Question 1

In communication, the term _____ refers to any interference that causes the message one sends to be different from the message one's audience understands.
A)noise
B)encoding
C)feedback
D)decoding

Accepted Answer

The term "noise" in communication refers to any interference that causes the message one sends to be different from the message one's audience understands. Some examples of noise include physical noise (such as loud music or construction work), semantic noise (differences in language or understanding), and psychological noise (preconceptions or biases). Encoding refers to the process of creating a message, decoding refers to the process of understanding a message, and feedback refers to the response or reaction to a message.

Question 2

Which of the following scenarios provides an example of nonverbal communication that is most likely to have a negative impact on the outcome of a talk?
A)Tim leans forward while speaking with his project manager about the project details.
B)Radhika, an American, maintains sustained eye contact with another American client during a presentation.
C)Vincent keeps maintains a low tone of voice when he is angry with Keith.
D)Rudolph fidgets frequently when he delivers a Powerpoint presentation to his sales team.

Accepted Answer

Fidgeting frequently during a presentation can be distracting and lead to negative perceptions of the presenter's confidence and competence, potentially impacting the outcome of the talk. The other scenarios, leaning forward, maintaining eye contact, and using a low tone of voice, may actually enhance communication and convey interest, attentiveness, and controlled emotions.

Question 3

Memos are a good communication channel when the intent is to convey an uncontroversial but detailed message to a large number of people.

Accepted Answer

Memos are a useful mode of communication when there is a need to communicate detailed but uncontroversial information to multiple people. They are typically utilized when the communication is relatively formal and the message has a business or organizational context.

Question 4

In face-to-face communication, the verbal content of a message conveys much more meaning to the listener than the tone of voice and facial expression.

Accepted Answer

In face-to-face communication, the tone of voice and facial expression can convey a significant amount of meaning and emotion in addition to the verbal content of a message. Nonverbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice can provide important context and cues for understanding the true meaning of a message.

Question 5

During a PowerPoint presentation, a presenter should look at the slides rather than the audience.

Accepted Answer

A presenter should look at the audience during a PowerPoint presentation to engage with them and maintain eye contact. Glancing at the slides periodically to refer to important points is acceptable, but the focus should be on the audience.

Question 6

During the English class, Ingrid was having difficulty paying attention to the presentation given by his professor as the classroom was too cold and his table was creaking. In this case, the cold and the table are both _____ to communication.
A)perceptual barriers
B)physical barriers
C)body language barriers
D)organizational barriers

Accepted Answer

Physical barriers refer to environmental factors that hinder effective communication, such as noise, temperature, and lighting. In this case, the cold temperature and creaky table are physical barriers that are causing difficulty in Ingrid's ability to pay attention to the presentation.

Question 7

In American culture, older people tend to experience negative age bias much more often than younger people.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that age discrimination and bias is a common experience for older adults in American society, particularly in employment and healthcare settings. This can lead to negative stereotypes and limited opportunities for older individuals.

Question 8

While travelling by bus, Fiola is unable to understand Mark's explanation of the concept of the theory of relativity. Mark uses jargon that hampers her from comprehending the concept. Which of the following communication barriers is most likely interfering with Fiola's understanding of the concept?
A)Language barriers
B)Physical barriers
C)Body language barriers
D)Perceptual barriers

Accepted Answer

Language barriers refer to the use of different languages, technical jargon, or unfamiliar terms that hinder effective communication. In this case, Mark is using jargon that Fiola is unable to understand, indicating a language barrier. Physical barriers are related to the environment, such as noise or distance, and are not evident in this scenario. Body language barriers and perceptual barriers are not mentioned in the scenario.

Question 9

Communication must be static rather than dynamic.

Accepted Answer

Communication can be both static (such as a written letter) and dynamic (such as a face-to-face conversation or video call). It depends on the medium and context of the communication.

Question 10

Who among the following is most likely to spend most of their time listening?
A)Weekly employees
B)Executives
C)Hourly employees
D)Managers

Accepted Answer

Executives often spend a significant amount of their time listening to reports, presentations, and discussions to make informed decisions.

Question 11

Who among the following is least likely to spend most of their time listening?
A)Senior executives
B)Weekly employees
C)Top-level managers
D)Chief officers

Accepted Answer

Weekly employees are likely to spend the least amount of time listening as they are often involved in more operational tasks rather than strategic decision making. Senior executives, top-level managers, and chief officers are likely to spend a significant amount of time listening as they are responsible for making important decisions and communicating with various stakeholders.

Question 12

Identify a true statement about business communication.
A)It should seek and understand feedback from the speaker's audience.
B)It should be static and one-way.
C)It is most effective when a speaker is able to extensively use special effects and sounds in his presentation.
D)It is most effective when a speaker is able to extensively use jargons in his speech.

