Question 1

In your own words, explain the statement "meanings rest more in people than in words." Cite examples from your own experience.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In your own words, explain the statement...

Question 2

Of the following statements, which is not characteristic of powerful speech?
A)​It can help candidates in job interviews.
B)​It often results in a favorable impression.
C)​It is always preferred over less powerful forms of speech.
D)​It gets different results in different cultures.
E)​All of these choices are characteristic of powerful speech.

Accepted Answer

While powerful speech is generally preferred, it may not always be appropriate or effective in every situation. Different communication styles may be more suitable for different contexts or audiences. Therefore, it is not always the preferred option.

Question 3

Analyze a recent misunderstanding that occurred because you and another person relied on different sets of semantic or pragmatic rules.How could the situation have been avoided? What advice could you give to others about this area of communication?​

Accepted Answer

The answer of Analyze a recent misunderstanding that occurred because...

Question 4

Statements that basically cancel the thought that precedes them are
A)​"it" statements.
B)​"but" statements.
C)​"we" statements.
D)​"I/we" statements.
E)​"you" statements.

Accepted Answer

"But" is a conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement or idea. When used after a thought, it is often used to indicate something that contradicts or cancels out what was said before. For example, "I know I promised to come, but I can't make it now." The second part of the sentence cancels out the previous promise.

Question 5

Describe what abstract language is and how you use unnecessarily abstract language that causes communication problems.Give at least five examples.Tell how you could lower the level of abstraction in each of the examples you have given or provide reasons why the higher-level abstraction is justified and relationally beneficial.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe what abstract language is and how...

Question 6

Convergent speech patterns
A)​demonstrate superiority over others.
B)​express power and a sense of formality.
C)​demonstrate affiliation with one another.
D)​always utilize "I" statements instead of "you" statements.
E)​None of these choices are correct.

Accepted Answer

Convergent speech patterns typically demonstrate affiliation with one another, as they involve adopting similar language, word choice, and pronunciation in order to show a sense of unity and belonging within a group. They can also facilitate communication and understanding between individuals by reducing linguistic differences and promoting shared meanings.

Question 7

"Frank is lazy" is an example of which semantic problem?
A)​equivocation
B)​relative language
C)​abstraction
D)​static evaluation
E)​none of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of "Frank is lazy" is an example of...

Question 8

Communication researchers call the process of adapting one's speech style to match that of others
A)​identity.
B)​convergence.
C)​divergence.
D)​semanticism.
E)​agreement.

Accepted Answer

Communication researchers call the process of adapting one's speech style to match that of others as convergence. It involves adjusting one's accent, pronunciation, vocabulary, and even nonverbal cues to match those of the person with whom one is communicating.

Question 9

A female employee may rely on __________ to interpret her older male boss's statement, "You look very nice in that sweater."
A)​semantic rules
B)​syntactic rules
C)​pragmatic rules
D)​abstract language
E)​relative words

Accepted Answer

Pragmatic rules refer to the practical or social implications of language use. In this scenario, a female employee may need to rely on her knowledge of pragmatic rules, such as social norms and context, to interpret her older male boss's statement beyond its literal meaning. Without this knowledge, the statement may be misinterpreted as inappropriate or offensive.

Question 10

The Star Wars character, Yoda, is following a different set of __________ rules when he says things like "the dark side are they."
A)​pragmatic
B)​semantic
C)​syntactic
D)​all of the above
E)​none of the above

Accepted Answer

Yoda is using a different sentence structure, which is known as "Yoda-speak". It involves rearranging the sentence structure for emphasis or poetic effect. This means that he is following different syntactic rules than those commonly used in English.

Question 11

How could you increase the power of the statement "I, uh, think I'd be a little happier if you could make it on time.Okay?"?
A)​Revise the sequential placement.
B)​Use perception checking.
C)​Use more disclaimers.
D)​Add a tag question.
E)​None of the above increases the power of the statement.

Accepted Answer

The original statement is weakened by the use of fillers ("uh"), hedging ("I think"), and a tag question ("Okay?"). To increase its power, one would need to remove these elements and make the statement more direct and assertive, which none of the provided options suggest doing.

