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MCQs
1. Communication starts with:
a) Message
b) Sender
c) Channel
d) Feedback

2. Reading refers to which element of the communication process?

a) Encoding
b) Decoding
c) Message
d) Channel

3. Which of the following indicates the correct sequence of the elements of

communication in the communication process?
a) Sender, Receiver, Channel, Message, Feedback
b) Receiver, Feedback, Sender. Message, Channel
c) Sender, Channel, Message, feedback, Receiver
d) Sender, Message, Channel, Receiver, Feedback

4. The informal network that is known as the "grapevine"

a) is used by savvy managers to spread and receive informal messages.
b) rarely contains accurate information.
c) deals exclusively with personal matters.
d) carries information along the organization's formal chain of chain of command.

5. What step in the communication process allows you to evaluate your message’s
effectiveness?
a) Selection of the communication medium.
b) Decoding of the message by the receiver.
c) Encoding of the message by the sender.
d) Feedback sent by the receiver to the sender.

6. Where can we apply seven C’s?

a) To Non verbal communication
b) To Oral communication
c) To Written communication
d) To written and oral communication

7. ____ is not one of the 7 C’s of communication:

a) conciseness
b) correctness
c) clarity
d) character
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8. In the formal network of an organization, the flow of information can be

___________.
a) Upward or downward
b) Upward, downward, or lateral
c) Downward only
d) Upward only

9. Superiors channeling information to subordiantes is an example of ________.

a) upward communication
b) downward communication
c) diagonal communication
d) horizontal communication

10. Flow of information, requests, reports, proposals, feedback, suggestion box, exit
interviews, grievance committees relate to
a) upward communication
b) downward communication
c) diagonal communication
d) horizontal communication

11. Communication between two or more persons who are subordinates working under
the same person or on the same level
a) upward communication
b) downward communication
c) diagonal communication
d) horizontal communication

12. Communication flowing between people belonging to different levels of hierarchy

and having no direct reporting relationship
a) upward communication
b) downward communication
c) diagonal communication
d) horizontal communication

13. In this network chain, one person passes information to a selected few confidentially.
Some of them keep the information to themselves and others pass it to other selected
few whom they trust.
a) Probability Chain
b) Gossip Chain
c) Single-strand Chain
d) Cluster Chain

14. Which of the following does not comes under the category of grapevine?
a) Single strand chain
b) Supply chain
c) Cluster chain
d) Gossip chain
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15. Use of specific words so that the message does not sound vague or abstract is
a) Conciseness
b) Concreteness
c) Clarity
d) None of these

16. The medium through which the message is passed from the sender to the received is
known as____________
a. Decoding
b. Channel
c. Encoding
d. Feedback
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1. Explain the terms: medium, sender, receiver, context and feedback, as they are
used in describing the process of communication

2. Sender: The sender or the communicator is the person who initiates the conversation
and has conceptualized the idea that he intends to convey it to others.
3. Message: Once the encoding is finished, the sender gets the message that he intends to
convey. The message can be written, oral, symbolic or non-verbal such as body
gestures, silence, sighs, sounds, etc. or any other signal that triggers the response of a
receiver.
4. Receiver: The receiver is the person for whom the message is intended or targeted. He
tries to comprehend it in the best possible manner such that the communication
objective is attained. The degree to which the receiver decodes the message depends on
his knowledge of the subject matter, experience, trust and relationship with the sender.
5. Feedback: The Feedback is the final step of the process that ensures the receiver has
received the message and interpreted it correctly as it was intended by the sender. It
increases the effectiveness of the communication as it permits the sender to know the
efficacy of his message. The response of the receiver can be verbal or non-verbal.
Context: This is the setting and situation in which communication takes place. Context
can have an impact on the successful exchange of information. It may have a physical,
social, or cultural aspect to it.

6. Explain the process of communication with the help of a diagram.

Communication process consists of some interrelated steps or parts through which

messages are sent form sender to receiver. The process of communication begins
when the sender wants to transmit a fact, idea, opinion or other information to the
receiver and ends with receiver’s feedback to the sender.
The main components of communication process are sender, message, channel,
receiver and feedback.

The process of communication in an organization can be illustrated with the help of

Figure below. It brings out the following steps involved in the communication
process:

Step 1 Message is initiated.

Step 2 Sender picks up the idea and encodes it for proper understanding.
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Step 3 The encoded message is then transmitted through the chosen

medium or channel.

Step 4 Receiver receives the message and decodes it.

Step 5 The decoded message is used or acted upon.

Step 6 As a final step, feedback on use or action is sent back to the sender.

7. What are the barriers to communication

Barriers refer to obstacles or hindrances that prevent movement, flow and access of
information in or outside of an organization. In a nutshell, anything that hinders the process
of communication at any level is a barrier to effective communication. Barriers can be
originated at any point in the communication process.

Barriers to Communication by Category

 Language Barriers Clearly, language and linguistic ability may act as a barrier to
communication. However, even when communicating in the same language, the
terminology used in a message may act as a barrier if it is not fully understood by the
receiver(s)..

