Deck 3: Understanding Verbal Messages

Question 1

In discussing romantic relationships, using the terms "husband and wife" rather than "life partner" demonstrates _____.

A) heterosexist bias
B) homophobic language
C) abstract language
D) sexist language

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Understanding that our words affect our emotions, thoughts, actions, and relationships means understanding that language is _____.

A) reflexive
B) ineffective
C) powerful
D) universal

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which of the following terms is the most concrete?

A) animal
B) cats
C) kittens
D) Siamese cat

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Thomas's mother told him he was either going to love high school or he was going to hate it. The extremes in her language are an example of _____.

A) polarization
B) allness
C) code switching
D) empathy

Question 5

While Ashanti and Candice were shopping at the mall together, Ashanti says, "Meet me at 2:00 in front of Sears." Candice thinks this means outside in front of the parking lot entrance. Ashanti thinks she is saying in front of the entrance on the inside of the mall. They spend two hours waiting for each other. What language problem is reflected in this situation?

A) allness
B) polarization
C) bypassing
D) denotative meaning

Question 6

Fred tells inappropriate jokes that make fun of people who are gay or lesbian. What type of language is Fred using?

A) heterosexist language
B) homophobic language
C) sexist language
D) generic language

Question 7

Tara was confused when her husband said his office felt like a zoo as everyone was running around like crazy trying to get things done. Tara remembered going to the zoo as a child with her parents and enjoying the peaceful setting. This exchange demonstrates the _____ meaning of words.

A) denotative
B) concrete
C) abstract
D) connotative

Question 8

Words that are _____ refer to things that we can see, touch, smell, taste, or hear.

A) denotative
B) connotative
C) concrete
D) abstract

Question 9

_____ is defined as the patterns in the arrangement of words in a language.

A) Allness
B) Syntax
C) Grammar
D) Phonetics

Question 10

When Margaret sees the American flag, she thinks about the men and women who fought for democracy. When Jaret sees the flag, he thinks about the football players who "take a knee" when the National Anthem is played. These two interpretations of the flag represent _____.

A) behavior
B) action
C) meaning
D) emotion

Question 11

Which of the following demonstrates the use of a gender-neutral term?

A) The instructor told the class, "Everyone should take out his pencil to start the test."
B) The mailman usually delivers the mail around one o'clock in the afternoon.
C) Hillary wondered if every chairman in the world acted like the one at her company.
D) Six new firefighters were hired by the village after more funding was provided.

Question 12

Stephanie knows she can say "oh my gosh" and "BFF" when talking with her friends, but won't use phrases like these when speaking to her professor. When she talks to him, she tends to use more formal language. Stephanie is demonstrating the concept of _____.

A) code switching
B) abstract language
C) concrete language
D) polarization

Question 13

In the textbook, an example of the use and subsequent disappearance of Ayds, an edible weight-loss product, based on its name is an example of which of the five attributes of words?

A) the power to create and label experience
B) the power to affect thoughts and actions
C) the power to communicate feelings
D) the power to make and break relationships

Question 14

Renata refers to the sight-impaired girl in her biology class as "the deaf and dumb one." The bias evident in Renata's language is based on _____.

A) ability
B) age
C) class
D) gender

Question 15

"I can't believe Paul took his iPod back. He's such an Indian giver." This statement illustrates _____.

A) polarization
B) bypassing
C) allness
D) trigger words

Question 16

The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis suggests which of the following?

A) Language and thought are exclusive of one another.
B) Thought is rooted in and controlled by language.
C) Language is rooted in and controlled by thought.
D) Language does not impact our worldview.

Question 17

Carson wants his audience to understand his message, so he clarifies the meaning of the word he wants to use by looking it up in the dictionary. Carson is seeking the _____.

A) connotative meaning
B) abstract meaning
C) emotional meaning
D) denotative meaning

Question 18

While unheard of just a few years ago, the word "crowdsourcing" is now commonly used in conversations. New words that are introduced into a language are called _____.

A) trigger words
B) neologisms
C) slang
D) signposts

Question 19

Kevin uses words like "councilman and mailman" even though he knows not everyone in these jobs is male. Kevin is using _____ language.

