COM 101 GRADED EXAM 3
,Introduction to Communication — StraighterLine
Original 2026 Exam-Style Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales
Questions 1–20: Interpersonal Communication & Relationships
Question 1
The degree to which you sense that another person could become a potential relationship
partner is best described as:
A. Interpersonal attraction
B. Physical noise
C. Audience analysis
D. Self-disclosure
Answer: A. Interpersonal attraction
Rationale: Interpersonal attraction refers to positive feelings or interest that can contribute to
the development of an interpersonal relationship.
Question 2
Which factor can contribute to interpersonal attraction?
A. Complete avoidance of interaction
B. Similarity between individuals
C. Absence of communication
D. Deliberate misunderstanding
Answer: B. Similarity between individuals
Rationale: Perceived similarities in interests, attitudes, values, or experiences can contribute to
attraction and relationship development.
Question 3
A person becomes more comfortable with another person after repeatedly interacting with
them. Which concept is most relevant?
A. Repeated exposure
B. Physical noise
,C. Chronemics
D. Semantic noise
Answer: A. Repeated exposure
Rationale: Repeated exposure can increase familiarity and may contribute to positive feelings
toward another person.
Question 4
Which behavior is an example of self-disclosure?
A. Revealing a personal experience to a trusted friend
B. Ignoring someone's question
C. Changing the communication channel
D. Avoiding all personal information
Answer: A. Revealing a personal experience to a trusted friend
Rationale: Self-disclosure involves voluntarily sharing personal information with another
person.
Question 5
Which statement about self-disclosure is most accurate?
A. More disclosure is always better
B. Appropriate disclosure can contribute to relationship development
C. Disclosure should occur immediately with everyone
D. Disclosure eliminates the need for trust
Answer: B. Appropriate disclosure can contribute to relationship development
Rationale: Appropriate self-disclosure can build intimacy and trust, but the amount and type of
disclosure should fit the relationship and context.
Question 6
A person shares increasingly personal information as trust develops. This illustrates:
, A. Gradual relationship development
B. Physical noise
C. Mass communication
D. Audience segmentation
Answer: A. Gradual relationship development
Rationale: Relationships often develop progressively as individuals become more familiar and
comfortable with one another.
Question 7
Which behavior is most likely to build interpersonal trust?
A. Consistently misleading others
B. Demonstrating reliability and honesty
C. Ignoring commitments
D. Revealing private information without permission
Answer: B. Demonstrating reliability and honesty
Rationale: Trust is supported by behaviors such as reliability, honesty, respect, and appropriate
confidentiality.
Question 8
Which statement best describes interpersonal communication?
A. Communication occurring only through mass media
B. Communication in which people interact and influence one another
C. Communication without feedback
D. Communication occurring only within one's mind
Answer: B. Communication in which people interact and influence one another
Rationale: Interpersonal communication involves interaction between people and can influence
thoughts, feelings, relationships, and behavior.
Question 9
,Introduction to Communication — StraighterLine
Original 2026 Exam-Style Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales
Questions 1–20: Interpersonal Communication & Relationships
Question 1
The degree to which you sense that another person could become a potential relationship
partner is best described as:
A. Interpersonal attraction
B. Physical noise
C. Audience analysis
D. Self-disclosure
Answer: A. Interpersonal attraction
Rationale: Interpersonal attraction refers to positive feelings or interest that can contribute to
the development of an interpersonal relationship.
Question 2
Which factor can contribute to interpersonal attraction?
A. Complete avoidance of interaction
B. Similarity between individuals
C. Absence of communication
D. Deliberate misunderstanding
Answer: B. Similarity between individuals
Rationale: Perceived similarities in interests, attitudes, values, or experiences can contribute to
attraction and relationship development.
Question 3
A person becomes more comfortable with another person after repeatedly interacting with
them. Which concept is most relevant?
A. Repeated exposure
B. Physical noise
,C. Chronemics
D. Semantic noise
Answer: A. Repeated exposure
Rationale: Repeated exposure can increase familiarity and may contribute to positive feelings
toward another person.
Question 4
Which behavior is an example of self-disclosure?
A. Revealing a personal experience to a trusted friend
B. Ignoring someone's question
C. Changing the communication channel
D. Avoiding all personal information
Answer: A. Revealing a personal experience to a trusted friend
Rationale: Self-disclosure involves voluntarily sharing personal information with another
person.
Question 5
Which statement about self-disclosure is most accurate?
A. More disclosure is always better
B. Appropriate disclosure can contribute to relationship development
C. Disclosure should occur immediately with everyone
D. Disclosure eliminates the need for trust
Answer: B. Appropriate disclosure can contribute to relationship development
Rationale: Appropriate self-disclosure can build intimacy and trust, but the amount and type of
disclosure should fit the relationship and context.
Question 6
A person shares increasingly personal information as trust develops. This illustrates:
, A. Gradual relationship development
B. Physical noise
C. Mass communication
D. Audience segmentation
Answer: A. Gradual relationship development
Rationale: Relationships often develop progressively as individuals become more familiar and
comfortable with one another.
Question 7
Which behavior is most likely to build interpersonal trust?
A. Consistently misleading others
B. Demonstrating reliability and honesty
C. Ignoring commitments
D. Revealing private information without permission
Answer: B. Demonstrating reliability and honesty
Rationale: Trust is supported by behaviors such as reliability, honesty, respect, and appropriate
confidentiality.
Question 8
Which statement best describes interpersonal communication?
A. Communication occurring only through mass media
B. Communication in which people interact and influence one another
C. Communication without feedback
D. Communication occurring only within one's mind
Answer: B. Communication in which people interact and influence one another
Rationale: Interpersonal communication involves interaction between people and can influence
thoughts, feelings, relationships, and behavior.
Question 9
