REVIEW FOR UNIT EXAM II Fall 2007

Format

Format is 42 Multiple choice questions worth 2 points each and 16 points worth of short answer questions. 

The midterm covers most of the chapters we have covered so far and questions are based in both the textbook and in lecture about those subjects.  Here is a breakdown of approximately how many of the multiple choice questions come out of which chapters and the lectures based on those chapters: ch. 6 (3 questions), ch. 7 (9 questions), ch. 15 (17 questions), ch. 16 (13 questions).  An example of the short answer section is also available below. 

As you study be sure to use the CD-ROM questions for the chapters covered on this exam.

If you have a documented disability or for some reason need to request an alternative testing environment, please be in touch with Dr. Slagell as soon as possible.

Below are the major terms and concepts that actually show up on the exam expressed as terms to know or questions to be able to answer


Chapter 6
 Chapter 7
Chapter 15
Chapter 16

Some of these terms not in your notes?  Check out the Lecture notes on the web as well as the textbook and CD-ROM materials.

Sample Test Questions
1. Expert testimony is a good way to develop the ______ appeal in your speech.
a. ethos
b. pathos
c. logos
d. significance
e. none of the above
2. According to your text _________ is especially appropriate in the conclusion to a persuasive speech of policy
a. a statistic
b. a call to action
c. an example
d. all of the above
e. a and b only
3. Below are three main points and two sub-points from a speech on a question of policy.  Which is the third main point?
a.  There are several major causes of the problem of unreliable 911 operation.
b.  On cause is that when calls do get through, operators do not always send help promptly.
c.  The growing unreliability of the 911 emergency system is a serious problem.
d.  Another cause indicated by recent studies is that in some locations many 911 calls never get through overcrowded lines.
e.  An effective solution would involve upgrading both operator training and technology.
4.  Unscramble the outline in question and 7 and then indicate which pattern of organization is used.
a. problem-solution
b. problem-cause-solution
c. comparative advantages
d. Monroe's Motivated sequence
e. topical
5. Which of the following specific purpose statements is from a persuasive speech of policy seeking passive agreement?
a. To persuade my audience to donate blood.
b. To persuade my audience that they should donate money to Habitat for Humanity.
c. To persuade my audience that the University should build a parking garage on the North side of campus.
d. To persuade my audience that UFO's have visited the earth.
e. b, c and d
6. Which of the following statements is the kind of statement you would find in the problem (need) section of a speech on a question of policy?
a. "Brazil's enforcement efforts have made a difference in controlling the number of acres cleared."
b. "Recently, Brazil has renewed its commitment to enforce the laws that fine those who exceed limits on clearing land in the rain forest."
c. "In 1995 11,200 square miles of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil was burned or cleared."
d. none of the above
e. a and c only
7. "To persuade my audience that allowing corporations to collect DNA samples of employees is unethical" is a specific purpose for a persuasive speech of

a. fact
b. value
c. conviction
d. policy
e. it's not persuasive it's informative

8. "To persuade my audience to conserve water" is a specific purpose statement for a persuasive speech of
a. fact
b. value
c. conviction
d. policy
e. it's not persuasive it's informative
9. "To persuade my audience to conserve water" is an example of a specific purpose statement for a persuasive speech our textbook would say was aiming at
a. immediate action
b. passive agreement
c. building community
d. entertaining the audience
e. soliciting audience response
10. President Bush has recently argued that strong supreme court justices are people who do not change over time.  And then he nominated Harriet Myers to join the supreme court because she is a person who will not change over time.  He concluded that she will be a strong supreme court justice.  This is an example of what kind of reasoning?

a. reasoning from principle
b. either-or fallacy
c. reasoning from specific instances
d. analogical reasoning
e. causal reasoning

11. "Students are mastering the material for introductory level courses in biology through on line learning websites, so they'll be able to master public speaking through an on line course as well." This is an example of what form of reasoning?

a. reasoning from principle
b. bandwagon fallacy
c. reasoning from specific instances
d. analogical reasoning
e. causal reasoning

Consider the above claim again: is this a strong example of reasoning?  Why or why not?


