Page 1 of 32
COMM120 COMMUNICATION THEORY PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
COMMUNICATION
Prepare for the COMM120 Communication Theory Practice Exam with this focused
study resource designed to reinforce essential communication theories, concepts,
and principles. Use it to review important course material, strengthen your
understanding of communication processes, and identify areas that may require
additional study. This resource provides a structured supplement to your coursework
and can help improve your exam readiness. It is a convenient tool for organizing your
review and approaching the COMM120 assessment with greater confidence.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Module 1: Foundations of Communication & Models (Questions 1–20)
1. Which definition best reflects communication as a process of creating
shared meaning?
A. Sending information from one person to another
B. Using symbols to create and interpret meaning
C. Speaking clearly and correctly
D. Writing messages with proper grammar
Answer: B
Rationale: Communication involves using symbols to create, exchange,
and interpret meaning. It is not merely sending information or using
correct grammar.
2. The Shannon–Weaver model is often described as which type of model?
A. Transactional
B. Interactive
C. Linear
D. Cultural
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Answer: C
Rationale: The Shannon–Weaver model is a linear, one-way transmission
model focused on sender, message, channel, receiver, and noise.
3. What is the main limitation of the linear model of communication?
A. It ignores feedback and simultaneous interaction
B. It focuses too much on culture
C. It emphasizes shared meaning too strongly
D. It only applies to mass media
Answer: A
Rationale: The linear model treats communication as one-way and does
not fully account for feedback or simultaneous meaning-making.
4. Which model added feedback to show that communication is two-way?
A. Linear model
B. Interactive model
C. Transactional model
D. Ritual model
Answer: B
Rationale: The interactive model introduces feedback, showing that
receivers respond and communication can go back and forth.
5. The transactional model emphasizes that communication is:
A. One-way and intentional only
B. Simultaneous and constitutive of relationships
C. Only verbal
D. Always face-to-face
Answer: B
Rationale: The transactional model views communication as
simultaneous, relational, and meaning-making; people create shared
meaning together.
6. Lasswell’s model asks: “Who says what, in which channel, to whom,
with what effect?” This model focuses on:
A. Interpersonal intimacy
B. Mass communication and effects
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C. Nonverbal cues only
D. Organizational culture
Answer: B
Rationale: Lasswell’s model is often used to analyze mass
communication: source, message, channel, audience, and effect.
7. In Berlo’s SMCR model, what does the “M” stand for?
A. Meaning
B. Message
C. Medium
D. Motivation
Answer: B
Rationale: SMCR stands for Source, Message, Channel, and Receiver.
8. Encoding refers to:
A. Interpreting a message
B. Converting thoughts or ideas into symbols
C. Sending noise
D. Providing feedback
Answer: B
Rationale: Encoding is the process of putting thoughts, ideas, or feelings
into symbolic form, such as words or gestures.
9. Decoding refers to:
A. Creating a message
B. Interpreting or making sense of a message
C. Selecting a channel
D. Eliminating noise
Answer: B
Rationale: Decoding is the receiver’s process of interpreting and
assigning meaning to a message.
10. A loud truck outside a classroom makes it hard to hear the instructor.
This is an example of:
A. Semantic noise
, Page 4 of 32
B. Physical noise
C. Psychological noise
D. Physiological noise
Answer: B
Rationale: Physical noise is external environmental interference that
prevents clear message reception.
11. Jargon and ambiguous wording that confuse the receiver are examples
of:
A. Physical noise
B. Semantic noise
C. Channel noise
D. Feedback
Answer: B
Rationale: Semantic noise occurs when meaning is unclear because of
language, jargon, or ambiguous symbols.
12. Anxiety or preoccupation that distracts someone from listening is:
A. Semantic noise
B. Physical noise
C. Psychological noise
D. Cultural noise
Answer: C
Rationale: Psychological noise includes internal distractions such as
stress, anxiety, or preoccupation.
13. The channel in communication is:
A. The response to a message
B. The means by which a message travels
C. The meaning of a message
D. The context of interaction
Answer: B
Rationale: The channel is the pathway or medium through which a
message is transmitted, such as speech, text, or video.
