SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT
BBA 141 – BUSINESS COMMUNICATION SKILLS
END OF SEMESTER FINAL EXAMINATION
TUESDAY 4TH JUNE, 2024
14:00 - 17:00 HOURS
Time allowed: THREE (3) HOURS plus 5 minutes reading time.
Instructions to Candidates:
1. Read the instructions very carefully.
2. Check that you have the correct examination paper in front of you.
3. There are TWO Sections in this paper. Section A is compulsory. Answer any
TWO (2) questions in section B.
4. All questions must be answered in the answer booklet provided only.
5. Write down the number of questions that you have answered on the cover of
the examination answer booklet provided.
6. Begin answering each question on a new page in the answer booklet provided
only.
7. No books, files or mechanical/ electronic aids are permitted in the
examination room.
8. There shall be NO communication among students during the examination.
Any students caught doing this will be disqualified.
DO NOT TURN OVER UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO.
SECTION A: COMPULSORY
QUESTION ONE
1. What does Executive Summary mean in report writing?
A. It identifies the writer of the report
B. It is the short version of the report
C. It states what the report is attempting to cover
D. It states who authorized the writing of the report
2. Which communication channel is most suitable for delivering sensitive or
complex messages?
A. Face-to-face communication
B. Text messages
C. Phone calls
D. Social media
3. Which of the following barriers to effective communication relates to
language differences, jargon, or technical terms?
A. Physical barriers
B. Semantic barriers
C. Psychological barriers
D. Cultural barriers
4. When should you use paraphrasing as a communication technique?
A. When you want to avoid the conversation
B. When you need to distract the speaker
C. When you want to restate the speaker's message in your own words to show
understanding
D. When you want to share your personal experiences
5. Peer-to-peer communication is the kind of communication that happens
between:
A. workers in different departs
B. managers of different departs
C. superiors and their subordinates
D. the CEO and managers
6. What is the purpose of a progress report?
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A. Analyze financial data
B. Summarize past events
C. Update on ongoing projects
D. Evaluate employee performance
7. The process of eventually arriving at a resolution in a meeting is known
as a _______________.
A. Debate
B. Brainstorming
C. Outcome
D. Discussion
8. In the communication cycle, what does the term "noise" refer to?
A. Actual sound interference
B. External distractions
C. Misinterpretation of message
D. Communication barriers
9. What is a "meeting agenda"?
A. A list of participants
B. A summary of previous meetings
C. A plan of discussion topics
D. A schedule for future meetings
10. Which of the following is NOT a function of communication?
A. Informing
B. Persuading
C. Regulating
D. Isolating
[TOTAL: 20 MARKS]
QUESTION TWO
Kola Corporation has been dealing with a significant staff turnover rate. The majority
of workers have been departing the company at a startling rate. Some people just
vanish after giving the required one-month notice of resignation. Almost half of the
staff has left the company in the last five years. As the team leader of the HR
department, you have been assigned by the HR Manager to create a report outlining
the reasons for employee departures from your company and offer suggestions for
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reducing the high employee attrition rate. In order to identify the issue and potential
remedies, you have administered questionnaires and conducted interviews. The
report needs to be put together now.
Required:
A) Write a report examining the high turnover rate at Kola Corporations and
suggest ways of minimizing it. [20 Marks]
B) Explain any FIVE (5) features of a good report. [10 Marks]
[TOTAL: 30 MARKS]
SECTION B: ANSWER ANY TWO (2) QUESTIONS FROM THIS SECTION
QUESTION THREE
A meeting is a group communication in action around a defined agenda, at a set time,
for an established duration. Meetings can be effective, ineffective, or a complete waste
of time. If time is money and effectiveness and efficiency are your goals, then if you
arrange a meeting, lead a meeting, or participate in one, you want it to be worth your
time (Mosvick, R. K., 1996).
Required:
A) Describe any FIVE (5) reasons why meetings are held in organizations.
[10 Marks]
B) Outline any FIVE (5) things that can render a meeting ineffective, or a complete
waste of time. [5 Marks]
C) Explain the following meeting terminologies:
i) Addendum [2 Marks]
ii) Quorum [2 Marks]
iii) Resolution [2 Marks]
iv) Brainstorming [2 Marks]
v) Proxy [2 marks]
[TOTAL: 25 MARKS]
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QUESTION FOUR
You are the Director of Marketing at Trade Kings Limited preparing to pitch a new
product to potential investors. You intend to present your idea using PowerPoint
presentation.
Required:
A) Outline any FIVE (5) features of a good PowerPoint presentation. [10 Marks]
B) Explain any FIVE (5) reasons why it is important to incorporate visual aids in
presentations. [10 Marks]
C) State any FIVE (5) disadvantages of using visual aids in presentations.
[5 Marks]
[TOTAL: 25 MARKS]
QUESTION FIVE
Communication may be defined as a process concerning exchange of facts or ideas
between persons holding different positions in an organization to achieve mutual
harmony. The communication process is dynamic in nature rather than a static
phenomenon. Seven major elements of communication process are: (1) sender (2)
ideas (3) encoding (4) communication channel (5) receiver (6) decoding and (7)
feedback.
Required:
A) Describe the process of message encoding and decoding in the context of the
communication cycle. [10 Marks]
B) Discuss any FIVE (5) potential barriers to effective message encoding and
decoding. [10 Marks]
C) State any FIVE (5) roles of feedback in the communication cycle [5 Marks]
[TOTAL: 25 MARKS]
END OF EXAMINATION PAPER
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