Deck 4: Connecting Through Verbal Communication

Question 1

Words can represent people, objects, concepts and events-although the words are not actually the items. This shows that language is __________.

A) always abstract
B) always concrete
C) a system of symbols
D) an unstructured system

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Words have only one precise meaning analogous to a standard dictionary definition. This statement illustrates what type of meaning?

A) social meaning
B) denotative meaning
C) cultural meaning
D) connotative meaning

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The goal for competent communicators should be to use language that is __________.

A) gender-inclusive
B) gender-exclusive
C) masculinized
D) feminized

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Words that are used within a co-culture to obscure meaning and tend to change frequently can usually be categorized as __________.

A) jargon
B) slang
C) euphemisms
D) doublespeak

Question 5

Which term is the most abstract?

A) beauty
B) flower
C) rose
D) bouquet

Question 6

The professor introduced the discussion by saying "Today's lecture will examine terrorism in the United States in the early 20th century." What technique did he used to add specificity?

A) dating
B) connotation
C) bypassing
D) indiscrimination

Question 7

If a candidate describes her proposed tax increase as a "positive economic inducement," she is most likely using __________.

A) slang
B) jargon
C) analogy
D) doublespeak

Question 8

When he reported to work at the construction site, Arnie was shocked to see that many of his new coworkers were female. To him, "construction worker" only referred to men. Arnie's perception is an example of what power of language?

A) to create bias
B) to unify meaning
C) to share thoughts and feelings
D) to make connections

Question 9

At the most basic level, meanings derive from __________.

A) people
B) words
C) sounds
D) dictionaries

Question 10

Word meanings become __________ when they refer to a specific person, place, or thing.

A) more abstract
B) vague
C) more concrete
D) intangible

Question 11

Most of us are born with which language ability?

A) to form words
B) to make speech sounds
C) to understand meaning
D) to create sentences

Question 12

The study of meaning, or the association of words with ideas, feelings, and context, is known as __________.

A) noise
B) kinesics
C) semantics
D) grammar

Question 13

Laura asks her friend Analia, "Do you love or hate our communication professor?" This statement most clearly illustrates __________.

A) indexing
B) polarization
C) bypassing
D) metaphorical language

Question 14

There is a difference between the word "book" and the actual object, because "book" is just a word used to name the object and is not the actual thing. This shows that language is __________.

A) systemic
B) universal
C) symbolic
D) concrete

Question 15

When your political science professor says, "The topic of immigration is a real hot potato!" some students in the class are confused about her meaning, as this is an example of __________.

A) jargon
B) poor grammar
C) a euphemism
D) an idiom

Question 16

The pendulum effect refers to the destructive and escalating aspects of __________.

A) abstraction
B) indexing
C) polarization
D) doublespeak

Question 17

When Boyd says to his partner, "I'm ready to move forward with our relationship," he means dating exclusively, but his partner thinks he means moving in together. This exchange illustrates what communication barrier?

A) indexing
B) bypassing
C) inference
D) polarization

Question 18

Language can best be described as __________.

A) universal in meaning
B) subjective
C) unimportant to perception
D) neutral

Question 19

Psychologist Deborah Tannen indicates that men tend to use language to __________ while women tend to use language to __________.

A) divert attention; gain attention
B) assert status; maintain social relationships
C) hide problems; establish control
D) create harmony; foster dissent

Question 20

When Beatrice and Cara heard someone talking about a professor with a really traditional perspective, Beatrice found this to be a positive attribute, while Cara found it to be a negative one. This difference in perception is an example of __________.

A) concreteness
B) abstraction
C) denotation
D) connotation

Question 21

When individuals move between the language used by their co-culture and the dominant culture's language, it is known as __________.

A) doublespeak
B) style-switching
C) jargon
D) metaphorical speaking

Question 22

Individuals who use code-switching are concerned with __________.

A) utilizing appropriate and effective language
B) hiding the meaning of their words
C) showing off their unique language skills
D) increasing communication barriers between groups of people

Question 23

Sexist language can usually be characterized as __________.

A) gender neutral
B) stereotypical
C) inclusive
D) homophobic

Question 24

Because some in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities do not identify with any gender labels, use of such terms is not always appropriate. Instead, you should __________.

