Category: Professional Communication Objective Questions

Professional Communication Questions and Answers for Experienced people focuses on “Elements of Precis Writing”.

1. Precis writing is the art of presenting certain information.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. Precis writing is the art of presenting certain information in a condensed form.

2. The Chambers Everyday Dictionary describes precis as _______
a) a summary
b) a presentation
c) a story
d) an incident
Answer: a
Clarification: The correct statement is: The Chambers Everyday Dictionary describes precis as an abstract or a summary.

3. A precis saves time.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. The biggest advantage of a precis, however, is that it saves time. Most modern executives are constantly working against time.

4. A precis must use the ______ tense of verbs.
a) present
b) past
c) future
d) present continuous
Answer: b
Clarification: The correct statement is: A precis must use the past tense of verbs. A precis of crucial importance. It enables a person to compress large information without losing anything worthwhile.

5. A precis must always have a ______
a) subheading
b) heading
c) story
d) incident
Answer: b
Clarification: The correct statement is: A precis must always have a heading. The title must be the shortest possible and it must reflect the central idea of the passage.

6. A precis must be how long?
a) One-third of original passage
b) Two-third of original passage
c) Same as of original passage
d) One-fifth of original passage
Answer: a
Clarification: A precis must be one-third the length of the original passage. It may sometimes be less than one-third if the original passage has indulged in too much circumlocution.

7. Which of these are not allowed in a precis?
a) Semicolon
b) Verbs
c) Heading
d) Abbreviations
Answer: d
Clarification: Abbreviations are not allowed in a precis nor can the parameters of grammar be compromised. Adverbs and adjectives can be eliminated.

8. In a precis, conjunctions can be replaced by _______
a) Full stop
b) Semicolon
c) Apostrophe
d) Dash
Answer: b
Clarification: The correct statement is: In a precis, conjunctions can be replaced by semicolon. Adverbs and adjectives can be eliminated in order to reduce the length of the passage.

9. Which of these is called a percentage graph?
a) Bar graph
b) Table
c) Pie graph
d) Precis
Answer: c
Clarification: A pie graph is also called a circle or percentage graph. It is hundred percent graph. It is used to display data in terms of relative percentage.

10. Which of these contains symbols?
a) Pie graph
b) Pictorial graph
c) Precis
d) Bar graph
Answer: b
Clarification: Pictorial graphs contain symbols. These symbols represent a single unit. These symbols should have some resemblance to the objects they denote.

Professional Communication for Experienced people,

Professional Communication Multiple Choice Questions on “Barriers to Listening”.

1. Which of these is not a barrier to listening?
a) Physical barrier
b) Cultural barrier
c) Linguistic barrier
d) Written barrier
Answer: d
Clarification: There are six barriers to listening. They are: physical, physiological, linguistic, cultural barriers, speech decoding and oral discourse analysis.

2. Which is the main barrier to listening?
a) Physical barrier
b) Linguistic barrier
c) Cultural barrier
d) Physiological barrier
Answer: a
Clarification: Physical barrier is the main barrier to listening. These are caused by noise, physical distractions. Noise is the biggest physical hurdle in listening.

3. Which of these is not a physiological barrier?
a) Fear
b) Different perception
c) Gel effect
d) Halo effect
Answer: c
Clarification: There are nine physiological barriers. They are: fear, different perception, misunderstanding, halo effect, inattentiveness, emotions, abstracting, drawing hasty conclusions and polarisation.

4. Which of these is based on faith?
a) Fear
b) Halo effect
c) Emotions
d) Different perception
Answer: b
Clarification: Halo effect is based on faith, i.e., trust or distrust of the listener on the speaker. If the listener feels the speaker tells truth whatever he says is correct.

5. When people take extreme positions what is it called?
a) Fear
b) Halo effect
c) Emotions
d) Polarisation
Answer: d
Clarification: Some people take extreme position or stand on some issues and do not want to compromise or understand the other side. This is called polarization.

6. Which of these occur because of difference in language?
a) Physical barriers
b) Linguistic barriers
c) Cultural barriers
d) Speech decoding
Answer: b
Clarification: Linguistic barriers occur when the people speak different languages. They have different mother tongues. This creates problems.

