Class X

Employability Skills
Unit 1: Communication Skills-II
SESSION 1: Various Methods of Communication

Exercise
1. What do you mean by oral communication?
Oral communication is a means of verbal communication where sender and receiver remain present in person. It is
done by speaking to each other.
2. List the things we should keep in mind while communicating orally.
Active listening, clarity of the purpose of communication, clear and direct communication, suitable language and
vocabulary.
3. How does body language influence our communication positively?
Confident and clear voice, direct, frank eye contact reflects confidence, truth and sincerity. Eye contact engages
others in our conversation. Positive postures and gestures reflect interest, suitable smile, understanding, sincere
eyes, composed and calm face and proper use of personal space together make our body language positive.
4. How does body language influence our communication negatively?
Unclear speech, low voice, improper eye contact reflects lack of confidence or you are lying, fidgeting, slumping, changing
posture frequently show lack of interest, frown, grimace, lack of smile, and not respecting personal space together make
our body language negative.
5. Explain the role of non-verbal communication in our day to communication.
Non-verbal communication occurs along with non-written verbal communication (oral, telephonic, video meeting) and
greatly affects the verbal communication. Verbal communication refers to what is said while non-verbal communication
is how it has been said. The factors that constitute non-verbal communication are in general referred to as body language
that includes our posture, gestures, expressions, tone and quality of voice, and our movements etc. Our emotions also
play a vital role. How do we respect personal space of others, how do we greet people, shake hand and converse with
right expressions and posture determine the effectiveness of our verbal conversation.
6. What are the importance and limitations of visual communication?
Visual communication is instant, specific, clear and with zero ambiguity. Visual symbols support what we communicate.
He creativity of symbols, charts and graphics make the communication interesting and break the monotony of speech
and written word.
Limitations
l It has its usefulness up to some extent only.
l It cannot replace the content of speech and written word completely.
l It plays supporting role in communicating our ideas.
l Symbols which are not accepted as standard are difficult to understand.

7. List the meaning of any 10 signs and symbols you have seen around in public places.
No U turn, Stop, No parking, No smoking, Speed limit 45, One way, Road Diversion, No Horn, School ahead, Left turn.

SESSION 2: Providing and Receiving Feedback

Exercise
1. What is the role of feedback in communication cycle?
A feedback completes the communication cycle. Feedback helps in improving upon the communication. Further
responses in an ongoing communication are devised by the feedback received. This leads to the fulfilment of the
actual purpose of communication. This helps in making all the parties satisfied which are involved in the process of
communication. Since feedback improves quality of communication, the productivity of those involved is enhanced and
it also aids in rendering suitable environment for deliveries to achieve the goals.

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2. How should we perform feedback gathering during communication cycle?
l Listen to the feedback giver and let him/ her finish before responding.
l Try to make note - either mental or on paper – of what is being shared by the feedback giver.
l Your body language while receiving the feedback should reflect positive vibes and attitude.
l Remember that feedback is for improvement in further performance. Do not take it as personal criticism.
l Do not let emotions come in the way of feedback exchange process. Here, your emotional intelligence needs to be
in a balanced mode.
l To clarify any doubts or to seek any explanation on anything that you do not understand, ask precise and short
questions. Do not spiral into long, disconnected, vague queries for they will lead into further confusion and beat
the entire purpose of feedback.
l If you think that instant response is not possible from your side on the feedback, ask permission for some time to
draft or create your response so that you come back effectively, clearly and in a positive way to take the discussion
further on the feedback.
3. List 4 examples of providing feedback.
l A team leader in an office providing inputs on his analysis of his team mates’ performance.
l A teacher discussing the test performance of students to help them improve on their studies and result.
l A client sharing his views on the product delivered by the vendor.
l A business analyst providing pointers to the sales team after analysing its sales performance.

4. List the advantages of feedback in brief.

The feedback is given to people to help them improve their performance or output. A feedback completes the
communication cycle. Feedback also helps communicators adapt to the changes in communication. Feedback helps
communicators devise their next response and ensure that actual purpose of communication is met. Feedback brings
about the fruitful end of the communication. Feedback enriches the quality of communication, productivity of the
people and creates a conducive environment for performance and achieving the goals.
5. List 4 major skills of giving and receiving feedback.
Feedback giving skills:
l Give timely feedback. Delay in feedback loses its effectiveness.
l Feedback should not judge or compare a person. It should not ‘smell’ of bias.
l Feedback should be fair and supportive.
l Feedback should be complete and consistent throughout a communication cycle.
Feedback receiving skills:
l Being attentive while receiving feedback.
l Making mental or paper notes.
l Keeping a check on emotions.
l Do not feel being criticized or pinned down. Take it with a pinch of salt and work upon the feedback.

