Unit 1: Communication Skills

Session 1: Methods of Communication

A. Multiple choice questions

B.
Read the questions carefully and circle the letter(s) (a), (b), (c) or (d) that best answer(s) the question.
(Note: There can be more than one correct choice)

1. Which of the following is NOT an element of communication within the communication process cycle?
(a) Channel
(b) Receiver
(c) Sender
(d) Time
2. You need to apply leave at work? Which method of communication will you use?
(a) e-mail
(b) Poster
(c) Newsletter
(d) Blog
3. By which action can senders send their messages?
(a) Gestures
(b) Speaking
(c) Reading
(d) Writing

B. Subjective question
1. Make a chart highlighting all the methods of communication. Use markers and colours to highlight
differences amongst all.

Methods of Communication

1.Face-to-face informal communication

There is nothing better than face-to-face communication. It helps the message to be understood clearly and
quickly. Also, since body language can be seen in this case; it adds to the effectiveness of the
communication.
2. e-mail
e-mail can be used to communicate quickly with one or many individuals in various locations. It offers
flexibility, convenience and low-cost.
3. Notices/Posters
It is effective when the same message has to go out to a large group of people. Generally used for where
email communication may not be effective.
For example, ‘Change in the lunch time for factory worker,’ or ‘XYZ Clothing will remain closed for
customers on Sunday.’
4. Business Meetings
Communication during business meetings at an organisation are generally addressed to a group of people.
It can be related to business, management and organisational decisions.
5.Other Methods
There can be various other methods like social networks, message, phone call for communication,
newsletter, blog, etc.

Choosing the right method of communication depends on

• target audience
• costs
• kind/type of information
• urgency/priority
Session 2: Verbal Communication

A. Multiple choice questions

1. Which of the following is an example of oral communication?
(a) Newspapers
(b) Letters
(c) Phone call
(d) e-mail

2. What are the types of words we should use for verbal communication?

(a) Acronyms
(b) Simple
(c) Technical
(d) Jargons
3. Why do we use e-mails?
(a) To communicate with many people at the same time.
(b) To share documents and files.
(c) To talk to each other in real-time.
(d) To keep a record of communication.

B. Subjective question

1. List the different types of verbal communication. Include examples for each verbal communication
type
Verbal Communication
1.Interpersonal Communication
This form of communication takes place between two individuals and is thus a one-on-one
conversation. It can be formal or informal.
Examples
1. A manager discussing the performance with an employee.
2. Two friends discussing homework.
3. Two people talking to each other over phone or video call.
2. Written Communication
This form of communication involves writing words. It can be letters, circulars, reports, manuals,
SMS, social media chats, etc. It can be between two or more people.
Examples
1. A manager writing an appreciation e-mail to an employee.
2. Writing a letter to grandmother enquiring about health.
3. Small Group Communication
This type of communication takes place when there are more than two people involved. Each
participant
can interact and converse with the rest.
Examples
1. Press conferences
2. Board meetings
3. Team meetings
4. Public Communication
This type of communication takes place when one individual addresses a large gathering.
Examples
1. Election campaigns
2. Public speeches by dignitaries

Session 3: Non-verbal Communication

A. Multiple choice questions
1. Which of these is a positive (good) facial expression?
(a) Frowning while concentrating
(b) Maintaining eye contact
(c) Smiling continuously
(d) Rolling up your eyes
2. What does an upright (straight) body posture convey or show?
(a) Pride
(b) Professionalism
(c) Confidence
(d) Humility
3. Which of these is NOT an appropriate non-verbal communication at work?
(a) Keeping hands in pockets while talking
(b) Talking at moderate speed
(c) Sitting straight
(d) Tilting head a bit to listen
4. Which of the following statement is true about communication?
(a) 50% of our communication is non-verbal
(b) 20% communication is done using body movements, face, arms, etc.
(c) 5% communication is done using voice, tone, pauses, etc.
(d) 7% communication is done using words

5. Put a X mark against the actions below which are examples of bad non-verbal communication.
• Laughing during formal communication
• Scratching head
• Smiling when speaking to a friend
• Nodding when you agree with something
• Standing straight
• Yawning while listening
• Sitting straight
• Maintaining eye contact while speaking
• Biting nails
• Firm Handshake
• Clenching jaws
• Looking away when someone is speaking to you
• Intense stare

B. Subjective question
1. Draw any five common signs used for Visual Communication. Explain what each conveys and
where did you see it?
Visual Communication: Exchanging Information through Images
1. No parking zone
2. No entry
3. Danger warning
4. Under CCTV surveillance
5. No mobile phone
Session 4: Communication Cycle and Importance of Feedback

