EAP Delivering Oral Presentations 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A presenter is allocated 10 minutes but their rehearsal runs 14 minutes. What is the BEST course of action?
- Speak faster during the actual presentation to fit the time
- Cut a supporting example or secondary point, not the thesis or conclusion (Correct answer)
- Ask the moderator for extra time on the day
- Skip the introduction to save time
Correct answer: Cut a supporting example or secondary point, not the thesis or conclusion
Removing a supporting point preserves the structural integrity of the argument, whereas cutting the introduction or conclusion damages comprehension.
Question 2: Which language function is most commonly used when describing a graph or chart in an academic oral presentation?
- Narrating a personal anecdote
- Describing trends, comparisons, and proportions with precise quantitative language (Correct answer)
- Speculating about future events without data
- Providing a dictionary definition of the chart type
Correct answer: Describing trends, comparisons, and proportions with precise quantitative language
Describing visual data requires language that accurately conveys trends (e.g., 'rose sharply'), comparisons, and proportions.
Question 3: What role does posture play in academic oral presentations?
- It is irrelevant as long as the content is strong
- An open, upright posture projects confidence and authority and positively influences audience perception (Correct answer)
- Leaning on the podium signals a relaxed, approachable style appropriate for all academic contexts
- Crossing arms conveys seriousness and scholarly focus
Correct answer: An open, upright posture projects confidence and authority and positively influences audience perception
Research shows that open, upright posture is associated with credibility and confidence, positively shaping how the audience receives the speaker's message.
Question 4: When a presenter says 'This is beyond the scope of today's presentation,' what communication function does this serve?
- It signals that the presenter is unprepared
- It manages audience expectations and sets clear boundaries around the topic (Correct answer)
- It invites the audience to ask about it during Q&A
- It indicates the presenter finds the topic unimportant
Correct answer: It manages audience expectations and sets clear boundaries around the topic
Explicitly acknowledging the boundaries of a presentation is a professional way to manage scope without appearing evasive.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of an effective 'attention-getter' for the opening of an academic oral presentation?
- 'Hello everyone, my name is…and today I will talk about…'
- A surprising statistic or provocative research question directly related to the topic (Correct answer)
- A lengthy apology for any nervousness the presenter might display
- An unrelated joke to relax the audience
Correct answer: A surprising statistic or provocative research question directly related to the topic
An opening statistic or provocative question immediately establishes the topic's relevance and creates intellectual curiosity in the audience.
Question 6: In academic presentations, what is the recommended approach for handling technical terminology that may be unfamiliar to part of the audience?
- Avoid technical terms entirely to keep the presentation accessible
- Define key terms when first introduced and use consistent terminology throughout (Correct answer)
- Assume all audience members know the terms since it is an academic setting
- Use technical terms interchangeably with lay synonyms to add variety
Correct answer: Define key terms when first introduced and use consistent terminology throughout
Defining terms upon first use ensures shared understanding and maintains precision without alienating less-specialist audience members.
Question 7: A presenter pauses for three full seconds after making a key claim. What is the likely intended effect of this pause?
- The presenter has lost their place in the notes
- The pause signals importance and gives the audience time to process the claim (Correct answer)
- It is an unintentional sign of nerves
- The presenter is waiting for laughter
Correct answer: The pause signals importance and gives the audience time to process the claim
Strategic pauses after key claims are a deliberate rhetorical device that emphasizes importance and allows cognitive processing.
EAP Delivering Oral Presentations 4
A presenter is allocated 10 minutes but their rehearsal runs 14 minutes.
What is the BEST course of action?