BUS 210, Saylor Academy 2025 Exam Questions and
Answers
Your text discusses the findings of a survey measuring the qualities and skills
employers seek. According to this survey, conducted by the National Association of
Colleges and Employers, communication skills are extremely important. Which of the
following communication skills appeared in the top five most desired skills potential
employers seek?
Select one:
a. Listening skills (can recall details of directions)
b. Teamwork skills (works well with others, group communication)
c. Predictive skills (can anticipate developments based on experience and research)
d. Interpersonal relationship skills (can manage superior-subordinate communication
with ease) - ANS-b. Teamwork skills (works well with others, group communication)
You will be attending a seminar given by a well-known motivational speaker. You have
heard that these sessions are lively and interactive, and you expect that the other
attendees will be anticipating this as well. Which of the following components of
communication does this describe?
Select one:
a. Context
b. Environment
c. Feedback
d. Message - ANS-a. Context
You are new to a job, and your supervisor calls a meeting for 9AM. You show up at her
office at 9:30 and find that everyone else is already involved in the meeting. Afterwards,
you are chastised for being late, however, you don't understand why this is a problem or
issue. Which of the following communication contexts addresses this variation in time
perception?
Select one:
a. Group communication X
b. Interpersonal communication
c. Intrapersonal communication
d. Mass communication - ANS-b. Interpersonal communication
involves the setting, scene, and expectations of the individuals involved - ANS-context
anything that blocks or changes the source's intended meaning of the message - ANS-
Interference
negotiated meaning, or common ground, when trying to describe communication - ANS-
constructivist model
,with actions often happening at the same time. The distinction between source and
receiver is blurred in conversational turn-taking, for example, where both participants
play both roles simultaneously. - ANS-Transactional Model
In the transactional process of communication, the distinction between source and
receiver can be blurred during conversation. Why is this so?
Select one:
a. Both participants play roles at the same time
b. Both parties may be speaking at the same time
c. Both parties create their own interpretations of the message
d. The transactional process is not an effective means of communication - ANS-a. Both
participants play roles at the same time
While making a presentation, under what circumstance might you disregard the time
allotment for your speech and fill time with general or social comments?
Select one:
a. When there is no specific structure for your presentation
b. When you are addressing people from a different culture
c. When you have not taken the time to rehearse your presentation
d. When you have more to present than what will fit into the time slot - ANS-b. When
you are addressing people from a different culture
Many research studies have shown that nonverbal communication is four times as
powerful as using words. However, these results have come under scrutiny as being
inaccurate. What is one of the likely reasons for such high numbers?
Select one:
a. The results are a function of bias in the research methods.
b. People only perceive nonverbal communication to be more powerful than words, but
not in practice.
c. Participants in the studies answer this way because they are guessing at what the
researchers want them to answer.
d. People don't make distinctions between the context of how messages are delivered
and don't recognize the impact of nonverbal communication. X - ANS-b. People only
perceive nonverbal communication to be more powerful than words, but not in practice.
Which of the following are elements in the semantic triangle of language and
perception?
Select one:
a. Symbol, thing, word
b. Word, thought, thing
c. Word, symbol, thought
d. Thought, symbol, thing - ANS-b. Word, thought, thing
Verbal communication is governed by five key principles. Which of the following
principles is represented by the sentence "a car is a mode of transportation"?
Select one:
,a. Language is abstract.
b. Language is arbitrary.
c. Language is symbolic.
d. Language shapes reality. - ANS-a. Language is abstract
The wording in a meeting notice for the Finnish branch of a company follows strict rules
of language, while the notice for the same meeting in the American branch is written in
a more flexible way. Which of the following rules of language does this different
represent?
Select one:
a. Contextual
b. Paradigms X
c. Semantics
d. Syntax - ANS-d. Syntax
A local government body has plans to raise taxes and is planning to put the issue to
vote at the next election. The wording of the legislation states that the township would
like residents to vote in favor of a lifestyle improvement for the community in an attempt
to disguise the true purpose of the bill. Which of the following forms of language does
this represent?
