A city lets a march go ahead but sets its hours and route. Which idea in the usual definition of free speech allows this?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 2.3 "Free Speech". DSST outline area I (9%), e.g. free speech
The First Amendment's speech clause opens with five words that say whose power it limits. Whose?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 2.3 "Free Speech". DSST outline area I (9%), e.g. free speech
Tilley's ethics pyramid has three layers: intent, means and ends. Which one is the base?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 2.1 "The Ethics Pyramid". DSST outline area I (9%), e.g. free speech
Which model of communication holds that speaker and listeners send and receive at the same moment and build meaning together?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 1.2 "The Process of Public Speaking". DSST outline area I (9%), e.g. free speech
Show all 50 questions (46 more)
Audience analysis, adaptation and effect 8
A speaker asks what his listeners already believe about nuclear power and how much they value cheap energy. Which kind of audience analysis is this?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 5.2 "Three Types of Audience Analysis". DSST outline area II (15%), analyzing the audience before, during and after the speech
A speaker assumes that her own culture's customs are the standard every other culture should aim for. What is this called?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 5.1 "Why Conduct an Audience Analysis?". DSST outline area II (15%), analyzing the audience before, during and after the speech
An audience questionnaire asks listeners to mark each statement from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree". What kind of scale is that?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 5.3 "Conducting Audience Analysis". DSST outline area II (15%), analyzing the audience before, during and after the speech
Before writing, a speaker finds out her listeners' ages, majors and hometowns. Which kind of audience analysis is this?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 5.2 "Three Types of Audience Analysis". DSST outline area II (15%), analyzing the audience before, during and after the speech
Checking the size of the room, the occasion and whether there will be a microphone is part of which analysis?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 5.2 "Three Types of Audience Analysis". DSST outline area II (15%), analyzing the audience before, during and after the speech
Employees are told they must sit through a safety talk. What kind of audience are they?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 5.2 "Three Types of Audience Analysis". DSST outline area II (15%), analyzing the audience before, during and after the speech
Halfway through a talk given just after lunch, the speaker sees drooping heads and adds a quick show of hands. What is she using?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 5.4 "Using Your Audience Analysis". DSST outline area II (15%), analyzing the audience before, during and after the speech
In the elaboration likelihood model, a listener who weighs the arguments themselves, and not the speaker's looks, is using which route?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 17.1 "Persuasion: An Overview". DSST outline area II (15%), analyzing the audience before, during and after the speech
Topics and purposes of speeches 4
A specific purpose statement names the general purpose and the intended audience. What is its third part?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 6.4 "Specific Purposes". DSST outline area III (9%), formulating speech topics for specific purposes
A speech at a retirement dinner is meant above all to amuse the guests. What is its general purpose?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 6.1 "General Purposes of Speaking". DSST outline area III (9%), formulating speech topics for specific purposes
A student has five minutes and the topic "sports". What should happen to the topic first?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 6.2 "Selecting a Topic". DSST outline area III (9%), formulating speech topics for specific purposes
Stuck for a topic, a student lists her own experiences, interests and areas of knowledge. What is this step called?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 6.3 "What If You Draw a Blank?". DSST outline area III (9%), formulating speech topics for specific purposes
Structure and organization 9
A speaker describes rising student debt, then explains what drives it, then proposes a remedy. Which pattern is this?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 17.3 "Organizing Persuasive Speeches". DSST outline area IV (17%), introductions, bodies and conclusions
A talk on a cruise ship describes it deck by deck, from the keel up to the bridge. Which organizing pattern is this?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 10.2 "Using Common Organizing Patterns". DSST outline area IV (17%), introductions, bodies and conclusions
About how much of a speech's time should its introduction take?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 9.1 "The Importance of an Introduction". DSST outline area IV (17%), introductions, bodies and conclusions
An effective conclusion restates the thesis and reviews the main points. What is its third part?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 11.2 "Steps of a Conclusion". DSST outline area IV (17%), introductions, bodies and conclusions
