Deck 3: Understanding Verbal Messages

Question 1

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

Answer 1

C

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

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

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Tara was confused when her husband said his office felt like a zoo and 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 animals in a peaceful setting. This situation demonstrates the _____ meaning of words.

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

Question 5

The word "restaurant" makes people think of a building where you go to eat. Like all words, "restaurant" is an example of a _____.

A) symbol
B) transition
C) metaphor
D) syntax

Question 6

You would find the _____ meaning of a word in the dictionary.

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

Question 7

Which of the following words is the most concrete?

A) Animal
B) Dogs
C) Puppies
D) Golden Retriever

Question 8

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 9

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 10

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

A) trigger words
B) neologisms
C) a bypass
D) signposts

Question 11

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

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

Question 12

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

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

Question 13

"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 14

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 15

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

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

Question 16

In the textbook, an example of the use, then 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 Shape and Reflect Culture.
D) The Power to Make and Break Relationships.

Question 17

The most common form of sexism in language is the use of _____ language.

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

Question 18

Language is given structure through the use of _____.

A) symbols
B) syntax
C) grammar
D) alliteration

Question 19

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 20

_____ refers to a person's interpretation of a symbol.

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

Question 21

While Marcus has no idea who is in charge of the company, he is sure that the chairman will be fair and he will also see Marcus as a possible candidate for the job. Marcus's thinking demonstrates the idea of _____ language.

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

Question 22

Which of the following would be considered a supportive response?

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

Question 23

Gregory thought the women who moved in next door probably "wore the pants in the family." This was his subtle way of saying he thought they were lesbians. His use of words is an example of _____ language.

A) heterosexist
B) homophobic
C) denotative
D) neologism

Question 24

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

Kendra works in a high-technology field and when talking to friends outside of work, she often throws in acronyms from her job that no one else understands. These acronyms are an example of _____.

A) generic language
B) signposting
C) gunny-sacking
D) bafflegab

Question 26

Rachel urged her Aunt Sandy to donate a large sum of money to a local club where Rachel was a member, by saying, "The club would be able to help more people in the community." 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 27

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 28

In response to his son's request, Tom said, "I don't care what 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 29

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

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

Question 30

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

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

Question 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. Maddie's comment is an example of _____.

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

Question 32

Samuel calls elderly people, "old geezers." This term demonstrates biased language based on ___.

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

Question 33

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 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 with his projects. Julia's understanding of how he felt is an example of _____.

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

Question 34

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 35

By using _____ language, a speaker becomes more other oriented, which will have a positive effect on his or her relationships.

A) exclusive
B) generic
C) inclusive
D) sexist

Question 36

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 37

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 "jerk" is an example of _____.

A) supportive communication
B) a trigger word
C) empathetic communication
D) polarization

Question 38

Whenever Mason wanted to talk about something serious with his girlfriend, she refused and told him to "relax." This made him angry as he felt like she was telling him his thoughts weren't worthy. In this instance, "relax" is a _____ word.

A) denotative
B) trigger
C) concrete
D) sexist

Question 39

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 40

At the beginning of the presentation, Trevor said, "Ladies, do you have problems getting your boyfriend to watch something other than football?" What type of language is Trevor using?

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

Question 41

The rules and standards of language are known as syntax.

Question 42

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

Question 43

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

Question 44

Using masculine language to describe all people is known as generic language.

Question 45

The context for communication is NOT important in determining the meaning.

Question 46

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

Question 47

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

Question 48

Abstract language is easier to understand than concrete language.

Question 49

When Jen hears the word "comfortable," she thinks of her grandmother's house at Thanksgiving. Her thoughts demonstrate the connotative meaning of the word.

Question 50

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

Question 51

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

Question 52

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

Question 53

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

Question 54

Grammar refers to the meaning of a word-a person's interpretation of a symbol.

Question 55

Code switching refers to shifting from first person to third person when communicating a message.

Question 56

Abstract meanings of words require people to use their senses.

Question 57

Neologisms refer to new terms introduced into the language.

Question 58

A gesture can be interpreted as a symbol.

Question 59

Heterosexist language assumes that homosexuality and bisexuality do not exist.

Question 60

The ability to understand and feel what another person is feeling is the definition of sympathy.

Question 61

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

Question 62

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

Question 63

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 64

_____ communication creates a climate of hostility and mistrust.

Question 65

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 66

Give an explanation and an example of a neologism.

Question 67

Discuss how empathy can help establish a supportive relationship.

Question 68

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 69

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 _____ word.

Question 70

Explain the differences between concrete and abstract language.

Question 71

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

Question 72

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

Question 73

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

Question 74

Explain the concept of gunny-sacking.

Question 75

The _____ meaning of a word is the level that conveys feelings, and is personal and subjective rather than literal.

Question 76

Define trigger words and discuss how they can be problematic.

Question 77

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

Question 78

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

Question 79

Briefly explain the importance of studying language.

Question 80

Language using general terms that stand for all persons or things within a given category is called _____.