7. Barriers which are caused because of different meanings of a word to different people is called ________
a) different perception
b) semantic distortions
c) physical barriers
d) cultural barriers
Answer: b
Clarification: Semantic distortions is one of the barriers in listening. The words often means different things to different people which is a distortion of non deliberate nature.

8. Which of these barriers occur when people belong to different religious backgrounds?
a) Physical barriers
b) Linguistic barriers
c) Cultural barriers
d) Speech decoding
Answer: c
Clarification: Cultural barriers occur when the speaker and listener are from different cultural background or religious background.

9. Who among these bow down to greet?
a) Japanese
b) Americans
c) Indians
d) French
Answer: a
Clarification: The Japanese bow down to greet, Westerners and Americans have gentle kiss on the cheeks of each other. One should avoid offending the people from other cultures.

10. Which of these is not a step in speech decoding?
a) Listening
b) Writing
c) Translating
d) Understanding
Answer: b
Clarification: There are three steps in speech decoding. They are: listening of speech, translation and understanding by the listener.

11. Oral discourse means to speak authoritatively about a topic.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. Oral discourse means to speak authoritatively about a topic. A listener has to make analysis of the spoken communication.

Professional Communication Multiple Choice Questions on “Types of Articles”.

1. Which of these is not an article?
a) An
b) A
c) This
d) The
Answer: c
Clarification: A, an and the are called articles in English grammar. An is used before a vowel or silent h. The word ‘this’ can be a pronoun (Eg: This is my seat.); or a determiner (Eg: This cake is the tastiest one.)

2. A is used before a vowel sounding like a consonant.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: A is used before a consonant or a vowel sounding like a consonant. For example, A man, a unit, a useful thing, a one rupee- note.

3. What are a, an and the collectively called?
a) Indefinite articles
b) Demonstrative adjectives
c) Definite articles
d) Demonstrative adverbs
Answer: b
Clarification: A, an and the are adjectives. They are called demonstrative adjectives. A and an are indefinite articles and the is called a definite article.

4. Fill in the blank with article :
__ child must respect his parents.
a) A
b) An
c) This
d) That
Answer: a
Clarification: Articles are classified into two types. They are indefinite and definite articles. Indefinite articles are a and an. Definite article includes only the. The correct statement is : A child must respect his parents.

5. Which if these belong to indefinite articles?
a) A
b) A and an
c) An and the
d) A and the
Answer: b
Clarification: A and an are called the indefinite articles because they leave indefinite the person or thing spoken of. Thus, a boy means any boy. The is a definite article.

6. Which of these belong to definite articles?
a) A and the
b) The
c) A and an
d) An and the
Answer: b
Clarification: The is called a definite article because it speaks of some particular person or thing. Example : He is the boy who teased me. A and an are indefinite articles.

7. The indefinite article is used when a singular noun is meant to represent a whole class.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: The definite article the is used when a singular noun is meant to represent a whole class. For example, The cow is a mammal.

8. Fill in the blank : Bismillah Khan plays _____ shehnai with great skill.
a) a
b) an
c) the
d) a or the
Answer: c
Clarification: Here we will use the definite article the. The is used before musical instruments as in the above question. The is also used before the names of certain books. Example, The Mahabharat.

9. Correct the incorrect statement :
How gentle person Mr. Bhatia is!
a) How gentle a person Mr. Bhatia is!
b) How gentle the person Mr. Bhatia is!
c) How gentle person the Mr. Bhatia is!
d) How a gentle person Mr. Bhatia is!
Answer: a
Clarification: The correct statement would be ‘How gentle a person Mr. Bhatia is!’. We use a or an before a single countable noun.

10. Fill in the blank : Neha has left for ___ United States of America.
a) a
b) the
c) an
d) to
Answer: b
Clarification: The statement will be – Neha has left for the United States of America. Usually, countries aren’t preceded by any article, but the nations that are a union or which are united states, are preceded by the definite article ‘the’. Eg: The United States of America, The People’s Republic of China

Professional Communication Assessment Questions and Answers focuses on “Interchange of Degree of Comparisons”.

1. A simple sentence can be converted to a complex sentence by expanding a verb or phrase into a subordinate clause.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. A simple sentence can be converted to a complex sentence by expanding a verb or phrase into a subordinate clause.