12. What pattern of  organization is used in the following set of main points?

I.  Leasing a car is better than buying a car because leased cars are newer and more reliable.
II. Leasing a car is better than buying a car because you need less cash on hand to get a better car.
III. Leasing a car is better than buying a car because you can get a new car every three years.

a. problem-solution
b. problem-cause-solution
c. comparative advantages
d. Monroe's Motivated sequence
e. topical

13. Regardless of whether your aim is to encourage passive agreement or immediate action, you must deal with three basic issues whenever you discuss a question of policy.  They are

a. cause, effect, and practicality
b. evidence, practicality, and reasoning
c. problem/need, plan and reaction
d. problem/need, plan and solution
e. problem/need, plan and practicality


14. When Shirley argued that you could adopt her exercise plan without investing too much time or money and still have great results, she was dealing with which of the three basic issues necessary to face in a persuasive speech on a question of policy.

a. advantages
b. plan
c. problem/need
d. practicality
e. evidence

15. When Ahmed offered evidence to prove that childhood obesity is reaching crisis proportions in the U.S. and that medical complications such as diabetes are going to stress an already overburdened medical system, he was dealing with which of the three basic issues necessary to face in a persuasive speech on a question of policy.

a. advantages
b. plan
c. problem/need
d. practicality
e. evidence

16. At the hearings about the Story County Keg ordinance, students produced evidence from Columbus, Ohio, Lincoln, Nebraska and College Station, Texas to prove that other college towns do not have special policies concerning Keg rentals.  This was an example of what kind of reasoning?

a. reasoning from principle
b. either-or fallacy
c. reasoning from specific instances
d. reasoning from analogy
e. causal reasoning

17. At the hearings about the Story County Keg ordinance City Council members produced evidence from West Lafayette, Indiana (home of Purdue University) to demonstrate the effectiveness of the keg ordinance adopted there in reducing underage drinking. Since such a policy is working there, they argued, it will also work to reduce underage drinking here in Ames, Iowa. This was an example of what kind of reasoning?

a. reasoning from principle
b. either-or fallacy
c. reasoning from specific instances
d. reasoning from analogy
e. causal reasoning


Answers to Sample MC Test Questions
 

1. A. ethos
2. B. a call to action
3. E. An effective solution would involve upgrading both operator training and technology.
4. B. problem-cause-solution
5. C. To persuade my audience that the University should build a parking garage on the North side of campus.
6. C. "In 1995 11,200 square miles of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil was burned or cleared."
7. B. value.
8. D. policy
9. A. immediate action
10. A. Reasoning from principle
11. D. analogical reasoning
12. C. comparative advantages
13. E. problem/need, plan, practicality.
14. D. practicality
15. C. problem/need
16. C. reasoning from specific instances
17. D. reasoning from analogy  [See how it differs from 16 where many examples are produced to support a Big claim, a generalization?  In 17 there is only one example and the argument holds that since it worked in this one place that is very similar to Ames, it will work in Ames. It doesn't claim it'll work everywhere, but it should work under similar circumstances. That's analogy.]


Sample Short Answer Section 

SpCm 212 Exam 2 Short Answer Section (Practice Version)

Part I: Fact, Value or Policy (3 pts.)
“What was the most money ever paid for baseball memorabilia?” is a question of _____________.  “Who is best baseball player of all time?” is a question of ____________.  “Should baseball players be tested for drug use on a regular basis?” is a question of ______________________. 

 
Part II: Supporting Material (4 pts.)  Each of the following statements violates at least one of the criteria for effective supporting materials. Explain the flaw (or flaws) in each statement.

 
A. As Matt Damon stated in a recent interview, American foreign policy toward Cuba must be revised before the U.S. causes even more damage to the lives of the average Cuban.

 
B. According to a study by Southwest Airlines, the quality of service in the U.S. airline industry has never been better.

 
C. Every day 15,000 people die of starvation. That’s one person every 4.5 seconds. A half-billion people are chronically hungry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor states that over a billion people are trying to subsist on less than $300 a year for a family of four. Of that billion people, one-half are starving. An additional 1 billion people in 40 nations try to live on 27 cents a day.

 

Part III: Issue Analysis (5 pts.) Respond to the following questions referring to one or the other of the following specific purpose statements:  

To persuade my audience to adopt an aerobic exercise program that increases their heart rate for at least 20 minutes 5 days a week.

To persuade my audience that the state of Iowa should increase penalties for failure to yield to pedestrians.

 

A. What would be two Problem issues that would have to be proven in order for you to build a speech using that specific purpose statement?

 

B. What is the Plan issue for a speech using that specific purpose statement?

 

C. What would be two different Practicality arguments that you would likely need to make in a speech using that specific purpose statement?

 

Part IV Reasoning (4 pts.) Identify the type of reasoning used in the following statement and discuss its strengths and weaknesses.

 
Local control of the school system is the most effective way to educate our children. Therefore, local control of the health care system is the most effective way to maintain the health of our citizens.



Possible Answers to the Short Answer Section

 

 

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