Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification Practice Exam

Which of the following scenarios would be considered extemporaneous speaking?

1. You are a replacement for a speaker at an event and only have 20 minutes to prepare

2. You have rehearsed the speech for weeks

3. You are reading from a prepared script

4. You are participating in a panel discussion

The correct answer is: You are a replacement for a speaker at an event and only have 20 minutes to prepare

Extemporaneous speaking refers to delivering a speech with limited preparation, relying instead on a speaker's ability to convey their thoughts and ideas spontaneously while maintaining a level of organization and coherence. In this scenario, stepping in as a replacement speaker with just 20 minutes to prepare exemplifies extemporaneous speaking because it requires quick thinking and the ability to articulate ideas without thorough prior rehearsal. In contrast, rehearsing a speech for weeks would fall under the category of a well-prepared or scripted speech, which lacks the spontaneous element intrinsic to extemporaneous speaking. Reading from a prepared script is a form of delivery that focuses on following a written text closely rather than engaging with the audience through spontaneous thought. Participating in a panel discussion may allow for some spontaneous interaction, but it is a different format that often involves responding to others rather than delivering a cohesive speech on a single topic.