,COM 101 GRADED EXAM 4
Introduction to Communication — StraighterLine
Original 2026 Exam-Style Practice Questions 1–20
Multiple Choice with Answers & Rationales
Note: These are original practice questions, not leaked or verified current graded-exam
questions, and no score or pass result is guaranteed.
SECTION 1: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Question 1
Which statement best describes interpersonal communication?
A. Communication that occurs only through mass media
B. Communication involving interaction between people
C. Communication that occurs only during public speeches
D. Communication that takes place entirely within one person
Answer: B. Communication involving interaction between people
Rationale: Interpersonal communication involves interaction and meaning-making between
people.
Question 2
Which factor can influence the development of an interpersonal relationship?
A. Similarity between individuals
B. The absence of communication
C. Random interpretation of every message
D. Elimination of feedback
Answer: A. Similarity between individuals
Rationale: Perceived similarity can contribute to interpersonal attraction and relationship
development.
Question 3
What is self-disclosure?
A. Deliberately revealing personal information to another person
B. Avoiding all personal communication
,C. Speaking only about public events
D. Refusing to respond to questions
Answer: A. Deliberately revealing personal information to another person
Rationale: Self-disclosure involves voluntarily sharing information about oneself with another
person.
Question 4
Why is trust important in interpersonal relationships?
A. Trust can support openness and relational stability
B. Trust eliminates all disagreements
C. Trust prevents communication
D. Trust guarantees identical opinions
Answer: A. Trust can support openness and relational stability
Rationale: Trust can make people more comfortable communicating openly and relying on one
another.
Question 5
Which behavior demonstrates active listening?
A. Preparing a response while ignoring the speaker
B. Interrupting repeatedly
C. Paying attention and responding appropriately to the speaker's message
D. Looking at a phone throughout the conversation
Answer: C. Paying attention and responding appropriately to the speaker's message
Rationale: Active listening involves attention, processing, and appropriate responses to the
speaker.
Question 6
A listener restates a speaker's main point to confirm understanding. This is an example of:
A. Paraphrasing
B. Physical noise
C. Self-disclosure
D. Persuasive framing
Answer: A. Paraphrasing
, Rationale: Paraphrasing restates a message in different words to demonstrate or check
understanding.
Question 7
Which response best demonstrates empathy?
A. "You should not feel that way."
B. "I understand that this situation has been difficult for you."
C. "Your problem is not important."
D. "Let me tell you why you're wrong."
Answer: B. "I understand that this situation has been difficult for you."
Rationale: Empathy involves attempting to understand another person's feelings or perspective.
Question 8
Conflict occurs when:
A. Individuals experience incompatible goals, interests, or expectations
B. Everyone agrees about everything
C. Communication completely stops
D. Individuals have identical perspectives
Answer: A. Individuals experience incompatible goals, interests, or expectations
Rationale: Conflict can arise when people perceive incompatibility in goals, needs, values, or
expectations.
Question 9
Which conflict-management approach seeks a solution that addresses the concerns of both
parties?
A. Avoidance
B. Competition
C. Collaboration
D. Withdrawal
Answer: C. Collaboration
Rationale: Collaboration involves working together to identify solutions that address the
concerns of the parties involved.
Question 10
Introduction to Communication — StraighterLine
Original 2026 Exam-Style Practice Questions 1–20
Multiple Choice with Answers & Rationales
Note: These are original practice questions, not leaked or verified current graded-exam
questions, and no score or pass result is guaranteed.
SECTION 1: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Question 1
Which statement best describes interpersonal communication?
A. Communication that occurs only through mass media
B. Communication involving interaction between people
C. Communication that occurs only during public speeches
D. Communication that takes place entirely within one person
Answer: B. Communication involving interaction between people
Rationale: Interpersonal communication involves interaction and meaning-making between
people.
Question 2
Which factor can influence the development of an interpersonal relationship?
A. Similarity between individuals
B. The absence of communication
C. Random interpretation of every message
D. Elimination of feedback
Answer: A. Similarity between individuals
Rationale: Perceived similarity can contribute to interpersonal attraction and relationship
development.
Question 3
What is self-disclosure?
A. Deliberately revealing personal information to another person
B. Avoiding all personal communication
,C. Speaking only about public events
D. Refusing to respond to questions
Answer: A. Deliberately revealing personal information to another person
Rationale: Self-disclosure involves voluntarily sharing information about oneself with another
person.
Question 4
Why is trust important in interpersonal relationships?
A. Trust can support openness and relational stability
B. Trust eliminates all disagreements
C. Trust prevents communication
D. Trust guarantees identical opinions
Answer: A. Trust can support openness and relational stability
Rationale: Trust can make people more comfortable communicating openly and relying on one
another.
Question 5
Which behavior demonstrates active listening?
A. Preparing a response while ignoring the speaker
B. Interrupting repeatedly
C. Paying attention and responding appropriately to the speaker's message
D. Looking at a phone throughout the conversation
Answer: C. Paying attention and responding appropriately to the speaker's message
Rationale: Active listening involves attention, processing, and appropriate responses to the
speaker.
Question 6
A listener restates a speaker's main point to confirm understanding. This is an example of:
A. Paraphrasing
B. Physical noise
C. Self-disclosure
D. Persuasive framing
Answer: A. Paraphrasing
, Rationale: Paraphrasing restates a message in different words to demonstrate or check
understanding.
Question 7
Which response best demonstrates empathy?
A. "You should not feel that way."
B. "I understand that this situation has been difficult for you."
C. "Your problem is not important."
D. "Let me tell you why you're wrong."
Answer: B. "I understand that this situation has been difficult for you."
Rationale: Empathy involves attempting to understand another person's feelings or perspective.
Question 8
Conflict occurs when:
A. Individuals experience incompatible goals, interests, or expectations
B. Everyone agrees about everything
C. Communication completely stops
D. Individuals have identical perspectives
Answer: A. Individuals experience incompatible goals, interests, or expectations
Rationale: Conflict can arise when people perceive incompatibility in goals, needs, values, or
expectations.
Question 9
Which conflict-management approach seeks a solution that addresses the concerns of both
parties?
A. Avoidance
B. Competition
C. Collaboration
D. Withdrawal
Answer: C. Collaboration
Rationale: Collaboration involves working together to identify solutions that address the
concerns of the parties involved.
Question 10
