Deck 4: Verbal Messages

Question 1

The system of symbols used by people to communicate orally or in writing is called

A) culture
B) language
C) communication community
D) patterns of organization

Answer 1

B

Question 2

A lexicon is

A) a symbolic system used by people to send written messages
B) the collection of sounds we use to pronounce words
C) the collection of words and expressions in a language
D) the rules for combining words to form sentences

Answer 2

C

Question 3

The rules for combining words to form phrases, clauses, sentences, and larger units of expression is (are)

A) syntax and grammar
B) specific language
C) language and dialect
D) the cooperative principle

Answer 3

A

Question 4

The word is not the thing it represents. That idea is the characteristic that language is ________.

A) self-reflexive
B) abstract
C) revelatory
D) ambiguous

Question 5

A group of people who speak a common dialect with a particular style, and observe common linguistic norms or scripts is called a

A) culture
B) language
C) speech community
D) shared community

Question 6

Pete speaks with his own set of vocabularies, pronunciations, grammar, and syntax. Pete is using which of the following to convey meaning?

A) personal idiolect
B) arbitrary language
C) privileged dialect
D) personal semantics

Question 7

The dialects spoken by people who are in a powerful elite group are perceived to be

A) political dialects
B) codeswitching dialects
C) personal idiolects
D) privileged dialects

Question 8

Using language to talk about language is an example of which of the following characteristics of language?

A) Language is arbitrary.
B) Language changes.
C) Language is self-reflective.
D) Language is abstract.

Question 9

One explanation for the creation of new words such as "selfie" is that language changes occur because of the need to

A) be trendy
B) undermine the arbitrary nature of language
C) talk about new inventions or ideas
D) bow to the power of the media

Question 10

When we talk about the rules or the structure of a language, we are referring to

A) the arbitrary nature of language
B) the role of language in the community
C) lexicon and phonology
D) syntax and grammar

Question 11

The dictionary definition for a word reflects the _____ of that word.

A) connotation
B) context
C) denotation
D) language community

Question 12

If you are afraid to fly, the word "airplane" will have a certain _____ meaning that might include negative feelings.

A) connotative
B) contextual
C) denotative
D) demonstrative

Question 13

When two dictionaries give somewhat different meanings for the same word, we say this is a natural aspect of

A) word denotation
B) word connotation
C) word abstraction
D) none of the above

Question 14

When Allen proudly announces that he has a new "ride," his friend Paul understands that Allen has a new passenger vehicle. Paul's thought is a response called

A) denotation
B) contextual integration
C) uncertainty reduction
D) connotation

Question 15

Word connotation lets us know that

A) word denotation and connotation are never the same
B) obscure words have only one meaning to most people
C) people's feelings affect their understanding of word meaning
D) dictionary meanings of words are useful to our understanding

Question 16

Face is

A) our public self-image
B) a strategy that shows concern
C) one's ability to follow the cooperative principle
D) none of the above

Question 17

Jeffrey tells Karin that it is "hot outside." Karin does not know from this message the exact temperature. This is an example of how language can be

A) ambiguous
B) arbitrary
C) high in power distance
D) denotative

Question 18

Many people find it hard to talk about the emotions they are feeling because

A) they have been raised to mask their emotions
B) they don't have the appropriate vocabulary to do so
C) they often rely on generic terms that are not precise enough to convey what they are feeling and why they are feeling that way
D) all of the above

Question 19

Saying "four-bedroom split-level" instead of "house" is an example of using ________ words that identify a smaller grouping within a larger category.

A) precise
B) date-stamped
C) concrete
D) adaptive

Question 20

Saying "Wayne honked like a goose at that joke" rather than "Wayne laughed strangely" is an example of using ________ language, words that describe something that can be sensed.

A) qualifying
B) adaptive
C) concrete
D) precise

Question 21

The characteristic of language that allows us to talk about how we use language is

A) Language is arbitrary.
B) Language is abstract.
C) Language is changeable.
D) Language is self-reflective.

Question 22

The less precise your word choice,

A) the greater the potential for the receiver's confusion
B) the less ambiguity
C) the more concrete the message
D) all of the above

Question 23

Instead of saying, "that clothes store at the mall," you say, "the Express store at the Northgate Mall." This is an example of using

A) jargon
B) concrete words
C) precise words
D) connotation

Question 24

_____ are words that describe something that can be sensed, conjuring up an image we can see, hear, or smell.

A) Indexing words
B) Concrete words
C) Precise words
D) Denotative words

Question 25

Saying "Professor Assante's Interpersonal Communication class" instead of "my communication class" is a matter of word

A) specificity
B) concreteness
C) acquisition
D) appropriateness

Question 26

The hyperpersonal model

A) argues that relationships actually suffer from the peculiarities of online interaction
B) relates that receivers of online communication look down upon senders because of contradictory information.
C) states that online circumstances make it easy to disclose and reciprocate personal information, leading to strong emotional connections
D) states that our ability to feel a strong relationship with another person online is impaired due to limitations in interaction

Question 27

Facebook and Twitter, which rely heavily on language and other symbols to convey meaning, are considered ________.

A) rich media
B) inclusive media
C) lean media
D) non-inclusive media

Question 28

________ claims that people can form relationships despite the leanness of online interaction and that these relationships can be at least as meaningful as those conducted in face-to-face interactions.

