Business Communication

Midterm Exam

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26 Chapters
682 Verified Questions
Business Communication
Midterm Exam
Course Introduction
Business Communication focuses on developing the essential skills required to

communicate effectively in professional settings. The course covers a range of topics

including verbal and nonverbal communication, effective business writing, presentation

skills, interpersonal communication, and the use of digital tools in business messaging.

Students learn how to craft clear emails, reports, proposals, and other forms of business

correspondence, while also understanding strategies for intercultural communication

and managing communication challenges within organizations. Emphasis is placed on

both theoretical foundations and practical application, preparing students to convey

ideas persuasively and build professional relationships in diverse business

environments.

Recommended Textbook
A Concise Public Speaking Handbook 4th Edition by Steven A. Beebe

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26 Chapters
682 Verified Questions
682 Flashcards
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Page 2
Chapter 1: Speaking in Public
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Sample Questions
Q1) Dave has signed up to be last in the speaking order because his twenty-first birthday
was the day before and he just had to celebrate. He feels so tired and hung over that he
doesn't even realize it's timefor him to speak until the teacher calls his name...twice. What
is Dave experiencing?
A) internal noise
B) an encoding-decoding breakdown
C) external noise
D) poor channel selection
Answer: A

Q2) If a speaker has trouble finding words to convey his or her ideas or sends
contradictory nonverbal symbols, listeners may not be able to _____ the speaker's
verbal and nonverbal symbols back into a message.
A) encode
B) codify
C) decode
D) externalize
Answer: C

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Page 3
Chapter 2: Improving Your Confidence
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Sample Questions
Q1) The most experienced speakers are usually _____ speakers.
A) Average
B) Inflexible
C) Insensitive
D) Confrontational
Answer: C

Q2) Speech anxiety is never beneficial to a speaker.

A)True
B)False
Answer: False

Q3) All of the following are common reasons that people experience speaking anxiety
EXCEPT
A) fear of humiliation.
B) a fear of people in general.
C) worry about their appearance.
D) concern about not being prepared.
Answer: B

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Page 4
Chapter 3: Presenting Your First Speech
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Sample Questions
Q1) Chantal had a speech to prepare for her public speaking class. She started by
selecting a topic and doing her research, and then she sat down to draft the speech. She
wrote out the introduction first, thenwrote a version of the intro that she would use as a
conclusion. Then she outlined the main points of the body of the speech. Based upon the
guidelines provided in the text, is this the correct way to organize a speech?
A) Yes; your text says to draft an introduction first, since it's the first thing you'll say in the
speech; then draft the body, followed by the conclusion.
B) No; your text suggests drafting the conclusion first, then the intro, then the body,
because conclusions usually don't get enough attention if you work on them last.
C) No; your text suggests starting with the body of the speech first, then going back and
drafting the intro.
D) Yes; your text does not suggest any particular order for drafting the three sections of a
speech but rather recommends that speakers choose their own preferred method.
Answer: C

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Page 5
Chapter 4: Ethics and Free Speech
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Sample Questions
Q1) The willingness to listen to different viewpoints and understand beliefs and values
other than your own is known as
A) honesty.
B) indecisiveness.
C) accommodation.
D) conviction.

Q2) What must balance the right to free speech?

A) a tolerance for difference
B) the responsibility to speak ethically
C) the responsibility to speak often and effectively
D) the responsibility to cite sources of information

Q3) In a digital era, free speech, especially via the Internet and mobile phones, has
become a global issue.
A)True
B)False

Q4) Beliefs and values by which we determine right from wrong are termed ethics.
A)True
B)False

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Page 6
Chapter 5: Listening
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following listening goals would be prominent during a math class?
A) listening to empathize
B) listening for information
C) listening to evaluate
D) listening for pleasure

Q2) _____ is the process of using a method or standards to evaluate the effectiveness
and appropriateness of messages.
A) Accommodation
B) Critical listening
C) Rhetorical criticism
D) Reasoning

Q3) Arelational-oriented listener prefers a speaker who avoids emotion.

