,Business Communication Today, 15e (Bovee/Thill)
Chapter 1 Understanding the Foundations of Business Communications
1) Communication is the process of
A) transferring information and meaning.
B) listening actively.
C) writing messages.
D) speaking to others.
E) providing data to benefit the speaker.
Answer: A
Explanation: A) Communication is a two-way process that begins with the sender and ends
when the receiver acquires information and meaning.
Difficulty: Moderate
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the
companies where you will work.
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Learning Outcome: Plan and prepare business messages
2) Which of the following must occur for communication to be considered successful?
A) The audience must be aware a message is being constructed.
B) The message must be sent using more than one media method.
C) It must transfer or negotiate understanding.
D) The audience must agree with the goals of the message.
E) The message must offer a benefit to both the sender and the receiver.
Answer: C
Explanation: C) Communication is the process of transferring information and meaning between
senders and receivers, using a variety of media forms. Communication can happen in a variety of
ways, but there must be a transfer of understanding for the communication to be successful.
Understanding does not mean agreement.
Difficulty: Moderate
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the
companies where you will work.
Skill: Application
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communications
1
Copyright © 2021 Pearson Education, Inc.
,3) Which of the following developments is putting additional pressure on communication skills?
A) Having great ideas
B) The need for managers to connect with staff and external business partners
C) Connecting with those who have a similar background
D) Utilizing established company networks
E) The changing nature of employment
Answer: E
Explanation: E) Ambition and great ideas aren't enough. You'll need to communicate with a
wide variety of people if you want to succeed in business. The changing nature of employment is
putting new pressure on communication skills, too. Many companies now supplement their
permanent workforces with independent contractors who are brought on for a short period or
even just a single project.
Difficulty: Easy
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the
companies where you will work.
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communications
4) Which of the following is one of the benefits of strong communication skills?
A) More detailed strategic plans
B) The ability to prevent stakeholders from switching to competitors
C) Stronger relationships
D) Eliminating risk
E) Fewer employee leaks of sensitive information
Answer: C
Explanation: C) Just as in personal and social relationships, business relationships depend on
effective connections between the company and all stakeholders, including employees,
customers, and others affected by the company's business decisions. Communication helps to
foster emotional connections that create a healthy work environment.
Difficulty: Moderate
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the
companies where you will work.
Skill: Critical Thinking
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communications
2
Copyright © 2021 Pearson Education, Inc.
, 5) Which of the following is the term for all the parties affected by the actions of an
organization?
A) Employees
B) Managers
C) The network
D) Stakeholders
E) The government
Answer: D
Explanation: D) Stakeholders are those groups affected in some way by the company's actions:
customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, neighbors, the community, the nation, and the
world as a whole.
Difficulty: Easy
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the
companies where you will work.
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communications
6) Which of the following can communicators do to make sure they share facts rather than vague
impressions?
A) Provide optimistic information
B) Present information in a concise manner
C) Offer compelling arguments and recommendations
D) Identify areas of responsibility
E) Use concrete language with specific detail
Answer: E
Explanation: E) Use concrete language, specific detail, and information that is clear, convincing,
accurate, and ethical. Even when an opinion is called for, present compelling evidence to support
your conclusion.
Difficulty: Moderate
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the
companies where you will work.
Skill: Critical Thinking
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communications
3
Copyright © 2021 Pearson Education, Inc.
Chapter 1 Understanding the Foundations of Business Communications
1) Communication is the process of
A) transferring information and meaning.
B) listening actively.
C) writing messages.
D) speaking to others.
E) providing data to benefit the speaker.
Answer: A
Explanation: A) Communication is a two-way process that begins with the sender and ends
when the receiver acquires information and meaning.
Difficulty: Moderate
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the
companies where you will work.
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Learning Outcome: Plan and prepare business messages
2) Which of the following must occur for communication to be considered successful?
A) The audience must be aware a message is being constructed.
B) The message must be sent using more than one media method.
C) It must transfer or negotiate understanding.
D) The audience must agree with the goals of the message.
E) The message must offer a benefit to both the sender and the receiver.
Answer: C
Explanation: C) Communication is the process of transferring information and meaning between
senders and receivers, using a variety of media forms. Communication can happen in a variety of
ways, but there must be a transfer of understanding for the communication to be successful.
Understanding does not mean agreement.
Difficulty: Moderate
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the
companies where you will work.
Skill: Application
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communications
1
Copyright © 2021 Pearson Education, Inc.
,3) Which of the following developments is putting additional pressure on communication skills?
A) Having great ideas
B) The need for managers to connect with staff and external business partners
C) Connecting with those who have a similar background
D) Utilizing established company networks
E) The changing nature of employment
Answer: E
Explanation: E) Ambition and great ideas aren't enough. You'll need to communicate with a
wide variety of people if you want to succeed in business. The changing nature of employment is
putting new pressure on communication skills, too. Many companies now supplement their
permanent workforces with independent contractors who are brought on for a short period or
even just a single project.
Difficulty: Easy
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the
companies where you will work.
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communications
4) Which of the following is one of the benefits of strong communication skills?
A) More detailed strategic plans
B) The ability to prevent stakeholders from switching to competitors
C) Stronger relationships
D) Eliminating risk
E) Fewer employee leaks of sensitive information
Answer: C
Explanation: C) Just as in personal and social relationships, business relationships depend on
effective connections between the company and all stakeholders, including employees,
customers, and others affected by the company's business decisions. Communication helps to
foster emotional connections that create a healthy work environment.
Difficulty: Moderate
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the
companies where you will work.
Skill: Critical Thinking
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communications
2
Copyright © 2021 Pearson Education, Inc.
, 5) Which of the following is the term for all the parties affected by the actions of an
organization?
A) Employees
B) Managers
C) The network
D) Stakeholders
E) The government
Answer: D
Explanation: D) Stakeholders are those groups affected in some way by the company's actions:
customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, neighbors, the community, the nation, and the
world as a whole.
Difficulty: Easy
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the
companies where you will work.
Skill: Concept
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communications
6) Which of the following can communicators do to make sure they share facts rather than vague
impressions?
A) Provide optimistic information
B) Present information in a concise manner
C) Offer compelling arguments and recommendations
D) Identify areas of responsibility
E) Use concrete language with specific detail
Answer: E
Explanation: E) Use concrete language, specific detail, and information that is clear, convincing,
accurate, and ethical. Even when an opinion is called for, present compelling evidence to support
your conclusion.
Difficulty: Moderate
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the
companies where you will work.
Skill: Critical Thinking
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communications
3
Copyright © 2021 Pearson Education, Inc.
