Assignment File

on
Communication Skills
(NBA 211)
2024-2025

Submitted to

Ms. Jigisha Srivastava

Submitted by

___________________

Roll No:
Course & Section:

HBTU, Kanpur, India

Declaration:

I hereby declare that this assignment is my own work and has not been copied from any other
source. All sources of information used in the assignment have been properly acknowledged.

Name: ___________________________

Date: ____________________________ Sign: ____________________________

HBTU, Kanpur, India

 Index
Sr No. Topic Page No
1 Cover Page 1
2 Declaration 2
3 Index 3
4 Reading Comprehension
5 Email Writing
6 Formal Letter Writing
7 Essay Writing
8 Message Writing

HBTU, Kanpur, India

Ques 1:

Read the given passage carefully and answer the following questions based on its
content.

Passage 1:

The sharing economy is revolutionizing the way people consume goods and services.
Companies such as Uber, Airbnb, and WeWork have created platforms where individuals can
offer or access products and services on demand, challenging traditional business models in
industries such as hospitality, transportation, and real estate. The idea is simple: people with
underused assets—whether it’s a car, an apartment, or an office space—can rent them out to
others, creating value for both parties.

While the sharing economy offers convenience and cost savings for consumers, it also poses
significant challenges. One of the most pressing issues is regulation. For example, taxi drivers
in many cities argue that Uber drivers are not held to the same standards and regulations as
traditional taxi services, leading to unfair competition. Similarly, hotel owners claim that
Airbnb hosts avoid taxes and regulations imposed on the hospitality industry, creating an
uneven playing field.

Another concern is the quality and safety of the services. While traditional businesses are
subject to regular inspections and quality checks, peer-to-peer platforms often rely on customer
reviews to maintain standards. This can lead to inconsistencies in service quality and pose risks
to consumers, particularly in areas like transportation and accommodation, where safety is
critical.

Despite these challenges, the sharing economy continues to grow rapidly. Advocates argue that
it promotes more efficient use of resources, reduces costs, and fosters innovation. For instance,
WeWork’s co-working spaces have enabled startups and freelancers to access office facilities
without the long-term commitment and high costs of traditional office leases. By providing
flexible, cost-effective solutions, sharing economy platforms have disrupted established
industries and transformed consumer expectations.

However, as the sharing economy expands, it will likely face increased scrutiny from regulators
and industry incumbents. Governments will need to find a balance between promoting
innovation and ensuring that companies comply with regulations designed to protect
consumers and maintain fair competition. Ultimately, the success of the sharing economy will
depend on its ability to address these challenges while continuing to provide value to
consumers and service providers alike.

Questions:

1. What is the primary concern of traditional businesses about the sharing economy,
according to the passage?

(a) It increases the cost of doing business.

(b) It fosters innovation.
(c) It results in unfair competition due to unequal regulation.

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 (d) It leads to overregulation of peer-to-peer platforms.

2. According to the passage, which of the following is a benefit offered by the sharing
economy?

(a) Higher profits for traditional businesses.

(b) Reduction of resource wastage through better utilization.
(c) Improved regulation for consumer safety.
(d) Standardization of service quality.

3. What do advocates of the sharing economy argue?

(a) Traditional businesses should be dismantled.

(b) The sharing economy has made the transportation and hospitality industries
obsolete.
(c) The sharing economy promotes efficient resource use and reduces costs.
(d) The sharing economy should operate free from government oversight.

4. Which of the following does the passage mention as a possible outcome for the future
of the sharing economy?

(a) Peer-to-peer platforms will be able to avoid all forms of regulation.

(b) The sharing economy will face increasing scrutiny from regulators.
(c) Traditional businesses will benefit from the adoption of sharing economy
models.
(d) The quality of services will become more consistent across platforms.

5. Which of the following best describes the tone of the passage?

(a) Optimistic
(b) Critical
(c) Cautionary
(d) Neutral

Passage 2:

In the business world, networking is often portrayed as a crucial skill for success. It is believed
that having the right contacts can open doors to new opportunities, jobs, and promotions.
However, research suggests that not all networking is created equal. A study conducted by
sociologists at Stanford University found that while professional networks can certainly help
individuals move up the corporate ladder, they are also likely to reinforce existing inequalities
within organizations.

The study highlights that networking often benefits individuals who are already well-
positioned within their companies or industries. These individuals tend to have access to high-
quality networks that can provide them with valuable resources, such as insider information,

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job referrals, and mentorship. In contrast, individuals who are lower down the organizational
hierarchy or who are part of underrepresented groups often struggle to build the same kinds of
networks.

This discrepancy is largely due to what sociologists call “homophily,” the tendency of people
to associate with others who are similar to themselves in terms of race, gender, and social status.
As a result, individuals from privileged backgrounds are more likely to form connections with
other high-status individuals, creating an exclusive network that is difficult for outsiders to
penetrate.

Moreover, networking can sometimes backfire for those who are perceived as trying too hard
to advance their careers through connections. Research has shown that colleagues are often
suspicious of individuals who engage in what is known as "strategic networking," which is
networking with the sole aim of advancing one's own career. Such behavior is often seen as
insincere and self-serving, leading to negative perceptions in the workplace.

While networking can undoubtedly be a powerful tool for career advancement, it is important
to recognize that it can also reinforce existing power dynamics within organizations. To level
the playing field, companies need to create more inclusive networking opportunities and ensure
that all employees, regardless of their background, have equal access to resources and
mentorship.

Questions:

1) According to the passage, what is "homophily"?

(a) The idea that people seek out diverse networks.

(b) The tendency of people to associate with those who are similar to them.
(c) The behavior of strategic networking.
(d) The process of advancing one's career through connections.

2) Why might networking sometimes "backfire," according to the passage?

(a) It leads to overconfidence in one's abilities.

(b) Colleagues may perceive strategic networking as self-serving.
(c) It encourages individuals to stay within their comfort zones.
(d) It decreases the likelihood of forming genuine connections.

3) What is the author's primary concern about networking in the business world?

(a) It does not provide equal benefits to all individuals.

(b) It has become less important for career advancement.
(c) It makes promotions and opportunities easily accessible to everyone.
(d) It is overly complicated and inefficient.

4) Which of the following best describes the author's view on networking?

(a) Networking should be avoided due to its negative consequences.

HBTU, Kanpur, India

 (b) Networking is helpful, but it can reinforce inequalities in organizations.
(c) Networking only works for those who are insincere.
(d) Networking is beneficial to everyone in the workplace equally.

Ques 2:

Write an email to your senior or mentor requesting a reference for a job application. Mention
the job you are applying for, the skills or projects that make you a suitable candidate, and why
you value their reference.

Ques 3:

Write a formal letter to the Aadhar Card issuing authority requesting the correction of your
name, where the spelling has been entered incorrectly.

Ques 4:

Write an essay on the topic "My Dream Job." Describe the job you aspire to have in the future,
the reasons for your choice, the skills required for this job, and how you plan to achieve this
goal. Be sure to include both personal and professional aspects in your response.

Ques 5:

Write a LinkedIn message to a previous manager or mentor asking them for a recommendation.
Mention the role you worked on together, highlight key achievements during that time, and
explain how their recommendation will support your current career goals.

HBTU, Kanpur, India