Cambridge International AS and A Level Business

15  Business communication (A Level)

Multiple-choice questions
1 Which one of the following is a drawback of electronic forms of communication such as email?

a not very quick

b no opportunity for feedback

c may create information overload

d too complex for workers to understand

2 Which one of the following is not an advantage associated with oral communication?

a It promotes two-way communication.

b It enables instantaneous feedback.

c Body language can reinforce the message.

d It provides a record that the message has been sent.

3 A barrier to communication may be defined as:

a any factor that prevents a message being received or understood

b any form of visual communication

c a failure to provide a written record

d the media through which the communication occurs

4 Which one of the following is not a barrier to communication?

a a long chain of communication

b information overload

c technical jargon used inappropriately

d visual communication

5 An integrated or connected network is best defined as:

a where communication starts off at the top of the hierarchy and is passed downwards

b where a manager communicates with each subordinate individually

c where the leader is at the centre and there is two-way communication

between the leader and the other parts of the wheel

d where there can be two-way communication between all group members and any two
group members

© Cambridge University Press 2014  Cambridge International AS and A Level Business Multiple-choice questions – Chapter 15 1
Cambridge International AS and A Level Business

 6 What is informal communication?

a Unofficial channels of communication that exist between informal groups within an

organisation.

b The route by which a message is communicated from sender to receiver.

c The links that allow a message to be communicated between a number of people.

d Communication that necessarily hinders formal communication.

 7 Which one of the following is a potential benefit of informal communication?

a It counteracts the problems associated with gossip.

b It helps spread rumours.

c It ensures that official messages are understood.

d It can be used to test out new ideas.

 8 Which one of the following is a likely drawback of informal communication?

a It wastes valuable working time.

b Discussing official messages with friends can result in messages being distorted.

c It will break down feelings of belonging and social cohesion.

d It prevents vertical communication.

 9 Which one of the following is not a potential barrier to communication in a multinational

business?

a language

b cultural perceptions

c use of the Intranet

d different attitudes

10 A manager who wishes to communicate a large quantity of detailed information would be

advised to use which form of communication?

a a written memo

b a face-to-face meeting

c a report

d a noticeboard

© Cambridge University Press 2014  Cambridge International AS and A Level Business Multiple-choice questions – Chapter 15 2