Chapter 6 Exam Questions Verbal Communication Skills

Chapter 6: Verbal Communication Skills

Multiple Choice Questions

1) According to the model developed by Ogden and Richards, what are the things represented by symbols called?

A) thoughts

B) referents

C) words

D) vocalizations

Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe how words create meaning.

Topic: How Words Work

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

2) A person’s name generally has no logical connection with the actual person, just as the word “cow” does not look like a cow or sound like a cow. According to American linguist Charles Hockett, these examples illustrate how the connection between a word and what it represents is __________.

A) context bound

B) concrete

C) arbitrary

D) denotative

Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe how words create meaning.

Topic: How Words Work

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

3) What seeks to explain how societies are bound or linked together through their use of symbols?

A) semantics

B) ladder of abstraction

C) symbolic interaction theory

D) dissonance theory

Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe how words create meaning.

Topic: How Words Work

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

4) When someone uses the word dog and you understand the word to mean “a mangy, dirty, and disgusting animal, like the one that bit me when I was five years old,” which level of meaning are you likely applying?

A) connotative

B) contextual

C) literal

D) denotative

Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe how words create meaning.

Topic: How Words Work

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

5) Gregorio was describing the noises that hens make at his part-time job at the egg farm. He used the word “cackle” as part of his description, an example of __________.

A) onomatopoeia

B) jargon

C) malapropism

D) indexing

Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe how words create meaning.

Topic: How Words Work

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

6) Jeannie heard her communication professor use a word that she had not heard before and determined it would be a good idea to find out what the word meant. She consulted two dictionaries to be sure she had the literal meaning of the word. Which type of meaning was Jeannie looking for?

A) connotative

B) abstract

C) denotative

D) culture-bound

Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe how words create meaning.

Topic: How Words Work

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

7) To Joseph, a “submarine” is a sandwich. To Alfonse, a “submarine” is a submersible ship. The different meanings Joseph and Alfonse apply to the word “submarine” reflect the idea that __________.

A) denotative meanings vary from person to person

B) meanings are in people, not in words

C) we control the meaning others derive from words we speak

D) some words are metaphorical

Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe how words create meaning.

Topic: How Words Work

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

8) According to linguist Deborah Tannen, gender plays a significant role in how we interpret verbal messages. For example, women tend to interpret a message based on __________.

A) the level of dominance and power communicated

B) the amount of credibility the speaker possesses

C) how personally supportive the message is perceived to be

D) the context in which the message is received

Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe how words create meaning.

Topic: How Words Work

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

9) The __________ level of meaning conveys the feelings and subjective associations a person has for a symbol.

A) connotative

B) concrete

C) denotative

D) abstract

Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe how words create meaning.

Topic: How Words Work

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

10) Some people call the late Yasser Arafat a “terrorist,” both fearing and reviling him. Some people call him a “freedom fighter,” both loving and praising him. The use of these words to describe or evaluate Arafat reflect the power of words to __________.

A) create perceptions

B) influence actions

C) make relationships

D) build barriers

Learning Objective: 6.2 Identify how words influence our perceptions, thoughts, actions, culture, and relationships.

Topic: The Power of Words

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

11) Your friend approaches you and says, "Try your best not to picture a fat panda bear." This, of course, causes you to imagine a fat panda bear. Which power of words does this demonstrate?

A) Words create perceptions.

B) Words influence thoughts.

C) Words influence actions.

D) Words affect and reflect culture.

Learning Objective: 6.2 Identify how words influence our perceptions, thoughts, actions, culture, and relationships.

Topic: The Power of Words

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

12) What idea suggests that language shapes our thoughts and culture, and our culture and thoughts affect the language we use to describe the world?

A) linguistic determinism

B) linguistic relativity

C) Sapir-Whorf hypothesis

D) ladder of abstraction

Learning Objective: 6.2 Identify how words influence our perceptions, thoughts, actions, culture, and relationships.

Topic: The Power of Words

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

13) Celia uses __________ as she listens to her partner by occasionally interjecting with responses such as "Oh, I see" and "Uh-huh" to show she is interested.

A) backchannel talk

B) euphemisms

C) symbolic interaction

D) malapropisms

Learning Objective: 6.2 Identify how words influence our perceptions, thoughts, actions, culture, and relationships.

