Q&A Hero

Q: An introduction should A. analyze your audience. B. provide numerous details about your main points. C. capture the attention of your audience, state your thesis, and preview your main points. D. list all the research sources you used to get information for your speech.

Q: A total of 1,000 students responded to a survey about using student fees to build a new health care center on campus. Of those responding, 700 students said they strongly agree with this proposal. What percentage of students strongly agree? a. 14 percent b. 30 percent c. 70 percent d. 7 percent

Q: David Dempsey advises us to "[m]ake three points that stick, rather than 10 quick points." WHY should you limit the number of main points in your speech? A. People have difficulty recalling more than five pieces of information when they are presented orally. B. You will have time to provide interesting information about each of your points. C. You will have time to illustrate these points in a compelling way. D. All of these are reasons why you should address no more than five main points.

Q: A report that compares the services offered by three wireless companies should be organized by ________. a. time b. criteria c. component d. convention

Q: Shandra is preparing a speech about sex education. She has written a list of 12 main points, which is too many. What should she do? A. Choose a different topic. B. Organize the points into categories. C. List every point briefly and give the audience some websites they can consult for additional information. D. Speak quickly.

Q: You are responsible for recording the minutes of an important executive board meeting. The best way to organize these minutes is by ________. a. importance b. time c. convention d. criteria

Q: According to the textbook, what is the maximum number of main points that should be included in the body of a presentation? A. three B. five C. seven D. ten

Q: Of the three Ms, the ________ is especially useful when extreme figures may warp the average. a. mean b. mode c. median d. margin

Q: Which of the following statements was NOT listed as a rule for using main points in a presentation? A. Present more than one key idea in each main point. B. Express your points in parallel grammatical structure. C. State the main points as claims. D. Use no more than five main points.

Q: Which of the following is phrased as a conclusion? a. Offering a wide range of benefits is the best way to recruit high-quality applicants. b. Offer a wide range of benefits to recruit high-quality applicants. c. Change your computer passwords once every six weeks. d. Let me know your hiring decision by Friday.

Q: Which of the persuasive patterns should be used only if it's easy for the audience to visualize the problem and solution that you are presenting? A. problem-solution B. motivated sequence C. cause-effect D. chronological

Q: Introductions, transitions, and headings in reports provide important ________ to prevent readers from getting lost. a. topics b. data c. cues d. recommendations

Q: During a rally at the courthouse, Arnold described the chaos that would arise if his opponent were to win the upcoming election. His vivid description represents the _____________ step of the motivated sequence. A. attention B. need C. satisfaction D. visualization

Q: Michelle has collected large amounts of data for a business report she is writing, and she wants to ensure that the data are meaningful to her readers. What should she do? a. Write the problem statement. b. Ask for help on a social media site. c. Organize the data into tables. d. Omit the data from her report to avoid confusing her readers.

Q: During the _______________ step of the motivated sequence, the speaker provides supporting evidence to prove to the audience that the existing problem is serious. A. attention B. need C. satisfaction D. visualization

Q: The range for daily sales for the week, $89,000, $75,000, $98,000, $66,000, and $99,000, is ________. a. $33,000. b. $85,400. c. $427,000. d. $89,000.

Q: Which step of the motivated sequence calls for a response by the audience? A. attention B. satisfaction C. visualization D. action

Q: Which of the following situations would require a yardstick report? a. Christine reviews the company's financial records to verify the amount each expense has changed during the quarter. b. Donald gathers information on three mid-range American-made automobiles to compare price, fuel economy, maintenance, insurance rates, and resale value before selecting a car for the company's sales force. c. Vivian presents data supporting the decision to open the company's newest restaurant in Baton Rouge. d. Elijah conducts a study to determine whether customers prefer to dine in a restaurant or have food delivered to their homes.

