285 TEST BANK FOR THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

Multiple-Choice Questions (Students are to indicate the best answer for each
question by circling the correct letter.)

1. Which of the following does your textbook mention as an advantage of using visual aids in a
public speech?
a. Using visual aids enhances the clarity of the speaker’s message.
b. Using visual aids reduces the need for eye contact with the audience.
c. Using visual aids can help combat the speaker’s stage fright.
d. all of the above
e. a and c only

2. According to your textbook, which of the following is an advantage of using visual aids in a
speech?
a. Using visual aids can increase the clarity of a speaker’s message.
b. Using visual aids can increase the audience’s retention of a speaker’s message.
c. Using visual aids can increase the persuasiveness of a speaker’s message.
d. all of the above
e. a and b only

3. Visual aids can be very useful to a speaker because they

a. often take the place of statistics.
b. enhance the clarity of a speaker’s ideas.
c. can be passed among members of the audience.
d. do not require a great deal of explanation.
e. all of the above.

4. Visual aids are often helpful to a speaker because they can

a. enhance the clarity of a speaker’s ideas.
b. make information more interesting to listeners.
c. help listeners retain a speaker’s ideas.
d. all of the above.
e. a and b only.

5. If the object you want to use as a visual aid is not available, the next best option is ideally a
a. model.
b. chart.
c. slide.
d. photograph.
e. drawing.

6. __________ are especially valuable for showing an audience statistical trends and patterns.
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a. Models
b. Diagrams
c. Charts
d. Blueprints
e. Graphs

7. A __________ graph is best suited for showing changes in statistics over time or space.
a. pie
b. line
c. distributive
d. parallel
e. ratio

8. If you were discussing statistical trends in a speech, what kind of visual aid would probably
work best to clarify the trends for listeners?
a. a chart
b. a map
c. a diagram
d. a graph
e. a model

9. Which of the following would probably be the best kind of visual aid to illustrate the rising cost
of a college degree?
a. a line graph
b. a chart
c. a diagram
d. a bar graph
e. a pie graph

10. Which of the following would probably be the best kind of visual aid to show changes in the
homicide rate in Washington, D.C., over the past 20 years?
a. a diagram
b. a line graph
c. a chart
d. a bar graph
e. a pie graph

11. If you wanted to show the changes over the last 10 years in the number of people who get their
news from newspapers and the number of people who get their news from the Internet, the best
kind of visual aid would probably be a
a. pie graph.
b. diagram.
287 TEST BANK FOR THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

c. chart.
d. line graph.
e. wave graph.

12. If you wanted to show the increase in the cost of commercials during the Super Bowl over the
past 40 years, the best kind of visual aid would probably be a
a. diagram.
b. wave graph.
c. line graph.
d. pie graph.
e. chart.

13. A __________ graph is best suited to illustrating the relationship among parts of a whole.
a. parallel
b. ratio
c. bar
d. pie
e. line

14. Which of the following would probably be the best kind of visual aid to show the proportion of
deaths last year that resulted from accidents, illnesses, natural causes, and homicides?
a. a line graph
b. a chart
c. a photograph
d. a pie graph
e. a diagram

15. Which of the following would probably be the best visual aid to demonstrate the distribution of
grades for a class?
a. a pie graph
b. a quota graph
c. a longitudinal graph
d. a partition graph
e. a line graph

16. While working on his speech, Elliot decided to use a visual showing the proportions of the U.S.
federal budget spent in four major areas—defense, entitlement programs, nonentitlement
programs, and miscellaneous spending. What type of visual aid should he use?
a. a pictogram
b. a line graph
c. an illustration
d. a photograph
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e. a pie graph

17. Enrique was asked by the president of his company to prepare a visual aid showing the
proportion of employees who get to work by driving, carpooling, public transportation, or some
other method. The best kind of visual aid for him to use would be
a. a photograph.
b. a pictogram.
c. an illustration.
d. a pie graph.
e. a drawing.

18. A __________ graph is best suited for showing comparisons between two or more items.
a. picture
b. parallel
c. distributive
d. ratio
e. bar

19. If you wanted to demonstrate the comparative spending of the United States and Canada on four
different kinds of social services, which type of visual aid would be most effective?
a. a bar graph
b. a drawing
c. a line graph
d. a chart
e. a pie graph

20. If you wanted to compare the number of men and the number of women who earned bachelor’s
degrees in engineering, science, and the humanities in 2018, you would probably use a
a. parallel graph.
b. drawing.
c. ratio graph.
d. bar graph.
e. pictogram.

