Deck 3: Understanding Verbal Messages

Question 1

1-1 The rules and standards that structure language are called_____.

A) symbols
B) syntax
C) grammar
D) all of these

Answer 1

C

Question 2

1-12 Arman wants to be sure that Noshin understands his message,so he uses the dictionary meaning of a particular word.In this case,Arman is using which meaning?

A) Connotative
B) Sexist
C) Empathic
D) Denotative

Answer 2

D

Question 3

1-16 The practice of using one form of language and then switching to another form,usually seamlessly is known as

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

Answer 3

A

Question 4

1-11 A learned system of knowledge,behavior,attitudes,beliefs,values,rules,and norms that is shared by a group of people and shaped from one generation to the next is called a _____.

A) culture
B) race
C) class
D) nationality

Question 5

1-13 If what a word refers to can be experienced with our senses,it is described as _____.

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

Question 6

1-8 Which of the following words is the most concrete?

A) Sport
B) Activity
C) Competition
D) Sailing

Question 7

1-5 _____ is a person's interpretation of a symbol.

A) Behavior
B) Action
C) Meaning
D) Emotion

Question 8

1-4 A word,sound,gesture,or visual signal that represents a thought,concept,or object is a(n)_____.

A) symbol
B) meaning
C) trigger
D) action

Question 9

1-9 Bill was visiting his friend Carol's parents in Chicago.They offered him some tea;he was very thirsty,so he said he would love some.He was very surprised when they brought him a cup of hot tea.In Arkansas where he was from,the word 'tea' always meant iced tea.If you wanted a cup of hot tea,you asked for 'hot tea.' Which of the following characteristics of language best describes this situation?

A) Words have denotative and connotative meanings.
B) Words reflect abstract and concrete meanings.
C) Words are culture-bound.
D) Words are powerful.

Question 10

1-18 When words reflect unqualified,often untrue generalizations that deny individual differences among people,they become the language barrier of _____.

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

Question 11

1-20 "She never misses a day of church.She's a real holy roller." This statement illustrates _____.

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

Question 12

1-15 A new word introduced into a language is called a _____.

A) trigger word
B) neologism
C) bypass
D) none of the above

Question 13

1-19 Sexist language is also known as _____ language.

A) generic
B) empathetic
C) masculine
D) exclusive

Question 14

1-6 Judonna and Candice were shopping at the mall.Judonna needed to go to the other end of the mall to get something.She said to Candice,"Meet me at 2:00 in front of Sears." Candice thought that 'in front' meant outside in front of the parking lot entrance.Judonna thought that 'in front' meant in front of the entrance on the inside of the mall.Judonna and Candice spent two hours waiting for each other.What language problem is reflected in this situation?

A) Allness
B) Polarization
C) Bypassing
D) Denotative meaning

Question 15

1-14 Which of the following would be less likely to be considered a co-culture in the United States?

A) People with disabilities
B) Asian Americans
C) Gays and lesbians
D) U.S.citizens

Question 16

1-2 _____ is the pattern and arrangement of words in a language.

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

Question 17

1-7 _____ meaning conveys the content of what a word means,and the _____ meaning contains the feelings behind words.

A) Connotative;denotative
B) Denotative;connotative
C) Abstract;concrete
D) Concrete;abstract

Question 18

1-10 Sarah confides in Elizabeth saying,"Mr.Smith is inflexible when it comes to certain issues.I like a boss who can stand his ground and be firm in enforcing company policy." Elizabeth reports what Sarah said to Mr.Smith saying,"Elizabeth said that you were inflexible." Mr.Smith is offended by this comment.This example best illustrates which of the following?

A) Meanings are culture-bound.
B) Concrete words are preferable to abstract words.
C) Meanings are context-bound.
D) Connotative meanings may be misunderstood.

Question 19

1-3 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 world view.

Question 20

1-17 In the textbook,an example of the use,then disappearance,of a 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 Shape and Reflect Culture.
D) Power to make or break and relationships

Question 21

1-26 Using the terms "husband and wife" rather than "partner" demonstrates _____.

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

Question 22

1-29 The term "manual labor" reflects a _____ bias.

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

Question 23

1-32 Chris and Ryan are having a huge argument.Chris said to Ryan,"Either you love me or you don't!" Which of the following barriers to effective communication does this statement represent?

A) Denotation
B) Polarization
C) Abstraction
D) Sexism

Question 24

1-40 Pam and Terry were discussing their current relationship.Pam digressed from the current situation and began 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 25

1-21 Bias in language can be directed against _____.

A) age
B) class
C) sexual orientation
D) ability
E) all of the above

Question 26

1-23 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 27

1-30 Polarization is a form of

A) supportive communication
B) defensive communication
C) code switching
D) empathy

Question 28

1-25 The term police officer is an example of _____ language.

A) manipulative
B) rigid
C) superior
D) gender-neutral

Question 29

1-36 Rachel urged her Aunt Sandy to donate a large sum of money to a local club where Rachel was a member.Rachel knew that if she could bring in the most donations she would win an all-expenses-paid trip to California.Rachel's communication was

A) rigid.
B) superior.
C) evaluating.
D) manipulative.

Question 30

1-35 When she is angry with Robert,Alice tends to call him a "jerk," as she storms out of the room.She knows this term gets a response from Robert every time she uses it.The term is an example of a

A) supportive communication.
B) trigger word.
C) empathetic communication.
D) none of these

Question 31

1-33 Bob told Sam,"You're either WITH me or AGAINST me!" Bob's exclamation is an example of_____.

A) polarization
B) bypassing
C) political correctness
D) allness

Question 32

1-34 Which of the following would be considered to be a supportive response?

