Part A

EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS
CHAPTER 1: Communication Skills-I
Unsolved Questions
Ans 1. The basic components of a communication cycle are as follows:
(i) Sender: This is the individual or entity who initiates the communication,
intending to convey information or express their thoughts, emotions or ideas.
(ii) Encoding: The sender‟s role is to transform his thoughts or ideas into a format
suitable for transmission and comprehension. This transformation may involve
converting the message into spoken words, written text or non-verbal signals.
(iii) Message: The message is the actual content that the sender wishes to
communicate. This content can take various forms, including spoken words,
written text or non-verbal cues.
(iv) Channel: The channel is the medium through which the message is transmitted.
It could be through speaking, writing or using gestures, among other methods.
(v) Receiver: The receiver is the individual or entity at the other end of the
communication. Their task is to receive the message and decode it, making
sense of its meaning and context.
(vi) Feedback: Feedback refers to the response given by the receiver to the sender.
It can take the form of verbal or non-verbal signals. This feedback is vital
because it enables the sender to evaluate the effectiveness of the communication
and make adjustments, if necessary.
Ans 2. Communication is the most important factor in various aspects of our lives,
whether it involves relationships, work, education or personal development. Some
key advantages of effective communication include the following:
(i) Building and Sustaining Relationships: Communication is the fundamental
basis of all kinds of human relationships—personal or professional. Effective
communication helps in building and sustaining these relationships.
(ii) Sharing Information: The ability to communicate is the primary means for exchanging
information and knowledge. It is only through communication that we can share our
thoughts, experiences and insights while learning from others in return.
(iii) Problem-solving and Decision-making: Effective communication is essential for
collaboration and teamwork. It aids in problem identification, exploring solutions
and collectively making decisions through discussions and exchanging ideas.
(iv) Conflict Resolution: Communication is an essential tool for resolving conflicts
and disagreements. While it allows us to express our needs and viewpoints
clearly, it also helps us to understand others‟ perspectives. By actively listening
to others, we can discover common ground and reach mutually acceptable
solutions.
(v) Personal Growth and Development: Communication also serves as a foundation
for personal growth and self-expression. Through self-expression and meaningful
conversations, we can nurture our own ideas, gain a deeper sense of self-
awareness and evolve as individuals.
Ans 3.
Verbal Communication Non-verbal Communication
This mode of communication relies on Non-verbal communication doesn‟t rely
spoken words to transmit information. It on spoken words. Instead, it involves the
is used for a wide range of interactions, use of body language, gestures, facial
including face-to-face conversations, expressions and other non-verbal hints
telephone calls and public speaking. Some to convey information. Non-verbal hints
advantages of verbal communication are play a significant role in adding meaning
immediate feedback, non-verbal cues, and context to non-verbal communication.
personal connection and clarity. Examples include crossed arms, smiling,
fidgeting, etc.

Ans 4. Some advantages of verbal communication are as follows:

(i) Immediate Feedback: Verbal communication allows for instant feedback and
response. This enables real-time conversations and allows for clarification of
misunderstandings as they occur during the conversation.
(ii) Non-verbal Cues: Verbal communication usually incorporates tone, manner
and other non-verbal hints to complement the information being conveyed.
These elements make it possible to additionally convey emotions and nuanced
details that may not be expressed verbally.
(iii) Personal Connection: Verbal communication plays a vital role in building
personal relationships and developing a sense of connection between people.
It allows for a more personal and human connection, as voice and presence
add depth to interaction.
(iv) Clarity: Verbal communication can be an effective way to ensure that
everyone has a clear understanding of the information being conveyed. It
allows for immediate clarification and questions, reducing the likelihood of
misinterpretation.
While verbal communication has its share of advantages, it is also accompanied by
the following challenges:
(i) Misunderstandings: Verbal communication can result in misunderstandings,
especially when language/accents are involved. Differences in pronunciation,
vocabulary or interpretation can lead to confusion between those conversing.
(ii) Emotional Influence: Emotions can impact verbal communication, making it
challenging to express oneself clearly and effectively. Emotions like anger,
nervousness or excitement can interfere with the delivery of the intended
message.
(iii) Lack of Record: Unlike written communication, verbal exchanges are usually not
recorded. This can be a drawback when it is necessary to have a documented
record of what was discussed. Verbal agreements or important details might
be forgotten or disputed.
(iv) Distance Limitation: Verbal communication is limited by physical distance.
It is generally only possible to communicate with individuals who are within
hearing range, which can be a constraint in certain situations. However, this
constraint has been overcome using technology where telecommunication and
the internet have brought the world closer together.
Ans 5. Here are some common forms of non-verbal communication:
(i) Facial Expressions: Our face is highly expressive during any communication
and can convey a wide range of emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger
and fear.
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(ii) Eye Contact: Eye contact or the lack of it adds a lot of value in a conversation.
The way a person looks at someone can communicate interest, attentiveness,
confidence or even anger.
(iii) Posture: How one holds oneself can convey various qualities, including
confidence, dominance or submissiveness, as observed in body stance and
gestures.
Non-verbal communication, at times, complements verbal communication, especially
when the information can be conveyed with a nod, tone of voice, eye contact or
touch.
Ans 6. Visual communication has the potential to have a significant impact on individuals
across all levels of literacy. As visual communication makes use of visual aids,
including images, graphics and videos, to transmit information and ideas, those
who are not educated enough to gather information from the written text, can
easily grasp what is being conveyed. It offers distinct advantages, including:
(i) Accessibility: Visual communication can enhance accessibility, making
information more comprehensible, especially for individuals with limited
education.
(ii) Engagement: Visual communication tends to be more engaging than other
forms of communication since it appeals to people‟s visual senses and can
capture and sustain their attention more effectively.
(iii) Memory: Visual communication has the advantage of being more memorable
compared to other communication forms, as images and graphics are easy to
remember and recall.
(iv) Clarity: Visual communication serves as an effective method to clarify complex
information and ideas by simplifying and breaking down the content into
more manageable components.
Ans 7. In communication, there are four primary types of sentences, each with its own
purpose, as outlined below with examples. We may use these to express ourselves.
(i) Declarative Sentences: Declarative sentences make statements or express
ideas.
Example: “The cat sleeps peacefully on the windowsill.”
(ii) Imperative Sentences: Imperative sentences give commands or make requests.
Example: “Please close the door quietly.”
(iii) Interrogative Sentences: Interrogative sentences ask questions.
Example: “Where are you going this evening?”
(iv) Exclamatory Sentences: Exclamatory sentences express strong emotions or
convey surprise. Example: “How incredible the fireworks display was!”
Ans 8. Simple Sentence: A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause and is
typically punctuated with a period (.) at the end.
Example: “The sun sets in the west.”
Compound Sentence: A compound sentence includes two or more independent
clauses, joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so). It is
often punctuated with a comma (,) followed by a conjunction. Example: “The sun
sets in the west, and the moon rises in the east.”
Ans 9. A paragraph is a structured and meaningful unit of writing. It is correctly defined
as “a logically cohesive group of sentences or text that centres around one main
idea or topic and comprises one or more sentences that support or elaborate on
that central concept.”
 The essential components and purpose of a paragraph are:
(i) Typically, a paragraph begins with a topic sentence that states the main idea
and is followed by supporting sentences that provide details or examples.
(ii) Paragraphs serve to organize written content and facilitate the comprehension
of the logical flow of ideas within a written work.
Ans 10. Some key guidelines for writing effective paragraphs are presented below:
(i) Clear Topic: Always start the paragraph with a clear topic that introduces
the primary idea and conveys the focus of the writing.
(ii) Supporting Sentences: Subsequent sentences should offer details, examples
and explanations that add value to the topic.
(iii) Specific Details: It is always useful to provide specific details as they are
more impactful than abstract or general information.
(iv) Maintain Focus: Throughout the writing, it is important to sustain concentration
on the main idea of the paragraph, ensuring that each sentence pertains to
the topic.
(v) Transitional Words and Phrases: Use transitional words and phrases to connect
sentences and ideas within the paragraph, guiding the reader through the
content.
(vi) Sentence Length: To make the paragraph interesting to read and to enhance
reader engagement, we may try writing sentences with a variety of length.
(vii) Concluding Sentence: It is also worthwhile to conclude the paragraph with
a sentence that provides closure and either summarizes the main idea or
smoothly transitions to the next paragraph.
Ans 11. The following table provides examples of how perspectives can affect communication.
Recognizing and respecting these diverse perspectives is key to fostering effective
communication and avoiding potential misinterpretations.

