Deck 6: Verbal Communication Skills

Question 1

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

Answer 1

A

Question 2

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

Answer 2

D

Question 3

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

Answer 3

B

Question 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

Question 5

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

Question 6

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

Question 7

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

A)connotative
B)concrete
C)denotative
D)abstract

Question 8

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

Question 9

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.

Question 10

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

Question 11

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

Question 12

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

Question 13

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

Question 14

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.

Question 15

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

Question 16

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.

Question 17

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

Question 18

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

Question 19

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

Question 20

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

A)words are arbitrary
B)allness
C)static evaluation
D)polarization

Question 21

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.

Question 22

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

Question 23

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

Question 24

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

Question 25

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

Question 26

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

Question 27

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.

Question 28

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

Question 29

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

Question 30

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

A)nonjudgmental
B)aggressive
C)assertive
D)assumptive

Question 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

Question 32

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.

Question 33

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

Question 34

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."

Question 35

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

Question 36

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.

Question 37

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.

Question 38

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

Question 39

__________ 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

Question 40

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."

Question 41

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

Question 42

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

Question 43

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

Question 44

Describe an effective apology and explain when it's most appropriate to offer it.

Question 45

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

Question 46

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?

Question 47

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.

Question 48

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

Question 49

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

Question 50

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