Elements of communication and professional responsibilities 10
A speaker uses technical terms the audience reads in a different sense, so the message is misunderstood. Which kind of noise interfered?Wikipedia, Communication noise (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 001 (the human communication process).
A speaker wants to judge whether a statistic in her speech is credible. Which question should she ask first?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 005 (ethical communication).
A student delivers a speech built from the sentences of an online article and never names the article. What has the student done?The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Plagiarism (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 005 (ethical communication).
A teacher steps closer to the front row to make a talk feel less formal. Which area of nonverbal communication covers this use of distance?Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), 8.4 Eight Forms of Nonverbal Communication (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 003 (verbal and nonverbal communication).
Show all 52 questions (48 more)
Elements of communication and professional responsibilities, continued
A teacher wants to see how well students can plan the structure of a speech before they deliver it. Which performance-based product fits that aim?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 006 (professional roles and responsibilities).
During a classmate's speech, which behavior shows appropriate audience skills?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 004 (listening and viewing).
How does hearing differ from listening?Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), 4.2 Components of the Listening Process (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 002 (the listening process).
In the five components of the listening process, which one is "focusing attention and filtering out distractions"?Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), 4.2 Components of the Listening Process (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 002 (the listening process).
"Nice work" said in a flat, clipped voice can mean the opposite of the words. Which nonverbal feature carries the change in meaning?Wikipedia, Paralanguage (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 003 (verbal and nonverbal communication).
Which of the five canons of classical rhetoric deals with the ordering of the parts of a speech?Wikipedia, Rhetoric (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 001 (the human communication process).
Oral, visual and written language skills 8
A military briefing describes a bombing raid as "servicing the target." Which use of language is this?Wikipedia, Doublespeak (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 008 (structure and conventions of language).
In readers' theatre, what do the performers rely on?Wikipedia, Readers theater (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 010 (speech and the other language arts).
In the spoken sentence "Our coach, a former state champion, will introduce the speaker," what is the phrase "a former state champion"?Purdue Online Writing Lab, Appositives (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 008 (structure and conventions of language).
"Slender" and "scrawny" both describe a thin person. What differs between the two words?Wikipedia, Connotation (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 007 (oral, visual and written language).
Students draft bills, argue them in committee, amend them and vote. Which rhetorical activity is the class carrying out?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 009 (speech for the purpose of discourse).
Which assignment gives students the most authentic experience of using the language arts to communicate?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 010 (speech and the other language arts).
Which sentence from a student's speech uses the active voice?Purdue Online Writing Lab, Active and Passive Voice (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 009 (speech for the purpose of discourse).
Which term names the study of body movement, gesture and facial expression as communication?Wikipedia, Kinesics (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 007 (oral, visual and written language).
Interpersonal and small-group communication 8
A group leader asks members for their ideas, shares the decision with them and guides them to a choice. Which leadership style is this?Wikipedia, Leadership style (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 013 (factors in interpersonal and small-group communication).
A project team always starts on time and checks every figure twice, though no rule says so. What are these shared expectations?Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), 16.3 Norms and Roles (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 012 (small-group communication).
In a meeting run by parliamentary procedure, what does it mean when a member seconds a motion?Wikipedia, Second (parliamentary procedure) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 012 (small-group communication).
Members of a committee have doubts about a plan but stay silent to keep the peace, and the group approves a poor decision. What is this called?Wikipedia, Groupthink; Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), 16.5 When Decision-Making Goes Wrong (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 013 (factors in interpersonal and small-group communication).
Social penetration theory describes how self-disclosure changes as a relationship develops. What change does it describe?Wikipedia, Social penetration theory (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 011 (interpersonal communication).
Two students both want to direct the class play. They talk until they find a plan that fully meets the goals of both. Which conflict style did they use?Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), 17.2 Conflict Styles (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 014 (consensus, decisions and conflict resolution).
Which interview question is open-ended?Wikipedia, Open-ended question (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 015 (interviewing).
Which theory holds that people weigh the costs and benefits of a relationship when they decide whether to keep it?Wikipedia, Social exchange theory (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 011 (interpersonal communication).
Public speaking and debate 8
A speaker decides the structure and main points ahead of time and makes up the phrasing while speaking. Which style of delivery is this?Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), 14.1 Delivery Modes (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 018 (speech delivery and critique).
A speech first shows that the town's wells are running low and then proposes a watering schedule to save water. Which organizational pattern does it follow?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 017 (planning and organizing speeches).
"All members of the debate club pay dues. Dana is a member of the debate club. So Dana pays dues." Which kind of reasoning is this?Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), 11.2 Logic (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 019 (argumentation and debate).
Before writing a speech, a speaker finds out the ages and education of the people who will attend and where they live. Which level of audience information is this?Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), 5.3 Levels of Audience Information: Demographics, Experiences, and Attitudes (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 016 (audience analysis).
In Monroe's motivated sequence, which step follows the need step and presents the solution?Wikipedia, Monroe's motivated sequence (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 017 (planning and organizing speeches).
What is the most obvious requirement of the introduction of a speech, the part also known as a hook?Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), 13.7 The Introduction (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 017 (planning and organizing speeches).
Which comment on a classmate's speech is the most constructive?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 018 (speech delivery and critique).
Which debate format sets one debater against one and centers on a resolution of value?Wikipedia, Lincoln-Douglas debate format (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 019 (argumentation and debate).
Mass communication and media literacy 10
A blogger posts a false claim online that a named shop owner cheats customers, and the shop loses business. Which form of defamation is this?Wikipedia, Defamation (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 022 (mass communication and society).
