Before you start: Speak Up Pretest

About 10 minutes. Not graded. 12 questions, plus 3 quick confidence questions.

This is not a test you pass or fail. It is fine not to know these answers. Many people will not, because you have not taken the course yet. Your answers show your starting point, so at the end you can see how far you came.

Why we ask: it shows what you already know and which ideas are new to you. When you finish the course, you will see your before and after for each skill, so you can see where you grew and what to review.

How sure do you feel?

Rate each line from 1 (not at all sure) to 5 (very sure). There is no right answer.

I can plan a short talk and record and rate it.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can repeat back, ask, and summarize in a real conversation.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can use two calming methods before I speak.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

Questions

1. You have two minutes to ask your manager for help. How should you open?

A. With a list of every problem at work B. With your one main point C. With a long story

2. Which example best supports the point "the copier breaks too often"?

A. Many offices have copiers that work fine B. Machines can be really annoying sometimes C. It broke 4 times this week

3. Which ask is the clearest?

A. It would be nice if things got better around here someday. B. Please reply by Friday if you can cover Saturday. C. Maybe someone could think about it.

4. What is a simple way to hear your talk the way others will?

A. Read it in your head B. Ask a friend to read it for you C. Record it on your phone

5. Which item belongs on a practice checklist for a short talk?

A. You wore your best shoes B. The point comes early C. The font on your notes is pretty

6. After rating a recording, what should you do next?

A. Fix one thing and record again B. Delete it and never record again C. Change every part of the talk at the same time

7. A coworker says the new schedule makes childcare hard. Which reply repeats back?

A. Okay, that is the way things are now B. You should find a new sitter right away C. So the schedule makes childcare hard

8. Which question invites the most detail?

A. What would help most? B. Did you know that already? C. Is it bad?

9. At the end of a talk, what does a good summary include?

A. The point and the next step B. Every word that each person said C. A brand new topic to start on

10. What kind of breathing does NCCIH describe for relaxation?

A. Holding your breath as long as possible B. Slow, deep breaths from the belly C. Fast, short breaths

11. What might you say to yourself just before a talk, based on a 2014 study?

A. I am going to fail B. I must not feel anything C. I am excited

12. When might speaking fear be more than normal nerves?

A. When it is strong, lasts months, and blocks daily life B. When your hands feel a bit cold before a talk C. When you feel excited before a talk

Save my starting point

Next up

Go to Lesson 1: One point, one example, one ask.

This self check is not graded. BMU compares it with your first Posttest to see how much the course helped.