Question 1

Effective communicators look for meaning in the words they hear, rather than looking for meaning in the people who use those words.

Accepted Answer

Effective communicators understand that meaning is often influenced by the context and the person using the words, not just the words themselves.

Question 2

The Oxford International Dictionary Online identified three new words in 2013: selfie, jorts, and twerk.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Oxford International Dictionary Online identified three...

Question 3

In terms of studying verbal communication, what is the difference between a sign and a symbol? Demonstrate your understanding of these two concepts by providing a definition of each term as well as examples to illustrate your explanation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In terms of studying verbal communication, what...

Question 4

Oral language uses shorter, familiar words as well as shorter, simple sentences.

Accepted Answer

Oral language tends to use shorter, familiar words and shorter sentences to ensure clarity and ease of understanding for the listener.

Question 5

Slang helps language change and renew itself.

Accepted Answer

Slang is an informal way of communication that involves using the language in a new and creative way. As new words enter into the slang lexicon, they can eventually become a part of everyday language, renewing and changing the language over time. Slang allows for the evolution of language and reflects the social and cultural changes of a community.

Question 6

"The Olympic ice hockey game was won by the women's team from Canada" is an example of a sentence using the active voice.

Accepted Answer

The answer of "The Olympic ice hockey game was won...

Question 7

Bypassing uses words that reinforce stereotypes, belittle other people, or exclude others from understanding an in-group's message.

Accepted Answer

Bypassing refers to a communication problem where the same words mean different things to different people, leading to misunderstandings, rather than intentionally using words to reinforce stereotypes, belittle, or exclude others.

Question 8

Swearing and cursing are universal behaviors in all cultures.

Accepted Answer

Swearing and cursing are indeed universal behaviors in all cultures. While the specific words and phrases used may vary, the act of using language to express strong emotions such as anger, frustration, or surprise is a common human behavior.

Question 9

Draw Ogden's and Richard's Triangle of Meaning. Demonstrate your understanding of this phenomenon by defining each part of the triangle and explaining how it works with word examples.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Draw Ogden's and Richard's Triangle of Meaning....

Question 10

The use of jargon is counterproductive and annoying in the workplace and in professional communication.

Accepted Answer

Jargon can be useful in professional communication as it allows for precise and efficient communication among experts in the same field. However, it can be counterproductive and annoying if used inappropriately or with audiences unfamiliar with the terminology.

Question 11

Explain the following statement: "Words do not have meanings; people have meanings for words." Provide examples to demonstrate your understanding of this statement.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the following statement: "Words do not...

Question 12

Exclusionary language uses words that reinforce stereotypes, belittle other people, or exclude others from understanding an in-group's message.

Accepted Answer

Exclusionary language is language that excludes or belittles certain groups of people, reinforcing stereotypes and excluding them from understanding the message being conveyed.

Question 13

When you use You language, you take responsibility for your own feelings and actions.

Accepted Answer

When you use You language, you are placing responsibility on the listener for your feelings and actions, rather than taking ownership of them yourself. Using I language, such as "I feel" or "I would like", is a more effective way to communicate and take responsibility for your own thoughts and feelings.

Question 14

When interacting with others in interpersonal and group contexts, say what you mean by speaking the way you talk, not the way you write.

Accepted Answer

When communicating in interpersonal and group settings, it is important to use natural language and speak the way you normally do, rather than using overly formal language akin to writing. This helps to facilitate clear and effective communication that is easily understood by all parties involved.

Question 15

Your ability to use grammar correctly does not make a public statement about your education, social class, and intelligence.

Accepted Answer

Correct grammar usage often influences perceptions of a speaker's or writer's education, social class, and intelligence, as it is commonly associated with formal education and social status.

Question 16

Explain why using language incorrectly may derail your career.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain why using language incorrectly may derail...

Question 17

Even though oral language uses shorter words and sentences, it avoids contractions and colloquial expressions.

Accepted Answer

This statement is not entirely true. Oral language often uses contractions and colloquial expressions, which are informal and conversational in nature. However, formal oral language such as speeches and presentations may avoid contractions and colloquial expressions to convey a more professional tone.

Question 18

One study reported that 91 percent of respondents ranked foul language as "the most ill-mannered type of workplace behavior."

Accepted Answer

The statement presented in the question is true, according to a study which reported that 91 percent of respondents ranked foul language as the most ill-mannered type of workplace behavior.

Question 19

One way to avoid gobbledygook is to avoid writing sentences with more than 10 words.

Accepted Answer

The number of words in a sentence does not necessarily determine if it is gobbledygook or not. It is more important to use clear and concise language to convey a message effectively.

Question 20

When people say that someone has "passed away," they are using a euphemism that substitutes for "died."

Accepted Answer

"Passed away" is a commonly used euphemism for "died."

Quiz 5: Verbal Communication