public speaking by joining a speaking group outside the company.

Q: In school, at public speaking clubs, and sometimes at work, we are assigned a topic to speak to others on. Which of the following will be the hardest to overcome in engaging the audience?
- Having time to learn enough about the topic.
- Knowing which details to present or not.
- Being nervous that everyone will know more than you do.
- Finding an angle on the topic that allows you to speak with real sincerity and commitment.
A: Finding an angle on the topic that allows you to speak with real sincerity and commitment.

Q: Tamika’s boss told her that putting the speech together about the new time card system would take three elements to get everyone convinced. What three things could he be referring to in terms of composing her speech?
- Credibility, Company Policy, Employee emotions
- Logic, Upper Management Support, Company Expense
- Breaking results, Company Expense, Logic
- Credibility, Logic, Emotion
A: Credibility, Logic, Emotion

Q: With crews working shifts that span 24 hours a day, what is the most important thing for Satya to keep in mind as she prepares her live talk that will be replayed to employees on other shifts?
- Be overly animated to keep their attention
- Look into the camera more than she would look at a live audience
- Play loud, upbeat music on the audio before she begins to speak
- Keep it to 20 minutes or less
A: Keep it to 20 minutes or less