Question 1

After hearing Adam describe his symptoms, Dr. Paulson used a stethoscope to listen to Adam's cough. What is the primary type of listening being used here by Dr. Paulson?
A) listening for information
B) evaluative listening
C) listening for enjoyment
D) empathic listening

Accepted Answer

Dr. Paulson is using evaluative listening as he is actively trying to diagnose Adam's condition based on the sound of his cough as heard through the stethoscope.

Question 2

Sean puts his favorite music on when he gets home after a difficult day. Just hearing it helps him relax and get in a good mood. In this situation, Sean is listening for __________.
A) evaluation
B) enjoyment
C) information
D) comprehension

Accepted Answer

Sean puts on his favorite music to relax and get in a good mood, indicating that he is listening for enjoyment rather than evaluation, information, or comprehension.

Question 3

Which action describes a barrier to effective listening?
A) avoiding difficult listening situations
B) concentrating on main ideas, not details
C) considering the topic or speaker interesting
D) adjusting to distractions

Accepted Answer

Avoiding difficult listening situations creates a barrier to effective listening because it limits the listener's exposure to different perspectives and ideas. Effective listeners should be willing to engage with different topics and perspectives, even if they may find it challenging or uncomfortable.

Question 4

Competent listening is characterized as an active behavior that __________.
A) needs little effort to acquire
B) is mostly physiological
C) requires conscious participation
D) comes naturally to everyone

Accepted Answer

Competent listening is an active behavior that requires conscious participation. It is a skill that needs to be developed and practiced. It involves paying full attention to the speaker, interpreting their message accurately, and responding appropriately. It is not a natural ability that comes effortlessly.

Question 5

Critical listening involves assessing the speaker's values and intent as well as __________.
A) judging the accuracy of the speaker's conclusions
B) determining the reach of the speaker's message
C) gauging the interest level of the audience
D) categorizing the speaker's delivery style

Accepted Answer

Critical listening involves assessing not only the speaker's message and accuracy but also their values, intent, and underlying assumptions. Therefore, judging the accuracy of the speaker's conclusions is a key element in critical listening.

Question 6

To avoid some of the pitfalls or barriers to listening, competent listeners should __________.
A) concentrate on the main ideas rather than the details
B) remove themselves from the situation if they find the topic irrelevant
C) avoid situations where listening will be hard
D) leave the situation if distractions become too great

Accepted Answer

Competent listeners should concentrate on the main ideas rather than the details to avoid getting bogged down and missing the overall message. Avoiding situations and leaving situations should be a last resort, and only done if absolutely necessary. Removing oneself from a situation that may seem irrelevant can also cause one to miss out on important information.

Question 7

You are sitting in a late afternoon class. As you are attempting to look engaged, your mind is really just someplace else. What barrier to effective listening are you exhibiting?
A) concentrating on details
B) failing to adjust to external distractions
C) avoiding difficult listening situation
D) faking attention

Accepted Answer

Faking attention is a barrier to effective listening as it involves pretending to engage in the conversation or lecture while one's mind is actually focused on something else.

Question 8

Reggie must attend a mandatory employee meeting on changes to the company's benefits plan. He doesn't find the topic or the speaker very interesting. In this listening situation, Reggie should __________.
A) pretend to be listening
B) consider ways to avoid the meeting
C) immediately form an opinion on the subject
D) consider how he might use the information

Accepted Answer

While Reggie may not find the topic or speaker interesting, it is still important for him to actively listen and consider how he may use the information presented. By doing so, he can better understand the changes to the benefits plan and potentially make informed decisions regarding his own benefits. Pretending to listen or considering ways to avoid the meeting may lead to Reggie missing important information. Immediately forming an opinion may also be premature without fully understanding the changes being presented.

Question 9

A person displaying effective listening competence behaviors __________.
A) identifies and manages listening barriers
B) avoids empathizing with the speaker
C) concentrates on listening to specific facts and small details
D) interrupts the speaker to provide feedback

Accepted Answer

Effective listening competence behaviors include identifying and managing listening barriers, such as distractions or biases, to truly hear and understand the speaker. Empathizing with the speaker is also an important aspect of effective listening, which is not avoided. Focusing on specific facts and small details may lead to missing the bigger picture or main message, so this behavior is not recommended. Interrupting the speaker to provide feedback can be disruptive and may hinder the flow of information, so it is not an effective listening behavior.

Question 10

What strategy is most effective for overcoming a difficult listening situation?
A) ask questions
B) just tune out
C) focus on the details
D) criticize the speaker

Accepted Answer

Asking questions helps to clarify and confirm understanding, as well as shows the speaker that you are actively engaged in the conversation. Tuning out or criticizing the speaker will not lead to effective communication, and focusing on details may cause you to miss the overall message.

Question 11

Maya's car has been making funny noises all week. When she starts paying closer attention to the sounds and trying to analyze them, Maya is listening __________.
A) to evaluate
B) to inform
C) for enjoyment
D) for empathy

Accepted Answer

Maya is listening to evaluate the sounds her car is making in order to diagnose the issue.

Question 12

What action should seldom occur during empathic listening?
A) avoiding judgments
B) understanding another person's feelings
C) vicariously experiencing another person's thoughts
D) feeling sorry for someone

Accepted Answer

Empathic listening involves understanding another person's feelings and vicariously experiencing their thoughts, but it does not involve feeling sorry for them. Feeling sorry can lead to pity, which is not helpful in building a connection and understanding with the other person. Instead, empathic listening involves showing empathy and support for the other person's experiences without pitying or judging them.