A) Evaluation
B) Description
C) Rigidity
D) Detachment

Question 33

1-22 Jack announces at the fraternity meeting that there will be a dance next weekend and everyone is invited to bring their girlfriend.This is an example of _____.

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

Question 34

1-24 Generic language is language that _____.

A) reveals bias
B) uses general terms that stand for all persons or things within a given category
C) reflects untrue generalizations
D) reveals the assumption that the word is heterosexual

Question 35

1-38 In response to his son's request,Tom said,"I don't care that you want! You'll do what I tell you to do because I am your father!" How would you most accurately categorize this response?

A) It is being manipulative rather than genuine.
B) It is being flexible rather than rigid.
C) It is being superior rather than equal.
D) It is focusing on the problem.

Question 36

1-39 Bafflegab is _____.

A) reflective of sexual bias
B) reflective of class bias
C) words used in a repetitive pattern
D) using words as shorthand that no one can understand but you

Question 37

1-27 According to your book,the problem with using 'man' as a generic reference to all people,is it _____.

A) makes women seem to be the standard
B) maintains sex-based perceptions
C) is more awkward
D) is not a problem

Question 38

1-28 Using the term "chairman" for both men and women who serve as the presiding officer at a meeting would be an example of _____.

A) generic language
B) sexist language
C) allness
D) bypassing

Question 39

1-31 Maddie told Hattie during their discussion on spirituality that Hattie just didn't "get it" which made Hattie feel disrespected and she became a bit hostile.This is an example of

A) polarization
B) code switching
C) empathy
D) trigger words

Question 40

1-37 Greg has just started his new job and is feeling overwhelmed with projects that are coming due in a short time.He is talking with Julia,his friend and co-worker.Julia responds by relating the frustration and confusion she felt when she started the job and offers to help Greg get back on track with his projects.This is an example of _____.

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

Question 41

2-11 Words can have both denotative and connotative meanings.

Question 42

2-12 Abstract language is easier to understand than concrete language.

Question 43

2-8 Words have both connotative and denotative meanings.

Question 44

2-6 Bypassing rarely occurs between two people who are fluent in English.

Question 45

2-19 Polarization is the tendency to describe something in terms of the middle ground.

Question 46

2-5 Meanings reside in words.

Question 47

2-18 The phrase "white trash" is considered to be biased language aimed toward individuals perceived to be from a particular socioeconomic class.

Question 48

2-3 The rules and patterns of language are known as grammar and syntax.

Question 49

2-17 According to your book,using words such as "fireman" and "postman" to represent all people in those professions makes women seem invisible.

Question 50

2-16 Allness is the tendency to describe individuals in terms of their unique traits rather than their similarities to others in their groups.

Question 51

2-9 Your book recommends minimizing the use of abstract words when you are trying to clarify a message.

Question 52

2-20 One way to communicate flexibility is to qualify your statements with phrases such as "This is just my opinion but..."

Question 53

2-4 A gesture can be interpreted as a symbol.

Question 54

2-2 The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis maintains that our thoughts are rooted in and controlled by language.

Question 55

2-1 According to the second principle for a lifetime,words should be used to engender supportiveness rather than defensiveness.

Question 56

2-15 Heterosexist language is used as if homosexuality and bisexuality did not exist.

Question 57

2-10 According to the textbook,meanings are context bound but not culture bound.

Question 58

2-13 The context of the communication is NOT important in determining the meaning.

Question 59

2-7 The denotative meaning of the word "home" can be found in the dictionary.

Question 60

2-14 Co-cultures sometimes develop unique languages of their own.

Question 61

4-6 When we can experience the referent of a word through our senses (i.e. ,by touching,tasting,hearing,smelling,or seeing it),the word is described as being _____.

Question 62

4-8 Language that uses general terms that stand for all persons or things within a given category is _____.

Question 63

4-7 When people learn a system of knowledge,behavior,attitudes,beliefs,values,rules,and norms that are shared and shaped from one generation to the next,they are learning a _____ .

Question 64

3-9 Explain the concept of gunny-sacking.

Question 65

4-10 A(n)_____ climate is one in which people experience trust,caring,and acceptance,and is created through the use of descriptive,empathetic,and/or genuine communication.

Question 66

4-2 A system of symbols structured by grammar and syntax common to a community of people is a _____.

Question 67

4-11 A(n)_____ climate is one in which people experience hostility,mistrust,and a lack of acceptance,and is created through communication that is evaluative,superior,and/or neutral.

Question 68

3-6 Define trigger words and discuss how they can be problematic.

Question 69

4-1 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 70

3-1 Briefly explain the importance of studying language.

Question 71

4-5 The _____ meaning is the level that conveys feelings,and is personal and subjective rather than literal.

Question 72

3-7 Last year,Maggie's grandmother passed away and she felt a great deal of sorrow over the loss.Last week,Halle's grandmother passed away and Maggie communicated her empathy for Halle's loss.In this case,how would Maggie express empathy?

Question 73

4-4 One person describes arriving "early" as 15 minutes before class and another describes "early" as 5 minutes before class.The discrepancy in the understanding of the word "early" is known as _____.

Question 74

4-9 _____ is the tendency to describe things in extremes or opposites without any middle ground.

Question 75

3-2 Explain the differences between concrete and abstract language.

Question 76

3-5 What is exclusive language,and why is it considered a problem?

Question 77

3-4 Briefly explain how a sensitive communicator might avoid offending others by avoiding bias with his or her language.

Question 78

4-3 When a person interprets or makes sense of symbols,he or she is creating _____.

Question 79

3-8 Discuss why it is better to solve problems than to control others.

Question 80

3-3 Give an explanation and an example of code switching..