155 TExES Speech 8 - 12 Exam Practice Questions
1. Skills needed to function in daily life may include:
A. Public speaking skills
B. Presenting ideas
C. Math and Science basics
D. All of the above
2. List some cognitive demands required in a cognitively demanding situation.
A. Hearing clearly
B. Analysis
C. Quick response
D. All of the above
3. Basics of communication include:
A. Debate and argument
B. Conveying thoughts
C. Proving ideas as correct
D. All of the above
4. A child with a hearing problem:
A. Will not be able to learn speaking skills
B. Will have difficulty learning independently living skills
C. Will be unable to learn to read
D. All of the above
5. Common communication barriers with adolescents may include:
A. Inadequate speaking skills
B. General distrust of authority figures
C. Learning disabilities
D. All of the above
6. Linguistic knowledge includes:
A. Universal themes
B. Syntax
C. Plot and conflict
D. All of the above
7. Which of the following does not contribute to language development?
A. Rules, patterns and conventions
B. Changes over time
C. Is one-dimensional
D. Continues after formal schooling has ended
8. Ways teachers can improve students' listening and speaking skills include:
A. Requiring memorization
B. Encouraging public speaking skills
C. Paraphrase
D. All of the above
9. List criteria to evaluate the technical quality of assessments.
A. Cognitive complexity
B. Content quality
C. Consequences
D. All of the above
10. Levels of mastery in Bloom's Taxonomy include:
A. Grade level
B. Articulation matrix
C. Analysis
D. All of the above
ANSWER KEY EXAM 155
1. Answer: B
Social skills are the verbal and non-verbal tools used to interact and communicate with other people. These skills are integral to becoming an active and accepted member of any environment. There are general skills needed to complete every day transactions: The ability to ask sensible questions and provide logical answers, knowing how to read and write and understand simple directions. In smaller groups other skills may be needed: The ability to engage in interesting conversation, present ideas to peers, teach new concepts or actively participate in discussions. Using body language appropriate to the situation and message, having the ability to resolve conflicts and being diplomatic are examples of advanced social skills.
2. Answer: D
Basic interpersonal communication skills encompass two different and distinct communication styles. In context-embedded communication various visual and vocal props are available to help understanding. Context-reduced communication doesn't have visual clues and cues, so the listener must rely on his/her language competency and fluency. Depending upon whom the conversation is with, where it is occurring and the complexity of the subject, different cognitive abilities are required. When in a relaxed, informal setting, such as on the playground or in the lunchroom, the conversation doesn't require much abstract or critical thinking. When asked a simple question requiring a yes or no answer, it is usually not threatening or stress producing. This is a cognitively undemanding communication. However, when someone is required to hear, analyze and respond quickly to abstract or complex ideas and concepts, the student suddenly finds himself in a cognitively demanding communication situation.
3. Answer: B
Speaking is used to convey thoughts, ideas and emotions. It helps develop bonds between individuals and enhances social interaction within and between groups. It is important to the preservation of a culture because it is used to explain, educate and pass on tribal traditions. In early human history, before the written word was created, speaking was the only method available to ensure that civilizations continued from one generation to the next. After books became available, speaking and hearing was still important because reading for the common man has only been encouraged for about one hundred fifty years. Communication is a two-way process that involves a speaker and an active listener. These two parts must both work for thoughts, ideas and emotions to be conveyed. If no one hears what someone is saying, there is no possibility of communication.
4. Answer: B
The ability to speak develops in the first few years. If a child has a hearing problem, speech will be delayed or disabled. He will have trouble communicating and difficulty learning the skills necessary to function independently. The earlier a hearing problem is recognized, diagnosed and treated, the better the chance to avoid life-long problems with speech and hearing issues. Hearing impairment causes difficulty with learning to read which leads to difficulty with the mechanics of writing (penmanship) and the ability to write (express thoughts, ideas and emotions in written words). A person who hears and knows how to speak won't lose his ability to read if he develops a hearing problem later in life. However, if a person never hears well enough to learn to speak, he will rarely be able to read proficiently.
