Honors Communication Midterm — Fall 2026

39-card review of all 13 exam questions: explanation and example/application cards first, then 13 memory-cue cards. Based on your updated study guide and class notes; Q12 uses the previously checked Adler textbook strategies. Practice answers aloud in full sentences.

Q1 — Describe THREE communication competence characteristics.

1. Cognitive complexity: consider different perspectives.

2. Appropriate behavior: choose communication that fits the person and situation.

3. Self-monitoring: notice and adjust your own communication.

Q1 — Give an example of EACH competence characteristic.

1. Cognitive complexity: consider an emergency when a classmate misses a meeting.

2. Appropriate behavior: greet a professor formally and a friend casually.

3. Self-monitoring: notice confused listeners and slow down.

Q2 — Name and describe the THREE perception steps in order.

1. Selection: choose what to notice; needs and interests influence attention.

2. Organization: categorize information using physical, social, or psychological characteristics.

3. Interpretation: assign meaning using knowledge of the person or situation.

Q2 — Apply selection, organization, and interpretation to a short reply.

1. Selection: I notice a short reply.

2. Organization: I categorize its tone as brief or distant.

3. Interpretation: I think the person may be busy. These form a perception

Q3 — Give TWO meanings of confidence and describe THREE thought-management steps.

Confidence means

1. a feeling of certainty

2. an act of trust/reliance.

3 thought-management steps:

1. Notice: become aware of a thought with curiosity.

2. Name: identify its feeling, such as fear.

3. Neutralize: recognize it as a thought, consider whether it helps, and let it go to refocus.

Q3 — Give a phrase for Notice, Name, and Neutralize.

1. Notice: “I notice I am thinking I will forget my speech.”

2. Name: “This feels like fear.”

3. Neutralize: “This is just a thought. Thank you, brain, but this is not helpful right now.” Then return to preparing.

Q4 — Describe BOTH sides of TWO intercultural dimension pairs.

1. Individualistic: I before we; personal goals and responsibility.

2. Collectivist: we before I; group loyalty and responsibility.

1. High uncertainty avoidance: prefers familiar, predictable situations.

2. Low uncertainty avoidance: tolerates unclear plans and new approaches. These are cultural tendencies, not universal rules.

Q4 — Give an example for EACH of the dimensions.

1. Individualistic: choose a career for personal interests.

2. Collectivist: choose partly to support family.

1. High uncertainty avoidance: require detailed project instructions.

2. Low uncertainty avoidance: begin with a flexible plan and adapt.

Q5 — Describe mindful listening and TWO other types.

1. Mindful: be fully present and set aside personal distractions.

2. Relational: connect emotionally, notice unexpressed feelings, validate, and show empathy.

3. Critical: evaluate accuracy, evidence, and speaker credibility rather than simply accepting the message.

Q5 — Give examples of mindful, relational, and critical listening.

1. Mindful: set aside assignment worries to focus on a friend.

2. Relational: acknowledge an upset friend’s frustration.

3. Critical: examine whether a speaker’s evidence supports their claim and whether emotional appeals hide weak support.

Q6 — State and describe TWO communication principles.

1. You cannot unsay a message: an apology cannot erase that it was received.

2. The message sent is not always received as intended: a listener can interpret it differently.

Q6 — Give an example of EACH communication principle.

1. Cannot unsay: a friend remembers an insult even after an apology.

2. Sent differs from received: joking “Nice job” after a mistake is interpreted as criticism.

Q7 — Describe TWO perceptual tendencies.

1. Fundamental attribution error: explain someone’s behavior through character while overlooking circumstances.

2. Snap judgment: reach a quick conclusion from limited information, often overgeneralizing. These can overlap.

Q7 — Give attribution-error and snap-judgment examples.

1. Fundamental attribution error: call a late classmate irresponsible without considering car trouble.

2. Snap judgment: see a student on their phone and immediately label them lazy, although the message might be urgent.

Q8 — Describe the THREE perception-checking steps.

1. Describe observable behavior without assuming a motive.

2. Offer TWO possible interpretations.

3. Ask the person for clarification.

Q8 — Give a phrase for EACH perception-checking step.

1. Describe: “You walked past without responding when I greeted you.”

2. Interpretations: “Maybe you didn’t hear me, or you were upset with me.”

3. Clarify: “Can you help me understand what happened?”

Q9 — Describe TWO strategies for speech apprehension.