21. If you wanted to compare the current infant mortality rate, average lifespan, and cost of living in
the United States and Denmark, which type of visual aid should you probably use?
a. a ratio graph
b. a chart
c. a bar graph
d. a drawing
e. a line graph
289 TEST BANK FOR THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

22. If you wanted to compare the amount of fossil fuels, solar power, and wind energy used in the
United States and Germany, which type of visual aid would be most effective?
a. a pie graph
b. a line graph
c. a bar graph
d. a drawing
e. a chart

23. A(n) __________ is a visual aid that summarizes a large block of information, usually in list
form.
a. diagram
b. chart
c. pictogram
d. illustration
e. graph

24. If you wanted to summarize the steps of a process in a speech, the best kind of visual aid to use
would probably be a
a. model.
b. chart.
c. diagram.
d. photograph.
e. graph.

25. According to your textbook, charts are especially useful as visual aids when a speaker needs to
a. summarize the steps in a process.
b. illustrate changes in statistics over time.
c. include more categories than can be presented in a pie or bar graph.
d. all of the above.
e. a and c only.

26. If you wanted to compare the military spending of the United States to that of eight other
nations, what type of visual aid should you probably use?
a. a map
b. a chart
c. a line graph
d. a pie graph
e. a diagram

27. If you wanted to summarize the eight steps in a criminal trial, the best type of visual aid to use
would probably be a
a. line graph
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b. photograph
c. chart
d. model
e. drawing

28. Colin wanted to use a visual aid to summarize the steps involved in the process of
mummification. The best kind of visual aid for him to use would probably be a
a. drawing
b. chart
c. line graph
d. photograph
e. model

29. Which of the following would probably be the best kind of visual aid to summarize the major
types of agricultural crops grown in the United States?
a. a chart
b. a model
c. a photograph
d. a drawing
e. a map

30. As your textbook explains, if you plan to use a photograph as a visual aid in a speech, you
should usually
a. display the photograph using presentation technology such as PowerPoint.
b. pass the photograph among the audience so everyone can look at it.
c. use a photograph in an oversize book and hold it where it can be seen.
d. all of the above.
e. b and c only.

31. Alain is planning to use video as a visual aid in his persuasive speech. According to your
textbook, he should
a. limit the video to about 30 seconds in length.
b. edit the video to illustrate his point clearly and precisely.
c. make sure the video will project clearly when on a large screen or monitor.
d. all of the above.
e. a and c only.

32. Xiaodan plans to show a video of an explosion in her speech. According to your textbook, she
should
a. make sure the video is sharp enough for a large screen or monitor.
b. cue the video to start exactly where she wants it.
c. wait until the end of her speech to show the video.
291 TEST BANK FOR THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

d. all of the above.

e. a and b only.

33. If you were giving a speech about how to execute basic karate moves, the best kind of visual aid
to use would probably be
a. yourself.
b. a photograph.
c. a chart.
d. a drawing.
e. a painting.

34. According to your textbook, when using PowerPoint slides in a speech, you should
a. try to come up with a slide for every point in the speech.
b. use slides only where they are needed to communicate your ideas.
c. write your outline on the slides so the audience can read along with you.
d. all of the above.
e. a and b only.

35. As your textbook explains, if you are going to use PowerPoint or another presentation program
in a speech, you should
a. allow extra time to prepare your slides.
b. plan where you can employ slides to greatest advantage.
c. use decorative fonts to give your slides more visual appeal.
d. all of the above.
e. a and b only.

36. When you use slides created with PowerPoint or another presentation program in a speech, you
should
a. allow extra time to prepare the slides.
b. run quickly through your slides when you rehearse.
c. bring a backup of your slides to the speech.
d. all of the above.
e. a and c only.

