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PRAXIS II Communication Exam

The Communications exam of the PRAXIS II Series is used to measure the understanding of communications and related subjects and the ability to teach Communication at the elementary or high school level. The Communications Exam is a two hour test consisting of 150 multiple choice questions that will test the understanding of information pertaining to areas of communication, the capacity to use principles of communication, the use of analytic skills. The questions are divided into six categories as follows:

26 questions covering General Communication
26 questions covering Speech
25 questions covering Theater
25 questions covering Media
18 questions covering Professional Concerns
15 questions covering Literature
15 questions covering Language

The category of General Communication is comprised of the theory of communication, listening, participation of audiences, communication between individuals and between cultures, legal factors associated with communications.

The area Speech consists of topics such as public oration, interpretive reading, debate, and class discussions.

Questions the category of Theater may cover topics including direction, acting, production, literature, and the origins and historical account of theater and drama.

The Media category will contain questioning about various forms of media including film, print, and television or reporting. The examinee will be tested on knowledge of the history and techniques of media as well as the features of mass media.

The questions pertaining to Professional Concerns will address areas such as careers, organizations, and school related interests, in addition to methods related to communication in a professional aspect and resources available on the subject.

The area of Literature will assess knowledge, focusing on the ability to identify well known authors, genres, and literature from particular periods. Examinees should also be familiar with literature from America as well as from other parts of the world, and they should demonstrate the ability to analyze literary works.

The category of Language will contain questions regarding topics such as semantics and etymology. The history and diversity of language, and the subject of writing is also examined under this category.

PRAXIS II Communication Practice Questions

1. General social skills needed to complete every day transactions include:

A. asking sensible questions
B. knowing how to read and write
C. understanding simple directions
D. All of the above

2. What "props" are missing in context-reduced communication?

A. Visual clues
B. Tone of voice
C. Language fluency
D. Vocabulary knowledge

3. Linguistic knowledge includes knowledge of:

A. how the language works
B. what the words mean
C. how to use words properly
D. All of the above

4. Which format is not considered a type of electronic media?

A. Radio
B. Books
C. Television
D. Films

5. Why did the influence of mass media increase?

A. Moveable type was invented.
B. Popular printed material became available.
C. The general public learned to read.
D. Newspapers were created.

Answer Key For Communication

1. Answer: D

Social skills are the verbal and nonverbal tools used to interact and communicate with other people. These skills are integral to becoming an active and accepted member of any environment. There are general skills needed to complete every day transactions: the ability to ask sensible questions and provide logical answers, knowing how to read and write, and understanding simple directions.

In smaller groups other skills may be needed: the ability to engage in interesting conversation, present ideas to peers, teach new concepts, or actively participate in discussions. Using body language appropriate to the situation and message, having the ability to resolve conflicts, and being diplomatic are examples of advanced social skills.

Social ineptitude is a lack of social skills, and the criteria vary among different cultures. Someone may have an avoidant personality disorder, be shy, or be overly bold. The behavior manifests itself in different ways. In culturally diverse classrooms, it is critical to create an atmosphere of acceptance, so if a student does something inappropriate, the behavior can be quietly and gently corrected without causing humiliation or embarrassment.

2. Answer: A

Basic interpersonal communication skills encompass two different and distinct communication styles. In context-embedded communication, various visual and vocal props are available to help understanding. Pictures and other objects graphically explain and demonstrate. The speaker's gestures and tone of voice help. Context-reduced communication doesn't have visual clues and cues, so the listener must rely on his vocabulary knowledge and language fluency. Phone conversations don't allow the listener to see the speaker so hand gestures, facial expressions, and other visual aides are missing.

Depending upon whom the conversation is with, where it is occurring, and the complexity of the subject, different cognitive abilities are required. When in a relaxed, informal setting such as on the playground or in the lunchroom, the conversation doesn't require much abstract or critical thinking. When asked a simple question requiring a yes or no answer, it is usually not threatening or stress producing. This is a cognitively undemanding communication. However, when someone is required to hear, analyze, and respond quickly to abstract or complex ideas and concepts, he suddenly finds himself in a cognitively demanding communication situation.

3. Answer: D

Linguistic knowledge is defined as understanding the system: how the language works, what the words mean, and how to use the words properly. The system is composed of several parts. The definitions cited are from The American Heritage College Dictionary.

PHONOLOGY: the sounds of the words and their proper pronunciation
SEMANTICS: the meaning of the signs and symbols used to form the words
MORPHOLOGY: the structure and form of the words including inflection (changing pitch or tone of voice), derivation (adding prefixes and suffixes to change the meaning), and compounds (combining two or more words to form a different word)
WORD MEANING: the idea or thought conveyed
SYNTAX (grammatical structure): the rules governing the formation of sentences

In order for students to learn, integrate, and use the language system correctly, they must be given opportunities to read in many genres and from a variety of source material, hear speakers with different speech patterns, and practice writing in various contexts.

4. Answer: B

The American Heritage College Dictionary defines mass media as "a means of public communication to a large audience." The term was coined in the 1920s when radio networks and some newspapers and magazines become available nationwide and began to influence society at large rather than just the local population. In today's world, news and entertainment can be spread in many formats, some of which are printed (books, newspapers, magazines) and some of which are electronic (radio, television, films, the Internet).

The Internet, podcasts, and blogs have had a profound effect on society. Information is abundant, readily available, and easily accessible. Individuals use it and companies rely on it. People are turning to the World Wide Web for news of the day, analyses of current events, health information, financial transactions, and security. With the advent of so many electronic formats, it is critical students are taught to dissect and discriminate the digital data and learn to scrutinize the sources from which it comes. They need to understand the benefits and the risks and how to evaluate information found on the Internet.

5. Answer: C

Mass media has a long and colorful history. It began in the ancient world with morality plays and other performances such as storytelling and pantomime. These theatrical productions were used to inform, teach, and preserve tribal traditions. The first known book is the Diamond Sutra, printed in China about 868 AD. Movable clay type was invented in China about 1040 but because of the high cost of paper, ink, and reproduction, popular printed material dates from about 1400 in Europe.

Although Johannes Gutenberg is credited with printing the first book on a printing press with moveable type in 1453, printed material wasn't widely available until about one hundred years later and was restricted to the wealthy and the church. Newspapers came into existence about 1612. The cost of production and the inability of the "man on the street" to read limited the impact of printed material until the nineteenth century. When education became the norm for the general public and cheaper duplication methods were developed, the influence of the media grew.