01 During a speech, a speaker avoids a difficult question by giving an unrelated answer. Which quality is most affected?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Credibility
Explanation: The governing concept is credibility in purposeful verbal communication. A speaker earns trust by responding honestly and relevantly, even when the answer is difficult or limited. An unrelated reply can make listeners suspect avoidance, weak knowledge, or lack of honesty; therefore option C is correct. Volume, word count, and pronunciation speed may affect delivery, but none directly explains the loss of trust caused by evasion.