A)True
B)False

Q4) If a listener is suffering from information overload, concentrating harder on the

details of a message is often helpful.
A)True
B)False

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Page 7
Chapter 6: Analyzing Your Audience
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Sample Questions
Q1) What is ethnocentrism?
A) the belief that almost everyone in a cultural group will agree on core beliefs and
values
B) the attitude that the diverse cultural beliefs around the world should be respected by
all
C) the attitude that one's own cultural approach is superior to those from other cultures
D) the belief that although cultures are different, they all favor peace and harmony

Q2) You're deciding on a speech topic, but need some information from your audience.
Rather than asking them to divulge out loud their opinions on a couple of topics, you
design a short questionnaire. The questionnaire asks whether a person agrees or
disagrees with a series of statements regarding various topics. What form of survey are
you using?
A) a close-ended, formal audience analysis survey
B) a close-ended, informal audience analysis survey
C) an open-ended, formal audience analysis survey
D) an open-ended, informal audience analysis survey

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Page 8
Chapter 7: Adapting to Your Audience as You Speak
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Sample Questions
Q1) Audience members that are moving around and shifting in their seats are more likely
to be attentive to what you are saying.
A)True
B)False

Q2) All of the following are ways to customize your message to your audience EXCEPT
A) using audience members' names to relate information to specific people.
B) referring to a significant event that happened on the date of your speech.
C) referring to a recent or local news event.
D) avoiding mention of specific groups or organizations.

Q3) Audience diversity refers to only the ethnicity and cultural background of audience
members.
A)True
B)False

Q4) For most North American audiences, the BEST way to determine whether your
listeners are maintaining interest in your speech is to note
A) the amount of eye contact they have with you.
B) how often they laugh.
C) how often they move.
D) the amount of noise they make.

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Page 9
Chapter 8: Developing Your Speech
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Sample Questions
Q1) When you make a list of your own interests, and just begin writing as many topics
related to these as you can think of without stopping to consider them, you are using a
technique known as
A) natural topic selection.
B) brainstorming.
C) topic building.
D) futility.

Q2) The general purpose of a persuasive speech is to

A) get members of an audience to relax and enjoy themselves.
B) change or reinforce an audience's beliefs andor urge action.
C) define, describe, or explain something.
D) demonstrate how something works or is made.

Q3) When choosing a speech topic, you should consider

A) your audience, yourself, and the occasion.
B) your audience and potential future audiences.
C) only yourself and your personal interests.
D) your instructor and which topic would get you the highest grade.

Q4) The specific purpose is stated as part of the introduction to your speech.
A)True
B)False

Page 10
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Chapter 9: Gathering Supporting Material
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Sample Questions
Q1) Google scholar is an example of a
A) database.
B) World Wide Web.
C) Web directories.
D) vertical search engine.

Q2) _____ websites usually have the domain .org.

A) Commercial
B) Educational
C) Organizational
D) Military

Q3) Encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories, atlases, almanacs, yearbooks, books of

quotations, and biographical dictionaries are examples of reference resources.
A)True
B)False

Q4) The purpose of a commercial Web site is to advocate a group's point of view.
A)True
B)False

Q5) When planning an interview, you should keep your questions spontaneous.
A)True
B)False
Page 11
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Chapter 10: Supporting Your Speech
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Sample Questions
Q1) A short illustration of no longer than a sentence or two is called
A) a hypothetical illustration.
B) a brief illustration.
C) an explanation.
D) a literal illustration.

Q2) Jimmy wants to use a literary quotation as supporting material in his speech on
great presidents of the twentieth century. The BEST advice for him is to
A) keep the quote brief.
B) make sure it is long and important.
C) say "quote" and "unquote."
D) try to find quotes that are new to the audience.