Select one:
a. Doublespeak
b. Euphemism
c. Jargon
d. Scope creep - ANS-a. Doublespeak
language that deliberately obscures, disguises, distorts, or reverses the meaning of
words - ANS-Doublespeak
During Susan's presentation, she will be discussing the sales levels for her division's 3
different products for the past 12 months. She would like to show these sales levels at
each monthly time interval. Which of the following visuals aids would be the best choice
for illustrating this information?
Select one:
a. Bar chart
b. Diagram
c. Line graph
d. Pie chart - ANS-a. Bar chart
In a 2010 speech, President Barack Obama said:
"You live in a century where the speed with which jobs and industries move across the
globe is forcing America to compete like never before. You will raise your children at a
time when threats like terrorism and climate change aren't confined within the borders of
any one country. And as our world grows smaller and more connected, you will live and
, work with more people who don't look like you or think like you or come from where you
do."
What parts of this passage demonstrate how the President used a consistent approach
that was tailored to his audience?
Select one:
a. America...threats...don't look like you
b. In a century...at a time...with more people
c. You live...You will raise...You will live and work
d. The globe...the borders...or come from where you do - ANS-c. You live...You will
raise...You will live and work
After a recent presentation, you asked for feedback and comments about your material
and how you were received by your audience. You want to know whether the audience
found you engaging, and whether or not they liked you. Which of the following elements
does this represent?
Select one:
a. Self-image
b. Self esteem
c. Self awareness
d. Looking-glass self X - ANS-a. Self-image
Your supervisor has given you a new assignment that will have high visibility in the
company. She tells you that she anticipates that you will do a good job on this project,
and her body language is relaxed and confident. Which of the following expectations
about your performance does her behavior illustrate?
Select one:
a. Self image
b. Self-esteem
c. Looking-glass self
d. Self-fulfilling prophecy - ANS-d. Self-fulfilling prophecy
All employees at your organization are required to participate in a certain training
module each year. You have participated in this workshop several times, and the
presentation has not changed much from year to year. As a result, you tune out the
speaker several times during the presentation. Which of the following does your
behavior represent?
Select one:
a. Selective attention
b. Selective exposure
c. Selective response
d. Selective retention - ANS-d. Selective retention
Answers
Your text discusses the findings of a survey measuring the qualities and skills
employers seek. According to this survey, conducted by the National Association of
Colleges and Employers, communication skills are extremely important. Which of the
following communication skills appeared in the top five most desired skills potential
employers seek?
Select one:
a. Listening skills (can recall details of directions)
b. Teamwork skills (works well with others, group communication)
c. Predictive skills (can anticipate developments based on experience and research)
d. Interpersonal relationship skills (can manage superior-subordinate communication
with ease) - ANS-b. Teamwork skills (works well with others, group communication)
You will be attending a seminar given by a well-known motivational speaker. You have
heard that these sessions are lively and interactive, and you expect that the other
attendees will be anticipating this as well. Which of the following components of
communication does this describe?
Select one:
a. Context
b. Environment
c. Feedback
d. Message - ANS-a. Context
You are new to a job, and your supervisor calls a meeting for 9AM. You show up at her
office at 9:30 and find that everyone else is already involved in the meeting. Afterwards,
you are chastised for being late, however, you don't understand why this is a problem or
issue. Which of the following communication contexts addresses this variation in time
perception?
Select one:
a. Group communication X
b. Interpersonal communication
c. Intrapersonal communication
d. Mass communication - ANS-b. Interpersonal communication
involves the setting, scene, and expectations of the individuals involved - ANS-context
anything that blocks or changes the source's intended meaning of the message - ANS-
Interference
negotiated meaning, or common ground, when trying to describe communication - ANS-
constructivist model
,with actions often happening at the same time. The distinction between source and
receiver is blurred in conversational turn-taking, for example, where both participants
play both roles simultaneously. - ANS-Transactional Model
In the transactional process of communication, the distinction between source and
receiver can be blurred during conversation. Why is this so?
Select one:
a. Both participants play roles at the same time
b. Both parties may be speaking at the same time
c. Both parties create their own interpretations of the message
d. The transactional process is not an effective means of communication - ANS-a. Both
participants play roles at the same time
While making a presentation, under what circumstance might you disregard the time
allotment for your speech and fill time with general or social comments?