2. A verb in a simple sentence CANNOT be expanded to which of the following clauses?
a) Noun clause
b) Verb clause
c) Adjective clause
d) Adverb clause
Answer: b
Clarification: There are three types of subordinate clauses to which a verb or phrase can be expanded. They are noun clause, adjective clause and adverb clause.

3. The following transformation is an example under which clause?
Simple : His crime was unforgivable.
Complex : His crime was such as could not be forgiven.
a) Noun clause
b) Verb clause
c) Adjective clause
d) Adverb clause
Answer: c
Clarification: The subordinate clause here is adjective clause. The adjective here is ‘unforgivable’ which is expanded and thus it becomes an adjective clause.

4. Convert the following simple sentence into a complex sentence :
On reaching the gate you will have to turn left.
a) As soon as you reach the gate, you will have to turn left.
b) When you reach the gate take a left turn.
c) Turn left when you reach the gate.
d) Reaching the gate, take a left turn.
Answer: a
Clarification: The correct complex sentence is : soon as you reach the gate, you will have to turn left. The subordinate clause used here is adverb clause.

5. Convert the following complex sentence into a simple sentence:
It is sad that she died so young.
a) Her death at so early an age is sad.
b) She dying so young is sad.
c) It is sad to know that she died at an early age.
d) She dying at an early age is sad.
Answer: a
Clarification: The correct simple sentence is : Her death at so early an age is sad. A complex sentence can be converted into a simple sentence by substituting a noun for the noun clause introduced by the conjunction ‘that’.

6. A complex sentence can be converted into a simple sentence by using a compound noun.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. A complex sentence can be converted into a simple sentence by using a compound noun. For example, Complex : The place where Buddha was cremated has been found. Simple : The place of Buddha’s cremation has been found.

7. Which of these conjunctions is not used during the conversion of compound to complex sentence?
a) Cumulative conjunctions
b) Alternative conjunctions
c) Illative conjunctions
d) Principal conjunctions
Answer: d
Clarification: Four types of conjunctions are used for conversion of compound to complex sentences. They are : Cumulative conjunctions, alternative conjunctions, illative conjunctions and adversative conjunctions.

8. Convert the following complex sentence to a compound sentence:
She is sure that he is wrong.
a) He is wrong, and of this she is sure.
b) Of this she is sure that he is wrong.
c) He Is wrong, she is sure.
d) She is sure, he is wrong.
Answer: a
Clarification: The correct compound sentence is : He is wrong, and of this she is sure. While converting, the principal clause must be placed last and the subordinate clause must be placed first.

9. Change the degree of comparison:
I am as pretty as her.
a) She is not prettier than me.
b) She is prettier than me.
c) I am the prettiest.
d) We both are pretty.
Answer: a
Clarification: The correct statement is: She is not prettier than me. Here a positive degree is converted into a comparative degree. It is possible to change the degree of comparison without changing the meaning of the sentence.

10. Change the degree of comparison:
Sachin is the best among all batsmen.
a) No other batsman is as good as Sachin.
b) Sachin is as good as any other batsman.
c) Any other batsman is better than Sachin.
d) Sachin is a good batsman.
Answer: a
Clarification: The correct statement is : No other batsman is as good as Sachin. This is the positive degree. The comparative degree would be : Sachin is better than any other batsman.

Professional Communication Assessment Questions,

Professional Communication Multiple Choice Questions on “Ellipsis”.

1. A verb must agree with its subject.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. A verb must agree with its subject in both number and person.

2. The use of possessive case should not be confined to which of these?
a) Name of living beings
b) Name of personified objects
c) A few stereotyped phrases
d) Nouns of space denoting a quality
Answer: d
Clarification: The use of possessive case should be confined to: Name of living beings and personified objects, few stereotyped phrases and nouns of space and time denoting an amount.

3. Possessive case is also known as?
a) Genitive case
b) Principal case
c) Qualifying case
d) Main case
Answer: a
Clarification: The possessive case is also known as genitive case. For example, “A day’s rest, a month’s duration”, etc..

4. An article is used before which of these?
a) Common noun, plural number
b) Proper noun, singular number
c) Common noun, singular number
d) Proper noun, plural number
Answer: c
Clarification: As a general rule, an article is used before a common noun, singular number; as, “Behave like a man”.

