A cable channel airs a late-morning program with profane language. Do the FCC's limits on indecent and profane content apply to it as they would to a broadcast station?Federal Communications Commission, Obscene, Indecent and Profane Broadcasts. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 005
A city requires every speaker to get a license before giving any speech in a public park, and officials may refuse for any reason. Which First Amendment term names government action that stops speech before it happens?Legal Information Institute, Wex: prior restraint. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 005
A mayor running for reelection appears on a local station's regular evening newscast. Under 47 U.S.C. 315, does the station now owe her opponents equal opportunities?47 U.S.C. 315(a), Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 004
A media unit asks why people who watch many hours of violent television tend to overestimate how dangerous their own town is. What did Gerbner call this belief?Wikipedia, Cultivation theory, Mean world syndrome. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 004
Show all 50 questions (46 more)
Communication processes, continued
A phone call keeps cutting out, so the caller repeats the address twice and then spells the street name. Which remedy for noise in the Shannon–Weaver model is the caller using?Wikipedia, Shannon–Weaver model, Problems of communication: noise and redundancy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 001
A student puts a magazine writer's argument fully into her own words for a persuasive speech. According to the UNC Writing Center, what must she still do?The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Plagiarism: What about paraphrasing?. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 003
A student talks easily with her best friend and in small groups, yet feels dread whenever she must speak in front of the whole class. Which of McCroskey's four types of communication apprehension fits best?Wikipedia, Communication apprehension, Types. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 002
An exchange student from a low-context culture is confused when her host family hints instead of asking outright. What does communication in a low-context culture rely on most?Wikipedia, High-context and low-context cultures, lead section. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 002
For a speech on her town's flood of 1998, a student records an interview with a neighbor who lived through it. In research terms, what is that interview?Wikipedia, Primary source, lead section. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 003
In the Chapel Hill study of the 1968 election, McCombs and Shaw compared what the local news covered most with what voters named as the most important issue. Which theory did the strong match support?Wikipedia, Agenda-setting theory, History. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 004
Lasswell described communication with five questions that begin "Who?" and "Says what?". Which question comes last?Wikipedia, Models of communication, Lasswell. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 001
Many historians count KDKA in Pittsburgh as the first commercially licensed radio station. Which broadcast does it trace its beginning to?Wikipedia, KDKA (AM), lead section. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 004
Under Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969), when may a state punish a speaker for advocating the use of force?Brandenburg v. Ohio, 395 U.S. 444 (1969), Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 005
What sets transactional models of communication apart from the linear transmission models that came first?Wikipedia, Models of communication, Transaction. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 001
Which federal law replaced the Federal Radio Commission with the Federal Communications Commission?Wikipedia, Communications Act of 1934, lead section. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain I, competency 004
Speaking and listening in different contexts 19
A peer mediator says, "So you felt left out when the group picked a topic without you. Is that right?" Which active listening technique is this?Wikipedia, Active listening, lead section. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 006
A speaker holds up a thumb to mean "good job" without saying a word. In kinesics, what is a gesture that translates directly into a word or phrase?Wikipedia, Kinesics, relevant concepts. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 006
A student builds a ten-minute program on the theme of home from a poem, a short story and a scene from a play, and performs it holding a small binder. Which interpretation event matches?National Speech & Debate Association, Program Oral Interpretation. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 009
A student has her arguments and evidence and is now deciding to open with a story and save her strongest point for last. Which of the five classical canons is she working on?Wikipedia, Rhetoric, lead section. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 007
A teacher asks why listeners believed a witness to a crash more than a stranger who only heard about it. Which dimension of credibility did the witness have?University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing, Communication in Practice, The Dimensions of Credibility. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 007
