Which of the following is suggested as a reason for anxiety in public speaking?

• A. Fear of negative evaluation by others
• B. Lack of interest in the topic being discussed
• C. Excessive physical exercise before speaking
• D. Overconfidence in one's speaking abilities

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that anxiety in public speaking is often linked to psychological factors rather than physical or unrelated causes.
2. Recognize that one common psychological reason for anxiety is the fear of being judged or evaluated negatively by others, which can trigger stress and nervousness.
3. Eliminate options that are less relevant to anxiety, such as lack of interest in the topic, excessive physical exercise, or overconfidence, as these do not typically cause anxiety.
4. Focus on the concept of 'fear of negative evaluation,' which is a well-established cause of social anxiety, especially in public speaking contexts.
5. Conclude that the fear of negative evaluation by others is the most appropriate reason for anxiety in public speaking among the given options.