The role of the Quizmaster is to listen intently to everything that is said during the meeting and to create 20 to 30 questions to ask the audience during a short quiz session at the end of the meeting. These questions are intended to test the audience’s listening skills.

This role provides the opportunity for all at the meeting to actively practice their listening skills. As the Quizmaster, you lead the audience by exemplifying active listening. As the meeting progresses, jot down questions based on what was said or done, the content of any assignment or what was learned. Near the end of the meeting, you will be called up to the lectern for a 5 minute question and answer period.

Thank the General Evaluator and explain your duty and the process in 60 seconds or less. Then allow approximately 10 seconds per question and answer. Quickly pose the question to the entire audience. Expect rapid answers to be called out from the audience and keep a running tab of who answered the questions. If no response is given to a question, provide the answer and move onto the next question.

When your time is up, briefly thank the audience for their participation and return control of the lectern to the General Evaluator before going back to your seat. If you plan to award a prize, note which member answered the most questions correctly and pass the name of the winner to the Toastmaster for the awards ceremony.

Tips:

• The questions should be based purely on good listening skills and the audience’s ability to pay attention. The questions should not be trivial, but neither is it about testing the audience’s skills at cryptic thinking;
• It is good to ask questions on important points that were learned during the evening. For example, “According to Carl’s educational session, what is the most important job of an evaluator?”;
• Use your imagination to make the assignment both entertaining and a method of revision. You can limit who can answer, award small prizes, break the audience into teams or make it a written assessment;
• If the meeting is running overtime, limit the number of questions;
• Smile and have fun!

Example Questions:

• In John’s speech, what did John do that frightened his brother?
• What was Julie’s favorite song?
• Who said “_______.”
• What was the purpose of Amanda’s speech?