 Psychological Barriers The psychological state of the receiver will influence how the
message is received. For example, if someone has personal worries and is stressed,
they may be preoccupied by personal concerns and not as receptive to the message as
if they were not stressed. Anger is another example of a psychological barrier to
communication.
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 Physiological Barriers Physiological barriers may result from the receiver’s physical
state. For example, a receiver with reduced hearing may not grasp the entirety of a
spoken conversation, especially if there is significant background noise.

 Physical Barriers An example of a physical barrier to communication is geographic

distance between the sender and receiver(s). Communication is generally easier over
shorter distances as more communication channels are available and less technology
is required.

 Attitudinal Barriers Attitudinal barriers are behaviors or perceptions that prevent

people from communicating effectively. Attitudinal barriers to communication may
result from personality conflicts, poor management, resistance to change, or a lack of
motivation.

8. What are the advantages of maintaining an effective communication in a

business organization

Effective Communication is significant for managers in the organizations so as to

perform the basic functions of management. Communication helps managers to
perform their jobs and responsibilities.

The advantages of maintaining an effective communication in a business organization

are as follows

1. Communication promotes motivation by informing and clarifying the employees

about the task to be done.
2. Communication is a source of information to the organizational members for
decision-making process as it helps identifying and assessing alternative course of
actions.
3. Communication also plays a crucial role in altering individual’s attitudes, i.e., a well
informed individual will have better attitude than a less-informed individual.
Communication also helps in socializing.

Explain the difference between:

1. a)Oral and written communication

The key differences between oral and written communication are as follows:
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1. Transmission Type

Oral Communication: In oral or verbal communication, messages or opinions are

exchanged or transmitted verbally (spoken words.)
Written Communication: In written communication, messages or information are
transmitted in written format.

2.Verification

Oral Communication: It cannot be verified because there is no record of verbal

communication.
Written Communication: It can be easily verified because there is proper record of
written communication.

3. Speed

Oral Communication: Information are exchanged very fast in oral communication.

Written Communication: It takes more time for the transmission of message.

4. Literacy

Oral Communication: Literacy is not required for verbal communication.

Written Communication: Literacy is very important in written communication

5. Feedback

Oral Communication: Immediate feedback is possible in verbal or oral

communication.
Written Communication: Immediate feedback is not possible in written
communication. It takes some time.

6. Cost

Oral Communication: It is very economical.

Written Communication: It is expensive than verbal communication.

7. Revision Of Message
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Oral Communication: Revision of message before delivering is not possible in oral

communication.
Written Communication: Revision of message before delivering is possible in written
communication.

8. Usefulness

Oral Communication: Verbal communication is useful when recipient is near.

Written Communication: It is useful if the recipient is at distant.

9. Misunderstanding

Oral Communication: There is high chance of misunderstanding,

Written Communication: There is very less chance of misunderstanding in this type of
communication.

10. Legal Evidence

Oral Communication: Verbal or oral communication cannot be used as legal evidence.

Written Communication: It can be used as legal evidence if required.

11. Examples

Oral Communication: Telephone conversation, lecture, face to face talk etc.

Written Communication: Letter, bulletin, e-mail, fax etc

2. (b) Verbal and non-verbal communication

Verbal Communication Nonverbal Communication

A type of communication where the A type of communication that

person uses words or languages to involves conveying messages

convey his message to his audience through visual cues or signs

Can be demonstrated by spoken or Can be demonstrated by kinesics,

written words or language proxemics, chronemics, oculesics,
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artifacts, vocalics, and haptics

Is structured; it has a start point and a Is not structured. It does not have a

stop point; each word used has start point and a stop point; the

distinct meanings message has no specific meaning

Has few chances of being Has a greater chance of being

misunderstood misunderstood

Allows instantaneous exchange of Time consuming; does not allow a

information and feedback speedy exchange of information

Both parties do not need to be present Both parties need to be present to

in order for them to communicate communicate

Easy to produce proof of the No proof of communication is

conversation available

Best used when the person is trying to Best used when the person is trying

send his message over long distances to express emotions or feelings; can

or is trying to send specific convey other messages and can be

information; best used when the used to indicate whether the verbal

person is trying to explain, ask, statements of the communicator are

contend, or discuss different matters true or not

3 a) Interpersonal and intrapersonal communication

The difference between intrapersonal and interpersonal communication, can be drawn

clearly on the following grounds:

1. The communication that we have with ourselves, i.e. the communication that occurs
in our mind, is known as intrapersonal communication. The communication between
two or more person, through verbal or non-verbal messages, is called interpersonal
communication.
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2. The intrapersonal communication is the communication with oneself, and so only one
person is involved in it. On the contrary, interpersonal communication is always
between two or more persons.

3. Intrapersonal communication occurs continuously because it is the human tendency to

think, analyse and interpret things. Conversely, Interpersonal Communication occurs
regularly on a personal and professional level.

4. In intrapersonal communication, only an individual’s internal senses are involved. As

against this, interpersonal communication requires media, i.e. to pass on the message
to the other party.

5. In intrapersonal communication, is based on the thinking and analysis while

interpersonal communication is concerned with the exchange of ideas, information,
opinions, feelings and so on.