ENG301: Business Communication Trivia Quiz

Skilled communicators
draw on an extensive and complex body of knowledge, including semantics (the study of word
choice), linguistics (the study of language), rhetoric (the study of writing and speaking effectively),
psychology, sociology, graphic design, and even computer science.

Personality and attitude are complex cognitive processes because they involve a combination of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that are influenced by various internal and external factors. Personality refers to an individual's unique set of characteristics, including their patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, which are relatively stable over time. Attitude, on the other hand, refers to an individual's evaluation or judgment towards a particular object, person, or situation, which can also influence their behavior. Both personality and attitude are shaped by genetics, upbringing, socialization, and personal experiences, making them complex processes that contribute to individual differences in behavior and decision-making.

Physical Characteristics
• Physical characteristics such as body shape, general attractiveness, body and breathe odours, weight,
hair and skin colour are important parts of nonverbal communication.
• Because people react and respond to these factors, they all determine their responses in
interpersonal encounters. First impressions and images of others can be associated unconsciously
with past experiences of people with similar physical characteristics.

For Speaking
Mumbling, not enunciating, speaking too quickly, noises become of hissing ventilation, blowing air
conditioning, ringing telephones, slamming doors etc.

Semantics is the study of word choice and meaning in language. It examines how words and phrases convey specific meanings and how these meanings can vary in different contexts. Semantics focuses on understanding the relationship between words, their definitions, and the concepts they represent. Linguistics is the broader study of language and its structure, while psychology explores the human mind and behavior. Rhetoric deals with the effective use of language to persuade or influence an audience. Therefore, semantics is the correct answer as it specifically pertains to the study of word choice.

Denotative meanings refer to the literal or dictionary definition of a word, without any emotional or subjective connotations. This means that when using denotative meanings, one simply names objects, people, or events without indicating any positive or negative qualities associated with them. Connotative meanings, on the other hand, involve the emotional or subjective associations that a word may carry, going beyond its literal definition. Therefore, the correct answer for this question is denotative meanings.

Selecting some details and omitting others is a process called abstracting. On many occasions abstracting is
necessary. However, you should be cautious about “slanted” statements.

Inferring
Conclusions made by reasoning from evidence are called inferences. We make assumptions and draw
conclusions even though we are not able to immediately verify the evidence. Some inferences are both
necessary and desirable; others are risky, even dangerous.

Paralanguage refers to the nonverbal elements of communication, such as tone of voice, pitch, volume, and pauses. It involves the use of vocal cues and variations in speech that convey meaning and emotions. While language involves the use of words and grammar, paralanguage focuses on the way language is spoken rather than the content of the message. Therefore, paralanguage is associated with language but does not involve the word system.

In ancient Greece and Rome, it was necessary to communicate when dealing with matters
in assemblies and the courts. During the Medieval and Renaissance Periods, the oral tradition progressed.
As writing became more important as a permanent record of communication, authors and books on written
communication principles appeared.

Skilled communicators
draw on an extensive and complex body of knowledge, including semantics (the study of word
choice), linguistics (the study of language), rhetoric (the study of writing and speaking effectively),
psychology, sociology, graphic design, and even computer science.

Cultural nonverbal communication, by contrast, is characteristics of, or common to, a group of people. It is
learned unconsciously by observing others in the society group. In Aboriginal culture, for example, eye
contact is less acceptable than it is European culture.

There is a type of the communication theory which is called rhetorical theory. This provides more dimensions for the communication process to make it clear and understandable. The writer of this theory says that communication process is not a single process or it is not a linear process. It is not like just to send message and receive it but it is a continuous circular process. The whole communication process is dynamic according to the rhetorical theory. The rhetorical theory adds more things to the communication process. Many people in the business do not take care of accuracy of the message which is very important aspect of communication

The denotative words in the given list are "desk," "water," and "man." These words have clear and specific meanings that can be found in a dictionary. "Desk" refers to a piece of furniture used for writing or working, "water" refers to the liquid form of H2O, and "man" refers to an adult human male. These words do not carry any figurative or symbolic meanings, but rather represent concrete objects or concepts.

Four types of nonverbal messages
1. Personal (to the individual)
2. common to a group of people or culture
3. universal (to humankind)
4. unrelated to the message (random