37. Which of the following does your textbook recommend for preparing slides?
a. Limit the amount of text to no more than six lines per slide.
b. Use all capital letters so the words will be easy to read.
c. Stick to a limited number of colors and use them consistently.
d. all of the above
e. a and c only
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38. Which of the following does your textbook say you should do when preparing PowerPoint slides
for a speech?
a. Use images strategically.
b. Use a limited amount of text.
c. Use colors consistently.
d. all of the above
e. b and c only

39. Which of the following does your textbook present as a guideline for preparing visual aids?
a. Keep visual aids simple.
b. Use a minimum of three fonts on each slide.
c. Write words in all capital letters.
d. all of the above
e. a and c only

40. Which of the following does your textbook recommend for using visual aids?
a. Prepare visual aids well in advance of your speaking date.
b. Create a visual aid to illustrate each point in your speech.
c. Display visual aids only while discussing them.
d. all of the above
e. a and c only

41. According to your textbook, when selecting fonts for a visual aid, you should usually use
a. a wide variety of fonts.
b. decorative fonts.
c. a different font for each line.
d. italicized fonts.
e. no more than two fonts.

42. When choosing fonts for a PowerPoint slide, you should usually use
a. all capital letters so the lettering will be easy to read.
b. a minimum of four fonts to provide visual variety.
c. decorative fonts that are fun to experiment with.
d. all of the above.
e. none of the above.

43. Selena is creating visual aids on her computer. According to your textbook, when she selects
fonts, she should plan to use
a. decorative fonts to keep the audience interested.
b. all capital letters so the words will be easy to read.
c. no more than two fonts on each slide.
d. all of the above.
293 TEST BANK FOR THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

e. none of the above.

44. According to your textbook, when using color in Keynote or PowerPoint slides, you should
a. use colors that can easily be differentiated from one another.
b. use the same colors consistently throughout your slides.
c. display major ideas in red or green.
d. all of the above.
e. a and b only.

45. What does your textbook say you should do when presenting visual aids in a speech?
a. Pass visual aids among the audience.
b. Include visual aids only in informative speeches.
c. Display each visual aid for an equal amount of time.
d. all of the above
e. none of the above

46. According to your textbook, when using visual aids in a speech, you should
a. keep visual aids on display throughout the speech.
b. set up visual aids to the left of the lectern.
c. practice with the aids when rehearsing the speech.
d. all of the above.
e. b and c only.

47. When using visual aids in a speech, you should

a. display visual aids only while discussing them.
b. maintain eye contact with listeners when showing visual aids.
c. avoid passing visual aids among the audience.
d. all of the above.
e. a and c only.

48. Which of the following is presented in your textbook as a guideline for presenting visual aids?
a. Display visual aids where listeners can see them.
b. Pass small visual aids among the audience.
c. Display visual aids only while discussing them.
d. all of the above
e. a and c only

49. When using a visual aid in a speech, you should display the aid
a. on the left side of the lectern.
b. so everyone in the room can see it.
c. throughout the speech.
d. all of the above.
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e. a and b only.

50. As your textbook explains, visual aids are most effective when they are displayed
a. continuously throughout the speech.
b. during the introduction of a speech.
c. just before the conclusion of a speech.
d. only while the speaker is discussing them.
e. from the right side of the lectern.

51. According to your textbook, visual aids are most effective when they are
a. explained clearly and concisely.
b. circulated among the audience.
c. presented early in the speech.
d. all of the above.
e. a and c only.

52. According to your textbook, visual aids are most effective when they are
a. integrated with the rest of the speech.
b. explained clearly and concisely.
c. passed among the audience.
d. all of the above.
e. a and b only.

53. Leo is planning to use visual aids for his informative speech. Which of the following
recommendations will he find in your textbook?
a. Pass small visual aids among the audience.
b. Display visual aids only when discussing them.
c. Display visual aids where listeners can see them.
d. all of the above
e. b and c only

54. Bryn is planning to use visual aids for her informative speech. Which of the following
recommendations will she find in your textbook?
a. Keep visual aids simple.
b. Use visual aids strategically.
c. Display each visual aid for an equal amount of time.
d. all of the above
e. a and b only

55. Kumar gave his informative speech on meteorology. As part of the speech, he displayed an
excellent drawing to indicate the temperatures in different layers of the atmosphere. When he got
to the drawing, he said, “As you can see, each layer has a different temperature.” He then
295 TEST BANK FOR THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

covered up the drawing and quickly moved on. What should Kumar have done to present his
visual aid more effectively?
a. He should have created a handout and passed it among the audience.
b. He should have explained the visual aid more fully.
c. He should have displayed a photograph instead of a drawing.
d. all of the above
e. a and b only

56. According to your textbook, when you are going to give an audience material to take home from
a speech, you should usually distribute the material
a. as the audience arrives for the speech.
b. at the beginning of the speech.
c. at the time you discuss it during the speech.
d. during the conclusion of the speech.
e. after the speech.

