Business Communication: Polishing Your Professional Presence, 4e (Shwom/Snyder)
Chapter 1 Developing Your Professional Presence
1) Which of the following is a complex process of encoding and decoding information, ideas,
and feelings?
A) Confidence ANSWERS INCLUDED
B) Communication
C) Professional presence ALL CHAPTERS
M
D) Transmission model
E) Feedback
E
Answer: B
Explanation: In its most basic form, communication is a complex process of encoding and
D
decoding messages (information, ideas, and feelings).
Diff: 1
C
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
O
2) Which communication model focuses on a single communication exchange in a linear path
N
from a sender to a receiver?
A) Transmission
N
B) Physiological
C) Language
O
D) Transaction
E) Relational
Answer: A
I
Explanation: The transmission model focuses on a single communication exchange and portrays
S
communication as the linear transmission of a message from a sender to a receiver.
Diff: 2
S
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
E
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
U
3) Putting ideas into words, images, or actions takes place during which step in the
communication process?
R
A) Medium determination
B) Transmission
C) Encoding
D) Decoding
E) Interaction
Answer: C
Explanation: A sender has an intention, selects a medium of communication, encodes that
intention into words, images, or actions; and sends the message through that medium.
Diff: 2
Question Category: Synthesis
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
1
,4) What are the external circumstances that influence communication referred to?
A) Interaction model
B) Feedback
C) Semantic barriers
D) Context
E) Language barriers
Answer: D
Explanation: The concept of context is the external circumstances and forces that influence
M
communication.
Diff: 2
E
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Reflective thinking
D
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
5) Issues such as the distance between communicators and the noise in a room are aspects of
C
what type of context?
A) Language
O
B) Semantic
C) Physiological
D) Psychological
E) Physical
N
N
Answer: E
Explanation: Physical context is the context in which the communication takes place, including
the physical distance between communicators as well as what's going on around you, such as a
O
noisy room or someone whispering.
Diff: 1
I
Question Category: Application of knowledge
S
AACSB: Application of knowledge
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
S
6) Language that is difficult to understand or is ambiguous is indicative of what type of barrier?
E
A) Semantic
B) Feedback
U
C) Physical
D) Psychological
R
E) Physiological
Answer: A
Explanation: Semantic barriers arise from language that is ambiguous or difficult to understand.
Diff: 1
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
2
,7) Which of the following workplace activities is most likely to be the one in which your
communication skills will be utilized?
A) Calculating whether sales are up this quarter using the latest figures
B) Formulating strategies to manage your new team
C) Persuading your colleagues that your idea will likely lead to increased sales
D) Analyzing the pattern of errors found in your new product
E) Designing algorithms for the to-be-developed software
Answer: C
M
Explanation: None of the other options require communication skills as they are not intended to
be directed toward someone, while persuading colleagues requires talking to them and making
E
them understand what you wish to convey.
Diff: 2
D
Question Category: Application of knowledge
AACSB: Analytical thinking
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
C
8) Which of the following is a disciplined approach to analyzing and evaluating information to
O
guide actions and decisions?
A) Leadership
B) Critical thinking
C) Communication
N
N
D) Professional presence
E) Context
Answer: B
O
Explanation: Critical thinking is a disciplined approach to analyzing, synthesizing, and
evaluating information, which then acts as a guide to actions and decisions.
I
Diff: 2
S
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
S
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
E
9) Which of the following expands the concept of context and is influenced by social and cultural
forces?
U
A) Transaction model
B) Relational context
R
C) Interaction model
D) Psychological model
E) Language
Answer: A
Explanation: The transaction model of communication expands on the concept of context and
recognizes that communication is influenced by a broader set of external forces: social,
relational, and cultural.
Diff: 2
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Application of knowledge
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
3
, 10) During the communication process, which of the following acknowledges that one group's
learned behaviors may be different than those of another group?
A) Relational context
B) Cultural context
C) Social context
D) Psychological context
E) Physical context
Answer: B
M
Explanation: Cultural context acknowledges that one group's set of learned behaviors and norms
may be different from another's.
E
Diff: 2
Question Category: Synthesis
D
AACSB: Analytical thinking
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
C
11) Which of the following concepts helps to explain why communication can fail?
A) Transmission
O
B) Medium
C) Barriers
D) Encoding
E) Interaction
N
N
Answer: C
Explanation: The concept of barriers helps explain why communication often fails. Barriers are
obstacles that get in the way of effective communication and come in many forms.
O
Diff: 2
Question Category: Concept
I
AACSB: Analytical thinking
S
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
S
12) Which communication process portrays communication as a dynamic process?
A) The transaction model
E
B) The relational model
C) The credibility model
U
D) The interaction model
E) The cultural model
R
Answer: D
Explanation: The interaction model of communication portrays communication as a dynamic
process. Messages evolve as senders and receivers communicate in turn and give each other
feedback.