Q3) When it comes to using literary quotations in your speech, the more you use the
better.
A)True
B)False

Q4) When it comes to selecting supporting material, proximity is NOT relevant.

A)True
B)False

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Page 12
Chapter 11: Organizing Your Speech
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Sample Questions
Q1) A speaker who relies on _____ organization arranges ideas according to their
physical locations or directions.
A) cause-effect
B) chronological
C) spatial
D) topical

Q2) Soft to hard organization of supporting material relies chiefly on the principle of
recency.
A)True
B)False

Q3) In a speech organized in a cause-effect pattern, the cause must be covered first.
A)True
B)False

Q4) Hypothetical illustrations, description, and opinions are considered to be

A) soft evidence.
B) relevant evidence.
C) specific evidence.
D) hard evidence.

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Page 13
Chapter 12: Developing an Introduction
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Sample Questions
Q1) Janet's introduction contained the following remarks: "How many of you know
someone who has tried to quit smoking, successfully or unsuccessfully? Have any of the
smokers in this audience tried toquit?Well, if you have tried to quit and failed, you are
among the 20 percent of Americans who have tried to quit multiple times. A few months
ago I tried to quit, for the umpteenth time, but this time I made it. I'd like to tell you exactly
how I made it." Which of the following statements is accurate about this introduction?
A) Janet shouldn't discuss her own experience with quitting smoking because it sets up
some distance between her and the audience.
B) Janet has successfully combined introductory devices of questions to the audience,
statistical information, and a personal reference.
C) Janet has too many devices in this introduction; the audience will be confused rather
than intrigued by this introduction.
D) Janet has successfully combined introductory devices of startling statements,
reference to historical events, and illustrations.

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Page 14
Chapter 13: Developing a Conclusion
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Sample Questions
Q1) When Kristen said, "So we must all do something to end domestic violence; we must
all be prepared to confront this issue in our own neighborhoods and homes, so that we
become part of the solution, not partof the problem," you recognize this as
A) a concluding summary statement.
B) a startling statement.
C) a reemphasis on the central idea.
D) a statement to motivate the audience to respond.

Q2) Inspirational appeals are a way to conclude a speech.

A)True
B)False

Q3) "I encourage everyone to understand that prejudice negatively affects our society."
This statement is an example of
A) an inspirational appeal.
B) an appeal to action.
C) humor.
D) a question.

Q4) Most speakers summarize the speech at the end of the conclusion.
A)True
B)False

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Page 15
Chapter 14: Outlining and Revising Your Speech
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Sample Questions
Q1) In a preparation outline, the blueprint should come immediately after the
A) speech body.
B) central idea.
C) conclusion.
D) introduction.

Q2) Which of the following is one of the features of standard outline form?
A) Use at least two subpoints, if any, for each main point.
B) Use capital letters for all subpoints.
C) Indent to the number or letter above.
D) Use Arabic numbers for all your subpoints.

Q3) Which of the following statements about speaking notes is TRUE?

A) They are the same as the preparation outline, except they are written on notecards.
B) They are the same as the preparation outline, except they are enlarged and
double-spaced.
C) They are more detailed than the preparation outline.
D) They are shorter than the preparation outline.

Q4) It is acceptable to use a manuscript of your speech for your speaking notes.
A)True
B)False

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Page 16
Chapter 15: Using Words Well
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is an example of sexist language?
A) member of Congress
B) server
C) chair
D) policeman

Q2) Oral language styles tend to use more pronouns.

A)True
B)False

Q3) Denotative meanings of words often reside within the individual.

A)True
B)False

Q4) Sexist language is always a direct and intentional form of discrimination.

A)True
B)False

Q5) Asimile is an implied comparison.

A)True
B)False

Q6) Referring to a female top executive as "chairman of the board" is sexist.

