Public Speaking Exam Questions and Answers

Sample Questions and Answers

Which of the following is an example of a “supporting material” in a speech?
A. The introduction of the speech
B. Personal opinions and beliefs
C. Facts, statistics, and expert testimonies that reinforce the speaker’s argument
D. The use of humor
Answer: C

What is the “introduction” of a speech designed to do?
A. To summarize the entire speech
B. To capture the audience’s attention and introduce the topic
C. To provide a detailed analysis of the main points
D. To restate the main arguments of the speech
Answer: B

What is a “call to action” in a persuasive speech?
A. A summary of the speech’s main points
B. A concluding remark that urges the audience to take specific action
C. A statement that entertains the audience
D. A rhetorical question that leaves the audience thinking
Answer: B

What is the “purpose” of an “attention-getter” in a speech?
A. To provide a summary of the speech
B. To introduce new points in the middle of the speech
C. To grab the audience’s attention and engage them from the start
D. To make the audience feel nervous and uncomfortable
Answer: C

What is the “persuasive appeal” of “logos”?
A. The appeal to the audience’s emotions
B. The appeal to the speaker’s character and trustworthiness
C. The appeal to the use of logical reasoning and evidence to support the argument
D. The appeal to humor and entertainment
Answer: C

How does “cultural awareness” impact public speaking?
A. It helps the speaker avoid irrelevant personal anecdotes
B. It helps the speaker tailor the speech to be more inclusive and respectful of the audience’s cultural backgrounds
C. It encourages the speaker to use complex technical terms
D. It encourages the speaker to speak in a monotone voice
Answer: B

What is “auditory feedback” in public speaking?
A. Feedback from visual aids
B. Feedback received through the speaker’s body language
C. Feedback from the audience through verbal reactions, such as applause or comments
D. Feedback from the use of microphones and speakers
Answer: C

Which of the following is a key benefit of effective body language in public speaking?
A. It makes the speaker appear more serious and formal
B. It distracts the audience from the message being conveyed
C. It enhances the speaker’s message by reinforcing key points and engaging the audience
D. It helps the speaker memorize the speech content more easily
Answer: C

What does “logos” refer to in persuasive speaking?
A. Emotional appeals that influence the audience’s feelings
B. The logical reasoning and evidence presented to persuade the audience
C. The character and credibility of the speaker
D. The use of humor to entertain the audience
Answer: B

What is the “conclusion” of a speech designed to do?
A. To present all of the supporting evidence for the speech
B. To summarize the key points and leave a lasting impression on the audience
C. To introduce new, unrelated topics
D. To distract the audience from the main message
Answer: B

How can a speaker effectively engage the audience during the introduction of a speech?
A. By using a personal story, shocking statistics, or a thought-provoking question
B. By immediately jumping into complex information
C. By reading the speech word-for-word from the notes
D. By avoiding eye contact to keep the audience curious
Answer: A

What does “ethos” refer to in persuasive speaking?
A. The logical arguments used to persuade the audience
B. The speaker’s credibility, trustworthiness, and moral character
C. The emotional appeals made to the audience
D. The visual aids used during the speech
Answer: B

Which of the following is an example of a “cultural barrier” to communication?
A. The speaker’s use of complex jargon
B. The audience’s unfamiliarity with the speaker’s cultural background
C. The speaker’s nervousness
D. The speech’s length
Answer: B

What is a “visual aid” designed to do in public speaking?
A. To take the focus away from the speaker
B. To enhance the understanding of complex ideas and concepts through visual representation
C. To entertain the audience without adding substance to the speech
D. To serve as a distraction from the main message
Answer: B

Which of the following is an appropriate way to deal with nervousness before speaking in public?
A. Avoid practicing the speech to keep the nerves in check
B. Ignore the nervousness and focus solely on the content
C. Use deep breathing and positive visualization techniques to calm your nerves
D. Avoid making eye contact with the audience to reduce anxiety
Answer: C

