Study Guide

Field 016: Speech/Drama/Debate 
Sample Selected-Response Questions

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General Test Directions

This test consists of two sections: 1) a section with selected-response questions and 2) a constructed-response section.

Each question in the first section is a selected-response question with four answer choices. Read each question and answer choice carefully and choose the  start uppercase ONE end uppercase  best answer.

Try to answer all questions. Even if you are unsure of an answer, it is better to guess than not to answer a question at all. You will  start uppercase NOT end uppercase  be penalized for guessing.

The second section of this test consists of one constructed-response assignment. You will be asked to provide a written response to the assignment. Directions for completing your written response to the constructed-response assignment appear immediately before the assignment.

You may  start uppercase NOT end uppercase  use any type of calculator or reference materials during the test session.

Sample Selected-Response Questions

Competency 0002 
Understand the principles of listening to, comprehending, and interpreting messages.

1.  start bold Use the conversation below to answer the question that follows. end bold 

Tom: I despise biology.

Ed: Is it really the subject that you dislike so much?

Tom: Not really. It's just that I hate labs because I have so much trouble getting the microscope to work right.

Ed: Yes, that can be very frustrating.

The exchange above best shows how:

1. supportive listening can be used to solve a problem.
2. analytical listening can be used to clarify a miscommunication.
3. supportive listening can be used to repair a communication failure.
4. analytical listening can be used to determine what information is most important.

Answer

Correct Response: B.

Tom's initial statement represents an impasse in communication as it does not correctly represent the reason for his difficulty in biology. Ed's analytical listening and inquiry allow for the resumption of the conversation, leading ultimately to a more accurate identification of Tom's problem.

Correct Response: B. Tom's initial statement represents an impasse in communication as it does not correctly represent the reason for his difficulty in biology. Ed's analytical listening and inquiry allow for the resumption of the conversation, leading ultimately to a more accurate identification of Tom's problem.

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Competency 0006 
Understand the principles of vocal production.

2. Which of the following are purposes of the breath control exercises used by actors and oral interpreters?

1. to develop the ability to breathe easily through the nose rather than the mouth


2. to promote use of breathing from the diaphragm


3. to ensure that inhalation and exhalation periods are of equal length


4. to match exhalation periods to needs for sustained vocal tone

• Roman numeral 1. to develop the ability to breathe easily through the nose rather than the mouth


• Roman numeral 2. to promote use of breathing from the diaphragm


• Roman numeral 3. to ensure that inhalation and exhalation periods are of equal length


• Roman numeral 4. to match exhalation periods to needs for sustained vocal tone

1. I and II only roman numeral 1 and 2 only 
2. I and III only roman numeral 1 and 3 only 
3. II and IV only roman numeral 2 and 4 only 
4. III and IV only roman numeral 3 and 4 only 

Answer

Correct Response: C.

Through its interaction with other muscles, the diaphragm plays a key role in the breathing process. Making conscious use of this large, dome-shaped muscle to fill the lungs with air helps produce a forceful voice when needed. It is also important that actors and oral interpreters be able to control exhalation in order to support vocal tone.

Correct Response: C. Through its interaction with other muscles, the diaphragm plays a key role in the breathing process. Making conscious use of this large, dome-shaped muscle to fill the lungs with air helps produce a forceful voice when needed. It is also important that actors and oral interpreters be able to control exhalation in order to support vocal tone.

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Competency 0007 
Understand theories and principles of interpersonal communication.

3. One can best provide constructive feedback about another person's insensitivity by adopting a combination of which of the following approaches?

1. focusing attention on the person's past conduct rather than the present situation
2. mentioning other people who feel the same way about the person
3. raising the subject at a time when the person is likely to be receptive to the feedback
4. discussing the person's conduct in descriptive rather than evaluative terms

• Roman numeral 1. focusing attention on the person's past conduct rather than the present situation
• Roman numeral 2. mentioning other people who feel the same way about the person
• Roman numeral 3. raising the subject at a time when the person is likely to be receptive to the feedback
• Roman numeral 4. discussing the person's conduct in descriptive rather than evaluative terms

1. I and III only roman numeral 1 and 3 only 
2. I and IV only  roman numeral 1 and 4 only 
3. II and III only roman numeral 2 and 3 only 
4. III and IV only roman numeral 3 and 4 only 

Answer

Correct Response: D.

Since feedback that may be intended as constructive may be perceived under certain circumstances as critical or confrontational, it is important to provide such feedback at a moment when the person is not likely to feel defensive. Describing a person's conduct gives that person the opportunity to view his or her conduct as others might and thus reflect upon the behavior in more sensitive terms. Evaluating the person's behavior, on the other hand, can easily be experienced by that person as critical or confrontational, and therefore frequently gives rise to a defensive response.