Question 13

Identifying with or seeking to experience someone else's thoughts or feeling is referred to as __________.
A) evaluation
B) sympathy
C) perception checking
D) empathy

Accepted Answer

Identifying with or seeking to experience someone else's thoughts or feelings is referred to as empathy. Empathy involves putting oneself into someone else's shoes and trying to understand their experience from their perspective. It is a crucial skill in effective communication and building strong interpersonal relationships.

Question 14

When you listen for the personal satisfaction or appreciation of something, you are most likely listening for __________.
A) evaluation
B) reflection
C) information
D) enjoyment

Accepted Answer

Personal satisfaction or appreciation suggests that the listener is listening to experience enjoyment or pleasure from what they are hearing. Therefore, the best choice is D, enjoyment.

Question 15

What should listeners keep in mind when technology distracts them from the speaker's message?
A) Speakers must tolerate technology distractions as a normal part of the listening process.
B) Multitasking is acceptable in most listening situations.
C) Listeners have a responsibility to reduce, eliminate or overcome distractions.
D) Technology has little impact on sensory overload.

Accepted Answer

Listeners have a responsibility to reduce, eliminate or overcome distractions caused by technology, as it is important to actively listen to the speaker and understand their message. Multitasking can lead to poor listening and memory retention, and technology can contribute to sensory overload.

Question 16

Edith decided the speaker couldn't possibly teach her anything about investment strategies after seeing how young he looked. In this situation, was barrier to listening is occurring?
A) failure to adjust to distractions
B) bias
C) preferred thinking
D) fake attention

Accepted Answer

The barrier to listening in this situation is bias, specifically the preconceived notion that someone young cannot be knowledgeable or experienced in investment strategies.

Question 17

Which action(s) best describe the process of listening for enjoyment?
A) pseudolistening
B) selecting, attending, understanding, evaluating, and remembering
C) selecting and attending
D) hearing and sensory intake

Accepted Answer

Listening for enjoyment involves actively engaging with the sound, selecting what to attend to, understanding the meaning, evaluating it, and remembering it.

Question 18

When engaging in critical listening, the primary skill you need to have is __________.
A) motivation
B) providing feedback
C) avoiding distractions
D) critical thinking

Accepted Answer

Critical listening involves analyzing and evaluating a message or information. This requires the ability to think critically, which involves questioning assumptions, considering multiple perspectives, and examining evidence. Motivation and providing feedback can be helpful in some contexts, but they are not the primary skill needed for critical listening. Avoiding distractions can also be important, but it is not enough on its own.

Question 19

Joanna was sure that her coworker Sandy would be really upset about bring transferred to a new city. But after asking her some questions, Joanna learned that Sandy was excited to be promoted to a better position in a larger city. Joanna used which listening skill in this situation in order to respond appropriately?
A) evaluative listening
B) perception checking
C) mediation
D) categorization

Accepted Answer

Joanna used perception checking to clarify her understanding of Sandy's feelings and thoughts about the transfer. Instead of making assumptions, Joanna asked questions to confirm her perception and respond appropriately.

Question 20

When we listen strictly for information, we are listening in order to __________.
A) analyze data
B) feel pleasure
C) gain comprehension
D) express sympathy

Accepted Answer

When we listen strictly for information, our focus is on gaining comprehension and understanding the facts or details being presented. We're not necessarily listening to express sympathy or for the purpose of feeling pleasure, and while analyzing data may be a part of the process of gaining information, it's not the main goal.

Quiz 7: Connecting Listening and Thinking in the Communication Process

After hearing Adam describe his symptoms, Dr. Paulson used a stethoscope to listen to Adam's cough. What is the primary type of listening being used here by Dr. Paulson?

Sean puts his favorite music on when he gets home after a difficult day. Just hearing it helps him relax and get in a good mood. In this situation, Sean is listening for __________.

Which action describes a barrier to effective listening?

Competent listening is characterized as an active behavior that __________.

Critical listening involves assessing the speaker's values and intent as well as __________.

To avoid some of the pitfalls or barriers to listening, competent listeners should __________.

You are sitting in a late afternoon class. As you are attempting to look engaged, your mind is really just someplace else. What barrier to effective listening are you exhibiting?

Reggie must attend a mandatory employee meeting on changes to the company's benefits plan. He doesn't find the topic or the speaker very interesting. In this listening situation, Reggie should __________.

A person displaying effective listening competence behaviors __________.

What strategy is most effective for overcoming a difficult listening situation?

Maya's car has been making funny noises all week. When she starts paying closer attention to the sounds and trying to analyze them, Maya is listening __________.

What action should seldom occur during empathic listening?

Identifying with or seeking to experience someone else's thoughts or feeling is referred to as __________.

When you listen for the personal satisfaction or appreciation of something, you are most likely listening for __________.

What should listeners keep in mind when technology distracts them from the speaker's message?

Edith decided the speaker couldn't possibly teach her anything about investment strategies after seeing how young he looked. In this situation, was barrier to listening is occurring?

Which action(s) best describe the process of listening for enjoyment?

When engaging in critical listening, the primary skill you need to have is __________.

When we listen strictly for information, we are listening in order to __________.