Chapter 17 the nature of communication (f1 acca)

Chapter 17 – The Nature of Communication: Practice Exam Questions

and Answers with Explanations

August 11, 2025

1 Questions

1 Which of the following is NOT a recognised pattern of communication?

A Belt

B Y

C Circle

D Chain

E Wheel

2 Which three of the following statements are typical characteristics of infor-mation needed at the operational level of a business? (Select three)

A Internally sourced

B Detailed

C Highly summarised

D Often based on estimates

E Historical

F Externally sourced

3 Informal communication is not important in the workplace

A False

B True

4 The form of communication between subordinates in one department with managers in another is:

A Horizontal

B Diagonal

C Vertical

D Circular

5 The general name given to factors which reduce the effectiveness of com-munication is:

A Attenuation

B Barriers

C Interference

D Modulation

6 Effective communication requires a clear message and appropriate medium

A True

B False

7 The wheel communication pattern is characterized by:

A A central figure directing communication

B Equal communication among all members

C Sequential communication along a line

D Circular flow of information

8 Information at the strategic level of a business is typically:

A Detailed and task-specific

B Summarized and future-oriented

C Focused on daily operations

D Internally sourced only

9 Informal communication can enhance team cohesion

A True

B False

10 The chain communication pattern involves:

A A central hub coordinating messages

B Sequential passing of information

C Open communication among all members

D Direct communication between two parties

11 Communication barriers can include physical, psychological, and cultural factors

A True

B False

12 Horizontal communication occurs between:

A Different levels of the organizational hierarchy

B Individuals at the same level

C Subordinates and external stakeholders

D Managers across different organizations

13 The circle communication pattern allows:

A Centralized control of information

B Free flow of information among members

C Sequential message passing

D One-way communication

14 Operational-level information is typically used for:

A Long-term strategic planning

B Day-to-day decision-making

C External market analysis

D Setting organizational goals

15 Informal communication is always detrimental to workplace productivity.

A True

B False

16 Diagonal communication is most likely to occur in:

A Hierarchical organizations

B Matrix organizations

C Informal groups only

D External partnerships

17 Communication barriers can be overcome by active listening and clear feed-back

A True

B False

18 The Y communication pattern is similar to the wheel but with:

A More open group interaction

B Two subgroups reporting to a central figure

C Sequential information flow

D Equal communication among all members

19 Vertical communication typically flows:

A Between peers at the same level

B Upward or downward in the hierarchy

C Across different departments

D Externally to stakeholders

20 Informal communication can help build trust among employees

A True

B False

21 Which of the following is a common communication barrier?

A Clear instructions

B Language differences

C Open feedback channels

D Active listening

22 Operational-level information is often:

A Broad and strategic

B Specific and task-oriented

C Based on external trends

D Summarized for long-term planning

23 The wheel communication pattern is most effective in:

A Collaborative team environments

B Centralized decision-making

C Informal group settings

D Sequential task coordination

24 Informal communication can sometimes lead to misinformation

A True

B False

25 Effective communication improves organizational efficiency

A True

B False

26 The chain communication pattern is most suitable for:

A Rapid decision-making

B Hierarchical organizations

C Open group discussions

D Decentralized teams

27 Diagonal communication enhances collaboration across departments

A True

B False

28 Information at the operational level is typically real-time or short-term

A True

B False

29 Communication barriers can include lack of feedback

A True

B False

30 Which of the following best describes the purpose of effective communica-tion in an organizacommunica-tion?

A To create barriers between departments

B To align efforts and achieve goals

C To limit information sharing

D To enforce strict hierarchies

2 Answers and Explanations

1 Answer: A (Belt)

Explanation: Recognized communication patterns include Y, circle, chain,

and wheel Belt is not a standard communication pattern in organizational theory

2 Answer: A, B, E (Internally sourced, Detailed, Historical)

Explanation: Information at the operational level is typically internally

sourced (from within the organization), detailed (specific to tasks), and his-torical (based on past or current data) Highly summarized and externally sourced information is more common at strategic levels, and estimates are less typical at operational levels

3 Answer: A (False)

Explanation: Informal communication, such as casual conversations or

social interactions, is important in the workplace as it fosters relationships, trust, and team cohesion, though it must be managed to avoid misinforma-tion

