SPECIAL EXAM REVIEW WEB PAGE - CHAPTERS 1& 2
Introduction
This document covers chapter 1. Chapter 2, and then the essay questions, will be in separate documents when I have finished preparing them (see web page). Chapter 1 is separated into 9 items, which are 5 parts of chapter one that the teacher described.
The most information on the exam was given during class, Wednesday, August 23, 2000. The following incorporates that information with other information and tips to make for the best exam review possible.
Note the link on the main web page for Business 8 to the multiple choice questions. For sure some of these exact questions will show up on the exam..
The information below is in the order that it appears in the textbook. It includes what the instructor told us on August 23 would be on the exam, the multiple choice questions from the meguffey.com website that relate to what we were told would be on the exam, as well as homework questions that relate to what was on the exam. Each of the meguffey.com questions relate to specific text in the textbook which I had already identified before August 23, so that I now easily present them to you as related to what the instructor told us in class.
When I make page references, I suggest you always read the original complete text version in context, as the exam questions are most likely on the fringes of what I quote below and not taken exactly from what I quote below.
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ITEM 1
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TEXT READ ALOUD BY INSTRUCTOR (Pages 4.4 and 5.3):
"Heightened Global Competition: Small, medium, and large companies increasingly find themselves competing in global rather than local markets. . . . Successful communication in these new markets requires developing new skills such as cultural knowledge and sensitivity, flexibility, patience, and tolerance."
MOST CLOSELY RELATED MEGUFFEY.COM QUESTION (Chap 1, Question 2):
2. U.S. companies are expanding into global markets because _______.
A. local markets are experiencing excellent sales
B. communication and transportation systems have improved
C. the local workplace is becoming more diverse
D. the population of the United States is decreasing
(The answer is B.)\
REVIEW QUESTION 1, part A, covers material around where the instructor touched on:
| 1 | How are business communicators affected by the emergence of global competition, flattened management hierarchies, and expanded team-based management?1 | a. They "deal with people who are very different from [them]" as well as "the complications of multiple time zones, vast distances between offices, and different languages." They are required to develop "new skills such as cultural knowledge and sensitivity, flexibility, patience, and tolerance." |
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ITEM 2
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I. A. 3 Expanded Team-Based Management
TEXT READ ALOUD BY INSTRUCTOR (Pages 5.6):
"Nearly 80 percent of employers in all industries have adopted some form of quality circles or self-directed teams."
MOST CLOSELY RELATED MEGUFFEY.COM QUESTION:
NONE
REVIEW QUESTION 1, part C, covers material around where the instructor touched on:
| 1 | How are business communicators affected by the emergence of global competition, flattened management hierarchies, and expanded team-based management?1 |
c. "All members of the [business communicator's] team have to analyze problems and negotiate solutions. . . . When companies form cross-functional teams, individuals must work together and share information. . . . They work on developing interpersonal, negotiation, and collaboration techniques." |
However, I recommend reading the complete original text (page 5, last paragraph) I do state all relevant answers to the questions (i.e. the main points) in my Review Question answers, but leave out the examples which are most likely to be on the exam questions the textbook maker presents for instructors' use.
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ITEM 3
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I.A.4 Innovative Communication Technologies
TEXT READ ALOUD BY INSTRUCTOR (Page 7.3):
"E-mail has already become the most often used means of communication, according to the American Management Association."
Also see page 19, fig. 17 "Volume and Source of Messages for Average Worker"
MOST CLOSELY RELATED MEGUFFEY.COM QUESTION:
NONE, but see item 8 below, as well as page 19 Tech Talk: Tips for Controlling the e-mail monster, and page 19 figure 1.7 Volume and Source of Daily Messages for Average Worker.
REVIEW QUESTION 2, part A, may contain information ( but I recommend reading the original text paragraphs 2 and 3 on page 7):
| 2 | How are business communicators affected by the emergence of innovative communication technologies, new work environments, and an increasingly diverse workforce?1 | a. They are affected by the emergence of innovative communication in that they must have ". . . good computer skills. [They] now exchange information by e-mail, voice mail, and fax. Through teleconferencing and video-conferencing, [they] conduct meetings with associates around the world. And no self-respecting [business communicator] today would make a presentation without using sophisticated presentation software. . . . [A] skilled business communicator . . . must develop a tool kit of new communication skills. For example, [the business communicator] will want to know how to design documents for screen appeal, how to select the best medium for a message, and how to use on-line search tools efficiently." |
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NON-ITEM
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Note that instructor stated that there would be no questions on page 9, at least in the section "Thriving in the Age of Knowledge"
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ITEM 4
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Text read aloud by instructor (Page 11, Figure 1.3 & page 12):
"1. Sender has idea
"2. Sender encodes idea in message
"3. Message travels over channel
"4. Receiver decodes message
"5. Feedback travels to sender
"6. Possible additional feedback to receiver."
