Appendix Workplace Communication and Interviewing Answer Key
Multiple Choice Questions
1.
The interactions people have as part of their employment are called
A.
employment communication.
B.
workplace communication.
C.
employee-customer communication.
D.
coworker communication.
2.
Much of workplace communication is __________, consisting of the messages people within
the workplace convey to one other.
A.
external
B.
upward
C.
downward
D.
internal
3.
Which of the following is NOT a type of formal communication?
A.
upward
B.
lateral
C.
diagonal
D.
downward
4.
Becky is the communications director for a major public relations company. She served on the
committee that drafted the company’s mission statement and helps upper-level managers
edit memos and official announcements. Becky also writes the company newsletter that is
distributed once a month. Based on these examples, Becky’s job seems to involve which kind
of communication?
A.
formal
B.
informal
C.
lateral
D.
upward
5.
What type of formal communication includes communication with peers, coworkers, or anyone
else whose level of power is similar to yours?
A.
equivocal
B.
lateral
C.
collegial
D.
workplace
6.
Which of the following describes the type of communication that is not sanctioned by an
employer but that arises from the social interactions of its members?
A.
informal
B.
casual
C.
downward
D.
lateral
7.
Which of the following statements is NOT true about a grapevine in the workplace?
A.
Grapevines use multiple communication channels.
B.
Communication along the grapevine is usually inaccurate.
C.
People rely heavily on the grapevine during a crisis.
D.
In many workplaces informal messages taking an unpredictable path.
8.
Sergei works for a shipping company that has been heavily affected by the economic
downturn. When a local newspaper reports that the company will start laying off employees,
Sergei spends much of his lunch break speculating with his coworkers about which employees
might be affected. He is eager to hear what others think but also to offer his own opinions, as
well as what he has heard. Sergei’s use of communication most likely reflects which idea?
A.
Communication along the grapevine can be remarkably accurate.
B.
People use the grapevine in unpredictable ways.
C.
People rely heavily on the grapevine during a crisis.
D.
Grapevines use multiple communication channels.
9.
When used effectively, _______________ communication can enhance an organization’s
reputation, productivity, community support, and economic success.
A.
formal
B.
informal
C.
internal
D.
external
10.
Which of the following is NOT usually an intended audience for a company’s external
communication?
A.
potential members
B.
lawmakers
C.
competitors
D.
stockholders
11.
Angie works for a local nonprofit organization, which is in desperate need of volunteers. Angie
places several radio and Internet ads promoting the advantages of helping people in need.
Which audience is Angie targeting with her external communication?
A.
the media
B.
the general public
C.
consumers
D.
potential members
12.
Which of the following represents the values, customs, and communication behaviors that
workplace members share and that reflect their organization’s distinct identity?
A.
organizational culture
B.
organizational rites
C.
workplace roles
D.
organizational rituals
13.
A ceremony to celebrate an employee’s promotion is an example of a rite of
A.
renewal.
B.
integration.
C.
celebration.
D.
passage.
14.
Russ works for a large telecommunications company that has over 400 employees. He enjoys
the yearly company picnic, as he has the opportunity to meet new colleagues and catch up
with coworkers from across the state. Following these gatherings, Russ always feels a sense
of belonging and commitment to the company. These company picnics are an example of
what type of rite?
A.
passage
B.
integration
C.
renewal
D.
bonding
15.
Wong is a salesman at a used car lot. He works hard and is committed to selling the most cars
on the lot and representing his employer in a fair and honest light. During one month in
particular, Wong is recognized as Salesperson of the Month, and he receives a plaque and
cash bonus. Wong has experienced what type of rite in the workplace?
A.
renewal
B.
integration
C.
enhancement
D.
reward
16.
Which of the following is NOT a type of organizational ritual?
A.
task
B.
social
C.
conflict resolution
D.
personal
17.
Which of the following are repeated behaviors that provide a familiar routine in a workplace?
A.
roles
B.
rituals
C.
rules
D.
norms
18.
If you and your coworkers meet every Tuesday at a local restaurant for happy hour, you have
established what kind of ritual?