What is “feedback” in the context of public speaking?
A. The process of organizing the speech content
B. The verbal and non-verbal reactions of the audience during or after the speech
C. The structure of the introduction and conclusion of a speech
D. The speaker’s personal reflection after the speech
Answer: B

What is the purpose of “transitions” in a speech?
A. To introduce new topics without connecting them to previous ones
B. To provide summaries of each section of the speech
C. To smoothly guide the audience from one point to the next
D. To fill in gaps between sections with filler words
Answer: C

Which of the following should a speaker do to ensure clarity in their speech?
A. Use jargon and technical terms that may confuse the audience
B. Speak quickly to get through the material faster
C. Keep the language simple, clear, and relevant to the audience
D. Avoid any pauses, as they make the speaker seem unsure
Answer: C

Which of the following is an example of a “persuasive speech”?
A. A lecture on the history of public speaking
B. A motivational speech encouraging the audience to take action on a cause
C. A speech about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle
D. A speech explaining the technicalities of a scientific experiment
Answer: B

How can a speaker use “tone of voice” effectively in public speaking?
A. By keeping a monotone voice throughout the speech
B. By varying tone to match the message and maintain the audience’s interest
C. By speaking as fast as possible to cover all content
D. By avoiding pauses to keep the speech moving forward
Answer: B

What does “audience analysis” involve?
A. Practicing the speech in front of a mirror
B. Understanding the audience’s interests, values, and expectations before the speech
C. Focusing only on the speech content and ignoring the audience’s reactions
D. Using technical terms to impress the audience
Answer: B

What is the purpose of using “repetition” in a speech?
A. To introduce new ideas that were not previously mentioned
B. To emphasize important points and ensure the audience retains them
C. To fill time and reduce the length of the speech
D. To confuse the audience into thinking they missed something
Answer: B

What does “message clarity” in public speaking refer to?
A. The speed at which the speaker delivers the speech
B. The ability of the speaker to present the message in a way that is easy to understand
C. The use of complex vocabulary to impress the audience
D. The number of visual aids used during the presentation
Answer: B

How does “audience feedback” impact the speaker during a speech?
A. It has no effect on the speaker’s performance
B. It can help the speaker adjust their delivery to better engage the audience
C. It makes the speaker more nervous
D. It is irrelevant, as the speaker should focus only on the content
Answer: B

Which of the following is a benefit of “personalizing” a speech?
A. It makes the speaker seem less relatable to the audience
B. It helps the speaker build a stronger connection with the audience by sharing personal experiences
C. It makes the speech seem more formal and distant
D. It distracts the audience from the message
Answer: B

What does “speaker credibility” mean in public speaking?
A. The speaker’s ability to memorize the speech perfectly
B. The speaker’s trustworthiness and knowledge on the subject matter
C. The number of visual aids used in the speech
D. The speaker’s ability to speak quickly and cover all material
Answer: B

What is the primary purpose of using storytelling in a speech?
A. To entertain the audience and make the speech more interesting
B. To explain complex ideas in a simple, engaging way
C. To distract the audience from the main message
D. To fill time and make the speech longer
Answer: B

Which of the following is an example of a “visual aid” that could be used in a speech?
A. A written manuscript of the speech
B. A PowerPoint presentation with relevant images and text
C. A personal story told by the speaker
D. A long list of references
Answer: B

How can a speaker effectively handle nervousness during a public speaking event?
A. By pretending to be confident, even if they feel nervous
B. By using relaxation techniques like deep breathing and focusing on the message rather than the nerves
C. By avoiding eye contact with the audience to reduce anxiety
D. By rushing through the speech to get it over with quickly
Answer: B

What is the role of “audience engagement” in public speaking?
A. To keep the speaker’s focus solely on their notes
B. To ensure that the audience is passive and simply listens to the speaker
C. To interact with the audience in a way that maintains interest and enhances understanding
D. To avoid any interactions with the audience to maintain professionalism
Answer: C

Which of the following is NOT a recommended strategy for organizing a speech?
A. Begin with a strong introduction that grabs attention
B. Use a clear structure with distinct sections (introduction, body, conclusion)
C. Randomly present ideas without any logical flow
D. Summarize key points in the conclusion to reinforce the message
Answer: C