I would suggest that you also know two terms mentioned:
Encoding - means converting the idea into words or gestures that will convey meaning.
Channel - the medium over which the message is physically transmitted, e.e. telephone, memorandum, spoken word.
There are three (4!) closely related meguffey.com questions (Chapter 1, Questions 9-12):
(Correct answers are marked "* ->" )
9. The first step in the communication process is _______.
information transmission
message transmission
*-> idea formation
message encoding
10. When promoters of Pepsi-Cola in China used their successful "Come Alive With the Pepsi Generation" slogan, they didn't realize its translation would suggest bringing ancestors back from the dead. When a sender initiates a communication transaction, he or she has primary responsibility for _______.
selecting a proper communication channel
providing means to ensure reliable feedback
decoding the message properly to facilitate comprehension
* -> choosing appropriate words or symbols as part of the encoding
process
11. Rachel is deciding whether to prepare a memo to announce a new procedure or to hold a staff meeting to discuss how the new procedure should be implemented. She is involved in which segment of the communication process?
Message encoding.
* -> Message transmission.
Idea formation.
Message decoding.
12. Which of the following is the most useful feedback?
* -> "If I understand you correctly, your recommendation is to offer computer training to all new employees."
"I can't imagine why you think training would be helpful to new employees."
"That idea can't possibly work."
"All employees need computers."
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ITEM 5
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Text read aloud by instructor (Pages 13-14 ):
"Bypassing. . . . Frame of Reference . . . (skip Lack of Language Skill!) . . . Distractions."
I assume the instructor wanted the following frame of reference:
"The most significant barriers [that are known to disrupt the process of successfully communicating] for individuals are bypassing, frames of reference, lack of language skill, and distractions. . . .
"Bypassing happens when people miss each other with their meanings. . . . Everything
[Frame of Reference] "Everything you see and feel . . . is translated through your individual frame of reference. Your unique frame is formed by a combination of your experiences, education, culture, expectations, personality, and many other elements."
[Distractions] "Other barriers include emotional interference and physical distractions. Shaping an intelligent message is difficult when you're feeling joy, fear, resentment, hostility, sadness, or some other strong emotion. . . . . Physical distractions [include] faulty acoustics, noisy surroundings, or a poor telephone connection. . . ."
(*NOTE: I suggest reading over this section to see more examples and get more of the context pages 13-14: Obstacles That Create Misunderstanding and Overcoming the Obstacles)
About the section Overcoming the Obstacles (page 14), the instructor said "I encourage feedback."
THERE ARE TWO (2) MOST CLOSELY RELATED Meguffey.com QUESTIONS!:
13. Managers of a large American company were sent to Finland to supervise operations. Not realizing that employees in Finland prefer written communication to face-to-face interaction, the Americans could not understand why many of their personally delivered instructions were not implemented. A significant barrier to communication in this instance could be attributed to _______.
bypassing
lack of listening skills
* ->failure to recognize different frames of reference
emotional interference caused when senders or receivers are distracted by internal feelings
14. Sailing through her software presentation to new employees, Andrea noticed a stony gaze on the eyes of some listeners. She then slowed down, reviewed the main points, and paused to encourage questions. Andrea was striving to overcome communication barriers by _______.
questioning her assumptions, biases, and prejudices
improving her language and listening skills
* ->creating an environment for useful feedback
reducing physical distractions
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ITEM 6
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TEXT READ ALOUD BY INSTRUCTOR (PAGES 15-16):
"Oral Communication . . . Written Communication"
Instructor's comment: "Know the advantage of each."
MOST CLOSELY RELATED Meguffey.com QUESTION:
None.
HOWEVER, THIS IS ASKED BY QUESTIONS 9 AND 10 OF THE REVIEW QUESTIONS, which I answered as follows:
9 What are the advantages of oral, face-to-face communication?"[I]t minimizes misunderstandings because communicators can immediately ask questions to clarify uncertainties. . . . [I]t enables communicators to see each other's facial expressions and hear voice inflections. . . . [It] is . . . an efficient way to develop consensus when many people must be consulted." People enjoy it ". . . because it's easy, feels warm and natural, and promotes friendships."