57. Rosalie will be giving a persuasive speech on organ donation and wants to distribute organ-
donor cards to her listeners. When should she distribute the cards?
a. before she starts the speech
b. after she reveals her topic in the introduction
c. while telling how organ-donor cards work during the body of the speech
d. while urging her audience to take action during the conclusion of the speech
e. after she has finished speaking

58. Elisa is giving a speech on campus sexual assault and has brought a petition for her listeners to
sign. When should she circulate the petition?
a. before she begins her speech
b. as soon as she reveals the topic of her speech
c. after explaining the seriousness of the problem
d. while urging the audience to take action during her conclusion
e. after she has finished speaking

59. On the morning of his classroom speech, Jonah felt that he needed more visual interest in the
speech. On his way to class, he bought poster board and a marker and wrote down his main
points for the audience to see. Did Robert follow the guidelines for visual aids presented in your
textbook?
a. No. Robert should have prepared more visual aids than a single chart.
b. Yes. Robert showed quick thinking under pressure by making the chart.
c. No. Robert should have prepared the chart ahead of time and rehearsed with it.
d. Yes. Visual aids always heighten the audience’s interest and attention.
e. No. A chart will distract the audience’s attention from Robert’s main points.
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60. Rashid will be using PowerPoint in a speech he is giving to the local Rotary Club. According to
your textbook, Rashid should
a. check the equipment and setup of the room in which he will be speaking.
b. distribute handouts of his slides for the audience to look at during his speech.
c. bring a flash drive with a backup of his slides.
d. all of the above.
e. a and c only.

61. If you are planning to use presentation technology in a speech, you should
a. assume that all the equipment in the room will work fine.
b. bring a backup copy of your slides on a flash drive.
c. distribute handouts of your slides to the audience.
d. all of the above.
e. b and c only.

62. During her speech about improving student services on campus, Louise gave each member of
her audience a handout listing all the current services. Did Louise follow the guidelines for
visual aids presented in your textbook?
a. No. The handout could have been boring to many members of the audience.
b. Yes. Giving the audience a handout during the speech is usually a good idea.
c. No. Louise should have circulated only one copy of the handout.
d. Yes. The details of the handout probably heightened the audience’s interest.
e. No. Louise risked losing attention by distributing the handout during her speech.

63. Gillian prepared beautiful photographs in Keynote to illustrate various parts of her speech about
the Grand Canyon. When Gillian finished explaining each photograph, she left it on the screen
for her audience to study until it was time for the next slide. Did Gillian make any mistakes in
her use of visual aids?
a. Yes. She should have used drawings instead of photographs.
b. No. She explained her visual aids to the audience as the textbook recommends.
c. Yes. She should have displayed blank slides between the photographs.
d. No. Keynote is an excellent way to display photographs.
e. Yes. Photographs usually don’t require explanations when used as visual aids.

Short-Answer Questions
1. If the object you want to use as a visual aid is not available to you, the next best option is ideally
a _______________ .
model
297 TEST BANK FOR THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

2. A(n) _______________ is usually the best kind of visual aid for clarifying statistical trends and
patterns.
graph

3. If you wanted to illustrate the increase in the number of people in the United States who have
earned college degrees since 1970, the best kind of visual aid would probably be a(n)
_______________ .
graph (or line graph)

4. While a _______________ graph is best for showing the relationship between parts of a whole, a
_______________ graph is best for showing comparisons between two or more items.
pie; bar

5. If you wanted to summarize the events that led to the outbreak of World War I, the best kind of
visual aid would probably be a _______________ .
chart

6. If you wanted to list the steps of a process to help your audience remember them better, the best
kind of visual aid to use would probably be a _______________ .
chart

7. If you wanted to summarize the steps in treating a sprained ankle, the best kind of visual aid
would probably be a _______________ .
chart

8. List five of the guidelines discussed in your textbook for preparing visual aids.

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.
The textbook discusses seven guidelines for preparing visual aids:
Prepare visual aids well in advance.
Keep visual aids simple.
Make sure visual aids are large enough.
Use a limited amount of text.
Use fonts effectively.
Use color effectively.