A teammate keeps saying "um" in every sentence. Everyone on the squad has noticed, but she has not. In the Johari window, where does this habit sit?Wikipedia, Johari window, The four quadrants. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 010
A visiting speaker comes from a culture where time is cut into precise units, meetings are scheduled and people do one thing at a time. Which time system in chronemics is this?Wikipedia, Chronemics, Monochronic time. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 006
An affirmative team shows that a harm exists but never shows why present law will not fix it. Which stock issue has the team failed to meet?Wikipedia, Stock issues, lead section and Components. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 008
Before a round, a judge tells both teams she is "tabula rasa". What should the debaters expect?Wikipedia, Policy debate, judging paradigms. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 008
"The city added bike lanes in March and thefts rose in April, so bike lanes cause theft." Which fallacy is this?The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Fallacies: Post hoc. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 008
During a tense planning session one member cracks a gentle joke and then asks a silent teammate what she thinks. Which kind of group role is this member playing?University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing, Communication in Practice, Norms and Roles. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 011
In a speech for a later school start time, a student describes a first period where everyone is awake and tardies have dropped by half. Which step of Monroe's motivated sequence is this?Wikipedia, Monroe's motivated sequence, the five steps. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 007
In Congressional Debate, who manages the flow of debate in the chamber?National Speech & Debate Association, Congressional Debate. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 011
In the Texas course standards for Oral Interpretation, to whom does the interpreter owe ethical responsibilities?19 TAC §110.59(b)(1)(B), Oral Interpretation I, II, III, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 009
"Our library should stay open later (claim), because most students work until six (grounds)." In Toulmin's model, what is the unstated link "students need the library at hours when they are free"?Wikipedia, Stephen Toulmin, Toulmin model of argument. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 008
Policy debate is also called cross-examination debate. Which feature of the format gives it that name?Wikipedia, Policy debate, lead section. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 008
"She is a debater, so she is good at research." The speaker never says "all debaters are good at research." What is an argument that leaves a premise unstated like this?Wikipedia, Enthymeme, Syllogism with an unstated premise. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 008
The Thomas–Kilmann instrument sorts five conflict styles on two axes. What are the two axes?Wikipedia, Thomas–Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, Description. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 011
Two classmates chat at a lunch table about three feet apart. In Hall's four zones of interpersonal distance, which zone are they in?Wikipedia, Proxemics, Interpersonal distance. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain II, competency 006
Speech education 16
A counselor asks how much credit the Texas course Communication Applications carries. What does its section of the TEKS say?19 TAC §110.58, Communication Applications, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 012
A debate teacher gives each student a wide sheet with a column for every speech and teaches them to track each argument across the columns. Which expectation of the Debate TEKS is she teaching?19 TAC §110.60(b)(8)(B), Debate I, II, III, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 015
A media literacy lesson shows an ad that says only "Freedom. Family. The American way." and gives no reason to buy. Which propaganda device should students name?Wikipedia, Glittering generality, lead section. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 013
A new teacher wants the Public Speaking I standard on reducing communication apprehension. Under which heading of the Public Speaking TEKS will she find it?19 TAC §110.57(b)(7)(A), Public Speaking I, II, III, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 012
A shy ninth grader freezes at the lectern. Her teacher has her learn a relaxation routine, then speak to one friend, then to four, then to the class, staying relaxed at each step. Which method is the teacher borrowing?Wikipedia, Systematic desensitization, lead section. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 013
A speech teacher reads a student expectation that says students identify kinds of listening "such as critical, deliberative, and empathic." What do the TEKS say about content introduced by "such as"?19 TAC §110.58(a)(3), Communication Applications, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 012
A teacher is placing a unit on job interviews in Communication Applications. Under which of the course's four knowledge and skills headings do interviews fall?19 TAC §110.58(b)(2)(G), Communication Applications, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 012