Select one:
a. When there is no specific structure for your presentation
b. When you are addressing people from a different culture
c. When you have not taken the time to rehearse your presentation
d. When you have more to present than what will fit into the time slot - ANS-b. When
you are addressing people from a different culture
Many research studies have shown that nonverbal communication is four times as
powerful as using words. However, these results have come under scrutiny as being
inaccurate. What is one of the likely reasons for such high numbers?
Select one:
a. The results are a function of bias in the research methods.
b. People only perceive nonverbal communication to be more powerful than words, but
not in practice.
c. Participants in the studies answer this way because they are guessing at what the
researchers want them to answer.
d. People don't make distinctions between the context of how messages are delivered
and don't recognize the impact of nonverbal communication. X - ANS-b. People only
perceive nonverbal communication to be more powerful than words, but not in practice.
Which of the following are elements in the semantic triangle of language and
perception?
Select one:
a. Symbol, thing, word
b. Word, thought, thing
c. Word, symbol, thought
d. Thought, symbol, thing - ANS-b. Word, thought, thing
Verbal communication is governed by five key principles. Which of the following
principles is represented by the sentence "a car is a mode of transportation"?
Select one:
,a. Language is abstract.
b. Language is arbitrary.
c. Language is symbolic.
d. Language shapes reality. - ANS-a. Language is abstract
The wording in a meeting notice for the Finnish branch of a company follows strict rules
of language, while the notice for the same meeting in the American branch is written in
a more flexible way. Which of the following rules of language does this different
represent?
Select one:
a. Contextual
b. Paradigms X
c. Semantics
d. Syntax - ANS-d. Syntax
A local government body has plans to raise taxes and is planning to put the issue to
vote at the next election. The wording of the legislation states that the township would
like residents to vote in favor of a lifestyle improvement for the community in an attempt
to disguise the true purpose of the bill. Which of the following forms of language does
this represent?
Select one:
a. Doublespeak
b. Euphemism
c. Jargon
d. Scope creep - ANS-a. Doublespeak
language that deliberately obscures, disguises, distorts, or reverses the meaning of
words - ANS-Doublespeak
During Susan's presentation, she will be discussing the sales levels for her division's 3
different products for the past 12 months. She would like to show these sales levels at
each monthly time interval. Which of the following visuals aids would be the best choice
for illustrating this information?
Select one:
a. Bar chart
b. Diagram
c. Line graph
d. Pie chart - ANS-a. Bar chart
In a 2010 speech, President Barack Obama said:
"You live in a century where the speed with which jobs and industries move across the
globe is forcing America to compete like never before. You will raise your children at a
time when threats like terrorism and climate change aren't confined within the borders of
any one country. And as our world grows smaller and more connected, you will live and
, work with more people who don't look like you or think like you or come from where you
do."
What parts of this passage demonstrate how the President used a consistent approach
that was tailored to his audience?
Select one:
a. America...threats...don't look like you
b. In a century...at a time...with more people
c. You live...You will raise...You will live and work
d. The globe...the borders...or come from where you do - ANS-c. You live...You will
raise...You will live and work
After a recent presentation, you asked for feedback and comments about your material
and how you were received by your audience. You want to know whether the audience
found you engaging, and whether or not they liked you. Which of the following elements
does this represent?
Select one:
a. Self-image
b. Self esteem
c. Self awareness
d. Looking-glass self X - ANS-a. Self-image
Your supervisor has given you a new assignment that will have high visibility in the
company. She tells you that she anticipates that you will do a good job on this project,
and her body language is relaxed and confident. Which of the following expectations
about your performance does her behavior illustrate?
Select one:
a. Self image
b. Self-esteem
c. Looking-glass self
d. Self-fulfilling prophecy - ANS-d. Self-fulfilling prophecy
All employees at your organization are required to participate in a certain training
module each year. You have participated in this workshop several times, and the
presentation has not changed much from year to year. As a result, you tune out the
speaker several times during the presentation. Which of the following does your
behavior represent?
Select one:
a. Selective attention
b. Selective exposure
c. Selective response
d. Selective retention - ANS-d. Selective retention