Q: ________ assist readers in comprehending the organization of a report by highlighting major ideas. a. Title pages b. Page numbers c. Headings d. Appendices

Q: The _______________________ organizational pattern leads the audience through a series of steps designed to increase the audience's involvement and interest as the persuasive presentation develops. A. comparative-advantages B. criteria satisfaction C. motivated sequence D. topical

Q: A comparative-advantages approach would be most effective in which of these situations? A. showing how your product is more cost-effective than its competitors B. asking the boss for a raise C. motivating workers to boost production D. seeking donations to United Way

Q: Background, Findings, Staffing, and Budget are examples of ________. a. talking headings b. functional headings c. generic headings d. transitional headings

Q: If your audience is trying to decide between competing proposals, the text recommends that you use a _______________ pattern of organization. A. comparative-advantages B. criteria satisfaction C. motivated sequence D. problem-solution

Q: What form of organization is reflected by the following thesis? "I think you'll agree that the model ABX7565 meets your stated needs. It's economical, reliable, and fast." A. comparative-advantages B. criteria satisfaction C. cause/effect D. spatial

Q: Conclusions will usually be more objective if ________. a. consistent criteria are used in evaluating options b. the data are manipulated to support a predetermined outcome c. the researcher relies on personal experience related to the report problem d. you use strong language to sensationalize your findings

Q: Jules wants to present a new method for closing the engine room at night. He states that his plan is effective because it meets three standards: his method is safe, efficient and cost effective. Jules is using the _______________________ organizational pattern. A. motivated sequence B. spatial C. coercive D. criteria satisfaction

Q: Which of the following is an example of a recommendation? a. Institute a wellness program to encourage employees to improve their health by adopting healthy habits. b. Employees who take part in wellness programs have fewer absences. c. A wellness program can be an effective recruiting tool. d. Having a wellness program can lead to reduced employee absenteeism.

Q: Which of the following is not one of the three Ms that measure central tendency? a. Mean b. Mode c. Median d. Margin

Q: As a member of the Board of Regents, Rob has been asked to persuade a group of students that a tuition increase is the most appropriate option for maintaining quality of education at their institution. If Rob first identifies the problems that exist because of the lack in funding and then demonstrates how an increase in tuition will eliminate those problems, which of the following persuasive organizational patterns is he using? A. problem-solution B. comparative-advantage C. criteria-satisfaction D. chronological

Q: Which organizational pattern would be best for a speaker who is proposing a change that will improve the current situation? A. chronological B. spatial C. topical D. problem-solution

Q: Which of the following is an example of a statistical concept? a. Table b. Decision matrix c. Grid d. Median

Q: Which of the following is most likely to be distorted by an extreme number at either end? a. Margin b. Median c. Mode d. Mean

Q: At the company board meeting, the president spoke about the need for the company use new technologies to keep their competitive edge. To support his point he identified two companies that were forced to file bankruptcy because they didn't use new technologies. Which type of organizational pattern did the president use? A. motivated sequence B. topical C. spatial D. cause-effect

Q: Much of the information that allows decision makers to run their organizations effectively in the digital age comes to them in the form of ________. a. Web searches b. reports c. outside consulting d. employee feedback

Q: Which type of organizational pattern shows that certain events have happened or will happen as a result of a specific set of circumstances? A. chronological B. topical C. spatial D. cause-effect

Q: Which type of organizational pattern is sometimes referred to as a "catch-all" approach? A. chronological B. topical C. problem-solution D. cause-effect

Q: Which statement about recommendations is least accurate? a. Recommendations and conclusions may be combined. b. Short reports may omit conclusions and move on to recommendations. c. Recommendations should be general. d. Recommendations should focus on solutions to the reader's problem.

Q: Ellie's advertising division has been asked to provide a presentation regarding the three major media options they provide: print, television, and Internet. Which of the following would be the most appropriate organizational pattern for this presentation? A. chronological B. cause-effect C. topical D. problem-solution

Q: ________ reports examine problems with two or more solutions. a. Yardstick b. Progress c. Justification/recommendation d. Investigative

Q: "All medical facilities are designed with three essential parts: the admissions desk, the examining room, and the doctor's office." This thesis statement reflects which type of organizational pattern? A. chronological B. spatial C. topical D. criteria-satisfaction