A commercial shows an ordinary customer telling how a pair of boots lasted her ten winters. Which advertising technique is this?Wikipedia, Testimonial (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 021 (evaluating messages from the media).
A director films a character from below eye level, with the camera looking up. What effect does this low-angle shot usually have?Wikipedia, Low-angle shot (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 023 (broadcast media and film production).
A wealthy candidate is filmed in a work shirt at a diner counter, saying he is "just like you." Which propaganda technique is this?Wikipedia, Plain folks (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 021 (evaluating messages from the media).
Before shooting begins, a film crew draws the planned shots as a sequence of pictures. What is this planning tool called?Wikipedia, Storyboard (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 023 (broadcast media and film production).
Under the rules of the Federal Communications Commission, when is indecent content prohibited on broadcast television and radio?Federal Communications Commission, Obscene, Indecent and Profane Broadcasts (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 022 (mass communication and society).
What sets mass communication apart from other forms of communication?Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), 1.5 Forms of Communication (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 022 (mass communication and society).
Which check best tests the credibility of a claim found on a website?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 021 (evaluating messages from the media).
Which is an example of asynchronous computer-mediated communication?Wikipedia, Computer-mediated communication (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 020 (media literacy).
Which theory holds that the news media shape which issues the public treats as important?Wikipedia, Agenda-setting theory (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 020 (media literacy).
Theatre and oral interpretation 8
A director tells an actor to move downstage. In which direction does the actor walk?Wikipedia, Blocking (stage) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 026 (creating and evaluating performances).
A speaker delivers every sentence at the same pitch, loudness and speed. What is this fault, and how is it corrected?Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), 14.5 Vocal Delivery (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 024 (vocal production).
An actor turns to the house and speaks directly to the spectators as themselves. Which performance convention has been broken?Wikipedia, Fourth wall (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 025 (theatre performance and oral interpretation).
In which form of theatre is most or all of what is performed unscripted and created on the spot by the performers?Wikipedia, Improvisational theatre (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 026 (creating and evaluating performances).
Oral interpretation, which one writer defines as the "oralization of literature," is also commonly known by which name?Wikipedia, Oral interpretation (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 025 (theatre performance and oral interpretation).
Said with a rising pitch at the end, "You're coming" becomes a question. What is this use of pitch called?Wikipedia, Intonation (linguistics) (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 024 (vocal production).
When audiences are asked what makes a speaker hard to listen to, which set of problems do they name over and over?Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing), 14.5 Vocal Delivery (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 024 (vocal production).
Which form of oral interpretation dispenses with manuscripts and adds simple costuming, stage lighting and suggestive scenery?Wikipedia, Oral interpretation (read 2026-10-09). Outline: MTTC Speech (004) test objectives, objective 025 (theatre performance and oral interpretation).
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the test objectives of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) field 004, Speech, as the MTTC site prints them (https://www.mttc.nesinc.com/Content/STUDYGUIDE/MI_SG_obj_004.htm and the test page https://www.mttc.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/MI004_TestPage.html, read 2026-10-09): Elements of communication and professional responsibilities, 19%; Oral, visual and written language skills, 15%; Interpersonal and small-group communication, 16%; Public speaking and debate, 16%; Mass communication and media literacy, 19%; Theatre and oral interpretation, 15%; 100 multiple-choice questions, 2 hours 30 minutes of testing time, passing score 220. This bank holds 52 questions, spread 10, 8, 8, 8, 10, 8 over those subareas. Every fact was read on 2026-10-09 in the public page named under its question: Communication in Practice, an open textbook of University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing (open.lib.umn.edu/commpractice), the Purdue Online Writing Lab, the Writing Center of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Wikipedia article named for each remaining question. 8 questions rest on a text, a table or an argument printed in the question and on the wording of the objective. Licence: Questions, passages, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
This free MTTC Speech 004 practice test has 52 questions of our own on the six subareas of the Speech test. It is unofficial: the site is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the Michigan Department of Education or Pearson.
Read the full guide
MTTC Speech 004 study guide: the outline
By the test objectives read October 9, 2026: elements of communication and professional responsibilities 19%; oral, visual and written language skills 15%; interpersonal and small-group communication 16%; public speaking and debate 16%; mass communication and media literacy 19%; theatre and oral interpretation 15%.
How the 52 questions are spread
Ten, eight, eight, eight, ten and eight. Exam mode asks 50 of them in 75 minutes, half the real test at its pace.
Where the answers come from
Each explanation names its page: Communication in Practice, an open textbook from University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing, the Purdue Online Writing Lab, the UNC Writing Center, the FCC, or a named Wikipedia article. Eight questions rest on the wording of an objective.
The test page says initial certification with the BD endorsement takes two tests: Speech (004) and a Professional Knowledge and Skills test.
Theatre is on the test: one subarea in six covers vocal production, oral interpretation and the staging of a performance.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the MTTC Speech test?
Speech (004) has 100 multiple-choice questions on a computer. Testing time is 2 hours 30 minutes; with the tutorial and the nondisclosure agreement the appointment runs 2 hours 45 minutes.
What is the passing score for MTTC Speech 004?
220. Results come as scaled scores from 100 to 300, and the MTTC site says whether you pass is decided by total test performance. Exam mode here gives the number right only.
Is there an MTTC Speech 004 study guide?
Yes. The MTTC site publishes a study guide for field 004 with the test objectives and sample multiple-choice questions. This page adds practice on the same 26 objectives and repeats none of those samples.