In Monroe's motivated sequence, which step comes directly after satisfaction?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 17.3 "Organizing Persuasive Speeches". DSST outline area IV (17%), introductions, bodies and conclusions
Midway through a main point a speaker says, "So we have now seen two ways the virus spreads." What is that sentence?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 10.3 "Keeping Your Speech Moving". DSST outline area IV (17%), introductions, bodies and conclusions
Near the end of her introduction a speaker says, "First the costs, then the risks, then the alternatives." What is this part called?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 9.3 "Putting It Together: Steps to Complete Your Introduction". DSST outline area IV (17%), introductions, bodies and conclusions
People recall the first and last items of a list better than the ones in the middle. What is this finding, the reason a conclusion reviews the main points, called?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 11.1 "Why Conclusions Matter". DSST outline area IV (17%), introductions, bodies and conclusions
Which outline does a speaker carry to the lectern to stay organized without reading to the audience?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 12.2 "Types of Outlines". DSST outline area IV (17%), introductions, bodies and conclusions
Content: argument, reasoning and evidence 9
"A college without a library is like a kitchen without a stove." What kind of analogy is this?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 8.2 "Exploring Types of Support". DSST outline area V (17%), argument, reasoning and evidence
A debater answers a rival's budget plan by mocking the rival's hometown. Which fallacy is this?Wikipedia, "Ad hominem". DSST outline area V (17%), argument, reasoning and evidence
A speaker's perceived credibility is a mix of competence, trustworthiness and one more factor. Which?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 9.1 "The Importance of an Introduction". DSST outline area V (17%), argument, reasoning and evidence
A speech on a flood quotes a neighbor who watched the river rise. What kind of support is the neighbor's account?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 8.2 "Exploring Types of Support". DSST outline area V (17%), argument, reasoning and evidence
A speech on today's phone habits rests on a survey from 1998. Which test of good support does the survey fail?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 8.1 "Using Research as Support". DSST outline area V (17%), argument, reasoning and evidence
After two slow buses in one week, a speaker tells the audience that the city's whole transit system is unreliable. Which fallacy is this?Wikipedia, "Faulty generalization". DSST outline area V (17%), argument, reasoning and evidence
"All mammals breathe air. Whales are mammals. So whales breathe air." What kind of reasoning is this?Wikipedia, "Deductive reasoning". DSST outline area V (17%), argument, reasoning and evidence
"The city should ban plastic bags." Which type of persuasive claim is this?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 17.2 "Types of Persuasive Speeches". DSST outline area V (17%), argument, reasoning and evidence
"If we allow one late paper, soon no one will meet any deadline and the college will close." Which fallacy is this?Wikipedia, "Slippery slope". DSST outline area V (17%), argument, reasoning and evidence
Research 5
A speaker restates a researcher's finding in his own words. What is this, and must he still name the source?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 7.3 "Citing Sources". DSST outline area VI (11%), reference materials and sources in speech preparation
The campus library does not own a book a student needs. Which service gets it from another library?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 7.2 "Developing a Research Strategy". DSST outline area VI (11%), reference materials and sources in speech preparation
Citing a source aloud takes three steps. The speaker sets up the citation and gives the cited information. What is the third step?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 7.3 "Citing Sources". DSST outline area VI (11%), reference materials and sources in speech preparation
For a speech on campus parking, a student hands her own questionnaire to 60 drivers. What kind of research is this?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 7.1 "What Is Research?". DSST outline area VI (11%), reference materials and sources in speech preparation
How should a general encyclopedia be used in preparing a speech?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 7.2 "Developing a Research Strategy". DSST outline area VI (11%), reference materials and sources in speech preparation
Language and style 4
"Bold, brave and brilliant." Which device of rhythm does this phrase use?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 13.2 "Using Language Effectively". DSST outline area VII (9%), language appropriate for a public speech
Compared with an essay on the same subject, how should the wording of a speech differ?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 13.1 "Oral versus Written Language". DSST outline area VII (9%), language appropriate for a public speech
What does inclusive language do?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 13.2 "Using Language Effectively". DSST outline area VII (9%), language appropriate for a public speech