A)True
B)False Page 17

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Chapter 16: Methods of Delivery
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Sample Questions
Q1) Extemporaneous speaking is delivered in a conversational style.
A)True
B)False

Q2) Manuscript speaking should be utilized during which of the following situations?
A) during times of crisis when you need to use precise language
B) when you are asked to speak at the last minute
C) when you want to maintain the maximum amount of eye contact with the audience
D) when you want to sound confident and conversational

Q3) Reading a speech from a prepared text is termed

A) memorized speaking.
B) manuscript speaking.
C) extemporaneous speaking.
D) impromptu speaking.

Q4) Memorized speaking rarely sounds stiff, stilted, and overrehearsed.

A)True
B)False

Q5) Extemporaneous speaking and impromptu speaking are the same thing.
A)True
B)False

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Chapter 17: Nonverbal Communication
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Sample Questions
Q1) Overall, speakers from ________ prefer a quieter, less flamboyant use of gestures.
A) Europe
B) Asia
C) The United States
D) Mexico

Q2) Even during a very informal presentation, it is NEVER appropriate to deliver your
speech while sitting on the edge of a desk.
A)True
B)False

Q3) When a speaker's nonverbal message contradicts the verbal message, listeners
tend to believe the nonverbal message.
A)True
B)False

Q4) Aspeaker who pounds one hand into another is using a repeating gesture.
A)True
B)False

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Page 19
Chapter 18: Verbal Communication
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Sample Questions
Q1) What dialect is preferred by most audience members?
A) New England
B) Southern
C) Midwestern
D) their own

Q2) Your voice has ­­­_____ when you raise or lower the pitch as you pronounce words
or sounds.
A) constancy
B) inflection
C) recency
D) articulation

Q3) Vocal volume is increased by

A) raising your pitch.
B) increasing the level of articulation.
C) projecting more air through your larynx.
D) using a rising intonation pattern

Q4) The process of producing clear and distinct sounds is called pronunciation.
A)True
B)False

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Page 20
Chapter 19: Adapting and Delivering Your Speech
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Sample Questions
Q1) According to the text, which of the following cultures expects less immediacy?
A) North American
B) Australian
C) Japanese
D) Mexican

Q2) As a speaker, when you give your full attention to the questioner, listen politely, and
respond courteously, you are
A) listening nonjudgmentally.
B) neutralizing hostile questions.
C) giving a "double-barreled" talk.
D) using organized signposts.

Q3) Ethnocentrism means that you value other cultures more than you value your own.
A)True
B)False

Q4) When responding to audience questions, you should always

A) ignore hostile questions.
B) let the audience ask the first question.
C) stay on message.
D) provide lengthy, detailed answers.

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Page 21
Chapter 20: Selecting Presentation Aids
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Sample Questions
Q1) Using the same background color on all visuals and no more than two colors for
words will help unify your presentation.
A)True
B)False

Q2) When you use models as presentation aids, you should make sure they are large
enough to be seen by all audience members.
A)True
B)False

Q3) Receivers better retain material they get via both audio and video "channels" of
communication.
A)True
B)False

Q4) Which fonts are easier to read for longer passages?

A) serif
B) sans serif
C) script
D) decorative

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Page 22
Chapter 21: Preparing and Using Presentation Aids
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Sample Questions
Q1) What action should a speaker take if his or her speech topic calls for an illegal or
dangerous presentation aid?
A) Secure permission from university police or security officers.
B) Secure permission from the instructor.
C) Substitute an appropriate picture, chart, or other representation.
D) Take all necessary precautions.

Q2) Rashan thought that he would be dramatic and impress his public-speaking class
with his speech on air pollution. He decided to use mice in a closed jar to illustrate how
air pollution is slowly killinghuman beings. But during his speech, the jar fell off the desk
and the mice escaped, distracting his audience and putting an abrupt end to his
presentation. What guideline did Rashan ignore, with regard to using presentation aids?
A) Use animals with caution as presentation aids.
B) Only use professionally trained animals as presentation aids.
C) Do not use dangerous or illegal presentation aids.
D) Never use animals as presentation aids in a speech.