A Texas student wants a University Interscholastic League contest where she speaks alone on a current-events question after a short preparation period. Which pair of UIL contests fits?University Interscholastic League, Speech & Debate. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 015
According to the Oral Interpretation TEKS, what are effective rehearsal strategies meant to promote?19 TAC §110.59(b)(7)(A), Oral Interpretation I, II, III, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 014
An advanced student enrolls in Independent Study in Speech. According to the course TEKS, what does the student do first?19 TAC §110.61(b)(1), Independent Study in Speech, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 016
The Debate TEKS speak of a "forensic progression" for dealing with controversial issues. What are its three stages?19 TAC §110.60(b)(1)(B), Debate I, II, III, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 015
In Oral Interpretation, students plan a program around one author and write the introductions and transitions that tie the pieces together. Which heading of the course TEKS covers this work?19 TAC §110.59(b)(5), Oral Interpretation I, II, III, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 014
In the group communication strand of Communication Applications, which of these is a student expectation?19 TAC §110.58(b)(3)(F), Communication Applications, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 016
The Public Speaking TEKS ask students to research topics using which kinds of sources?19 TAC §110.57(b)(3)(D), Public Speaking I, II, III, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 014
The Public Speaking TEKS name four kinds of listening that students use to analyze and evaluate speeches. Which list is it?19 TAC §110.57(b)(1)(E), Public Speaking I, II, III, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 013
Under which heading of the Debate TEKS are students expected to analyze the works of classical and contemporary philosophers?19 TAC §110.60(b)(3)(C), Debate I, II, III, Legal Information Institute copy. Written to TExES Speech 7–12 (129) Domain III, competency 015
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the exam framework of TExES Speech 7–12 (129) in Section 3 of the preparation manual on the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program website, https://www.tx.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/TX_SG_obj_129.htm (copyright Texas Education Agency), read 2026-10-15: 100 selected-response questions in three domains, Communication Processes about 31%, Speaking and Listening in Different Contexts 38%, Speech Education 31%. This bank holds 50 in those shares: 15, 19 and 16. Every fact was read on the public page named under its question, each opened 2026-10-15: the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for the high school speech courses (19 TAC §§110.57 to 110.61, read in the Legal Information Institute copy), 17 U.S.C. 107, 47 U.S.C. 315, Brandenburg v. Ohio and the Wex entry on prior restraint at the Legal Information Institute, the Federal Communications Commission's guide to obscene, indecent and profane broadcasts, the National Speech & Debate Association's event pages, the University Interscholastic League's speech page, the UNC Writing Center, the open textbook Communication in Practice (University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing) and Wikipedia articles on communication theory and debate. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
A free TExES Speech 129 practice test for Speech 7–12: 50 questions of our own in three domains. Unofficial: the Texas Education Agency and Pearson are not affiliated with this site and have not endorsed or sponsored it.
Read the full guide
Three domains
Speaking and Listening in Different Contexts is the largest, about 38% of the exam. Communication Processes and Speech Education are about 31% each. The 50 questions here split 19, 15 and 16.
Format of the real exam
Speech 7–12 is taken by computer: 100 selected-response questions in a 5-hour appointment, 4 hours 45 minutes of it for testing. At that pace the timed round allows 142 minutes for 50 questions.
Texas course standards
Fourteen questions quote the standards for the five high school speech courses, 19 TAC §§110.57 to 110.61: Public Speaking, Communication Applications, Oral Interpretation, Debate and Independent Study in Speech.
Debate questions use the terms of the Texas Debate course standards and of policy debate: stock issues, judging paradigms, cross-examination, propositions of value.
Media law questions rest on the statute or the opinion itself, such as 47 U.S.C. 315 on candidates and Brandenburg v. Ohio on incitement.
Questions and answers
Is there a TExES speech 7-12 study guide?
Yes, and it is free. The Texas Educator Certification Examination Program posts a preparation manual for Speech 7–12 (129); its Section 3 sets out the three domains and 16 competencies. Each question here is tagged with one of those competencies.
Is there a printable practice TExES speech test?
Yes. The questions on this page print as a question sheet, with the answer key if you want it. It is free and needs no account.
What is the passing score for TExES Speech 129?
240. That is a scaled score, not a number or a percent of questions right, so this page reports only how many of its own questions you answered correctly.