Q: Informational reports should be organized using which of the following patterns? a. Introduction/problem, facts/findings, conclusions/recommendations, discussion/analysis b. Introduction/problem, conclusions/recommendations, facts/findings, discussion/analysis c. Introduction/background, facts/findings, summary/conclusion d. Summary/conclusion, introduction/background, facts/findings

Q: If you were giving a tour of your company's facilities to a group of investors and you organized the tour based on the location of the various divisions, which of the following organizational patterns would you be using? A. chronological B. spatial C. topical D. motivated sequence

Q: Angelina is writing a report to her supervisor about implementing a new employee orientation process. Her supervisor is highly supportive of the idea and wants to learn the details quickly. What organizational style should Angelina use for her report? a. Direct pattern b. Spiral pattern c. Indirect pattern d. Journalistic pattern

Q: Radoslav is responsible for developing a presentation to demonstrate the appropriate steps for developing a Web page. If Radoslav leads his audience through each step in a linear fashion, which of the following organizational patterns is he using? A. chronological B. spatial C. problem-solution D. cause-effect

Q: What is the most accurate statement about correlations? a. Apparent correlations between two or more variables can stimulate investigation and present possible solutions to be explored. b. Correlations prove cause-and-effect relationships. c. Correlations are not useful as statistical analysis tools. d. The terms correlation and causation are interchangeable.

Q: Chronological patterns are useful for A. explaining the steps in a process. B. organizing material according to its location. C. grouping ideas into categories or logical themes. D. showing how certain events result from certain circumstances.

Q: Mary-Beth is using transitional expressions such as for example and in other words in a report. In using these phrases, she is attempting to ________. a. suggest cause and effect b. contrast ideas c. clarify points d. show time and order

Q: A logic tree A. shows a chronological pattern of organization. B. visually shows the relationship among thesis, main points, and subpoints. C. provides a way of combining research cards for an introduction. D. is useful for speeches about biology.

Q: Numerical data from questionnaires or interviews are usually summarized using systematic columns and rows in a ________. a. pie chart b. flowchart c. bar chart d. table

Q: Of the steps listed below, which should come first as you begin to organize the ideas you've brainstormed and researched into an outline? A. identifying the key points B. writing the introduction C. creating transitions D. writing the conclusion

Q: When aiming to create an attractive page layout, consider that most readers scan a page in a(n) _______ pattern. a. F b. L c. T d. Z

Q: Which of the following are examples of periodic (activity) reports? a. Sales, accounts payable, and personnel reports b. Trip, convention, and conference reports c. Investigative reports d. Justification/recommendation reports

Q: Among U.S. businesspersons, the most acceptable method for organizing ideas is the ________ pattern. A. star B. wave C. spiral D. linear

Q: Which of the following is an analytical report? a. A report to determine whether a company should outsource its customer support function b. A report on quarterly sales at a restaurant location c. A report on the progress of a task force investigating ways to decrease overtime costs d. A report to stockholders showing the company's profits for the last quarter

Q: The three main parts of a speech are: A. attention-getter; thesis; preview. B. preview; view; review. C. introduction; body; conclusion. D. point 1; point 2; point 3.

Q: Determine the median of the numbers 30, 25, 25, 45, and 70. a. 195 b. 25 c. 30 d. 39

Q: Which of the following statements best summarizes the overall format for organizing your presentation? A. Tell your audience whatever comes to your mind in the moment. B. Don't tell the audience what's really on your mind. C. Tell them what you're going to tell them; then tell them; then tell them what you told them. D. Tell them so well that you don't have to tell them again.

Q: Which of the following is an example of an informational report? a. A report recommending that an organization begin offering on-site child care to employees b. A report describing a new procedure for submitting expense claims c. A report analyzing reasons for a company's high turnover rate d. A report determining which wireless carrier to use for the sales staff's smartphones

Q: All of the following except ____________ are identified in your text as typical organizational problems of presentations: A. getting to the point too quickly B. leaving out necessary information C. including irrelevant material D. getting ideas mixed up

Q: Liam is writing a report to his supervisor about using social media sites to improve communication with customers. His supervisor has little experience using social media for marketing. What organizational style should Liam use for his report? a. Direct pattern b. Spiral pattern c. Indirect pattern d. Journalistic pattern