A.
personal
B.
task
C.
relational
D.
social
19.
Lisa is a waitress at a restaurant. After she greets a table of customers, she will list that day’s
specials and take drink orders. After returning with the drinks, Lisa will then take orders for
appetizers and entrées. Because she performs these __________ rituals with every table, her
ability to do her job is enhanced.
A.
task
B.
social
C.
personal
D.
daily
20.
The ______ role of a receptionist at a company might be to greet visitors, issue visitor passes,
and answer incoming telephone calls.
A.
informal
B.
task
C.
formal
D.
organizational
21.
Many __________ roles that workplace members might play, including “conflict mediator,”
“confidante,” or “social event organizer,” are seen by others as indispensable to a group’s
success.
A.
formal
B.
informal
C.
social
D.
relational
22.
Which of the following terms describes the increasing interconnectedness of societies and
their economies as a result of developments in transportation and communication?
A.
globalization
B.
internationalization
C.
unification
D.
integration
23.
When we buy products that were manufactured or assembled in other countries and then
imported into the United States, we are affecting, and being affected by,
A.
internationalization.
B.
productivity.
C.
globalization.
D.
economizing.
24.
Which of the following is NOT a challenge specifically posed by communication technology in
the workplace?
A.
choosing a communication channel
B.
avoiding conflict
C.
ensuring security
D.
reducing distraction
25.
Shari works for the state division of child protective services. The e-mails and faxes she sends
and receives contain highly confidential information that has the potential to harm others’
reputations and even their safety. Shari carefully maintains her e-mail distribution list, and
every e-mail and fax she sends includes a note on the bottom informing the recipient that all
information contained therein is confidential. Shari is attempting to overcome which challenge
to communication technology in the workplace?
A.
reducing distraction
B.
choosing a communication channel
C.
work/life conflict
D.
ensuring security
26.
According to a study, 1.5 percent of total office productivity is lost every year in U.S.
businesses as a result of employees’ personal use of social media such as Facebook during
work hours. What challenge does this issue represent in terms of communication technology
in the workplace?
A.
ensuring security
B.
choosing a communication channel
C.
work/life conflict
D.
reducing distraction
27.
Franco is the vice president of an organic grocery store and is also the happy father of a two–
month-old boy. Franco’s store has recently opened locations all over the region, so Franco has
been spending a lot of his time traveling to the new stores to ensure that they are up and
running successfully. As a result, Franco doesn’t get to spend a lot of time with his newborn
child. He tells himself that this is a short-term problem. What type of work/life conflict does
Franco seem to be experiencing?
A.
life interference with work
B.
burnout
C.
work interference with life
D.
imbalance of priorities
28.
One of the most harmful effects of work/life conflict is a chronic sense of exhaustion or
apathy that can come from long-term frustration and stress. Which term best describes the
effect of this type of conflict?
A.
burnout
B.
fatigue
C.
tiredness
D.
anxiety
29.
Which of the following is NOT a consequence to a workplace when an employee suffers
burnout?
A.
lost productivity
B.
decreased communicative effectiveness
C.
increased absenteeism
D.
decreased apathy
30.
Bryant has kept his homosexuality private at his place of employment. However, a coworker
sees him out with his male partner in public one Saturday evening. At work the following
Monday, Bryant is subjected to derogatory comments and antigay jokes made by some of his
coworkers. What type of sexual harassment is Bryant experiencing?
A.
quid pro quo
B.
hostile work environment
C.
homophobic
D.
workplace
31.
In many workplaces, employees represent a mix of different cultures, religious beliefs, mental
and physical abilities, educational achievements, ages, genders, and political orientations.
These workplaces could be described as having which of the following characteristics?
A.
uniformity
B.
variety
C.
multiplicity
D.
diversity
32.
Which of the following is NOT a way to improve your adaptability to workplace diversity?
A.
remembering that being different doesn’t mean being wrong
B.
helping others to adapt
C.
expecting others to be as tolerant as you are
D.
checking your assumptions
33.
Karina is the administrative assistant for the president of a biotechnology firm. She gets
frustrated when she sends an important e-mail to her boss and he doesn’t reply immediately.
She doesn’t understand why he won’t prioritize information the way she does. What can
Karina do to understand her boss’s behavior better?
A.
help others to adapt
B.
check her assumptions
C.
remember that being different doesn’t mean being wrong
D.
communicate her anger
34.
When you sit down with someone to discuss your performance and your goals for the future,
you’re taking part in a(n) ___________ interview.
A.
exit
B.
problem-solving
C.
counseling
D.
appraisal
35.
During what type of interview would you describe both positive and negative aspects of your
job, your supervisors, and the organization before moving to another position or job?
A.
exit
B.
appraisal
C.
survey
D.
problem-solving
36.
Wayne is a census worker for the U.S. government. In an attempt to count and gather
information about the U.S. population, Wayne visits households and businesses and asks a
variety of questions. These questions include, “How many people live in your household?” and
“How many individuals are employed full-time here?” Wayne is conducting what type of
interview as a part of his job?
A.
selection
B.
persuasive
C.
survey
D.
appraisal
37.
What is the first step in landing a job interview?
A.
preparing a cover letter
B.
checking your online persona
C.
conducting a job search
D.
preparing a résumé
38.
In your ______________, you have the opportunity to express your interest in a job and to
describe how your education, skills, and experience would benefit the employer.
A.
résumé
B.
cover letter
C.
job search
D.
interview
39.
Which of the following should NOT be included on a résumé?
A.
references
B.
salary expectations
C.
education
D.
job-related skills
40.
When detailing your employment experience on a résumé, how should you list your jobs?
A.
alphabetically
B.
geographically
C.
by importance
D.
by most recent
41.
Dina is applying for a job as an assistant at a local food bank. She Googles her name and then
checks all the websites that come up. She makes sure that nothing inappropriate appears on
her Facebook page. What step of the job application process is Dina performing?
A.
preparing her résumé
B.
cleaning up her image
C.
checking her online persona
D.
creating an online persona
42.
Which of the following should you do to succeed in a job interview?
A.
research your potential employer
B.
keep your answers long and detailed
C.
don’t ask any questions of your interviewer
D.
don’t contact the potential employer after the interview
43.
Which of the following types of questions is NOT likely to be used in an interview?
A.
open-ended
B.
probing
C.
hypothetical
D.
personal
44.
“Can you work the night shift?” would be an example of what type of question in a job
interview?
A.
open-ended
B.
closed-ended
C.
hypothetical
D.
probing
45.
Which of the following is NOT a strategy for formulating questions for your interviewer?
A.
Ask questions that allow the interviewer to reflect on his or her own experiences.
B.
Don’t ask for details about the company that you should already know.
C.
Address salary or benefits, unless the interviewer already has already done so.
D.
Ask questions that indicate your long-term interest in the job.
46.
By asking your interviewer, “What has been your experience working for this company?” you
are employing what strategy?
A.
indicating your long-term interest in the job
B.
asking for details about the company that you don’t already know
C.
asking about your future at the company
D.
allowing the interviewer to reflect on his or her own experiences
47.
In the United States, the __________________ is the federal agency that monitors unfair
discrimination in hiring and firing decisions.
A.
Economic Development Administration
B.
Employee Benefits Security Administration
C.
Commission on Civil Rights
D.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
48.
Alfred is doing well in his job interview for a position at a local politician’s campaign office.
However, he’s a bit surprised when the interviewer asks if he has any disabilities. He is most
likely surprised because the interviewer has asked a(n) _____________ question.
A.
illegal
B.
immoral
C.
open-ended
D.
loaded
49.
Which of the following is NOT an effective way to respond tactfully to an illegal question in a
job interview?
A.
taking advantage of the question
B.
informing the interviewer that the question is illegal
C.
neutralizing the question
D.
tactfully refusing to answer the question
50.
During his job interview, Thomas is asked whether he plans on getting married and having
children. Although Thomas knows that the question is illegal, he ________________ by stating
that his family plans would not interfere with his ability to do the job in question.
A.
poses a tactful inquiry
B.
takes advantage of the question
C.
tactfully refuses to answer
D.
neutralizes the question