Accepted Answer

Business communication is not just about conveying information, but also about receiving feedback. Effective communication involves seeking and understanding feedback from the audience to ensure that the message is understood and acted upon appropriately. Options B, C, and D are not true statements about business communication.

Question 13

One of the most effective ways to improve written or verbal communication is to make extensive use of slang to enliven and enrich the message.

Accepted Answer

Using excessive slang can actually hinder effective communication, as it may confuse or alienate the audience. Clear and concise language is often more effective in delivering the intended message.

Question 14

Effective communication happens when one transmits relevant meaning to one's audience.

Accepted Answer

Effective communication occurs when the intended message is delivered to the audience in a way they understand and find relevant.

Question 15

Identify the type of communication barrier that arises when operational managers are not allowed to communicate with the senior managers or the top-level management in a firm?
A)Perceptual barrier
B)Organizational barrier
C)Body language barrier
D)Physical barrier

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an organizational barrier, as the structure of the firm does not allow for effective communication between different levels of management.

Question 16

Florence talks with a client that can get her firm the next project. She is told by her senior manager that one of the ways to determine whether the client would be interested in doing business is by analyzing whether the client leans forward and shows interest in the conversation. Which of the following forms of nonverbal communication is the senior manager referring to while determining the success of the conversation?
A)Gestures and posture
B)Facial expressions
C)Perceptual emotions
D)Tactile expressions

Accepted Answer

The senior manager is referring to the nonverbal communication of gestures and posture, specifically leaning forward, as an indicator of the client's interest in the conversation. Facial expressions, perceptual emotions, and tactile expressions are not referenced in this scenario.

Question 17

An email should be lengthy and should have as many attachments as possible to communicate a message.

Accepted Answer

An email should be concise and to the point, focusing on the main message. Attachments should only be included if they are necessary to support the message. Too many attachments or a lengthy email can overwhelm the recipient and cause them to miss important information.

Question 18

Business writers should consider how the audience will respond to their message-think about how they will feel about the information.

Accepted Answer

Business writers should always keep their audience in mind and consider how they will respond to the message being conveyed. This includes understanding their potential reactions or emotions, and tailoring the language and tone of the message accordingly.

Question 19

The goal of nonverbal communication should be to reinforce the meaning of your message.

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal communication includes gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. The purpose of employing nonverbal cues is to enhance the message and reinforce its meaning. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 20

A manager at Orifeon Corporation has learned that one of his employees has been engaging in fraudulent activities. The team members report to the manager that the employee has been regularly indulging in such fraudulent behavior. Which of the following communication channels should the manager most likely use in communicating this information with the employee?
A)Telephone
B)Face-to-face meeting
C)Memo
D)Text message

Accepted Answer

When dealing with such a serious matter as fraudulent activities, it is best for the manager to have a face-to-face meeting with the employee. This method not only allows for direct communication but also permits the manager to observe the employee's non-verbal behavior, which can give insight into their level of accountability and remorse. Memo may seem impersonal in such a case, text messages can be easily deleted or ignored, and telephone conversations lack the visual cues present in in-person meetings, making them less effective in conveying the seriousness of the matter.

Quiz 5: Business Communication: Creating and Delivering Messages that Matter

In communication, the term _____ refers to any interference that causes the message one sends to be different from the message one's audience understands.

Which of the following scenarios provides an example of nonverbal communication that is most likely to have a negative impact on the outcome of a talk?

Memos are a good communication channel when the intent is to convey an uncontroversial but detailed message to a large number of people.

In face-to-face communication, the verbal content of a message conveys much more meaning to the listener than the tone of voice and facial expression.

During a PowerPoint presentation, a presenter should look at the slides rather than the audience.

During the English class, Ingrid was having difficulty paying attention to the presentation given by his professor as the classroom was too cold and his table was creaking. In this case, the cold and the table are both _____ to communication.

In American culture, older people tend to experience negative age bias much more often than younger people.

While travelling by bus, Fiola is unable to understand Mark's explanation of the concept of the theory of relativity. Mark uses jargon that hampers her from comprehending the concept. Which of the following communication barriers is most likely interfering with Fiola's understanding of the concept?

Communication must be static rather than dynamic.

Who among the following is most likely to spend most of their time listening?

Who among the following is least likely to spend most of their time listening?

Identify a true statement about business communication.

One of the most effective ways to improve written or verbal communication is to make extensive use of slang to enliven and enrich the message.

Effective communication happens when one transmits relevant meaning to one's audience.

Identify the type of communication barrier that arises when operational managers are not allowed to communicate with the senior managers or the top-level management in a firm?

An email should be lengthy and should have as many attachments as possible to communicate a message.

Business writers should consider how the audience will respond to their message-think about how they will feel about the information.

The goal of nonverbal communication should be to reinforce the meaning of your message.