Q: All of the following are benefits of a well-organized speech EXCEPT: A. taking more time to get your point across B. keeping your audience happy C. boosting your image as a speaker D. making your message understandable

Q: Which of the following is an example of a feasibility report? a. A report to determine which of three firms to use for after-hours security b. A report to determine whether a company should provide an on-site gym for its employees c. A report about a firm's profitability to be sent to the company's shareholders d. A report on a meeting held with members of the local chamber of commerce

Q: After you've created your specific goal and thesis statement, the next step is to A. Choose an organizational pattern. B. Develop your introduction. C. Create a PowerPoint presentation. D. Gather information about the topic through brainstorming and research.

Q: Recommendations should be phrased as ________. a. questions b. commands c. generalities d. quotations

Q: Which of the following would be the BEST thesis statement? A. I will teach my audience how to lease equipment. B. a critical look at equipment purchasing C. I want to persuade my audience that it's better to lease equipment than to purchase it. D. Leasing your equipment can help you save money.

Q: To contrast responses of employees with children against responses of employees without children from a survey on attitudes toward on-site child care, ________. a. use cross-tabulation b. determine the range of responses c. determine the average response d. determine the standard deviation

Q: All of the following describe a good thesis statement EXCEPT A. one single sentence B. leaves the audience wondering what your key idea is C. the key central idea of the speech D. stated out loud to the audience in the introduction

Q: When people say average, they usually intend to indicate the __________, or arithmetic average. a. mean b. mode c. median d. margin

Q: In your introduction, you should clearly state the key central idea of your speech in one short sentence. This sentence is called your ______________________. A. specific goal B. general goal C. descriptive sentence D. thesis statement

Q: During his research, Anthony notices that employees who dress professionally in the workplace have higher productivity figures. Anthony has identified a possible ________. a. correlation b. standard deviation c. average d. tabulation

Q: Which of the following would be the BEST specific goal statement for a persuasive speech about solar heating? A. My purpose is to explain the advantages of solar heating. B. I want to talk about solar heating. C. After hearing my presentation, at least a quarter of the audience will sign up to receive additional information about solar heating. D. Try solar heating.

Q: Lamar wants to encourage his boss to consider a new process for evaluating employee performance. What type of report will he most likely prepare? a. Yardstick report b. Progress report c. Justification/recommendation report d. Investigative report

Q: Your specific goal should A. set forth a realistic reaction you want from your audience. B. point to a general focus. C. explain which organization pattern you will be using. D. describe lofty outcomes.

Q: As you begin to develop your presentation, you should determine whom you want to influence and what reaction you want from them. This is called a ____________. A. general goal B. specific goal C. rationale D. thesis statement

Q: An informational report presenting quarterly sales data for a clothing boutiques four branches would most likely be organized by ________. a. time b. importance c. component d. criteria

Q: What is the primary difference between informational and analytical reports? a. Informational reports are prepared for internal audiences, and analytical reports are prepared for external audiences. b. Informational reports emphasize facts, and analytical reports emphasize reasoning and conclusions. c. Informational reports are always organized directly, and analytical reports are always organized indirectly. d. Informational reports are usually aimed at persuading readers to follow the recommendations provided.

Q: Before you prepare your speech outline, you should write a ___________ that describes the reaction you are seeking from your audience. A. general purpose B. specific goal C. thesis statement D. preview

Q: Duane has been selected by his company to present an after-dinner speech at the company's annual summer party. The general purpose of Duane's presentation is _____________. A. to inform B. to persuade C. to evaluate D. to entertain

Q: Arianna has interviewed several of her colleagues to gather their ideas for improving productivity. She now has raw verbal data to analyze. What is the best tool to analyze raw verbal data? a. Pie chart b. Grid c. Line chart d. Bar chart

Q: Select the best wording for a recommendation. a. Our college campus should extend caf hours to meet the needs of evening students. b. Extend the campus caf hours to meet the needs of evening students. c. Perhaps we should extend the campus caf hours to meet the needs of evening students. d. Busy students are taking more evening classes and should be able to use the campus caf before class.