Correct Response: D. Since feedback that may be intended as constructive may be perceived under certain circumstances as critical or confrontational, it is important to provide such feedback at a moment when the person is not likely to feel defensive. Describing a person's conduct gives that person the opportunity to view his or her conduct as others might and thus reflect upon the behavior in more sensitive terms. Evaluating the person's behavior, on the other hand, can easily be experienced by that person as critical or confrontational, and therefore frequently gives rise to a defensive response.

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Competency 0011 
Apply audience analysis to public communication.

4. Which of the following strategies would best enable a speaker to reduce the animosity of an audience that is strongly opposed to the main argument of the speaker's address?

1. refuting likely counterarguments at the beginning of the address
2. asking members of the audience to submit written questions
3. trying to establish common ground at the beginning of the address
4. citing well-known authorities to support one's point of view

Answer

Correct Response: C.

By seeking and explicitly articulating common ground, the speaker may somewhat disarm possible objection, or at least limit its scope. When the speaker's message is placed in the context of certain shared beliefs or positions, its controversial content may be seen in a broader, more widely accepted context. This approach is less likely to produce an emotional response on the part of the audience and therefore allows the audience to consider the message in a more balanced, reflective fashion.

Correct Response: C. By seeking and explicitly articulating common ground, the speaker may somewhat disarm possible objection, or at least limit its scope. When the speaker's message is placed in the context of certain shared beliefs or positions, its controversial content may be seen in a broader, more widely accepted context. This approach is less likely to produce an emotional response on the part of the audience and therefore allows the audience to consider the message in a more balanced, reflective fashion.

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Competency 0017 
Understand the processes of group decision making, consensus building, conflict resolution, and complementary techniques of group communication.

5. For which of the following reasons would a discussion group most likely organize a symposium?

1. to establish criteria for a successful resolution to a problem
2. to reconcile differences of opinion about how to resolve a problem
3. to reduce the scope of a problem to manageable dimensions
4. to provide an informed analysis of various aspects of a problem

Answer

Correct Response: D.

In a symposium, a group of individuals deliver brief, uninterrupted addresses about a specified topic. The main purpose of symposiums is not to make a decision about a problem but to present a variety of perspectives on different areas of a topic or problem. A major advantage of symposiums is that they can be arranged to provide a systematic examination of various aspects of a problem.

Correct Response: D. In a symposium, a group of individuals deliver brief, uninterrupted addresses about a specified topic. The main purpose of symposiums is not to make a decision about a problem but to present a variety of perspectives on different areas of a topic or problem. A major advantage of symposiums is that they can be arranged to provide a systematic examination of various aspects of a problem.

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Competency 0020 
Understand the characteristics of Lincoln-Douglas debate.

6. Which of the following best illustrates the Lincoln-Douglas debate format?

1. 1. First Affirmative Constructive
   2. First Negative Constructive
   3. Second Affirmative Constructive
   4. Second Negative Constructive
   5. First Negative Rebuttal
   6. First Affirmative Rebuttal
   7. Second Negative Rebuttal
   8. Second Affirmative Rebuttal
2. 1. Affirmative Constructive Speech
   2. Negative Cross-Examination
   3. Negative Constructive Speech
   4. Affirmative Cross-Examination
   5. Affirmative Speaker's Rebuttal
   6. Negative Speaker's Rebuttal
   7. Affirmative Speaker's Rebuttal
3. 1. First Affirmative Constructive
   2. First Negative Cross-Examination
   3. First Negative Constructive
   4. First Affirmative Cross-Examination
   5. Second Affirmative Constructive
   6. Second Negative Cross-Examination
   7. Second Negative Constructive
   8. First Affirmative Cross-Examination
4. 1. First Affirmative Constructive
   2. First Negative Constructive
   3. Second Negative Constructive
   4. Second Affirmative Constructive
   5. First Negative Rebuttal
   6. First Affirmative Rebuttal
   7. Second Negative Rebuttal