What is the denotative meaning of a word?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 13.1 "Oral versus Written Language". DSST outline area VII (9%), language appropriate for a public speech
Delivery 7
A slide holds a chart and some words. How should the words be set?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 15.4 "Tips for Preparing Presentation Aids". DSST outline area VIII (13%), articulation, voice, pronunciation, body language and media
A speaker has planned and rehearsed her talk and gives it conversationally from brief notes. Which method of delivery is this?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 14.1 "Four Methods of Delivery". DSST outline area VIII (13%), articulation, voice, pronunciation, body language and media
A speaker says "gonna" and "prolly" and drops syllables from long words. Which skill needs work?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 14.4 "Practicing for Successful Speech Delivery". DSST outline area VIII (13%), articulation, voice, pronunciation, body language and media
A spokesperson must give a legal statement in exactly the agreed words. Which method of delivery fits?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 14.1 "Four Methods of Delivery". DSST outline area VIII (13%), articulation, voice, pronunciation, body language and media
At a staff meeting a manager is asked without warning to report on her project. What kind of speaking is this?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 14.1 "Four Methods of Delivery". DSST outline area VIII (13%), articulation, voice, pronunciation, body language and media
What are "um", "uh" and "er" in a speech called?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 14.4 "Practicing for Successful Speech Delivery". DSST outline area VIII (13%), articulation, voice, pronunciation, body language and media
Which vocal quality is the highness or lowness of a speaker's voice?Stand up, Speak out (open textbook, Saylor Academy copy), section 14.4 "Practicing for Successful Speech Delivery". DSST outline area VIII (13%), articulation, voice, pronunciation, body language and media
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the exam content outline in the DSST fact sheet for Principles of Public Speaking (Prometric, Rev 06/2018, https://getcollegecredit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/PrinciplesOfPublicSpeaking.pdf, read 2026-10-14): Ethical, Social, and Theoretical Considerations of Public Speaking 9%, Audience Analysis, Adaptation and Effect 15%, Topics and Purposes of Speeches 9%, Structure/Organization 17%, Content 17%, Research 11%, Language and Style 9%, Delivery 13%. This bank holds 50: 4, 8, 4, 9, 9, 5, 4 and 7, the nearest whole numbers to those shares. It practices Part 1, the multiple-choice part, only; the recorded speech of Part 2 is not practiced here. Every fact was read on 2026-10-14 on the public page named under its question: the open textbook Stand up, Speak out (the Saylor Academy copy) and Wikipedia. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
This free Principles of Public Speaking DSST practice test has 50 questions of our own on the eight areas of Part 1. It is unofficial and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Prometric, which owns the DSST exams.
Read the full guide
What Part 1 covers
The fact sheet (Rev 06/2018) lists eight areas: ethical, social and theoretical considerations 9%, audience analysis 15%, topics and purposes 9%, structure 17%, content 17%, research 11%, language and style 9%, delivery 13%. The bank holds 4, 8, 4, 9, 9, 5, 4 and 7.
The speech is Part 2
Part 2 is a recorded impromptu persuasive speech, scored by raters on structure 25%, delivery 25%, content 20%, effect 20% and language 10%. You get 20 minutes, and the speech must run 3 to 5 minutes. It is not practiced here.
Structure and content are 17% each: organizing patterns, introductions and conclusions, then claims, evidence and fallacies.
Both parts must be passed for credit, and both must be completed within six months.
Questions and answers
Is this a free DANTES practice test for Principles of Public Speaking?
Yes, free and with no sign-up. The exam is a DSST exam. DANTES is the Department of Defense office that supports military education, and Prometric has owned and administered the exams since 2004. This page is unofficial and affiliated with neither.
Is there a DSST Public Speaking study guide?
Prometric's fact sheet is the free DSST study guide for Public Speaking: the outline, its percentages and a list of textbooks. Here each answer names the open textbook section or Wikipedia article it was checked on.
How many questions are on the Principles of Public Speaking DSST?
Part 1 has 100 multiple-choice questions to answer in 2 hours, and some are unscored pretest questions. Part 2 is the recorded speech. Exam mode here draws 50 questions for 60 minutes.
What score do you need to pass the DSST Public Speaking exam?
No percent is published. The American Council on Education recommends 3 semester hours of upper-level credit for a score of at least 400. Your college decides what it awards.
Are these real practice questions for the Public Speaking DSST test?
They are practice questions written for this page from the eight outline areas, not exam questions. None is copied or reworded from the exam or from the fact sheet's samples, so a score here predicts nothing.