1. Visualization: imagine successfully completing speech preparation and delivery.

2. Preparation/practice: organize clear ideas and rehearse so the material and delivery become familiar.

Q9 — Give an example of EACH speech-anxiety strategy.

1. Visualize preparing peacefully, walking calmly to the front, and sharing ideas clearly.

2. Prepare an organized outline and rehearse aloud using simple, clear language.

Q10 — Describe ONE captivating opening and ONE memorable closing.

1. Opening: ask a thought-provoking question that relates the topic to listeners.

1. Closing: revisit that opening question to connect the beginning and ending and reinforce the message.

Q10 — Give a connected opening and closing example.

1. Open: “Have you ever left a conversation unable to remember what was said?”

1. Close: “Next time someone speaks, will you simply hear their words—or give them your attention?”

Q11 — Describe THREE intercultural communication problems from your guide.

1. Ethnocentrism: consider your culture superior.

2. Stereotyping: exaggerated group generalizations that overlook individuals.

3. Body-language differences: cultures can assign different meanings to gestures, expressions, or eye contact.

Q11 — Give an example of EACH intercultural problem.

1. Ethnocentrism: dismiss other dining customs as inferior.

2. Stereotyping: assume an exchange student excels at math solely because of their ethnic background.

3. Body language: read lowered eye contact as dishonesty when the person intends respect; meaning depends on context.

Q12 — Explain THREE ways to learn about other cultures.

1. Passive observation: watch communication and learn from it.

2. Active strategies: seek information through reading, films, courses, or knowledgeable people.

3. Self-disclosure: share your unfamiliarity and invite guidance where culturally appropriate.

Q12 — Give an example of EACH cultural-learning strategy.

1. Passive: observe how elders are greeted.

2. Active: ask a knowledgeable person about celebration customs.

3. Self-disclosure: “This celebration is new to me, and I don’t know the customs. What should I know?”

Q13 — Define self-concept, personality, and self-acceptance; connect EACH to communication.

1. Self-concept: relatively stable self-perceptions influence how I approach communication.

2. Personality: temperament, thoughts, and social tendencies shape how I speak and process information.

3. Self-acceptance: accepting strengths and faults without judgment affects internal scripts, confidence, words, and nonverbals.

Q13 — Give a communication example for EACH self-related concept.

1. Self-concept: valuing my ideas helps me speak up.

2. Personality: I may think privately before responding or process ideas aloud.

3. Self-acceptance: accepting nervousness helps me participate without harsh self-criticism.

MEMORY CUE — Which question? Perspectives • Fit • Adjust

Q1: Communication competence. Name, describe, and exemplify THREE characteristics.

MEMORY CUE — Which question? Select → Organize → Interpret

Q2: Perception process. Name and describe THREE steps in order.

MEMORY CUE — Which question? Certainty + Trust • Notice → Name → Neutralize

Q3: Confidence. TWO meanings plus descriptions and examples of THREE steps.

MEMORY CUE — Which question? I / We • Predictability / Uncertainty

Q4: Cultural dimensions. Describe and exemplify BOTH sides of TWO pairs.

MEMORY CUE — Which question? Present • Connect • Evaluate

Q5: Describe mindful, relational, and critical listening.

MEMORY CUE — Which question? Cannot unsay • Sent ≠ Received

Q6: Communication principles. State, describe, and exemplify TWO.

MEMORY CUE — Which question? Character over context • Rush to judge

Q7: Identify and describe attribution error and snap judgments.

MEMORY CUE — Which question? Describe → TWO interpretations → Clarify

Q8: Perception checking. Describe THREE steps and provide a phrase for EACH.

MEMORY CUE — Which question? Picture success • Prepare and practice

Q9: Describe TWO strategies for speech apprehension.

MEMORY CUE — Which question? Question at start • Return at end

Q10: Describe ONE captivating opening and ONE memorable closing.

MEMORY CUE — Which question? Superior • Generalize • Different signals

Q11: Identify, describe, and exemplify THREE intercultural problems.

MEMORY CUE — Which question? Watch • Seek • Share

Q12: Explain passive observation, active strategies, and self-disclosure.

MEMORY CUE — Which question? My image • My tendencies • Accept myself

Q13: Define self-concept, personality, and self-acceptance; connect EACH to communication.