Question 1

Which of the following body language actions would be appropriate to take the pressure out of a tense situation?

Accepted Answer

Leaning slightly back can help to reduce tension as it gives the impression that you are not feeling threatened or aggressive. Leaning further forward can be seen as invading personal space and may increase tension. Folding or crossing your arms can be interpreted as defensive or closed-off body language, and shaking your head can be interpreted as disagreement.

Question 2

The following statements all contain words commonly used in business communication. Which statement demonstrates both correct spelling and correct grammar?

Accepted Answer

This statement demonstrates correct spelling by using "affected" instead of "effected" and "your" instead of "you're." It also demonstrates correct grammar by using "I will accept your submissions" instead of "I will accept you're submissions." Lastly, it uses the correct phrasing "up to and until" instead of just "up and until."

Question 3

It is common for a person to form their opinion of the message another person is communicating by focusing on non-verbal communication rather than on what is said.

Accepted Answer

Non-verbal communication, such as facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language, often convey more about a person's true emotions and intentions than their words alone. Therefore, it is common for people to rely heavily on non-verbal cues when interpreting a message.

Question 4

The first step in written communication is to:

Accepted Answer

Being clear about your purpose is the first step in written communication as it sets the tone for the entire message and helps in determining the appropriate language, tone, and style to use. It also ensures that the message is focused and relevant to the audience. While the other options are also important in written communication, they come after having a clear purpose in mind.

Question 5

The statement, 'I understand that you are upset and want it changed immediately, but to ensure that it is done correctly, I am going to set up a committee to decide the best way to go about it' is an example of:

Accepted Answer

This is an example of assertive behavior because the speaker is acknowledging the other person's emotions but also standing firm in their decision to take a systematic approach to resolve the issue accurately. They are balancing their own needs with the needs of the other person, which is the hallmark of assertiveness.

Question 6

If you are constantly fidgeting while someone is speaking to you, it is likely they may think:

Accepted Answer

All of the given responses are correct. Fidgeting can be interpreted as a sign of disinterest, boredom, discomfort, or nervousness depending on the context and person's body language.

Question 7

For which of these situations would it be least appropriate to put something in writing?

Accepted Answer

When urgent action is required, a verbal or immediate communication is usually more appropriate than putting something in writing, so as to ensure the message is received and acted upon promptly.

Question 8

Although most organisations have their own style guides or templates that govern the formatting of documents, it is generally accepted that when writing a business document, you should use:

Accepted Answer

Using a font size of at least 12 is recommended for clarity and readability in business documents.

Question 9

If using assertive behaviour, it is more likely that the outcome you achieve will be:

Accepted Answer

Assertive behavior aims for open, honest communication that respects both parties' needs and boundaries, often leading to outcomes where both parties feel heard and satisfied, hence a win-win situation.

Question 10

The statement, 'Your submission contained many errors that will need to be rectified before we can consider it' is an example of using the active voice.

Accepted Answer

This statement is in active voice because the subject "Your submission" is performing the action "contained many errors" and the object "we" is receiving the action of needing the errors to be rectified. In passive voice, the sentence would be rewritten as "Many errors were contained in your submission that will need to be rectified before it can be considered by us."

Quiz 6: Building a Strong Communication Foundation