A) generic
B) homophobic
C) concrete
D) gendered

Question 20

When words reflect unqualified, often untrue generalizations that deny individual differences among people, they reflect the language barrier of _____.

A) bypassing
B) polarization
C) allness
D) denotation

Question 21

Which of the following exemplifies the concept of polarization?

A) Kevin told his brother, "You're either with me or against me."
B) Natalie believes that all men are created equal.
C) Taylor gets mad every time her mother says, "Are you wearing THAT?"
D) Jack resents being called a "blue-collar worker."

Question 22

When Jen hears the word "comfortable," she thinks of the large sectional couch at her parents' house where she spent hours watching movies with her high school friends. Her thoughts demonstrate the connotative meaning of the word.

Question 23

When she is angry with her husband, Maddie looks him in the eye as she says "yeah, right" and then walks into the other room. She knows her response will make him as frustrated as she feels. Maddie is using _____.

A) supportive communication
B) trigger words
C) empathetic communication
D) polarization

Question 24

One person describes arriving "early" as 15 minutes before class and another describes "early" as 5 minutes before class. This discrepancy in the understanding of the word "early" is an example of _____.

Question 25

Sexist language is considered inclusive.

Question 26

Greg is feeling overwhelmed at his new job with projects that are coming due in a short time. He is talking with Julia, his friend and coworker. Julia responds by relating the frustration and confusion she felt when she started the job and offers to help Greg get back on track. Julia's expression of understanding is an example of _____.

A) neutrality
B) empathy
C) manipulation
D) apathy

Question 27

Pam and Terry were discussing their current relationship when Pam decided to talk about what Terry had done in the past to hurt her feelings. This behavior is referred to as _____.

A) bafflegab
B) bypassing
C) allness
D) gunny-sacking

Question 28

Culture refers to the learned system of knowledge, behavior, attitudes, beliefs, values, rules, and norms shared by a group of people.

Question 29

The rules and standards that structure language are known as _____.

Question 30

The _____ Hypothesis suggests that our language and thought are so interrelated that how we think is based in and controlled by the language we speak.

Question 31

Trigger words are used to arouse emotions in another person.

Question 32

When you are trying to be specific and clarify a message, it is best to use abstract words.

Question 33

A gesture can be interpreted as a symbol.

Question 34

The _____ meaning of a word is something that cannot be perceived or experienced with one of the senses.

Question 35

Neologisms are new terms introduced into the language.

Question 36

Concrete meanings of words require people to use their senses.

Question 37

Defensive communication tends to create _____.

A) acceptance
B) superiority
C) mistrust
D) caring

Question 38

A word, sound, gesture, or visual image that represents a thought, concept, object, or experience is a(n) _____.

Question 39

Bypassing rarely occurs between two people who are both fluent in English.

Question 40

We use language as an involuntary reflex to a stimulus.

Question 41

Explain the concept of generic language and illustrate some alternatives to using this type of language.

Question 42

Andrea was trying to tell her roommate Chris about the difficulty she has been having in her geography class. Chris interrupted, "Believe me I've seen it before, and if you go on whining the way you are instead of working harder, you are never going to pass this class!" Rewrite this statement using supportive language, and explain the language that makes it be supportive.

Question 43

When the realtor tells Kim the countertops are granite, Kim runs her hand over the smooth, speckled surface. Kim knew the word granite because she could touch it and see it. This demonstrates the idea of a(n) _____ word.

Question 44

When you try to put yourself in another person's shoes and experience what he or she is feeling, you are using _____.

Question 45

A culture that exists within a larger cultural context is called a(n) _____.

Question 46

The most common form of sexism in language is the use of _____ language, which refers to using a masculine term to describe all people.

Question 47

Identify and discuss the five primary ways in which words have power.

Question 48

Language that creates a climate of trust is called _____ language.

Question 49

Illustrate six ways to use language that will create a supportive rather than an antagonistic environment.

Question 50

Select three of the following characteristics of language: (1) Words are symbols with meanings. (2) Words have denotative and connotative meanings. (3) Words reflect concrete and abstract meanings. (4) Words are culture bound. (5) Words are context bound. Then, in a well-supported answer, address (1) what it means, and (2) why it is important for an effective communicator to understand that concept. A superior answer will contain illustrations that are original and not in the textbook.