A. Multiple choice questions

1. Which of these are examples of positive feedback?
(a) Excellent, your work has improved.
(b) I noticed your dedication towards the project.
(c) You are always doing it the wrong way.
(d) All of the above
2. Which of these are examples of negative feedback?
(a) I hate to tell you this but your drawing skills are poor.
(b) You can surely improve your drawing.
(c) This is a good drawing but you can do better.
(d) None of the above
3. Which of the following are effective components of a good feedback?
(a) Detailed and time consuming
(b) Direct and honest
(c) Specific
(d) Opinion-based

B. Subjective question
1. What do you mean by feedback? Let’s take a scenario.
Radha is your co-worker. Together you are making a report on how to manage the waste in your store.
Since she has not finished her part of the report on time, the whole report has got delayed and the
manager has given you both a warning. Write down the feedback you would like to give your co-
worker on managing time. Try to keep
the feedback specific and polite.
Feedback, if shared properly, can help reinforce existing strengths and can increase the recipient’s
abilities to rectify errors. It can have a long-term effect in managing and achieving goals.
A good feedback is one that is: Specific , Timely , Polite , Offering continuing support

Session 5: Barriers to Effective Communication

A. Multiple choice questions

1. Which of these is NOT a common communication barrier?
(a) Linguistic barrier
(b) Interpersonal barrier
(c) Financial barrier
(d) Organisational barrier
2. Which of these are ways to overcome communication barriers?
(a) Respecting each other’s differences
(b) Using a translator
(c) Not communicating at all
(d) Using your own language for comfort

B. Subjective question
1. Write down the common communication barriers you may come across when you move to a new
city or country.
Physical Barriers: Not being able to see gestures, posture and general body language can make
communication less effective.
Linguistic Barriers: The inability to communicate using a language is known
as language barrier to communication. For example, slang, professional jargon and regional
colloquialisms can make communication difficult.
Interpersonal Barriers: Barriers to interpersonal communication occur when
the sender’s message is received differently from how it was intended.
For example: stage fear
Organisational Barriers: Superior-subordinate relationships in a formal organisational structure can be
a barrier to free flow of communication.
Cultural Barriers
Cultural barriers is when people of different cultures are unable to understand each other’s customs,
resulting in inconveniences and difficulties.

Session 6: Writing Skills — Parts of Speech

1. In which of the following, the underlined word is an adjective?

(a) Radha has a red dress.
(b) I can speak French.
(c) The Girl on the Train is a best-seller.
(d) Abdul can swim fast.
2. Which of these sentences is capitalised correctly?
(a) Ravi and i are going to the movies.
(b) Salim is visiting India in july.
(c) The Tiger is a strong animal.
(d) She is arriving on Monday.
3. Which of these sentences are punctuated correctly?
(a) When is the party.
(b) I had bread omelette and a Banana for breakfast.
(c) I am so excited about my first foreign trip!
(d) This is Abdul’s notebook.
4. In which of these sentences can you find an adverb?
(a) Divya drinks milk every day.
(b) Sanjay gifted me a new pen.
(c) I opened the door lock.
(d) Sita is 5-feet tall.
C. Subjective question
1. Identify the conjunctions and prepositions from the list below and write these in the correct box.
Over, Because, Under, And, Since, In, At, Although, Or, Up, On, Beside

Session 7: Writing Skills — Sentences

A. Multiple choice questions

1. Identify the object, verb and subject in the sentence,
‘The car crashed into a tree.’
(a) Object: a tree; Verb: crashed; Subject: the car
(b) Object: The car; Verb: crashed; Subject: a tree
(c) Object: crashed; Verb: the tree; Subject: the car
(d) Object: crashed; Verb: the car; Subject: the tree
2. Identify the indirect object in the sentence, ‘The band played music for the audience.’
(a) The band
(b) played
(c) music
(d) audience
3. Which of these is an imperative sentence?
(a) Switch off the fan.
(b) Sheila has gone to the market.
(c) Where are my pen colours?
(d) Oh no! I missed my flight.
4. Which of these sentences is in active voice?
(a) A movie is being watched by them.
(b) The car was repaired by Raju.
(c) He is reading a book.
(d) The thief was being chased by a policeman.
B. Subjective questions
1. Write two sentences of each type of sentence — statement, question, exclamatory and order.
2. Which is your favourite food, dish or cuisine? Write two paragraphs about your favourite food, dish
or cuisine. Each paragraph should have a minimum of five sentences. Make sure you follow all the
rules about sentences and paragraphs you have learnt.
3. Practice speaking in active and passive voice with your classmates. Also, try to identify the
different parts of sentences while you speak.