A) always avoid using identifying language
B) honor a person's wishes regarding use of the pronouns he or she
C) select the best pronoun based on biological gender
D) take your cues from the language of others

Question 25

Language that is direct, fresh, and conveyed in the active voice brings excitement and urgency to a message. This quality is referred to as __________.

A) accuracy
B) immediacy
C) vividness
D) appropriateness

Question 26

When an individual purposefully chooses to use homophobic language, the intent is to __________.

A) hide any bias
B) demonstrate sensitivity
C) reduce indiscrimination
D) denigrate or devalue someone

Question 27

What communication strategy is most likely to result in reduced message clarity?

A) use of poor sentence structure
B) use of short words
C) use of vivid language
D) use of common words

Question 28

Which descriptive phrase is an example of a metaphor?

A) Joe's hat is bright red.
B) Joe is an early bird.
C) Joe is smiling ear to ear.
D) Joe is blind without his glasses.

Question 29

Muted group theory suggests we must consider which concept when communicating?

A) Status and power are equal among all people.
B) Language is not an indication of status.
C) Language provides power to underrepresented groups.
D) Status and power are linked.

Question 30

What does the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis assert regarding language?

A) The language one speaks affects how one thinks.
B) Status, language, and power are clearly linked.
C) Language allows us to share our thoughts with others.
D) Each language has its own grammatical rules.

Question 31

People tend to listen to __________ messages most attentively.

A) uninspiring
B) accurate
C) uninteresting
D) vivid

Question 32

What type of language is usually the most appropriate for public speaking situations?

A) formal
B) stilted
C) natural
D) slang

Question 33

Sam was talking to Juan about a teacher, and said, "My teacher is out to lunch!" Juan wasn't sure if Sam meant that the teacher was eating a meal, was unfair, was odd, or something else. Juan would have better understood Sam's message if Sam had been more __________.

A) vivid
B) appropriate
C) accurate
D) colorful

Question 34

Who does communication scholar Cheris Kramerae identify as muted groups within U.S. society?

A) the deaf and hard of hearing
B) government officials
C) the poor, women, people with disabilities, seniors, gays, blacks, Hispanics
D) dissenters and activists

Question 35

The increasing use of Reddit, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Facebook Twitter, and other social media outlets is most likely to __________.

A) eliminate our need for face-to-face communication
B) decrease people's responses to the issues of the day
C) enhance awareness of personal, social, and political issues
D) increase agreement between all kinds of communicators

Question 36

Which statement is correct about metaphorical language?

A) It links two closely associated terms.
B) It is a direct comparison using "like" or "as."
C) It is culture bound.
D) It is not commonly used.

Question 37

In the United States, we are guaranteed the right to freedom of speech and freedom of the press. This right is granted to us by __________.

A) the First Amendment
B) the Second Amendment
C) the Fifth Amendment
D) the Tenth Amendment

Question 38

A speech using the elements of effective language would include __________.

A) clichés
B) active verbs
C) scrambled sentence structure
D) distant tone

Question 39

Tamika feels her audience is unaware of the health risks associated with living near high-voltage power lines. She wants to make her message regarding this danger relevant to her listeners. In this speaking situation, Tamika should increase her use of __________.

A) verbal immediacy
B) common words
C) formal language
D) metaphorical language

Question 40

When anthropologist Edward T. Hall asserted "all people are captives of the language they speak," he was referring to the role of __________ in language use.

A) emotion
B) culture
C) grammar
D) stereotypes

Question 41

Why is the use of accurate language critical to speakers? How can you improve your language accuracy?

Question 42

Define the terms "language" and "words." How do we use these to create meaning?

Question 43

Does language shape our expectations about male and female roles in society? How does this affect the communication process?

Question 44

What is verbal immediacy? How does it enhance communication?

Question 45

Describe euphemisms and doublespeak. How are these used to obscure meaning?

Question 46

Briefly discuss the concept of bypassing. What strategies can be used to reduce it?

Question 47

Consider the difference between concrete and abstract terms. First define these concepts, and then select a term and develop an accompanying ladder of abstraction with at least five levels.

Question 48

Discuss the difference between connotative and denotative meanings. Provide examples that demonstrate these concepts.

Question 49

What two simple steps can everyone use to improve communication with someone from a different culture?

Question 50

What is polarization? Why does it create a barrier to communication? What examples of polarization have you experienced or read about?