6. What is the basic difference between specific and general feedback?

General feedback is most suitable for short durations such as a feedback after a class test. This helps in quicker
improvements. General feedback covers just the general details which help in improving on the further actions to be
done such as upcoming exam.
Specific feedback includes point-by-point details. It also goes in quiet detail for the corrective actions suggested by the
feedback giver to the feedback receiver. Specific feedbacks are helpful in improving all the areas that are required to
achieve a goal.

SESSION 3: Communication Barriers and Its Measures

Exercise
1. Is it true that every communication may have certain barriers? How?
There is nothing like perfect communication environment or process. Barriers are always there in any kind of
communications such as environment, noise, prejudice, body language, emotions etc.
2. How do communication barriers adversely affect communication cycle?
Not using simple, non-ambiguous, clear and relevant language. The image and impression of the other person makes

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 us prejudiced towards him and we judge according to it what he/ she says. Disability in hearing, negative body
language, difference in accent, pronunciations, customs & culture, noise, distance, location etc. adversely affect our
communication cycle.
3. List certain major communication barriers in day to day communication.
Language, inappropriate emotions, perceptions and prejudice, body language, cultural and language differences,
noise, physical barriers.
4. List major ways to overcome common communication barriers.
Be prepared, use of suitable language, right emotions and attitude, drop prejudices, handle physical challenges, positive
body language, establish expectations, proper use of communication medium.
5. List some day-to-day real life communication barriers you have observed.
Emotions, attitude, language, lack of attention, improper body language, prejudice and perceptions.
6. How does body language pose barriers in communication? How can we take care of it?
Often, signals from body language are either avoided or misinterpreted. The reason is that body language signals are
too fast, simultaneous and dynamic. There could be several possible reasons of incorrect devious body language signals
such as a person looking dull may be not well but still be interested in what you say or a person giving cold handshake
may still come up as enthusiastic and confident during later communication process.

SESSION 4: Principles of Effective Communication

Exercise
1. How can you say that a communication done is effective? Take a small example.
If the communication purpose is established, it is clear, complete with no ambiguity and is based on right facts then we
can say that it is done effectively. For example, when teacher mentions the objectives of the classroom session then it is
clear, complete and based on facts such as “After this session, you will be able to list 3 advantages of computers.”
2. What factors determine an effective communication?
Sender, proper encoding of message, communication channel, proper decoding of message, complete, clear, short,
correct and concrete message.
3. List any 5 characteristics of effective communication
An effective communication is:
1. based on right facts and clear.
2. concise and to-the-point.
3. helps in developing relationships and goodwill.
4. leads to achieving set goals and outcomes.
5. establishes clear responsibility of the people involved in the process.
4. List 7 Cs of effective communication.
Complete, concise, considerate, clear, concrete, courteous and correct.

SESSION 5: Basic Writing Skills

Exercise
A. Identify the types of phrase in the following paragraph:
Pleasantly surprised (adjective) meeting her friend (verbal), at the airport (prepositional), had been sitting (verbal),
in the waiting lounge (prepositional), spotted her (verbal and noun). a lot of experience (noun), time flied very fast
(verb, adverb), boarded the same flight (verb), bound to Mumbai (prepositional).
B. Identify the parts of speech in the following paragraph:
NOUN PRONOUN VERB ADJECTIVE ADVERB PREPOSITION CONJUNCTION INTERJECTION
Girl Her Lived Poor Very much On Who Wow
Anna She Thought New Suddenly In So Alas
Mother Loved Useful To And

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 Year Thinking Beautiful Which
Gift Sew Long But
Hair Buying Colourful
hair ribbons Wished Too old
Clothes Buy Shining
Villagers Did Enough
set of needles Got Short
Threads Called
glass box Said
Money Have
Idea Saying
eve of new Removed
year
Cap Showed
Barber Bought
Selling

Exercise
A. Identify main clause and conjunctions in following Complex Sentences:
MAIN CLAUSE CONJUNCTION
1. The science show was very interesting as
2. that he’s rich and famous Now
3. he trained thoroughly Even though
4. winter is coming Since
5. she was younger When
B. How can you say that following sentences are compound sentences:
The following are compound sentences because they have two independent clauses (underlined) separated by
conjunctions (bold)
1. She walked to class, but Ravi ran.
2. I like pizza, but my brother likes green vegetables.
3. The nurse held up a doll, and the little girl giggled.

Exercise
A. Fill in the blanks with the suitable article:
1. The
2. The
3. an
4. a
5. The
B. Is there anything wrong with these sentences? Why? / Why not?
All sentences are okay because ‘the’ is not used before sports name, food item, metal name, proper noun, food name
like breakfast, lunch, dinner and colour name.

