Question 1

To improve communication with a non-native English speaker, you can do all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Covering your mouth with your hand can make it more difficult for a non-native English speaker to understand you. It can also make it seem like you are not confident in what you are saying. It is important to speak clearly and maintain eye contact to facilitate better communication.

Question 2

Communication can be defined as the process by which information is:

Accepted Answer

While all of the options are related to communication, only option B captures the full scope of what communication involves. Communication not only involves sharing or transmitting information, but also ensuring that the information is exchanged and understood by multiple people, with the intent to motivate or influence behavior. Option A (shared) only captures part of this process, option C (received) only captures the end result, and options D (transmitted) and E (stored) only capture one aspect of the process.

Question 3

For complex problems, a(n) _____ network is most effective for swift, accurate problem resolution.

Accepted Answer

A decentralized network is most effective for complex problems as it allows for multiple perspectives and knowledge to be shared and utilized, leading to more creative and accurate problem solving. A centralized network may slow down the decision making process as all decisions must go through a single person or group, and a linear network may not allow for brainstorming and collaboration among different parties.

Question 4

_____ are examples of channels which managers might choose to use when communicating with employees.

Accepted Answer

Telephone, electronic mail and memo are all commonly used channels of communication between managers and employees. Newsletters can also be effective, but may not be as immediate as the other options. Television and national newspapers are not typically used for internal communication between managers and employees. Encoding and letter are not channels of communication, but rather processes and a medium, respectively.

Question 5

_____ and _____ have the most potential for communication errors, because knowledge, attitudes and background act as filters.

Accepted Answer

Decoding and encoding are the stages in communication where personal filters such as knowledge, attitudes, and background can most significantly distort the intended message, leading to potential errors.

Question 6

A manager might use _____ as a type of communication.

Accepted Answer

A manager might use all of these forms of communication depending on the specific circumstance and context of the message they need to convey. Meetings may be useful for more formal and complex messages, while telephone conversations may be better suited for quick discussions or when face-to-face interaction is not possible. Talking informally may also be useful for building relationships and rapport with colleagues or team members. A manager may need to use a combination of these forms of communication in order to effectively convey their message and achieve their goals.

Question 7

Which communication channel would be most successful to inform managers of an impending company-wide layoff?

Accepted Answer

The best communication channel to inform managers of a company-wide layoff is face-to-face contact. This channel is personal and provides an opportunity for managers to ask questions and receive immediate feedback. It also shows respect for the managers and demonstrates that the company values their input and contribution.

Question 8

The receiver _____ the symbols to interpret the meaning of the message.

Accepted Answer

Decoding is the process of interpreting or understanding the meaning of the symbols or message that have been received by the receiver.

Question 9

Managers' communication is _____-directed, in that it directs everyone's attention toward the vision, values, and desired goals of the team or organization and influences people to act in a way to achieve the goals.

Accepted Answer

The statement highlights how managers' communication is directed toward the purpose or goals of the team or organization. The other choices are not relevant to the statement.

Question 10

Which of the following, in the communication process, has the responsibility to decode the symbols and interpret the meaning of the message?

Accepted Answer

The receiver is responsible for decoding the symbols and interpreting the meaning of the message. This is a crucial step in the communication process as it ensures that the message is properly understood by the intended recipient. The sender may have intended a particular meaning, but it is up to the receiver to interpret the message in a way that makes sense to them.

Question 11

Sharon is a part of a software engineering team. Her task is to develop a diagnostic program for the medical profession. This is a very complex task. What type of communication structure would work best for her group?

Accepted Answer

A team working on a complex task like developing a diagnostic program for the medical profession would work best in a decentralized communication structure. This allows for more flexibility and autonomy for team members to make decisions and contribute their expertise to the project. It also allows for quicker communication and problem-solving as team members can directly communicate with each other without having to go through a central authority.

Question 12

Selina is meeting with her subordinate Mike for his annual performance review. At the end of the review, Mike tells Selina that he is confused about some things she said. By asking Selina to explain certain things in more detail, Mike is engaging in which component of the communication process?

Accepted Answer

Providing feedback is the component where the receiver of the message replies to the sender, indicating their interpretation of the message. In this case, Mike is seeking clarification and thus engaging in the feedback component. The other options, such as selecting a channel, sifting through noise, encoding the message, or decoding the message, refer to other parts of the communication process.

Question 13

When interviewing prospective employees, Samuel, a seasoned manager, often observes hand gestures, facial expressions, and use of space to gauge individuals' personalities. These are all examples of:

Accepted Answer

Hand gestures, facial expressions, and use of space are all non-verbal communication cues that provide valuable information about a person's personality. They can convey emotions, attitudes, and even cultural differences, which can impact communication and collaboration in the workplace. Thus, it's important for managers like Samuel to be mindful of these cues when interviewing prospective employees.

Question 14

_____ refers to a team communication structure in which team members freely communicate with one another and arrive at decisions.

Accepted Answer

Decentralized network refers to a communication structure in which team members are encouraged to share their ideas and opinions freely, and decision-making is not restricted to one person or a select few. This promotes a collaborative and democratic approach to teamwork.

Question 15

Jenna composes an email from home to her boss to inform him that she will be late getting to work that day. The act of composing an email involves which stage of the communication process

Accepted Answer

Composing an email involves encoding the message, which is the process of creating a message that can be understood by the receiver.

Question 16

A centralized network is one in which:

Accepted Answer

In a centralized network, team members communicate through one individual to make decisions, rather than freely interacting with each other or having assigned partners.

Question 17

Louise, a top-level manager at INF Inc., has the difficult task of informing 12 employees that they are about to be laid off. Which communication channel should Louise use to break the news?

Accepted Answer

The layoff news is sensitive and personal. Face-to-face communication allows for more empathy, personal connection, and mutual understanding. It also provides an opportunity for the employees to ask questions, express concerns, and receive feedback. This approach should be handled with compassion and sensitivity to make the situation less intimidating or upsetting.

Question 18

When a group of workers have routine tasks to perform, a _____ communication structure allows more time for the task to be completed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When a group of workers have routine...

Question 19

What are the key elements of communication?

Accepted Answer

The key elements of communication are encoding (the process of putting thoughts into a symbolic form), message (the information being communicated), and feedback (the receiver's response to the message). Noise and symbols may be important components, but they are not as crucial as these three elements. Circuit and perception are not key elements of communication.

Question 20

_____ is necessary for communication to be considered as two-way.

Accepted Answer

Feedback is necessary for communication to be considered as two-way because it allows the receiver to respond and provide information or clarification to the sender. Without feedback, communication can be one-way and incomplete.

Quiz 15: Managing Communication