Communication Skills' Mid Term Test

English Department
State Polytechnics of Padang
Communication Skills Mid-Term Test
4th of May 2011
Yohannes Telaumbanua


A. Read and Answer the following question thoroughly and correctly!
Explain the answers with your own!
1. What are communication skills?
2. Why Are Communication Skills Important?
3. Are communication skills necessary?

B. Choose the best and the correct answer from one out of the three choices provided below!

1. When conversing with others,
A. I usually do most of the talking.
B. I usually let the other person do most of the talking.
C. I try to equalize my participation in the conversation.

2. When I first meet someone,
A. I wait for the other person to make the introduction first.
B. I introduce myself with a smile and offer a handshake.
C. When I first meet someone, I hug the person.

3. I usually,
A. "warm-up" new conversations with small talk.
B. I usually avoid small talk and jump into more important matters.
C. I usually avoid starting conversations.

4. I usually,
A. Make an effort to remember and use peoples' names.
B. Don't pay attention to names as I tend to forget them.
C. Only learn the names of important people.

5. I_________ use courtesy words and phrases - "Please," "Thank you," "You’re welcome," "I'm sorry."
A. Frequently
B. Occasionally
C. Never

6. I tend to
A. to be serious and don't smile often while conversing.
B. Smile all the time while conversing.
C. Smile at appropriate times while conversing.

7. I ________make eye contact while conversing.
A. Always.
B. Sometimes.
C. Never.

8. While conversing,
A. I hold my head still at all times.
B. I nod my head at appropriate times.
C. I nod my head constantly.

9. While conversing,
A. I stand one-foot away from the person.
B. I stand two- to three-feet away from the person.
C. I stand five- to six-feet away from the person.

10. I often,
A. Stand while talking to a person who is sitting.
B. Sit while talking to a person who is sitting.
C. Lean down while talking to a person who is sitting.

11. To end a conversation,
A. I often just leave.
B. I begin to look impatient hoping the person will get the hint.
C. I wrap up with a closing statement.


12. If a co-worker has put on weigh
A. I say nothing about it.
B. I tell the person that he or she has changed in appearance.
C. I honestly tell the person that he or she looks fat.

13. When I'm listening to the speaker
A. I often cross my arms over my chest.
B. I often lean back and turn my body away from the speaker.
C. I often lean slightly forward and face my body toward the speaker.

14. When I cross my leg
A. I cross my leg facing the speaker.
B. I cross my leg away from the speaker.
C. I bob my foot.

15. While listening,
A. I tend to be distracted by things going on around me.
B. I listen for meaning and ask questions.
C. I watch the person speak, but I don't "hear" a word.

16. When someone talks about an unfortunate or sad experience
A. I don't comment about it.
B. I try to change the subject.
C., I try to relate to the person's feelings and show sensitivity to his or her misfortune.

17. When I discuss a topic
A. I tend to talk about and focus on positive (good) aspects.
B. I tend to talk about and focus on the negative (bad) aspects.
C., I tend to complain.

18. When I have a negative opinion or comment
A. I just say it.
B. I lead in with a positive comment first.
C. I say nothing.

19. When I receive unfavorable feedback
A. I note where I need to improve.
B. I get angry and defensive.
C. I deny the problem, make excuses, or plead ignorance.

20. When I give a person negative feedback
A. I focus on the person's observable work or behavior and offer suggestions.
B. When I give a person negative feedback, I focus on what I don't like about the person.
C. I simply tell the person what to do right.

21. When I give a person negative feedback,
A. I do it around others so everyone can hear.
B. I do it in front of the supervisor.
C. I talk with the person alone in a private place.

22. When I disagree with a person,
A. I listen first, ask questions for clarification, then disagree non-judgmentally.
B. I quickly point out the person is wrong and why.
C. When I disagree with a person, I say little or nothing.

23. When I'm in a group,
A. I tend to frown a lot.
B. I tend to smile and use humor at appropriate times.
C. I tend to be serious.

24. This last item has four choices (A, B, C or D). Which one best describes you?

A. I'm a "hands-on" person. I tend to:
prefer hands-on experiences and activities;
focus on tasks to be done;
refrain from discussions;
think in a logical and organized way;
do things in an orderly way;
have difficulty adjusting to change.

B. I'm a "thinker." I tend to:
enjoy listening to a logical presentation of ideas;
enjoy analyzing problems and finding systematic ways to solve problems;
enjoy creating models based on theory and information;
like structure and organization;
act slowly in making decisions;
show more interest in ideas than people.

C. I'm an "explorer." I tend to:
try things by trial and error;
explore practical uses for ideas and theories;
make decisions that provide quick solutions;
decide quickly;
take risks;
enjoy change;
rely more on people for information.

D. I'm a "free thinker." I tend to:
base views and opinions on feelings;
enjoy tossing around ideas (brainstorming);
approach and view problems and experiences from different perspectives;
rely on intuition, not logic, for making decisions;
dislike structure.

Good Luck