Question 12

Highly abstract language can lead to which of the following problems?
A)​stereotyping
B)​misunderstandings
C)​blanket judgments
D)​confusion
E)​all of these choices are correct

Accepted Answer

Highly abstract language can lead to stereotyping, misunderstandings, blanket judgments, and confusion because it lacks specificity and clarity, making it difficult for the listener or reader to grasp the exact meaning or intention behind the communication.

Question 13

According to your text, each language has its own unique style that distinguishes it from others.Explain the three ways verbal styles vary across cultures.Include examples in your discussion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to your text, each language has...

Question 14

Which of the following is an accurate statement from the "Swearing at Work" reading?
A)​Hearers who are surprised by a speaker's swearing are likely to deem the person as incompetent.
B)​Swearing can express emotional intensity.
C)​Swearing can be a term of endearment.
D)​Not swearing can violate the norms of some organizations.
E)​All of the above are accurate statements.

Accepted Answer

Each statement accurately reflects points made in discussions about the use of swearing in the workplace. Swearing can express emotional intensity, serve as a term of endearment, and in certain organizational cultures, not swearing can indeed violate norms. Additionally, the reaction to swearing, such as viewing a speaker as incompetent, can depend on the context and the hearers' expectations.

Question 15

"Language is power." Discuss this statement, using (a) an explanation of the types of powerful/powerless language given in your text, and (b) examples of these types of language in your own life.

Accepted Answer

The answer of "Language is power." Discuss this statement, using...

Question 16

Three linguistic habits often cause disagreements: fact-opinion confusion, fact-inference confusion, and emotive language.Explain two of the habits and provide examples in your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Three linguistic habits often cause disagreements: fact-opinion...

Question 17

A behavioral description should include
A)​who is involved.
B)​in what circumstances the behavior occurs.
C)​the specific behaviors.
D)​All of these choices are correct.
E)​None of these choices are correct.

Accepted Answer

A complete behavioral description should include all of these elements, including who is involved, what circumstances lead to the behavior occurring, and the specific behaviors that are observed. Leaving out any one of these elements could result in an incomplete or inaccurate understanding of the behavior in question.

Question 18

What type of misunderstanding occurs when people assign different meanings to the same words?
A)​syntactic
B)​pragmatic
C)​semantic
D)​disruptive
E)​linguistic relativism

Accepted Answer

Semantic misunderstanding occurs when people assign different meanings to the same words. This can occur due to differences in cultural background, regional use of language, or personal life experiences.

Quiz 6: Language

In your own words, explain the statement "meanings rest more in people than in words." Cite examples from your own experience.

Of the following statements, which is not characteristic of powerful speech?

Analyze a recent misunderstanding that occurred because you and another person relied on different sets of semantic or pragmatic rules.How could the situation have been avoided? What advice could you give to others about this area of communication?​

Statements that basically cancel the thought that precedes them are

Convergent speech patterns

"Frank is lazy" is an example of which semantic problem?

Communication researchers call the process of adapting one's speech style to match that of others

A female employee may rely on __________ to interpret her older male boss's statement, "You look very nice in that sweater."

The Star Wars character, Yoda, is following a different set of __________ rules when he says things like "the dark side are they."

How could you increase the power of the statement "I, uh, think I'd be a little happier if you could make it on time.Okay?"?

Highly abstract language can lead to which of the following problems?

According to your text, each language has its own unique style that distinguishes it from others.Explain the three ways verbal styles vary across cultures.Include examples in your discussion.

Which of the following is an accurate statement from the "Swearing at Work" reading?

"Language is power." Discuss this statement, using (a) an explanation of the types of powerful/powerless language given in your text, and (b) examples of these types of language in your own life.

Three linguistic habits often cause disagreements: fact-opinion confusion, fact-inference confusion, and emotive language.Explain two of the habits and provide examples in your answer.

A behavioral description should include

What type of misunderstanding occurs when people assign different meanings to the same words?

Analyze a recent misunderstanding that occurred because you and another person relied on different sets of semantic or pragmatic rules.How could the situation have been avoided? What advice could you give to others about this area of communication?