Exercise
1. Write a paragraph with a topic on the following hints:
Travelling is fun with adventure. It is a good hobby as it presents opportunities to visit new places and meet interesting
people. Travelling lets us make new friends in far places. We get to learn about various cultures, a variety of languages

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 and cultures. Visit to different places enhances knowledge, we meet different people. It accounts for good for health
since a tourist is an active and dynamic person. Travelling keeps us fit. Travelling is also a good career option. One can
write about the places travelled and publish them in the form of books, blogs and articles. When we meet different
cultures and people, we develop an understanding about them, It inculcates good habits such as patience, care, love and
concern for others. Overall benefit of travelling is that it improves personality. The only downside of travelling is that
it is an expensive hobby. It needs money to travel to different places. Food, stay and other related expenses make it an
exclusive hobby. It also claims a lot of time.

Assessment
1. Describe briefly how we can ensure effective verbal communication.
We can ensure effective verbal communication by active listening, asking questions, being clear on the agenda of
the communication, by encoding correct, clear and complete messages, by using proper language and vocabulary,
by being prepared before communicating, by anticipating responses for better communication, by avoiding out-of-
context references.
2. How is active listening important in verbal communication?
In oral communication attention is the key. Sufficient amount of attention helps understand the message and decode
it correctly. Active listening also enables us to ask correct questions to seek any clarity. This leads to mutual
understanding and overcomes any barriers. It also helps in avoiding any conflicts later.
3. How does body language affect our non-verbal communication?
Confident and clear voice, direct, frank eye contact reflects confidence, truth and sincerity. Eye contact engages others in
our conversation. Positive postures and gestures reflect interest, suitable smile, understanding, sincere eyes, composed
and calm face and proper use of personal space together make our body language positive.
Unclear speech, low voice, improper eye contact reflects lack of confidence or you are lying, fidgeting, slumping, changing
posture frequently show lack of interest, frown, grimace, lack of smile, and not respecting personal space together make
our body language negative.
4. List some positive body language signs concerning body posture, gestures, expressions, eye contact, touch,
personal space and voice.
Erect stance, relaxed, straight posture, attentive eye contact, sincere nod with the face, sitting with open hands, straight
shoulders are signs of positive postures and gestures. Direct, frank eye contact reflects confidence, truth and sincerity.
Eye contact engages others in your conversation. Proper handshake and touch. Being respectful to other people’s
personal space creates a good impression and people open with you quickly. Clear and confident voice.
5. How is visual communication different from general communication we do day-to-day?
In visual communication, message is decoded and encoded in the form of symbols, pictures, graphics, signs and charts
etc. Visual communication is required where message has to be communicated quickly such as traffic signals. Visual
communication supports general communication. General communication is suitable where detailed process is needed
to communicate information. General communication relies on the language and body language.
6. What important role does feedback play in effective communication?
Without feedback communication cycle is incomplete. Feedback helps in further communication during the process.
Suitable feedback prepares us for next response in a better way. Feedback completes the communication cycle by
achieving the set goals. A good feedback enhances the quality of communication, increases productivity and helps in
performing well to achieve the goals.
7. List certain ways of giving and receiving feedback.
Providing Feedback
l Give positive feedback.
l Feedback on behaviour and attitude.
l Discuss negatives tactfully and suggest improvement.
l Do not be personal in giving feedback.
l Chose a place where no one should disturb.

Receiving Feedback
l Do not interrupt the feedback giver.
l Listen attentively.
l Keep positive body language.

