Chapter 1: Thinking Critically About Communication in Culture
Test Bank Questions
1. Pete is unsure what to think about a new housing policy being proposed at the university
he attends. Prior to forming his opinion he did research about the proposal and asked
questions about who the policy might benefit and who it might harm. Pete might be
labeled as taking which of the following perspectives as he approached this issue?
A) Theoretical perspective C) Critical perspective
B) Intellectual perspective D) Public perspective
Ans: C
2. To say that communication is defined, in part, by people struggling and working to create
common understandings, beliefs, and social systems is to say that communication is which
of the following?
A) Critical C) Practical
B) Intentional D) Collaborative
Ans: D
3. In this text, a system of shared meanings and assumptions that draw people together
within a social context of shared power refers to which of the following terms?
A) Power C) Process
B) Culture D) Communication
Ans: B
,4. Rhonda is a woman of Korean decent who comes from a middle class background. These
sorts of characteristics are referred to in the text by which of the following terms?
A) Cultural locations C) Power portions
B) Critical inquiry D) Public advocacy
Ans: A
5. Ralph tends to view communication as a conduit or a tool for transmitting his ideas to
other people. Ralph’s view of communication could be best summed up by which of the
following ways of seeing communication?
A) Communication as representation C) Communication as constitutive
B) Communication as negotiated D) Communication as constructed
Ans: A
6. Calvin, Ralph’s roommate, tends to think of communication as something that helps build
and maintain his conception of what counts as reality. Calvin’s view of communication
could be best summed up by which of the following ways of seeing communication?
A) Communication as representation C) Communication as constitutive
B) Communication as negotiated D) Communication as constructed
Ans: C
7. The assertion that “the process of communication is idiosyncratic” is best explained by
which of the following?
A) The process of communication is the C) The process of communication is only
same for everyone a tool for conveying meaning
B) The process of communication is D) The process of communication has
distinct for everyone three steps
Ans: B
, 8. To say that when we communicate we bounce back and fourth between stages instead of
moving from one to the next is to say which of the following?
A) Communication is compelling C) Communication is recursive
B) Communication is idiosyncratic D) Communication is negotiated
Ans: C
9. Andre is trying to figure out who he will vote for in the upcoming mayoral election. He
went on to do significant research about each candidate’s views and record of experience.
Andre’s attempt to gather information so that he can make the best decision possible for
himself and for others reflects his interest in engaging in which of the following?
A) Negotiation C) Construction
B) Power D) Informed choice
Ans: D
10. A collective set of assumptions or expectations, such as rule and social norms, can also be
referred to by which of the following terms?
A) System of meaning C) Construction
B) Negotiation D) Informed choice
Ans: A
11. Authors are not held accountable for the material included in a textbook; the material,
rather, is assumed to be accurate.
Ans: False
12. Communication is one-way, and therefore only one person in a communication encounter
is responsible.
Ans: False
Test Bank Questions
1. Pete is unsure what to think about a new housing policy being proposed at the university
he attends. Prior to forming his opinion he did research about the proposal and asked
questions about who the policy might benefit and who it might harm. Pete might be
labeled as taking which of the following perspectives as he approached this issue?
A) Theoretical perspective C) Critical perspective
B) Intellectual perspective D) Public perspective
Ans: C
2. To say that communication is defined, in part, by people struggling and working to create
common understandings, beliefs, and social systems is to say that communication is which
of the following?
A) Critical C) Practical
B) Intentional D) Collaborative
Ans: D
3. In this text, a system of shared meanings and assumptions that draw people together
within a social context of shared power refers to which of the following terms?
A) Power C) Process
B) Culture D) Communication
Ans: B
,4. Rhonda is a woman of Korean decent who comes from a middle class background. These
sorts of characteristics are referred to in the text by which of the following terms?
A) Cultural locations C) Power portions
B) Critical inquiry D) Public advocacy
Ans: A
5. Ralph tends to view communication as a conduit or a tool for transmitting his ideas to
other people. Ralph’s view of communication could be best summed up by which of the
following ways of seeing communication?
A) Communication as representation C) Communication as constitutive
B) Communication as negotiated D) Communication as constructed
Ans: A
6. Calvin, Ralph’s roommate, tends to think of communication as something that helps build
and maintain his conception of what counts as reality. Calvin’s view of communication
could be best summed up by which of the following ways of seeing communication?
A) Communication as representation C) Communication as constitutive
B) Communication as negotiated D) Communication as constructed
Ans: C
7. The assertion that “the process of communication is idiosyncratic” is best explained by
which of the following?
A) The process of communication is the C) The process of communication is only
same for everyone a tool for conveying meaning
B) The process of communication is D) The process of communication has
distinct for everyone three steps
Ans: B
, 8. To say that when we communicate we bounce back and fourth between stages instead of
moving from one to the next is to say which of the following?
A) Communication is compelling C) Communication is recursive
B) Communication is idiosyncratic D) Communication is negotiated
Ans: C
9. Andre is trying to figure out who he will vote for in the upcoming mayoral election. He
went on to do significant research about each candidate’s views and record of experience.
Andre’s attempt to gather information so that he can make the best decision possible for
himself and for others reflects his interest in engaging in which of the following?
A) Negotiation C) Construction
B) Power D) Informed choice
Ans: D
10. A collective set of assumptions or expectations, such as rule and social norms, can also be
referred to by which of the following terms?
A) System of meaning C) Construction
B) Negotiation D) Informed choice
Ans: A
11. Authors are not held accountable for the material included in a textbook; the material,
rather, is assumed to be accurate.
Ans: False
12. Communication is one-way, and therefore only one person in a communication encounter
is responsible.
Ans: False