4 Answer: B (Diagonal)

Explanation: Diagonal communication occurs between subordinates in

one department and managers in another, crossing hierarchical and de-partmental lines Horizontal is between peers, vertical is up/down the hi-erarchy, and circular is not a standard term

5 Answer: B (Barriers)

Explanation: Factors that reduce communication effectiveness are called

barriers, such as noise, language differences, or cultural misunderstand-ings Attenuation, interference, and modulation are not standard terms in this context

6 Answer: A (True)

Explanation: Effective communication requires a clear message and an

appropriate medium (e.g., email, face-to-face) to ensure understanding and engagement

7 Answer: A (A central figure directing communication)

Explanation: The wheel pattern involves a central figure (e.g., a manager)

directing communication to others, with limited interaction among mem-bers

8 Answer: B (Summarized and future-oriented)

Explanation: Strategic-level information is typically summarized and

future-oriented, focusing on long-term planning, unlike operational information, which is detailed and task-specific

9 Answer: A (True)

Explanation: Informal communication can enhance team cohesion by

build-ing relationships and fosterbuild-ing a collaborative environment

10 Answer: B (Sequential passing of information)

Explanation: The chain pattern involves information passing sequentially

from one person to the next, often in hierarchical settings

11 Answer: A (True)

Explanation: Communication barriers include physical (e.g., noise),

psy-chological (e.g., biases), and cultural (e.g., language differences) factors

12 Answer: B (Individuals at the same level)

Explanation: Horizontal communication occurs between individuals at

the same hierarchical level, such as peers in different departments

13 Answer: B (Free flow of information among members)

Explanation: The circle pattern allows open, free-flowing communication

among all members, promoting collaboration without a central figure.

14 Answer: B (Day-to-day decision-making)

Explanation: Operational-level information supports day-to-day

decision-making and task execution, unlike strategic planning or external analysis

15 Answer: B (False)

Explanation: Informal communication is not always detrimental; it can

enhance morale and collaboration, though it may lead to misinformation

if not managed

16 Answer: B (Matrix organizations)

Explanation: Diagonal communication is common in matrix organizations,

where cross-departmental and cross-hierarchical interactions are frequent

17 Answer: A (True)

Explanation: Active listening and clear feedback can help overcome

com-munication barriers by ensuring mutual understanding

18 Answer: B (Two subgroups reporting to a central figure)

Explanation: The Y pattern involves two subgroups reporting to a central

figure, similar to the wheel but with a branched structure

19 Answer: B (Upward or downward in the hierarchy)

Explanation: Vertical communication flows upward (e.g., reports to

man-agers) or downward (e.g., instructions from manman-agers) within the organi-zational hierarchy

20 Answer: A (True)

Explanation: Informal communication builds trust by fostering open,

per-sonal interactions among employees

21 Answer: B (Language differences)

Explanation: Language differences are a common communication

bar-rier, unlike clear instructions or active listening, which facilitate commu-nication

22 Answer: B (Specific and task-oriented)

Explanation: Operational-level information is specific and task-oriented,

supporting daily activities, unlike strategic-level summarized data

23 Answer: B (Centralized decision-making)

Explanation: The wheel pattern is most effective in centralized

decision-making, where a leader directs communication and decisions

24 Answer: A (True)

Explanation: Informal communication can lead to misinformation if not

managed, as it lacks formal structure and verification

25 Answer: A (True)

Explanation: Effective communication improves efficiency by aligning

ef-forts, reducing misunderstandings, and enhancing collaboration

26 Answer: B (Hierarchical organizations)

Explanation: The chain pattern is suitable for hierarchical organizations,

where information flows sequentially through levels of authority

27 Answer: A (True)

Explanation: Diagonal communication enhances collaboration by enabling

cross-departmental interactions, especially in matrix structures

28 Answer: A (True)

Explanation: Operational-level information is typically real-time or

short-term, supporting immediate decision-making and task execution

29 Answer: A (True)

Explanation: Lack of feedback is a communication barrier, as it hinders

clarity and mutual understanding

30 Answer: B (To align efforts and achieve goals)

Explanation: Effective communication aligns individual and team efforts

with organizational goals, fostering coordination and success