1. • Roman numeral 1. First Affirmative Constructive
   • Roman numeral 2. First Negative Constructive
   • Roman numeral 3. Second Affirmative Constructive
   • Roman numeral 4. Second Negative Constructive
   • Roman numeral 5. First Negative Rebuttal
   • Roman numeral 6. First Affirmative Rebuttal
   • Roman numeral 7. Second Negative Rebuttal
   • Roman numeral 8. Second Affirmative Rebuttal
2. • Roman numeral 1. Affirmative Constructive Speech
   • Roman numeral 2. Negative Cross-Examination
   • Roman numeral 3. Negative Constructive Speech
   • Roman numeral 4. Affirmative Cross-Examination
   • Roman numeral 5. Affirmative Speaker's Rebuttal
   • Roman numeral 6. Negative Speaker's Rebuttal
   • Roman numeral 7. Affirmative Speaker's Rebuttal
3. • Roman numeral 1. First Affirmative Constructive
   • Roman numeral 2. First Negative Cross-Examination
   • Roman numeral 3. First Negative Constructive
   • Roman numeral 4. First Affirmative Cross-Examination
   • Roman numeral 5. Second Affirmative Constructive
   • Roman numeral 6. Second Negative Cross-Examination
   • Roman numeral 7. Second Negative Constructive
   • Roman numeral 8. First Affirmative Cross-Examination
4. • Roman numeral 1. First Affirmative Constructive
   • Roman numeral 2. First Negative Constructive
   • Roman numeral 3. Second Negative Constructive
   • Roman numeral 4. Second Affirmative Constructive
   • Roman numeral 5. First Negative Rebuttal
   • Roman numeral 6. First Affirmative Rebuttal
   • Roman numeral 7. Second Negative Rebuttal

Answer

Correct Response: B.

In the Lincoln-Douglas format, a single speaker on each side debates a proposition of value. During the course of the debate, each speaker delivers a constructive speech, followed by a cross-examination by his or her opponent. The constructive speeches and cross-examinations are then followed by rebuttals from the speakers on both sides of the debate.

Correct Response: B. In the Lincoln-Douglas format, a single speaker on each side debates a proposition of value. During the course of the debate, each speaker delivers a constructive speech, followed by a cross-examination by his or her opponent. The constructive speeches and cross-examinations are then followed by rebuttals from the speakers on both sides of the debate.

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Competency 0021 
Understand the characteristics of legislative debate.

7. Which of the following best describes the main purpose of the parliamentary procedures adopted to govern legislative debate in student congresses?

1. to ensure recognition of those speakers best prepared to discuss the bill under consideration
2. to prevent speakers from interpreting a bill in ways that conflict with the author's intentions
3. to guarantee majority rule while respecting the rights of speakers representing the minority
4. to promote consensus by limiting the extent to which one speaker can challenge the position of another

Answer

Correct Response: C.

Two major purposes of legislative debate are to ensure that majority decisions dictate group action and to provide for a full and free discussion of all propositions. Parliamentary rules that guarantee majority rule while respecting minority rights are designed to achieve both of these aims.

Correct Response: C. Two major purposes of legislative debate are to ensure that majority decisions dictate group action and to provide for a full and free discussion of all propositions. Parliamentary rules that guarantee majority rule while respecting minority rights are designed to achieve both of these aims.

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Competency 0023 
Understand strategies for evaluating mass media messages.

8. Listeners can best evaluate the objectivity of a radio news program by asking which of the following questions?

1. Do newscasters use unnecessarily complex terms to explain issues?
2. Do newscasters cover the most important stories at the beginning of the broadcast?
3. Do newscasters give equal attention to different viewpoints?
4. Do newscasters provide relevant background information on major stories?

Answer

Correct Response: C.

By representing opposing viewpoints, a news program may avoid representations that are exclusively biased to a particular viewpoint and thereby aspire to objectivity.

Correct Response: C. By representing opposing viewpoints, a news program may avoid representations that are exclusively biased to a particular viewpoint and thereby aspire to objectivity.

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Competency 0026 
Understand elements of oral interpretation.

9. The performance of oral interpretation has the primary purpose of:

1. allowing an audience to view a historical figure in a contemporary setting.
2. providing a meaningful experience with literature for both the performer and the audience.
3. illustrating the commonalities of human nature across time and place.
4. enabling a performer to internalize the characteristics of many types of individuals.

Answer

Correct Response: B.

In oral interpretation, the performer functions as a medium through which a literary work is brought to life for the audience. When well executed, such a presentation should provide both performer and audience with a meaningful literary experience.

Correct Response: B. In oral interpretation, the performer functions as a medium through which a literary work is brought to life for the audience. When well executed, such a presentation should provide both performer and audience with a meaningful literary experience.

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Competency 0031 
Understand the principles of theatrical production.

10. Which of the following is a primary function of the production concept for a play?

1. to document the ways in which the acting elements and staging elements will be integrated
2. to outline the financial steps necessary for the company to ensure a successful run
3. to summarize the production staff's agreements on the scheduling of staging and technical rehearsals
4. to record the production staff's instructions to the cast and crew during each rehearsal

Answer

Correct Response: A.

The production concept of a play is intended to communicate to all the people involved in the production of the play—from the director and costumer to the set and lighting designers—the overall look and feel that the play should have. This allows all involved to work to integrate their components to contribute to the creation of a unified and coherent production.

Correct Response: A. The production concept of a play is intended to communicate to all the people involved in the production of the play—from the director and costumer to the set and lighting designers—the overall look and feel that the play should have. This allows all involved to work to integrate their components to contribute to the creation of a unified and coherent production.

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