10 What are the advantages of written communication?"It provides a permanent record [for use with] litigation and . . . government regulation.. . . . Writing out an idea . . . enables communicators to develop an organized, well-considered message. Written documents are . . . convenient. They can be composed and read when the schedules of both communicators permit, and they can be reviewed if necessary."
However, again, I recommend reading the complete original text (pp. 15-18) because the textbook questions tend to ask questions which I would consider trivia rather than the main points in passages of the text - and I do state all relevant answers the questions (i.e. the main points) in my Review Question answers, but leave out the examples which are most likely to be on the exam questions the textbook maker presents for instructors' use.
Also, a great summary of the advantages of each are in figure 1.6 Forms of Organizational Communication on page 18.
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ITEM 7
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TEXT READ ALOUD BY INSTRUCTOR (Page 17 - figure 1.5 Functions of Business Communication):
"The Functions of Business Communication are:
"1. To inform
"2. To persuade"
"3. To promote goodwill"
MOST CLOSELY RELATED MEGUFFEY.COM QUESTION:
15. The three basic functions of organizational communication are to _______.
inform, entertain, and explain
* -->inform, persuade, and promote goodwill
inform, persuade, and explain
inform, instruct, and entertain
REVIEW QUESTION 8 STATES THE SAME TRUTH:
8 What are the three main functions of organizational communication? It ". . . has three basic functions: to inform, to persuade, and/or to promote goodwill."
I bet the multiple choice question on the exam will be word-for-word as stated here, so just remember "goodwill."
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ITEM 8
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TEXT READ ALOUD BY INSTRUCTOR (PAGE 19):
In relation to the instructor's overabundance of e-mail, the instructor said there would be a question on the test about this, and she mentioned Figure 1.7 "Volume and Source of Daily Messages for Average Worker on page 19.. Note that its conclusion is that we get and send 190 messages a day.
MOST CLOSELY RELATED MEGUFFEY.COM QUESTION:
From the previous page (18, 3rd paragraph), is meguffey.com question #16:
16. One of the most serious problems facing today's knowledge worker is _______.
determining appropriate channels for messages
* --> learning to control information overload
learning to use a word processing program
learning how to send e-mail messages
THERE ARE NO REVIEW QUESTIONS RELATED TO THIS MATTER
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NON-ITEM
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Note that instructor stated that there would be no questions on Objective 5: Assess the flow of communication in organizations including barriers and methods for overcoming those barriers. pages 20-23
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ITEM 9
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TEXT READ ALOUD BY INSTRUCTOR (PAGE 25):
The teach said know the five ethical traps:
1. False Necessity
2. Doctrine -of-Relative-Filth
3. Rationalization
4. Self-Deception
5. Ends-Justify-the-Means
Therefore, for sure read page 25. However, of some help might be the meguffey and review questions.
TWO (2) RELATED MEGUFFEY.COM QUESTIONS:
19. Covering up incidents, abusing sick days, lying to a supervisor, and taking credit for a colleague's ideas are examples of _______.
breaking the law
actions necessary to get ahead today
*-->unethical actions
workplace distrust
20. Which of the following states a fact?
Our company's brand is selling better than the competitor's because of our lower price.
People are buying our product because of our excellent advertising.
*-->Our sales have increased 15 percent since we lowered the price of our product.
People like the new features of the product and have been buying more of it.
REVIEW QUESTION 14 - definitions without the valuable examples in textbook. Best read the textbook to review for exam.
| 14 | Discuss five thinking traps that block ethical behavior.6 | a. "The False Necessity Trap. People act from the belief that they're doing what they must do. They convince themselves that they have no other choice, when in fact it's generally a matter of convenience or comfort." |
| b. "The Doctrine-of-"Relative-Filth Trap. Unethical actions sometimes look good when compared with the worse behavior of others. . . . [You consider that your] minor infraction is insignificant compared with [theirs]." | ||
| c. "The Rationalization Trap. In falling into the rationalization trap, people try to explain away unethical actions by justifying them with excuses. Consider employees who 'steal' time from their employers by taking long lunch and coffee breaks, claiming sick leave when not ill, and completing their own tasks on company time. . . . [They think the company isn't] paying me what I'm worth anyway." | ||
| d. "The Self-Deception Trap. Applicants for jobs often fall into the self-deception trap. They . . . inflate grade-point averages or exaggerate past accomplishments to impress prospective employers. . . . Self-deception can lead to unethical and possibly illegal behavior." | ||
| e. "The Ends-Justify-the-Means Trap. Taking unethical actions to accomplish a desirable goal is a common trap." |
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END OF CHAPTER 1
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