Page 1 of 33
COMM120 COMPREHENSIVE FINAL ASSESSMENT EXAM
PRACTICE 2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
COMM
Prepare for the COMM120 Comprehensive Final Assessment with this focused
practice resource designed to reinforce key communication concepts and course
material. Use it to review important topics, strengthen your understanding, and
identify areas that may require additional study. This resource provides a structured
supplement to your coursework and can help improve your overall exam readiness. It
is a convenient tool for organizing your review and approaching the comprehensive
final assessment with greater confidence.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Foundations of Communication
1. Which model of communication describes communication as a one-
way process where a sender transmits a message to a receiver?
A. Transactional model
B. Interactional model
C. Linear model
D. Constructivist model
Answer: C
Rationale: The linear model views communication as a one-way
transmission from sender to receiver, often including noise.
2. In the transactional model of communication, communicators are best
described as:
A. Senders only
B. Receivers only
C. Simultaneously senders and receivers
D. Passive observers
, Page 2 of 33
Answer: C
Rationale: The transactional model emphasizes that communication is
simultaneous and mutual; people are simultaneously sending and
receiving messages.
3. Which of the following is an example of physiological noise?
A. A loud television
B. A headache
C. Daydreaming
D. Confusing jargon
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiological noise refers to bodily conditions such as illness,
fatigue, or pain that interfere with communication.
4. Which of the following is an example of psychological noise?
A. Poor telephone connection
B. Preoccupation with a personal problem
C. A hearing impairment
D. A noisy room
Answer: B
Rationale: Psychological noise includes internal distractions such as
worry, stress, or preoccupation.
5. The response of a receiver to a sender’s message is called:
A. Encoding
B. Decoding
C. Feedback
D. Channel
Answer: C
Rationale: Feedback is the receiver’s verbal or nonverbal response to the
sender’s message.
6. The means by which a message is transmitted is called the:
A. Channel
B. Context
, Page 3 of 33
C. Code
D. Cue
Answer: A
Rationale: The channel is the medium through which a message travels,
such as face-to-face speech, text, or email.
7. Communication competence is best defined as:
A. Speaking without ever making a mistake
B. Communicating in ways that are effective and appropriate for the situation
C. Using sophisticated vocabulary
D. Dominating a conversation
Answer: B
Rationale: Communication competence involves effectiveness and
appropriateness in a given context.
8. Which of the following is a characteristic of ethical communication?
A. Withholding important information
B. Treating people with respect and honesty
C. Manipulating others for personal gain
D. Ignoring cultural differences
Answer: B
Rationale: Ethical communication includes honesty, respect, fairness,
and responsibility.
9. When a sender translates an idea into words or symbols, this process is
called:
A. Decoding
B. Encoding
C. Feedback
D. Channeling
Answer: B
Rationale: Encoding is the process of converting thoughts or ideas into
symbols, such as words or gestures.
, Page 4 of 33
10. When a receiver interprets the meaning of a message, this process is
called:
A. Encoding
B. Decoding
C. Transmitting
D. Filtering
Answer: B
Rationale: Decoding is the process of interpreting or making sense of a
message.
11. Which of the following best describes communication context?
A. The physical and social environment in which communication occurs
B. The dictionary definition of a word
C. The number of people in a group
D. The speaker’s volume
Answer: A
Rationale: Context includes the physical, social, historical, and cultural
environment surrounding communication.
12. Which statement about communication is most accurate?
A. Communication is always intentional.
B. Communication cannot be avoided.
C. Communication is always verbal.
D. Communication is always effective.
Answer: B
Rationale: One cannot not communicate; even silence or avoiding
interaction sends a message.
Section 2: Perception, Self, and Culture
13. The three stages of perception are:
A. Selection, organization, and interpretation
B. Encoding, decoding, and feedback
COMM120 COMPREHENSIVE FINAL ASSESSMENT EXAM
PRACTICE 2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
COMM
Prepare for the COMM120 Comprehensive Final Assessment with this focused
practice resource designed to reinforce key communication concepts and course
material. Use it to review important topics, strengthen your understanding, and
identify areas that may require additional study. This resource provides a structured
supplement to your coursework and can help improve your overall exam readiness. It
is a convenient tool for organizing your review and approaching the comprehensive
final assessment with greater confidence.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Foundations of Communication
1. Which model of communication describes communication as a one-
way process where a sender transmits a message to a receiver?
A. Transactional model
B. Interactional model
C. Linear model
D. Constructivist model
Answer: C
Rationale: The linear model views communication as a one-way
transmission from sender to receiver, often including noise.
2. In the transactional model of communication, communicators are best
described as:
A. Senders only
B. Receivers only
C. Simultaneously senders and receivers
D. Passive observers
, Page 2 of 33
Answer: C
Rationale: The transactional model emphasizes that communication is
simultaneous and mutual; people are simultaneously sending and
receiving messages.
3. Which of the following is an example of physiological noise?
A. A loud television
B. A headache
C. Daydreaming
D. Confusing jargon
Answer: B
Rationale: Physiological noise refers to bodily conditions such as illness,
fatigue, or pain that interfere with communication.
4. Which of the following is an example of psychological noise?
A. Poor telephone connection
B. Preoccupation with a personal problem
C. A hearing impairment
D. A noisy room
Answer: B
Rationale: Psychological noise includes internal distractions such as
worry, stress, or preoccupation.
5. The response of a receiver to a sender’s message is called:
A. Encoding
B. Decoding
C. Feedback
D. Channel
Answer: C
Rationale: Feedback is the receiver’s verbal or nonverbal response to the
sender’s message.
6. The means by which a message is transmitted is called the:
A. Channel
B. Context
, Page 3 of 33
C. Code
D. Cue
Answer: A
Rationale: The channel is the medium through which a message travels,
such as face-to-face speech, text, or email.
7. Communication competence is best defined as:
A. Speaking without ever making a mistake
B. Communicating in ways that are effective and appropriate for the situation
C. Using sophisticated vocabulary
D. Dominating a conversation
Answer: B
Rationale: Communication competence involves effectiveness and
appropriateness in a given context.
8. Which of the following is a characteristic of ethical communication?
A. Withholding important information
B. Treating people with respect and honesty
C. Manipulating others for personal gain
D. Ignoring cultural differences
Answer: B
Rationale: Ethical communication includes honesty, respect, fairness,
and responsibility.
9. When a sender translates an idea into words or symbols, this process is
called:
A. Decoding
B. Encoding
C. Feedback
D. Channeling
Answer: B
Rationale: Encoding is the process of converting thoughts or ideas into
symbols, such as words or gestures.
, Page 4 of 33
10. When a receiver interprets the meaning of a message, this process is
called:
A. Encoding
B. Decoding
C. Transmitting
D. Filtering
Answer: B
Rationale: Decoding is the process of interpreting or making sense of a
message.
11. Which of the following best describes communication context?
A. The physical and social environment in which communication occurs
B. The dictionary definition of a word
C. The number of people in a group
D. The speaker’s volume
Answer: A
Rationale: Context includes the physical, social, historical, and cultural
environment surrounding communication.
12. Which statement about communication is most accurate?
A. Communication is always intentional.
B. Communication cannot be avoided.
C. Communication is always verbal.
D. Communication is always effective.
Answer: B
Rationale: One cannot not communicate; even silence or avoiding
interaction sends a message.
Section 2: Perception, Self, and Culture
13. The three stages of perception are:
A. Selection, organization, and interpretation
B. Encoding, decoding, and feedback