5. Answer: B
Privacy, trust and respect are huge issues with adolescents. Couple those real psychological needs with a fragile sense of self, add a general distrust of most adults and authority figures and communication becomes tricky, at best and contentious at worst. Adolescents have a great fear of revealing their vulnerabilities. If they share their thoughts, feelings and activities, these potential peeks behind the armor of self-protection open them up to possible humiliation and ridicule. If they tell parents or other adults what they are doing, questions are asked and truthful answers are expected. Since adolescents worry about disapproval and want to avoid punishment, it is easier and safer to just not talk at all. Parents, teachers and other authority figures that interact with adolescents need to show a willingness to listen and create an open atmosphere of honesty and fairness if they expect to be able to communicate effectively with teen-agers.
6. Answer: B
Linguistic knowledge is defined as understanding the system: How the language works, what the words mean and how to use the words properly. The system is composed of several parts. The definitions cited are from The American Heritage College Dictionary:
- Phonology: The sounds of the words and their proper pronunciation
- Semantics: The meaning of the signs and symbols used to form the words
- Morphology: The structure and form of the words including inflection (changing pitch or tone of voice), derivation (adding prefixes and suffixes to change the meaning) and compounds (combining two or more words to form a different word)
- Word Meaning: The idea or thought conveyed
- Syntax (grammatical structure): The rules governing the formation of sentences
7. Answer: C
Students need to understand language is integral to learning and developing skills in all fields of study and carries over into life after school. Language is not static or one-dimensional. It varies depending upon the audience (parents, peers, professors), has structural rules, patterns and conventions and changes over time with continued use. It entails speaking, listening and writing. It requires the speaker, listener and writer to respond, interpret, assess and integrate. In today's information age, media and technology play important roles. It is critical students be taught methods to dissect and discriminate the digital data received and learn to scrutinize the sources from which it comes. The classroom should be a place where students feel safe to explore, ask questions, take risks and develop effective listening, speaking and writing skills.
8. Answer: C
The most effective way a teacher can improve students' listening skills is to set a positive example by listening carefully to what each student says to him, what students say to each other and being attentive during class discussions. Explain how to listen: For example, paraphrase what someone said to make sure the meaning and intent is clear. Discuss why the message was clear or why it wasn't. Set up different listening situations: One-on-one, small groups, formal speeches, oral reading, student presentations and class discussions. Rate the effectiveness of each. One way students learn good speaking skills is by listening to good speakers so teachers should always use proper English when lecturing to the class, interacting with small groups and during conversations with individual students. Assign a variety of speaking activities such as speeches, skits, debates and story-telling. Have students take turns leading class discussions, reading out loud and making formal presentations. Rate the effectiveness of each.
9. Answer: D
The National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing (CRESST) developed the following criteria to evaluate the technical quality of academic assessments:
- Cognitive Complexity: Requires problem-solving, critical thinking and reasoning ability
- Content Quality: Correct responses demonstrate knowledge of critical subject matter
- Meaningfulness: Students understand the value of the assessment and the tasks involved
- Language Appropriateness: Clear to the students and appropriate to the requested task
- Transfer and Generalization: Indicates ability to complete similar tasks and the results permit valid generalization about learning capabilities
- Fairness: Performance measurements and scoring avoid factors irrelevant to school learning
- Reliability: Consistently represents data added to students' background knowledge
- Consequences: Desired effect on students, instructors and the educational system
10. Answer: C
An articulation matrix is the relationship between activities and outcomes. It is a defined set of goals and the methods used to reach them. Bloom's Taxonomy, which is a hierarchical classification system, is an articulation matrix that outlines six levels of cognitive learning. At each step students reach a predictable level of mastery:
- Knowledge Level: Ability to define terms
- Comprehension Level: Finish problems and explain answers
- Application Level: Recognize problems and use methods to solve them
- Analysis Level: Ability to explain why the process works
- Synthesis Level: Can use the process or part of it in new ways
- Evaluation Level: Create different ways to solve problems and use designated criteria, select the best method to obtain the correct solution
