Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What characterizes the speech pattern known as pressure of speech?

1. Slow and deliberate speech

2. Rapid and urgent speaking

3. Monotonous speech

4. Sparse speech

The correct answer is: Rapid and urgent speaking

Pressure of speech is characterized by rapid and urgent speaking, where the individual speaks at an accelerated pace and may feel an overwhelming need to express their thoughts. This phenomenon is often observed in various psychological conditions, especially in mania or hypomanic episodes, where the individual may display a sense of heightened energy and urgency. The rapidity of speech can make it difficult for others to interject or for the speaker to organize their thoughts coherently, leading to a barrage of ideas delivered in quick succession. This speech pattern typically reflects underlying anxiety or excitement and can be indicative of the emotional state of the person speaking. In contrast, the other speech patterns mentioned are characterized by different features: Slow and deliberate speech suggests a careful approach to communication, monotonous speech lacks variation in tone and inflection, and sparse speech indicates a limited amount of spoken content. Thus, these other patterns do not embody the urgency and rapidity associated with pressure of speech.