Topic: The Power of Words

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

14) What is a general characteristic of our Facebook posts, according to research?

A) We use more impersonal pronouns.

B) We communicate more negative emotions.

C) We use longer and more complex language.

D) We communicate more positive emotions.

Learning Objective: 6.2 Identify how words influence our perceptions, thoughts, actions, culture, and relationships.

Topic: How to Manage Misunderstandings

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

15) According to researcher John Seiter, how might the use of demeaning terms affect how those persons are perceived?

A) It will have no significant impact.

B) It is likely to create a positive perception.

C) It is likely to create a negative perception.

D) It will make this person appear more sociable and approachable.

Learning Objective: 6.3 Identify and describe word barriers that lead to misunderstandings.

Topic: How to Manage Misunderstandings

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

16) Indexing your comments and remarks is a way to avoid which word barrier?

A) words are arbitrary

B) allness

C) static evaluation

D) polarization

Learning Objective:6.3 Identify and describe word barriers that lead to misunderstandings.

Topic: How to Manage Misunderstandings

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

17) A confusion of one word or phrase for another that sounds similar to it is known as __________.

A) indexing

B) a static evaluation

C) jargon

D) a malapropism

Learning Objective: 6.3 Identify and describe word barriers that lead to misunderstandings.

Topic: How to Manage Misunderstandings

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

18) Joe tells his wife, Serafina, that he thinks they should “redo” their bathroom as their next home improvement project. Serafina reacts strongly to this suggestion, complaining that, “We don’t have enough money to do that!” Serafina thought “redo” the bathroom meant to replace the shower, toilet, and sink and to re-tile the floors and paint the walls. She was relieved when Joe explained that what he meant by “redo” the bathroom was just to paint the walls and have the floors refinished. The language barrier Joe and Serafina experienced is called __________.

A) allness

B) static evaluation

C) bypassing

D) polarization

Learning Objective: 6.3 Identify and describe word barriers that lead to misunderstandings.

Topic: How to Manage Misunderstandings

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

19) Dad says to Junior, “Hand me the screwdriver.” Junior responds with, “Which kind, a flat-head or Phillips?” Which language barrier is Junior trying to avoid?

A) bypassing

B) polarization

C) overgeneralization

D) vagueness

Learning Objective: 6.3 Identify and describe word barriers that lead to misunderstandings.

Topic: How to Manage Misunderstandings

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

20) After her parents tell her she can’t go to the concert on Tuesday, Gael says, “You never let me do anything!” Since Gael's parents allow her to stay out late each weekend, her reaction seems to exhibit the barrier of __________.

A) bypassing

B) allness

C) polarization

D) indexing

Learning Objective: 6.3 Identify and describe word barriers that lead to misunderstandings.

Topic: How to Manage Misunderstandings

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

21) When general semanticists use the expression, “The map is not the territory,” this refers to which language barrier?

A) lack of precision

B) polarization

C) static evaluation

D) biased language

Learning Objective: 6.3 Identify and describe word barriers that lead to misunderstandings.

Topic: How to Manage Misunderstandings

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

22) During the late sixties and early seventies, it was common to see bumper stickers that said, “America: Love It or Leave It!” This sentiment reflects the language barrier of __________.

A) polarization

B) bypassing

C) static evaluation

D) fact-inference confusion

Learning Objective: 6.3 Identify and describe word barriers that lead to misunderstandings.

Topic: How to Manage Misunderstandings

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You know

23) Most everyone will be sorry to see Professor Carmichael retire at the end of this academic year. Abel, on the other hand, has told people “It’s about time that crusty old geezer retires. He’s way too old to still be in the classroom.” This is an example of __________.

A) polarization

B) hate speech

C) sexist language

D) static evaluation

Learning Objective: 6.3 Identify and describe word barriers that lead to misunderstandings.

Topic: How to Manage Misunderstandings

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

24) __________ is a set of words that has a particular meaning to a person, group, or culture.

A) A euphemism

B) A malapropism

C) A restricted code

D) A static evaluation

Learning Objective: 6.3 Identify and describe word barriers that lead to misunderstandings.