Diff: 2
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
4
Chapter 1 Developing Your Professional Presence
1) Which of the following is a complex process of encoding and decoding information, ideas,
and feelings?
A) Confidence ANSWERS INCLUDED
B) Communication
C) Professional presence ALL CHAPTERS
M
D) Transmission model
E) Feedback
E
Answer: B
Explanation: In its most basic form, communication is a complex process of encoding and
D
decoding messages (information, ideas, and feelings).
Diff: 1
C
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
O
2) Which communication model focuses on a single communication exchange in a linear path
N
from a sender to a receiver?
A) Transmission
N
B) Physiological
C) Language
O
D) Transaction
E) Relational
Answer: A
I
Explanation: The transmission model focuses on a single communication exchange and portrays
S
communication as the linear transmission of a message from a sender to a receiver.
Diff: 2
S
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
E
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
U
3) Putting ideas into words, images, or actions takes place during which step in the
communication process?
R
A) Medium determination
B) Transmission
C) Encoding
D) Decoding
E) Interaction
Answer: C
Explanation: A sender has an intention, selects a medium of communication, encodes that
intention into words, images, or actions; and sends the message through that medium.
Diff: 2
Question Category: Synthesis
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
1
,4) What are the external circumstances that influence communication referred to?
A) Interaction model
B) Feedback
C) Semantic barriers
D) Context
E) Language barriers
Answer: D
Explanation: The concept of context is the external circumstances and forces that influence
M
communication.
Diff: 2
E
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Reflective thinking
D
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
5) Issues such as the distance between communicators and the noise in a room are aspects of
C
what type of context?
A) Language
O
B) Semantic
C) Physiological
D) Psychological
E) Physical
N
N
Answer: E
Explanation: Physical context is the context in which the communication takes place, including
the physical distance between communicators as well as what's going on around you, such as a
O
noisy room or someone whispering.
Diff: 1
I
Question Category: Application of knowledge
S
AACSB: Application of knowledge
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
S
6) Language that is difficult to understand or is ambiguous is indicative of what type of barrier?
E
A) Semantic
B) Feedback
U
C) Physical
D) Psychological
R
E) Physiological
Answer: A
Explanation: Semantic barriers arise from language that is ambiguous or difficult to understand.
Diff: 1
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
2
,7) Which of the following workplace activities is most likely to be the one in which your
communication skills will be utilized?
A) Calculating whether sales are up this quarter using the latest figures
B) Formulating strategies to manage your new team
C) Persuading your colleagues that your idea will likely lead to increased sales
D) Analyzing the pattern of errors found in your new product
E) Designing algorithms for the to-be-developed software
Answer: C
M
Explanation: None of the other options require communication skills as they are not intended to
be directed toward someone, while persuading colleagues requires talking to them and making
E
them understand what you wish to convey.
Diff: 2
D
Question Category: Application of knowledge
AACSB: Analytical thinking
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
C
8) Which of the following is a disciplined approach to analyzing and evaluating information to
O
guide actions and decisions?
A) Leadership
B) Critical thinking
C) Communication
N
N
D) Professional presence
E) Context
Answer: B
O
Explanation: Critical thinking is a disciplined approach to analyzing, synthesizing, and
evaluating information, which then acts as a guide to actions and decisions.
I
Diff: 2
S
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
S
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
E
9) Which of the following expands the concept of context and is influenced by social and cultural
forces?
U
A) Transaction model
B) Relational context
R
C) Interaction model
D) Psychological model
E) Language
Answer: A
Explanation: The transaction model of communication expands on the concept of context and
recognizes that communication is influenced by a broader set of external forces: social,
relational, and cultural.
Diff: 2
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Application of knowledge
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
3
, 10) During the communication process, which of the following acknowledges that one group's
learned behaviors may be different than those of another group?
A) Relational context
B) Cultural context
C) Social context
D) Psychological context
E) Physical context
Answer: B
M
Explanation: Cultural context acknowledges that one group's set of learned behaviors and norms
may be different from another's.
E
Diff: 2
Question Category: Synthesis
D
AACSB: Analytical thinking
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
C
11) Which of the following concepts helps to explain why communication can fail?
A) Transmission
O
B) Medium
C) Barriers
D) Encoding
E) Interaction
N
N
Answer: C
Explanation: The concept of barriers helps explain why communication often fails. Barriers are
obstacles that get in the way of effective communication and come in many forms.
O
Diff: 2
Question Category: Concept
I
AACSB: Analytical thinking
S
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
S
12) Which communication process portrays communication as a dynamic process?
A) The transaction model
E
B) The relational model
C) The credibility model
U
D) The interaction model
E) The cultural model
R
Answer: D
Explanation: The interaction model of communication portrays communication as a dynamic
process. Messages evolve as senders and receivers communicate in turn and give each other
feedback.
Diff: 2
Question Category: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Study Question: 1 Why is it challenging to communicate well?
4