COMM120 COMMUNICATION THEORY PRACTICE EXAM
2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
COMMUNICATION
Prepare for the COMM120 Communication Theory Practice Exam with this focused
study resource designed to reinforce essential communication theories, concepts,
and principles. Use it to review important course material, strengthen your
understanding of communication processes, and identify areas that may require
additional study. This resource provides a structured supplement to your coursework
and can help improve your exam readiness. It is a convenient tool for organizing your
review and approaching the COMM120 assessment with greater confidence.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Module 1: Foundations of Communication & Models (Questions 1–20)
1. Which definition best reflects communication as a process of creating
shared meaning?
A. Sending information from one person to another
B. Using symbols to create and interpret meaning
C. Speaking clearly and correctly
D. Writing messages with proper grammar
Answer: B
Rationale: Communication involves using symbols to create, exchange,
and interpret meaning. It is not merely sending information or using
correct grammar.
2. The Shannon–Weaver model is often described as which type of model?
A. Transactional
B. Interactive
C. Linear
D. Cultural
, Page 2 of 32
Answer: C
Rationale: The Shannon–Weaver model is a linear, one-way transmission
model focused on sender, message, channel, receiver, and noise.
3. What is the main limitation of the linear model of communication?
A. It ignores feedback and simultaneous interaction
B. It focuses too much on culture
C. It emphasizes shared meaning too strongly
D. It only applies to mass media
Answer: A
Rationale: The linear model treats communication as one-way and does
not fully account for feedback or simultaneous meaning-making.
4. Which model added feedback to show that communication is two-way?
A. Linear model
B. Interactive model
C. Transactional model
D. Ritual model
Answer: B
Rationale: The interactive model introduces feedback, showing that
receivers respond and communication can go back and forth.
5. The transactional model emphasizes that communication is:
A. One-way and intentional only
B. Simultaneous and constitutive of relationships
C. Only verbal
D. Always face-to-face
Answer: B
Rationale: The transactional model views communication as
simultaneous, relational, and meaning-making; people create shared
meaning together.
6. Lasswell’s model asks: “Who says what, in which channel, to whom,
with what effect?” This model focuses on:
A. Interpersonal intimacy
B. Mass communication and effects
, Page 3 of 32
C. Nonverbal cues only
D. Organizational culture
Answer: B
Rationale: Lasswell’s model is often used to analyze mass
communication: source, message, channel, audience, and effect.
7. In Berlo’s SMCR model, what does the “M” stand for?
A. Meaning
B. Message
C. Medium
D. Motivation
Answer: B
Rationale: SMCR stands for Source, Message, Channel, and Receiver.
8. Encoding refers to:
A. Interpreting a message
B. Converting thoughts or ideas into symbols
C. Sending noise
D. Providing feedback
Answer: B
Rationale: Encoding is the process of putting thoughts, ideas, or feelings
into symbolic form, such as words or gestures.
9. Decoding refers to:
A. Creating a message
B. Interpreting or making sense of a message
C. Selecting a channel
D. Eliminating noise
Answer: B
Rationale: Decoding is the receiver’s process of interpreting and
assigning meaning to a message.
10. A loud truck outside a classroom makes it hard to hear the instructor.
This is an example of:
A. Semantic noise
, Page 4 of 32
B. Physical noise
C. Psychological noise
D. Physiological noise
Answer: B
Rationale: Physical noise is external environmental interference that
prevents clear message reception.
11. Jargon and ambiguous wording that confuse the receiver are examples
of:
A. Physical noise
B. Semantic noise
C. Channel noise
D. Feedback
Answer: B
Rationale: Semantic noise occurs when meaning is unclear because of
language, jargon, or ambiguous symbols.
12. Anxiety or preoccupation that distracts someone from listening is:
A. Semantic noise
B. Physical noise
C. Psychological noise
D. Cultural noise
Answer: C
Rationale: Psychological noise includes internal distractions such as
stress, anxiety, or preoccupation.
13. The channel in communication is:
A. The response to a message
B. The means by which a message travels
C. The meaning of a message
D. The context of interaction
Answer: B
Rationale: The channel is the pathway or medium through which a
message is transmitted, such as speech, text, or video.