Topic: How to Manage Misunderstandings

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

25) Piper and her boyfriend are arguing about a new management position she's considering at work. While Piper wants to apply for the job, her boyfriend keeps mentioning how busy Piper will be if she becomes a manager. Which of Jack Gibb’s strategies for creating a supportive climate did Piper's boyfriend most clearly violate?

A) Describe your feelings rather than evaluate others’ behaviors.

B) Present yourself as equal rather than superior.

C) Be genuine rather than manipulative.

D) Empathize rather than remain detached from others.

Learning Objective: 6.4 Use words to provide support and comfort, and to avoid defensiveness.

Topic: How to Use Words of Support and Comfort

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

26) David has a habit of screaming, “You idiot, you always mess things up!” whenever his brother makes a mistake or does something he doesn’t like. Which strategy for creating a supportive climate does David's outburst violate?

A) Describe your own feelings rather than evaluate others.

B) Solve problems rather than control others.

C) Be genuine rather than manipulative.

D) Empathize rather than remain detached.

Learning Objective: 6.4 Use words to provide support and comfort, and to avoid defensiveness.

Topic: How to Use Words of Support and Comfort

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

27) Kellyn realizes that when she communicates with Ji, an international student from South Korea, she may need to be sure that that her messages are more explicit, but they should not be condescending. Kellyn should use __________ to accomplish this goal.

A) jargon

B) apologies

C) elaborated code

D) polarization

Learning Objective: 6.4 Use words to provide support and comfort, and to avoid defensiveness.

Topic: How to Use Words of Support and Comfort

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

28) Simon responds to his son's request by exclaiming, “I don’t care what you want. You’ll do what I tell you, when I tell you, and that’s that!” Which strategy for creating a supportive climate do Simon’s words most likely violate?

A) Solve problems rather than control others.

B) Be genuine rather than manipulative.

C) Empathize rather than remain detached from others.

D) Describe your own feelings rather than evaluate others.

Learning Objective: 6.4 Use words to provide support and comfort, and to avoid defensiveness.

Topic: How to Use Words of Support and Comfort

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

29) Which phrase demonstrates the most effective use of extended I language?

A) "I don't like it when you are late, it really inconveniences me."

B) "I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but I have been feeling frustrated lately."

C) "I want you to sit down and listen to me. Your behavior as of late has been unacceptable."

D) "I always have to pick up your dirty clothes, and it is making me angry."

Learning Objective: 6.4 Use words of support and comfort, and to avoid defensiveness.

Topic: How to Use Words of Support and Comfort

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

30) What is the most effective way to sustain a conversation?

A) Ask open-ended questions and listen to responses.

B) Reveal personal information about yourself immediately.

C) Withhold information about yourself.

D) Limit the use of nonverbal messages.

Learning Objective: 6.5 Use words to have a conversation with others.

Topic: How to Have a Conversation

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

31) Which form of communication is characterized by spontaneously and interactively exchanging messages with another person?

A) interaction

B) conversation

C) dialogue

D) impromptu talking

Learning Objective: 6.5 Use words to have a conversation with others.

Topic: How to Have a Conversation

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

32) According to communication scholars, what is often most important to say explicitly when apologizing?

A) "I'm sorry you were hurt."

B) "I can't believe I did that."

C) "I'm sorry, but that's not the kind of person I am."

D) "I was wrong."

Learning Objective: 6.6 Use words to offer an apology when appropriate.

Topic: How to Apologize

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

33) In which context are we most likely to issue an apology?

A) when we commit a mild offense

B) when we are in a public setting

C) when we hurt someone with whom we are intimate

D) when we offend a stranger

Learning Objective: 6.6 Use words to offer an apology when appropriate.

Topic: How to Apologize

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

34) Research has found that when we receive an apology, we __________.

A) are less likely to seek revenge

B) are more likely to feel annoyed

C) will usually accept it

D) tend to respond aggressively

Learning Objective: 6.6 Use words to offer an apology when appropriate.

Topic: How to Apologize

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

35) Astrid ordered her steak cooked medium-well at her favorite restaurant. When the server returned with her steak, Astrid cut into it, saw that it was red in the center, and said to the server, “OK, what part of ‘medium-well’ didn’t you understand? I want you to take this back and cook it so it’s edible. This is ridiculous!” Which term best describes Astrid's communication behavior?