5. The subject of a sentence can be left without a verb.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: The statement is false. The subject of a sentence should not be left without a verb. It is incorrect to say, “He who has suffered most in the cause, let him speak.”

6. An ellipsis is a figure of _____
a) syntax
b) quality
c) amount
d) verb
Answer: a
Clarification: An ellipsis is a figure of syntax in which a word or words are left out but implied.

7. A participle should never be left without ______
a) proper reason
b) proper agreement
c) proper purpose
d) proper adverb
Answer: b
Clarification: The correct statement is: A participle should never be left without proper agreement. It is incorrect to say, “ Sitting on the gate, a scorpion stung him”. It is correct to say, “ Sitting on the gate, he was stung by a scorpion”.

8. Choose the correct statement.
a) One must keep one’s words.
b) One must keep one’s word.
c) One must keep ones words.
d) One must keep ones word.
Answer: b
Clarification: The correct statement is: One must keep one’s word. The word one’s should be followed by a singular word.

9. Choose the correct statement.
a) Meena has lost a ten rupees note.
b) Meena has lost a ten rupees notes.
c) Meena has lost a ten rupee note.
d) Meena has lost a ten rupee notes.
Answer: c
Clarification: The correct statement is: Meena has lost a ten rupee note. Here, a ten rupee note is singular and we will use rupee instead of rupees.

10. Fill in the blank.
Everybody _____ Shyam were present.
a) except
b) accept
c) expect
d) acceppt
Answer: a
Clarification: The correct statement is: Everybody except Shyam were present. The word except means “ not including” or “other than”.

Professional Communication Multiple Choice Questions on “Orders and Complaints”.

1. Orders for goods are placed on a seller after his quotation is accepted.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. Orders for goods are placed on a seller after his quotation is accepted. The order must be precise.

2. While placing an order, the quantity of the goods must be stated.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The statement is true. While placing an order, the quantity of the goods must be stated. The cost at which it is required should also be mentioned.

3. Where is the name of the company placing the order mentioned?
a) Top left corner
b) Top right corner
c) Bottom left corner
d) Bottom right corner
Answer: b
Clarification: The name of the company placing the order is mentioned in the top right corner in the letter. The date is mentioned below that.

4. Where is the date mentioned in the letter when an order is placed?
a) With the address of the company placing the order
b) Below the address of the seller
c) After the salutation
d) Along with the leave-taking
Answer: a
Clarification: The date is mentioned along with the name of the address of the buyer in the top right corner in a letter when an order is placed.

5. Which of these should not be mentioned in a letter while placing an order?
a) Date
b) Address of seller
c) Age of owner
d) Leave taking
Answer: c
Clarification: An order letter has the name of the buyer and the seller along with date and courteous leave-taking. Also the quantity and cost of the order is mentioned.

6. Which of these is mentioned in a letter when an order is placed?
a) Age of the owner
b) Nationality of the owner
c) Health of the owner
d) Mode of payment
Answer: d
Clarification: No personal details are to be mentioned in an order letter. The mode of payment along with the mode of transportation should be mentioned.

7. Where is the leave-taking mentioned in an order letter?
a) Top left
b) Top right
c) Bottom left
d) Bottom right
Answer: d
Clarification: The courteous leave-taking is mentioned in the bottom right corner after the main body of the letter along with signature and designation.

8. Which of these is not mentioned in a letter of complaint?
a) Problems in the supply of goods
b) Shortcomings in the supply of goods
c) Features in the supply of goods
d) Fault in the supply of goods
Answer: c
Clarification: A letter of complaint states the problems or shortcomings found in the supply of goods. We need to clearly state the faults found in the goods or services.

9. Where is the address of the company complaining mentioned?
a) Top left corner
b) Top right corner
c) Bottom left corner
d) Bottom right corner
Answer: b
Clarification: The name and address of the company writing the letter of complaint is mentioned in the top right corner of the letter.

10. Where is the leave-taking mentioned in a letter of complaint?
a) Top left
b) Top right
c) Bottom left
d) Bottom right
Answer: b
Clarification: The courteous leave-taking is mentioned in the bottom right corner in the letter of complaint along with the designation and signature.