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1. Semantic rules govern __________.
A) the order in which words are organized into sentences
B) how we use language to accomplish actions
C) the meaning of words
D) how words are translated from one language to another
2. What do syntactic rules regulate?
A) How words are translated from one language to another
B) The order in which words are organized into sentences
C) How we use language to accomplish actions
D) The meaning of words
3. Bob let Russ borrow his green sweater. Which sentence conveys this information while
following the syntactic rules of English?
A) Russ borrowed Bob’s green sweater.
B) Bob’s green sweater Russ borrowed.
C) Borrowed Bob’s green sweater Russ.
D) Bob’s green sweater borrowed Russ.
4. Pragmatic rules apply to __________.
A) the use of language to achieve goals
B) the meaning of words
C) the way words are translated from one language to another
D) the order in which words are organized into sentences
5. Which statement about symbols is true?
A) Symbols have an inherent connection to what they represent.
B) Symbols have the same meaning across all languages.
C) Symbols help us communicate efficiently.
D) Ideas cannot be represented by more than one symbol.
6. The denotative meaning of the phrase “he’s a snake” is___________.
A) he is a slithering reptile
B) he is someone who cannot be trusted
C) he is a dangerous person
D) he is not what he seems to be
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7. Jamal drove his car to pick up his four-year-old daughter, Addison, from school. As they
were leaving the school, Jamal smiled at Addison and said, “We are rolling, Addison!” What is
the connotative meaning of Jamal’s message?
A) We are turning over and over.
B) We are leaving the school.
C) We are going to the store.
D) Have a good day.
8. Which of the following is NOT a reason that languages change?
A) No two people acquire or use language in exactly the same way.
B) New inventions and experiences require new words.
C) Words or other features of one language community being adopted by another
language community.
D) Language is represented through arbitrary words that are symbolic.
9. Words can have different meanings even when we understand the semantic sense in
which they are being used because words are __________.
A) concrete
B) ambiguous
C) denotative
D) biased
10. Which of the following statements is the MOST abstract?
A) You earned a 96% in your communication class.
B) I bought three boxes of crackers from the store.
C) Most people like that.
D) I rode my bike to campus.
11. “The O-ring malfunctioned” is a sentence that might be misunderstood because it uses
__________.
A) abstract language
B) jargon
C) an improperly used word
D) equivocal language
12. One problem with the use of jargon is that it can be perceived as __________.
A) oversimplified
B) repetitive
C) equivocal language
D) exclusionary
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13. Why might the phrase “please be more pacific when you speak” be misunderstood?
A) It uses abstract language.
B) It contains jargon.
C) It includes a word that is used improperly.
D) It uses equivocal language.
14. April was trying on a pair of shoes at the mall when Megan, a friend of her sister, saw
her and stopped to say hello. The two girls always had a small rivalry going, so when Megan
said to April, “Those shoes are really going to make you stand out,” April wasn’t sure what to
think. April may have misunderstood Megan’s statement because it included __________.
A) abstract language
B) jargon
C) an improperly used word
D) equivocal language
15. After installing a new piece of equipment at his print shop, Martin explained to his
employees how to use it. Martin used language for which purpose?
A) To persuade
B) To share information
C) To tell a story
D) To express his feelings
16. “Vote for me, and I will make sure that you have access to health care” is an example of
how language is used to __________.
A) accomplish actions
B) imagine
C) influence others
D) sharing information
17. While making a toast at a party celebrating her parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary,
Sheila talked about how much she loved both of them and how proud they made her by staying
together for so long. What did Sheila use language to do when making her toast?
A) Express her feelings
B) Influence the audience’s beliefs
C) Tell an imaginary story
D) Encourage the audience to take action
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18. When rhetorician Walter Fisher referred to humans as homo narrans, he meant that
people __________.
A) use language primarily to share facts
B) are storytelling beings
C) actively change language by creating new words
D) prefer conversation to silence
19. “I am sorry that I am late” is an example of how language is used to __________.
A) accomplish actions
B) imagine
C) influence others
D) sharing information
20. “If you’re good, I’ll take you and your friends to the amusement park this weekend.” This
statement is an example of a __________.
A) demand
B) threat
C) compliment
D) promise
21. Which of the following is an example of an immutable characteristic?
A) Hair color
B) Race
C) Car type
D) Office location
22. When biased language intensely attacks individuals based on their membership in certain
groups, it is sometimes referred to as __________.
A) jargon
B) verbal clutter
C) hate speech
D) equivocal language
23. Which is an example of a gender-neutral term?
A) Actress
B) Chairman
C) Cleaning lady
D) Pilot
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24. One way to make your message considerate is to __________.
A) include multiple references to stereotypes
B) use gender-specific terminology whenever possible
C) include references to ethnicity only when necessary
D) leave out politically correct language
25. Which strategy will help make sure that your verbal responses are respectful?
A) Blame others for your feelings.
B) Work for accurate understanding.
C) Respond defensively.
D) Use gender-specific terminology.
26. To be considered a language, a standardized use of words must be shared by a large
community of persons that transcends national boundaries.
A) True
B) False
27. Language is rule based.
A) True
B) False
28. Semantic rules regulate the order in which words are organized into sentences.
A) True
B) False
29. Words have a precise meaning that is understood by everyone.
A) True
B) False
30. In English, the primary order of a sentence is subject-object-verb.
A) True
B) False
31. Pragmatic rules apply to the use of language to achieve goals.
A) True
B) False
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32. The symbol used to refer to a given concept will be similar from language community to
language community.
A) True
B) False
33. The same language can use different words to refer to the same idea.
A) True
B) False
34. The connotative meaning is a word’s exact, literal definition.
A) True
B) False
35. Many words in modern English come from a multitude of languages, including Dutch,
Spanish, Latin, Greek, or French.
A) True
B) False
36. A goal of effective communication is the creation of shared meaning.
A) True
B) False
37. Language is a perfect vehicle for understanding.
A) True
B) False
38. Meanings are in people, not in words.
A) True
B) False
39. Abstract words suggest exactly what you mean.
A) True
B) False
40. Misunderstanding can occur when unfamiliar jargon is used.
A) True
B) False
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41. Improper word choice occurs when a communicator uses a word that does not have the
meaning that he or she intends to express.
A) True
B) False
42. Verbal communication can be used to try to persuade a person to do something.
A) True
B) False
43. Storytelling is a common way of using language creatively.
A) True
B) False
44. One function of words is to perform actions.
A) True
B) False
45. A person’s occupation is an example of an immutable characteristic.
A) True
B) False
46. Flooding is especially likely to be triggered in heterosexual males in a romantic
relationship.
A) True
B) False
47. The use of abstract language is a way to improve the clarity of your message.
A) True
B) False
48. To avoid bias, it is important to use gender-specific terms when possible.
A) True
B) False
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49. We should recognize that we will not always agree with people when we interact.
A) True
B) False
50. The exchange of messages using language is ___________ communication.
51. A(n) ___________ is a standardized use of words that is shared by a community of
persons.
52. The words we use to communicate are___________, meaning that the words are used
arbitrarily to represent something else.
53. ___________ refers to words or other features of one language community being
adopted by another language community.
54. ___________ dependent means that the same word can have different meanings
depending on the circumstances in which it is used.
55. Words are___________, which means that they have no precise meaning that is
understood by all.
56. ___________ words are specific and suggest exactly what you mean.
57. Specialized or technical words or phrases familiar to people in a specific group are called
___________.
58. When a speaker uses word(s) with a range of meanings, he or she is using ___________
language.
59. ___________ is the effort to influence people’s beliefs, attitudes, or actions.
60. ___________ language is the use of words that suggest prejudice or preconceptions
about a group of people based on shared characteristics.
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61. ___________ is a feeling marked by an intense physiological fight-or-flight response.
62. ___________ language means using the fewest words necessary to express an idea.
63. Verbal ___________ refers to extraneous words that make it hard for others to follow
your message.
64. A___________ term is a word that avoids indicating whether the person being
referenced is male or female.
65. Identify and explain three key rules of language. Be sure to include an example of each.
66. Discuss four reasons why verbal communication can lead to misunderstandings.
67. Misunderstandings are not uncommon in verbal communication, and as a result, there
are several ways that we can ensure our message is clear. Identify at least two of these methods,
and explain how each can reduce verbal misunderstandings.
68. Define “gender–neutral terms,” and discuss the significance of using this type of
terminology.
69. Norman is running for student government president at his college. His opponent, Leslie,
has run a nasty campaign, even to the point of accusing him of cheating in one of his classes.
Norman is furious and is trying to create a respectful response to Leslie. Discuss the three
guidelines in the text that Norman could use as he prepares his response to Leslie. Be sure to
include specific suggestions for Norman.
Answer Key
1. C
2. B
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45. B
46. A