A) assertive

B) other-oriented

C) results-oriented

D) aggressive

Learning Objective: 6.7 Use assertiveness skills appropriately and ethically.

Topic: How to Be Assertive

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

36) When Felicity when tells her employee "I feel disrespected when work I ask you to do is not a priority for you," which key behavior of asserting herself does she exhibit?

A) describe

B) disclose

C) identify effects

D) paraphrase

Learning Objective: 6.7 Use assertiveness skills appropriately and ethically.

Topic: How to Be Assertive

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

37) When you use a phrase such as “I felt like a wrung-out washrag after that test!” you are expressing your emotions via a(n) __________.

A) onomatopoetic image

B) restricted code

C) word picture

D) visual code

Learning Objective: 6.7 Use assertiveness skills appropriately and ethically.

Topic: How to Be Assertive

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

38) When you pursue your own interests without denying the rights of others, you are being __________.

A) nonjudgmental

B) aggressive

C) assertive

D) assumptive

Learning Objective: 6.7 Use assertiveness skills appropriately and ethically.

Topic: How to Be Assertive

Difficulty Level: Easy

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

39) When describing how you view a situation, it is most effective to __________.

A) use sarcasm to take some negativity out of the situation

B) increase your level of vocal intensity to maintain the listener's interest

C) use exasperated facial expressions to communicate emotions

D) calmly and confidently deliver the message

Learning Objective: 6.7 Use assertiveness skills appropriately and ethically.

Topic: How to Be Assertive

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

40) Dionne believes she is an aggressive communicator and asks you to help her become more assertive. Which suggestion would be best to offer her?

A) Become more other-oriented.

B) Evaluate others while communicating.

C) Be sure to avoid moments of silence.

D) Become more self-oriented.

Learning Objective: 6.7 Use assertiveness skills appropriately and ethically.

Topic: How to Be Assertive

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

Essay Questions

1) Use the word “fish” to describe the relationships between referents, thought, and symbols in the triangle of meaning developed by Ogden and Richards.

Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe how words create meaning.

Topic: How Words Work

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

2) Explain symbolic interaction theory and its relevance to the study of interpersonal communication.

Learning Objective: 6.1 Describe how words create meaning.

Topic: How Words Work

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

3) Name the two concepts that form the basis for the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis, and define what this hypothesis suggests.

Learning Objective: 6.2 Identify how words influence our perceptions, thoughts, actions, culture, and relationships.

Topic: The Power of Words

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

4) What is worldview? How does our worldview affect our interpretation of experiences?

Learning Objective: 6.2 Identify how words influence our perceptions, thoughts, actions, culture, and relationships.

Topic: The Power of Words

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

5) What is the essence of linguistic determinism? How is this related to the concept of worldview?

Learning Objective: 6.2 Identify how words influence our thoughts, actions, culture, and relationships.

Topic: The Power of Words

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

6) Igor’s parents asked him how he liked the concert last night. Igor responded with, “Wow, it was totally sick! I’m going again tonight.” His parents wonder, “If the concert was sick, why would Igor want to go again?” Explain the language barrier most likely involved in this exchange. What can you suggest for managing this word barrier?

Learning Objective: 6.3 Identify and describe word barriers that lead to misunderstandings.

Topic: How to Manage Misunderstandings

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

7) Explain the concept of extended “I” language and how it can help soften what could be perceived as a harsh message. Provide an example.

Learning Objective: 6.4 Use words to provide support and comfort, and to avoid defensiveness.

Topic: How to Use Words of Support and Comfort

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

8) Hernando, a police officer, has been assigned a new partner, LaTonya. He is meeting LaTonya for the first time and wants to get better acquainted. Help Hernando by giving him suggestions on how to start a successful conversation with LaTonya and to sustain it.

Learning Objective: 6.5 Use words to have a conversation with others.

Topic: How to Have a Conversation

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

9) Describe an effective apology and explain when it’s most appropriate to offer it.

Learning Objective: 6.6 Use words to offer an apology when appropriate.

Topic: How to Apologize

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

10) Describe the difference(s) between assertive and aggressive communication and why one is preferable over the other.

Learning Objective: 6.7 Use assertiveness skills appropriately and ethically.

Topic: How to Be Assertive

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts