Deck 3: Language and Communication

Question 1

Which of the following is a possible negative consequence of stereotyping?

A) Using a stereotype can prevent us from seeing people as they really are.
B) Stereotyping helps break down resistance.
C) We may get a more accurate view of the stereotyped group.
D) None of these answers is correct.

Answer 1

A
Explanation: Stereotypes have us see someone in light of views we may have about a group that person happens to be a member of. But quite often members fail to fit the stereotype. Stereotypes then can be the effect of having us fail to think critically. Rather than judge the person's character on the evidence available, we simply assimilate them to the stereotype and are then often misled about what the person is like.

Question 2

Which of the following is true of persuasive definitions?

A) Persuasive definitions are never a barrier to effective critical thinking.
B) Persuasive definitions are often used to persuade others to adopt a particular view.
C) Persuasive definitions are a type of precising definition.
D) Persuasive definitions are a type of theoretical definition.

Answer 2

B
Explanation: Persuasive definitions are redefinitions of existing words, and are often used to persuade others to adopt some position. They often redefine words in terms that have positive or negative associations, and so influence our attitudes rather than change our opinions by providing information. Thus, they can be a barrier to effective critical thought. A well-known example is the recent redefinition of the inheritance tax as "the death tax."

Question 3

Which of the following can be a barrier to effective communication?

A) nonverbal cues such as body language
B) careless use of ambiguous words
C) cultural differences
D) All of these answers are correct.

Answer 3

D
Explanation: Each of these can be a barrier to effective communication. Nonverbal cues can enhance communication, but can be misinterpreted. Ambiguous words may make it unclear what is expressed by a particular utterance; they may even make it appear that something entirely different from what is intended is being communicated. Cultural factors can also be a hindrance to communications. For example, some cultures use the same gestures or words that sound similar to mean entirely different things. Shaking your head up and down may mean "yes" in some cultures and "no" in others. Effective communicators are always on guard for how such factors hinder successful communication.

Question 4

Which of the following is true of the functions that language can serve?

A) Language can only be used to impart information.
B) Language can only serve one function at a time.
C) Language can be used as a part of a formal ceremony.
D) Language cannot be used to express and impart emotions.

Question 5

In his novel 1984,George Orwell put forth which of the following views?

A) Language is used those in power to stimulate free and open discussion among the citizens of a country.
B) Language can be manipulated by those in power to limit free thought among the citizens of a country.
C) The primary purpose of political language is to promote democratic reform of authoritarian regimes.
D) Language can be reformed by those in power to undermine the ability of foreign nations to wage war.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a rhetorical device?

A) sarcasm
B) euphemism
C) hyperbole
D) lying

Question 7

Which of the following is true of precising definitions?

A) Precising definitions decrease the vagueness of a word.
B) Precising definitions are less exact than lexical definitions.
C) Precising definitions are intended to increase confusion.
D) All of these answers are true of precising definitions.

Question 8

Which of the following is used to interpret the communications of others?

A) tone of voice
B) words spoken
C) body language
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 9

Which of the following is true of communication styles?

A) Assertive communicators attempt to get what they want by controlling others.
B) Passive-aggressive communicators avoid confrontation and instead let others control them.
C) Aggressive communicators strive for outcomes acceptable to everyone involved.
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 10

Which of the following is true of good definitions?

A) A good definition provides all of the essential characteristics of what is being defined.
B) A good definition can use the word being defined (or a variation of that word) as a part of the definition.
C) A good definition makes use of figurative language.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 11

Which of the following is true of gender and communication styles?

A) Gender does not influence communication styles.
B) Differences in communication styles due to gender can lead to miscommunication.
C) Men tend to communicate in order to build and strengthen relationships.
D) Women never communicate in order to simply relate information.

Question 12

Which of the following best describes a verbal dispute?

A) a disagreement that over what is factual
B) an apparent disagreement in which two people believe they are disagreeing but in fact are only using the same words in different ways
C) a disagreement over what words to use to describe a situation
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 13

Geoffrey Sampson offers what as evidence that,contrary to the views of Noam Chomsky,not all languages employ a universal grammar?

A) Chomsky is a leftist, and so he cannot be trusted.
B) Only the English language uses adjectives and adverbs.
C) Some less studied languages do not seem to use such a grammar.
D) Sixty percent of the world's languages have fewer than ten thousand speakers.

Question 14

Which of the following first became a lexical definition in the 2010s?

A) global warming
B) AIDS
C) cybercast
D) democracy

Question 15

Which of the following is true of theoretical definitions?

A) Theoretical definitions attempt to capture how a word is normally used.
B) Theoretical definitions are a type of precising definition.
C) Theoretical definitions have only connotative meanings.
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 16

Which of the following can differ from culture to culture?

A) nonverbal language
B) the purposes in communicating
C) styles of communicating
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 17

Which of the following is an essential component of critical thinking?

A) being aware of the communication styles of others
B) being aware of your own communication style
C) being a clear and accurate communicator
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 18

Which of the following is true of stipulative definitions?

A) Stipulative definitions can only be given to new words or combinations of old words.
B) Stipulative definitions often start as slang among groups.
C) Stipulative definitions can be true or false.
D) Stipulative definitions are never useful.

Question 19

Which of the following is true of lexical definitions?

A) Lexical definitions cannot be found in dictionaries.
B) A word can have more than one lexical definition.
C) Lexical definitions cannot be correct or incorrect.
D) Lexical definitions never change.

Question 20

Effective communication can help with which of the following?

A) leadership skills
B) critical thinking skills
C) having successful personal relationships
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 21

An important component of critical thought is clearly defining key terms.

Question 22

An operational definition is a type of precising definition that establishes precise measurements for whether or not something is denoted by the word.

Question 23

The flexibility of language only serves to enhance communication.

Question 24

Most language can serve multiple functions.

Question 25

Hyperbole is a rhetorical device that uses exaggeration.

Question 26

One function of expressive language is to bring about various emotional states in hearers.

Question 27

The denotative meaning of a word expresses the characteristics of the object symbolized by the word.

Question 28

A euphemism is a way of speaking in which someone conveys contempt by saying one thing while meaning something else.

Question 29

Directive language is either true or false.

Question 30

According to linguist Noam Chomsky,all languages differ in their basic syntax and grammatical structure.

Question 31

Only language can be used to convey information.

Question 32

Language is limited to spoken and written forms.

Question 33

People rarely lie.

Question 34

Miscommunication is always due to content.

Question 35

A good definition includes emotive words.

Question 36

A dysphemism replaces one word with another to create a positive effect.

Question 37

The connotative meaning of a word cannot vary from person to person or group to group.

Question 38

Language can be used to manipulate others.

Question 39

All college campuses allow unrestricted freedom of speech.

Question 40

Expressive language only serves the function of getting the listener to feel certain ways.