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 l Understand that feedback is not criticism.
l Be in self-control.
l Ask short, specific questions.
l If needed, ask time to prepare for your response.
8. How are general and specific feedback different? What is the advantage of specific feedback?
General feedback is quick feedback. It takes shorter time. This helps in achieving short term goals and quicker
improvements. General feedback covers just those details which are useful in improving on just those actions which are
required further to improve upon the performance.
Specific feedback is a detailed feedback and includes point-by-point findings. It also details upon the suggestions for
improving on the gaps. Specific feedbacks are helpful in improving all the areas that are required to achieve a goal.
9. What do you mean by communication barriers? How can we overcome these barriers?
Any factor or element that affects the communication process adversely is called communication barrier. There are
several factors that constantly function as barriers for better communication. Physical conditions constitute the
environment of communication. Hot or cold room, bad seating, poor light, defective communication medium, slow
speed of internet while interacting online are environmental barriers in communication. These can be anticipated and
taken care of in most of the cases.
Noise, distractions of any sort, distance, undesired turn of events during the communication process are situational
barriers which are sometimes difficult to anticipate and need to be handled deftly as they occur.
We tend to jump to conclusions. Emotional state, patience level, temperament, liking and disliking of the communicators
are some barriers in effective listening. Unprejudiced, fair and attentive listening is a skill that can be developed slowly
for successful receiving and decoding of the message.
10. Describe some important principles of effective communication.
l Setting up a communication code: Communication code means deciding the manner in which the communication
must occur. The language, environment and mode of communication also help in setting up the code of
communication.
l Proper message encoding: For effective communication, message needs to be encoded well. Such message is clear,
complete and correct. Well encoded message has clear purpose.
l Proper message decoding: Decoding of the message is done by the receiver. It means how the receiver interprets
the message. Active listening, being aware of the purpose of the communication and a considerate temperament
are the keys to correctly decode the message.
l Suitable response to the message: The suitable response of the receiver is also an important factor. This decides
further progress of successful communication.
11. Describe any 5 Cs (change 7 to 5) of effective communication.
l Complete Message: A message should cover who, what, when, where, why and how. Who this message is meant
for? What exactly do you need to convey? When is the right time to communicate? Where are the participants?
Why do you need to do this communication? How are you going to communicate?
l Concise Message: Concise message is short but complete or appropriately sized. Message with unnecessary details
adds to confusion. A too short message may not be clear or incomplete.
l Considerate Message: Consideration makes a good communicator. A considerate communicator keeps the
requirements of the recipient. Such as language of the message should be easier for receiver to understand.
l Clear Message: A clear message is always in plain, easy language with no unnecessary details to avoid ambiguity
and confusion. Message should have facts specified in short and simple sentences.
l Concrete Message: A concrete message mentions expected outcomes of the communication. Concrete message
focuses on the central idea and purpose of the communication.
12. What do you mean by complete, concise and concrete message?
Complete message should cover who, what, when, where, why and how. Who this message is meant for?, What exactly
do you need to convey?, When is the right time to communicate?, Where are the participants?, Why do you need to do
this communication?, How are you going to communicate?.
Concise message is short but complete or appropriately sized. Message with unnecessary details adds to confusion.
A too short message may not be clear or incomplete. Concise message contains necessary and relevant information.
A concrete message contains expected outcomes of the communication. Concrete message encompasses the core idea
and purpose of the communication. It avoids unnecessary details to prevent confusion.

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13. How is a phrase different from a sentence? Give 2 examples.
A set of words that indicates some object or action but does not makes complete sense is called a phrase while a group
of words that makes complete sense is called a sentence.
A phrase is a part of a sentence. For example:
Phrase: a red bicycle Sentence: Lata is riding a red bicycle.
Phrase: is sitting Sentence: The monkey is sitting on the tree.
14. Giving 2 example each, explain compound and complex sentence.
Compound sentence: A compound sentence has at least two main, independent clauses and may have subordinate
clauses. All clauses are separated by conjunctions (like and, but, while, when, which, whereas, therefore etc.)
E.g. I would like to have a coke or a cold coffee.
Here, or is conjunction joining two main clauses - have a coke and a cold coffee.
Complex sentence: A complex sentence has only one main clause and at least one subordinate clause.. E.g. She was not
happy with Ravi because he was late for work.
[first clause is main and second one is subordinate]
Because Ravi was late for work, she was not happy with him.
[first clause is subordinate and second one is main]
15. How does article differ in usage for consonants and vowels? Explain with 2 examples.
Indefinite articles, ‘A’ and ‘an’ are indefinite articles which are used with singular noun.
For example, There bought a book. I saw an aeroplane.
Article ‘an’ is used before vowel sounds and ‘a’ is used before a consonant sound.
For example, He eats an apple daily. Butterfly is an insect.

Unit 2: Self Management Skills-II

SESSION 1: Stress and Its Effects

Exercise
1. What do you mean by stress? What is the difference between eustress and distress?
When body and mind try to adjust with the changes around us, we go into a state of stress. Eustress is the good effect
of stress like we feel elated when we pass the exam with flying colours. Distress is negative form of stress like we feel
discouraged when we fail in achieving something.
2. List some common symptoms of physical and psychological stress.
Common physical effects of distress: Headache, Muscular tension, fatigue, chest pain, upset stomach, disturbed sleep
and low energy.
Common psychological effects of distress: Anxiety, feeling demotivated, loss of attention, depression and frustration,
angry outbursts, drug and alcohol abuse, social withdrawal, over reaction.
3. List some distress symptoms due to over-work or over-study.
Headache, fatigue, disturbed sleep, low energy, anxiety, feeling demotivated, loss of attention, depression and frustration,
angry outbursts and over reaction.
4. How does stress affect working women?
Working women experience tremendous stress. Taking care of domestic chores and home making becomes difficult.
Balancing with relations, friends and work causes a great deal of stress.
5. What do you mean by internal stress?
Internal stress is the outcome of our thought process. It is more of a mental state that brings about anxiety, fear of any
possible problem, unrealistic expectations etc. Internal distress needs to be dealt with timely otherwise it may cause
headache, heart trouble, insomnia, memory loss, loss of focus etc.

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