What is the “thesis” of a speech?
A. The conclusion of the speech
B. The central idea or argument that the speaker is trying to communicate
C. The personal experiences shared by the speaker
D. The series of questions asked during the speech
Answer: B

Why is it important to tailor a speech to the specific audience?
A. To ensure the speech is relevant and engaging for the listeners
B. To make the speaker seem more confident
C. To fill time and meet the required length of the speech
D. To avoid using visual aids or technological tools
Answer: A

What is “impromptu speaking”?
A. Delivering a speech based on a carefully prepared script
B. Speaking without prior preparation, often in response to unexpected situations
C. Delivering a speech with the help of visual aids
D. Speaking using formal language and technical terms
Answer: B

How can a speaker ensure that their message is clear and effective?
A. By using complicated vocabulary to demonstrate expertise
B. By focusing on a single main point and supporting it with clear examples and evidence
C. By reading the entire speech from a written manuscript without looking at the audience
D. By speaking as quickly as possible to cover all content
Answer: B

Which of the following best describes the concept of “audience analysis”?
A. The process of researching the topic of the speech in detail
B. The practice of adjusting the speech based on the audience’s demographics, interests, and expectations
C. The technique of memorizing the speech word-for-word
D. The process of focusing solely on the speech’s structure
Answer: B

What is the “delivery” of a speech?
A. The written script of the speech
B. The verbal and non-verbal methods used to present the speech to the audience
C. The topic of the speech itself
D. The visual aids used in the presentation
Answer: B

Why is “non-verbal communication” important in public speaking?
A. It helps the speaker deliver the speech faster
B. It provides additional context to the speaker’s words through gestures, facial expressions, and body language
C. It distracts the audience from the message
D. It eliminates the need for visual aids
Answer: B

What is the benefit of practicing a speech multiple times before delivering it?
A. It allows the speaker to memorize every word of the speech
B. It helps the speaker become familiar with the material, reducing anxiety and improving delivery
C. It increases the length of the speech
D. It helps the speaker avoid eye contact with the audience
Answer: B

How can a speaker create an effective opening for their speech?
A. By jumping straight into the main topic without introduction
B. By using a catchy hook, such as a quote, statistic, or rhetorical question
C. By speaking in a monotone voice
D. By immediately listing the main points of the speech
Answer: B

Which of the following is a characteristic of “good vocal delivery” in public speaking?
A. Speaking in a monotone voice
B. Using varied pitch, volume, and speed to emphasize key points
C. Speaking as quickly as possible to cover all material
D. Avoiding pauses at all costs
Answer: B

Why is it important to maintain eye contact with the audience during a speech?
A. It shows the speaker’s confidence and helps build a connection with the audience
B. It makes the speaker appear distant and uninterested
C. It prevents the speaker from speaking too quickly
D. It is only necessary when delivering technical content
Answer: A

What does “researching your audience” entail before giving a speech?
A. Preparing the speech based on general assumptions about the audience
B. Collecting detailed information about the audience’s demographics, values, interests, and expectations
C. Memorizing the speech and not considering the audience at all
D. Ignoring the audience’s interests and focusing solely on the content
Answer: B

What is the “main body” of a speech?
A. The conclusion, where the speaker summarizes the points
B. The introduction, where the speaker grabs the audience’s attention
C. The central section, where the speaker presents the key ideas and evidence
D. The visual aids used during the speech
Answer: C

How can a speaker make their speech more persuasive?
A. By using emotional appeals (pathos), logical arguments (logos), and establishing credibility (ethos)
B. By speaking as quickly as possible to cover all points
C. By using humor and avoiding serious topics
D. By ignoring the audience’s reactions during the speech
Answer: A

What is the importance of “researching your topic” when preparing for a speech?
A. It allows the speaker to sound more knowledgeable and credible
B. It makes the speech longer without adding meaningful content
C. It allows the speaker to memorize the speech more easily
D. It eliminates the need for any visual aids
Answer: A