A) Asynchrony
B) Quantity maxim
C) The Cooperative Principle
D) The Theory of Social Information Processing

Question 29

In online interaction, ________, or not having to respond immediately, allows people to communicate at their own tempo and convenience.

A) asynchrony
B) Social Information Processing (SIP)
C) media richness
D) digital disclosure

Question 30

The comment, "Professors are so absentminded! Oh, you're a professor? How often do you lose your keys? Must be a lot!" is an example of

A) indexing
B) precise words
C) dating information
D) generalizing

Question 31

Adapting your language to your listeners involves

A) using vocabulary your listener understands
B) using jargon sparingly
C) using slang only when you know the listener understands
D) all of the above

Question 32

New abbreviations such as "BRB," "LOL," and "JK" are examples of

A) jargon
B) generic language
C) acronyms
D) slang

Question 33

"When I worked at Riverdale High School 7 years ago, they struggled with low test scores." We cannot prevent circumstances from changing over time, but we can increase the semantic accuracy of our messages if we verbally recognize the reality of change by ________ the statements we make.

A) dating
B) overgeneralizing
C) interpreting
D) none of the above

Question 34

Language that indicates where a statement applies and does not apply or indicates appropriate uncertainty about where it should apply is ________,

A) qualifying language
B) generic language
C) inclusive language
D) describing feelings

Question 35

__________ is the skill of verbally owning and explaining the precise emotions you are experiencing.

A) Linguistic sensitivity
B) Pragmatic understanding
C) Describing feelings
D) Qualifying language

Question 36

Linguistic sensitivity is using language that

A) respects others
B) avoids language that offends
C) includes inclusive language
D) all of the above

Question 37

The meaning that arises from understanding the practical consequences of an utterance is the

A) semantic meaning
B) pragmatic meaning
C) sociolinguistic meaning
D) direct verbal meaning

Question 38

The action speakers take with their verbal messages that implies how the listener should respond are

A) indexes
B) idioms
C) speech acts
D) utterances

Question 39

The _____ states that conversational partners are able to understand the purpose of their partners' verbal messages because they assume that their partners are cooperating to share meaning.

A) conversation principle
B) conversational script
C) quality principle
D) cooperative principle

Question 40

While all of the following are maxims to consider when engaging in conversations, the _____ deals with providing information that is truthful.

A) quality maxim
B) quantity maxim
C) relevancy maxim
D) manner maxim

Question 41

If Jennifer were to answer a complex question with a single-word answer, she would likely be violating the

A) quality maxim
B) quantity maxim
C) relevancy maxim
D) manner maxim

Question 42

If you were to comment about your pet's health and then your mother followed up with a comment about cleaning out the garage, she would most likely be violating the

A) quality maxim
B) quantity maxim
C) relevancy maxim
D) manner maxim

Question 43

If you were to follow a comment about the team's apparent physical condition with a statement about the team's mascot, you would likely be violating the

A) quantity maxim
B) relevancy maxim
C) manner maxim
D) morality maxim

Question 44

When Jeff asks Ken if he understands the rationale for a company policy and Ken makes up a false explanation, Ken would be violating the

A) quantity maxim
B) quality maxim
C) relation maxim
D) manner maxim

Question 45

Sociolinguistic meaning of a message

A) varies according the norms and expectations of the culture
B) arises from understanding the practical consequences of an utterance
C) respects others while avoiding language that offends
D) is derived from the language itself

Question 46

Idioms are

A) words that describe something that can be sensed
B) our personal symbolic system
C) arbitrary symbols used to name things
D) expressions whose meaning differs from the usual meanings

Question 47

Words are single units of talk bounded by a speaker's silence.

Question 48

Languages are made up of many dialects.

Question 49

A phonology is the collection of sounds we use to pronounce words.

Question 50

Language symbols are not arbitrary.

Question 51

Slang cannot be understood by everyone; therefore, you should never use it.

Question 52

Jargon used by a sender can interfere with understanding the message by the receiver.

Question 53

Talking on the telephone and videoconferencing are examples of lean media.

Question 54

The Theory of Social Information Processing states that people will have difficulty forming meaningful relationships online because of the leanness of the interaction.

Question 55

Describing feelings is an easy skill to master.

Question 56

Because dialects are largely substandard slang, you should avoid speaking with a dialect.

Question 57

Politeness means using language strategies that show concern for another's public self-image.

Question 58

In high-context cultures, a speaker's comments are likely to be indirect and seemingly irrelevant.

Question 59

Indirect verbal styles are characterized by speaking one's mind and telling the truth.

Question 60

If you are going to violate a maxim for deliberate effect, you should never acknowledge the violation.

Question 61

Mindfulness is the process of drawing novel distinctions.

Question 62

Though there are many different cultures, there are two basic verbal styles: direct and indirect verbal style. Compare and contrast these two types of verbal styles.

Question 63

What is "face?" Describe the three ways we want others to view us and how these way relate to you.

Question 64

What are some suggestions for improving the semantic meanings of your messages?

Question 65

Explain how mindfulness improves sociolinguistic understanding.

Question 66

Describe a conversation you recently had when two or more conversational maxims were broken. Be sure to name the maxims and give specific examples.

Question 67

Can you think of a word that has faded from use? Why has the speech community stopped using the word? Has the meaning of the word changed, or have other words replaced the word?

Question 68

Discuss the "hyperpersonal model" and how relationships can benefit from online interaction.