Q3) Some presentation aids speak for themselves, you don't need to explain them.
A)True
B)False

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Page 23
Chapter 22: Informative Speaking
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Sample Questions
Q1) When informing your listeners about complex processes, the BEST approach is just to
define and explain them.
A)True
B)False

Q2) Which of the following is a generally accepted principle of adult learning?

A) Adults must be actively involved in the learning process.
B) Adults want to gain knowledge that they can apply at some future time.
C) New information adults learn is irrelevant to their current needs and busy life.
D) Adults should feel a disconnect between learning new information and their past
experiences.

Q3) When Kiko reviewed the main points in her informative speech, she slowed down her
rate of speech, decreased her volume, made sure to articulate each word clearly, and
paused between each point. What technique of enhancing audience recall did Kiko
effectively employ?
A) building redundancy into the speech
B) reinforcing key ideas verbally
C) pacing the flow of information
D) reinforcing key ideas nonverbally

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Page 24
Chapter 23: Understanding Principles of Persuasive

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Sample Questions
Q1) In her persuasive speech, Martha spoke about the possibility of dirty nuclear
weapons being used against the United States by Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. She
challenged her audience to monitor Senatehearings on the problem and to get involved
by writing or emailing their legislators. What form of motivation did Martha successfully
employ in her speech?
A) negative motivation
B) cognitive dissonance
C) positive motivation
D) an appeal to basic self-esteem and self-actualization needs

Q2) Listeners are more likely to be persuaded if you help them solve their problems or
meet their needs.
A)True
B)False

Q3) Knowing what your listeners value and appealing to those values is known in
persuasion as
A) positive motivation.
B) self-actualization appeal.
C) self-esteem appeal.
D) negative motivation.
Page 25
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Chapter 24: Using Persuasive Strategies
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Sample Questions
Q1) Shylah states in her persuasive speech, "Marijuana is a safe alternate to alcohol. I
know this because most of my friends use it and they're fine." You recognize this fallacy
as
A) bandwagon.
B) ad hominem.
C) red herring.
D) false cause.

Q2) Deductive reasoning can be structured in the form of a(n) ______, which includes
three elements: a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion.
A) sign.
B) analogy.
C) generalization.
D) syllogism.

Q3) The audience's perception of a speaker's competence, trustworthiness, and

dynamism is termed
A) credibility.
B) charisma.
C) character.
D) personality.

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Page 26
Chapter 25: Speaking on Special Occasions
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Sample Questions
Q1) Paula is asked to deliver a speech that sets the tone for a childcare conference. What
type of special-occasion speech will she give?
A) a eulogy
B) a speech of tribute
C) a humorous speech
D) a keynote address

Q2) When you make a speech placing someone's name in nomination for an office or
award, what should you be sure to mention?
A) the nominee's qualifications for this award or office
B) funny stories that might be associated with the nominee
C) the history and significance of the award or office
D) past winners or office-holders that are in the audience

Q3) If you are not naturally funny, you should not agree to make after-dinner speeches.
A)True
B)False

Q4) Nonverbal devices can create humor for after-dinner speakers.

A)True
B)False

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Page 27
Chapter 26: Speaking in Small Groups
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Sample Questions
Q1) Groups should resist the temptation to settle quickly on one solution before they
have systematically examined the causes, effects, history, and symptoms of a problem.
A)True
B)False

Q2) Moderators are very rarely necessary in group presentations.

A)True
B)False

Q3) Presentation aids just get in the way when making a group presentation.
A)True
B)False

Q4) In a _____ format, a group presents a short speech to the audience.

A) discussion
B) symposium
C) panel
D) forum

Q5) When making a group presentation, it is helpful for the first speaker to clarify the
group's purpose for the audience.
A)True
B)False

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