Perspective Effect on Communication

(i) Cultural differences Different cultural norms and values may lead to
misinterpretations.
(ii) Emotional state Emotional states like happiness or sadness can affect
how a message is received.
(iii) Beliefs and values Differing personal beliefs can lead to contrasting
interpretations.
(iv) Biases Biases can influence how a message is perceived,
potentially causing misunderstandings.
(v) Status and authority Variations in status or authority can impact the
perceived importance of the message.
(vi) Expertise Differences in expertise may lead to variations in how
the message is valued and understood.
Perspectives can have a significant impact on communication as they influence
how people perceive, interpret and respond to information. Diverse perspectives
can lead to varying interpretations of the same message, potentially resulting in
misunderstandings and miscommunication. It is important to understand and
appreciate these perspectives because they are influenced by an individual‟s life
experiences, faith, culture, environment and numerous other factors. For instance,
people may possess different norms, values and beliefs. They may also be influenced
by biases or emotions, which can impact how they perceive and interpret a message.
Ans 12. The following are the 7Cs of effective communication:
(i) Clarity: The message should be clear, concise and easily understood.
(ii) Completeness: The message should contain all the necessary information,
leaving out no crucial details.
(iii) Conciseness: Keep the message brief and to the point, avoiding unnecessary
details that may clutter the information.
(iv) Correctness: Ensure that the message is accurate and free from errors or
mistakes.
(v) Concreteness: Make the message specific and concrete, supporting it with
examples and details to reinforce its meaning.
(vi) Consideration: Take into account the needs, interests and values of the
audience when crafting the message.
(vii) Courtesy: Communicate in a polite, respectful and considerate manner towards
the audience.
The following examples explain how the 7Cs of communication contribute to effective
communication:

Perspective Effect on Communication

(i) Clarity “I need you to submit the homework by 1 pm on Friday.”
(ii) Completeness “Here‟s the report you requested. It includes the data you
asked for and my analysis of the results.”
(iii) Conciseness “Can we meet at 2 pm to discuss the assignments?”
(iv) Correctness “The budget for the project is 50,000, not 500,000.”
(v) Concreteness “The students‟ performance increased by 10% in the last
semester and we expect them to continue growing at the
same rate next semester.”
(vi) Consideration “I know you‟re busy with other assignments but I would
really appreciate it if you could review this report and give
me your feedback by Monday.”
(vii) Courtesy “I appreciate your hard work on this project. I have a few
suggestions that I think could help us improve the final
submission.

Ans 13. A sentence consists of various essential components known as the parts of a
sentence. The components which may be included in a sentence are presented
below with examples:
• Subject: The subject is the element of the sentence that focuses on a person,
place, thing or idea.
Example: „Hiral‟ in “Hiral is painting a picture.”
• Verb: The verb signifies the action or the state being carried out by the subject.
Example: „is painting‟ in “Hiral is painting a picture.”
• Object: The object relates to the person, place, thing or concept upon which the
action of the verb is performed or to which it pertains.
Example: „a picture‟ in “Hiral is painting a picture.”
Ans 14. Phrases are used to enhance the meaning and clarity of sentences but are unable to
function as complete sentences independently. They play a crucial role in providing
context and details within a sentence structure. For example, the phrase “with a
smile” describes someone‟s manner but needs more context to make sense.

There are various types of phrases, including:

• Noun Phrases: These phrases revolve around a noun and its associated words,
providing more information about the noun.
• Verb Phrases: Verb phrases encompass the verb and its related words, such as
auxiliary verbs or adverbs, to convey the action in greater detail.
• Adjective Phrases: Adjective phrases modify nouns or pronouns, offering
descriptions or details about them.
• Adverb Phrases: Adverb phrases modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs,
enhancing the meaning of the sentence.

Ans 15. Here are some types of non-verbal communication and their significance in conveying
information:
(i) Facial Expressions: Our face is highly expressive during any communication
and can convey a wide range of emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger
and fear.
(ii) Eye Contact: Eye contact or the lack of it adds a lot of value in a conversation.
The way a person looks at someone can communicate interest, attentiveness,
confidence or even anger.
(iii) Posture: How one holds oneself can convey various qualities, including
confidence, dominance or submissiveness, as observed in body stance and
gestures.
(iv) Gestures: Hand movements, like pointing, waving or using thumbs-up or
thumbs-down, convey different meanings based on context and cultural norms.
(v) Touch: Physical contact, such as a handshake, hug or a pat on the back, can
convey affection, respect or even aggression, depending on the context and
the relationship between individuals.
(vi) Physical Distance: The physical distance between people can communicate
intimacy, comfort or hostility. Standing close to someone or maintaining a
safe distance sends different signals.
(vii) Tone of Voice: The way a person speaks, including volume, pitch and rhythm,
can convey various emotions and attitudes, such as confidence, nervousness
or anger.
Ans 16. A compound-complex sentence features two or more independent clauses and one
or more dependent clauses and is often punctuated with a combination of commas
(,) and conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so). Example: “She sang beautifully,
but her voice wavered when she reached the high note.”
Book-IX 7