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090913 Communication Applications
Examination for Acceleration/Credit by Exam Study Guide
This EA/CBE Study Guide can help you prepare for the exam by giving you an idea of what you
need to study, review, and learn. To succeed, you should be thoroughly familiar with the subject
matter before you attempt to take the exam.
Every question that appears on the EA/CBE is grounded in the knowledge and skills statements
and student expectations within the state-mandated standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge
and Skills (TEKS). It should be noted that the exam will not test every student expectation.
However, it is important that students study and know the entire scope of the TEKS so that they
can develop a complete understanding of the content. The EA/CBEs are global exams grounded
in the TEKS and are not designed to be a final exam for the University of Texas high school
courses. You can view the TEKS for this exam online at
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/index2.aspx?id=6148. Since questions are not taken from any one
source, you can prepare by reviewing any of the state-adopted textbooks.
About the Exam
The EA/CBE consists of 75 multiple-choice questions that are equally weighted. The exam may
consist of multiple-choice, true-false, and matching type questions. You will be allowed
3 hours to take the exam.
Concepts and Objectives
The bulleted lists and sample questions below may not refer to all the material that will be on the
exam. This list only provides additional information for some of the student expectations tested
in the Communication Applications EA/CBE. Ultimately, you should use the TEKS to guide
your exam preparation.
Objective 1 – Communication Process
Student demonstrates knowledge of various communication processes in professional and social
contexts.
Foundations of Communication
• Define and describe the four components of the communication process.
• Identify and define the four dimensions of communication.
• Describe the elements of communication competence.
• Define and describe active mindfulness.
• Define perception.
• Describe four phases of selective perception and their effects on communication.
• Define and explain the process of attribution.
• Describe some of the skills that facilitate accurate perceptions and attributions.
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Principles and Practices of Communication
• Describe the relationship between words and perceptions.
• Distinguish between denotative and connotative meanings.
• Describe how language reflects cultural, group, and individual diversity.
• Describe the relationship between power and words.
• Describe the effects of exclusive language.
• Create and use examples of inclusive and appropriate language.
• Describe the characteristics of nonverbal communication that distinguish this type of
communication from language.
• Describe the functions of nonverbal behavior.
• Describe how diversity influences nonverbal behavior.
• State some of the ways you can increase nonverbal communication skills.
Listening and Critical Thinking
• Describe the differences between listening and hearing.
• Explain the significant role of listening in communication.
• Describe some misconceptions about listening.
• Describe some common obstacles to listening.
Communicating Ethically
• State the difference between types of ethic standpoints.
• Know Kantian’s ethical standards.
• Know the eight ethical standards according to Machiavelli.
• Know the eight ethical standards according to Nietzsche.
• Apply ethical principles to communicative situations.
• State and apply ethical responsibilities in avoiding plagiarism.
• Explain and apply the ethical obligations of all parties involved in a communicative
situation.
Objective 2 – Interpersonal Communication
Student uses appropriate interpersonal communication strategies in professional and social
contexts.
Interpersonal Communication
• Define and describe relational communication.
• State the factors that influence relationship development.
• Describe communication behaviors that characterize a developing relationship.
• Describe communication behaviors that characterize a deteriorating relationship.
• State the process and guidelines for self-disclosure.
• State the difference between cultural, group, and individual diversity.
• Explain how the dimensions of culture influence communication.
• Define conflict.
• State the differences between destructive and constructive conflict.
• Describe five common sources of conflict.
• Describe six skills in constructive conflict management.
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Objective 3 – Group Communication
Student communicates effectively in groups in professional and social contexts.
Interviewing
• Know how to effectively prepare for an interview.
• Know the parts of a resume and cover letter.
• Describe the importance of appearance for an interview.
• Describe the importance of good communication in an interview.
Group Communication
• Identify types of groups.
• Describe the advantages and causes of groupthink.
• Explain the importance of group composition in group functions.
• Describe the phases of group development.
• Describe the roles and functional behaviors in small groups.
• Identify leadership styles and situations in which differing styles are appropriate.
Objective 4 – Presentations
Student makes and evaluates formal and informal professional presentations.
Public Speaking, Part I
• Analyze the basic features of a speech.
• Identify the common purposes of public speaking.
• Choose an appropriate topic for a speech.
• Construct a specific purpose for a speech.
• Organize a speech.
• Describe the importance of audience learning styles in speech presentation.
• Explain the requirements for an effective informative speech.
• Describe the importance of using visual aids in a speech.
• State the differences between informative and persuasive speaking.
• Describe the importance of situation for persuasive speaking.
• Describe the four goals of persuasive speeches.
• Define ethos, logos, and pathos.
• Know the parts of Toulmin's model and demonstrate the effective use of if to create a
persuasive message.
• Describe how certain persuasive appeals connect, or link, to audience members.
• Describe the variety of methods for speech delivery.
Public Speaking, Part II
• Recognize strategies to manage speech anxiety.
• Describe the variety of methods for speech delivery.
• Know how to adjust the speech delivery style to accommodate different types of
audiences.
• Describe the relationship between delivery and nonverbal communication.
• Display appropriate speech presentation behaviors.
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Sample Questions
These sample questions will give you a better idea of the types of questions you can expect on
the EA/CBE. These are provided to illustrate the format of the exam. They are not the actual
exam. In order to be successful on the exam, you must study the TEKS and all of the concepts
previously listed.
1. What is the role of the receiver in the communication process?
A
B
C
D
The receiver is the only one communicating.
The receiver has an idea, encodes it, and responds.
The receiver gets the message, decodes it, and sends feedback.
The receiver decodes the message and starts the communication.
2. Hearing is best defined as
A
B
C
D
how we identify sound.
making an effort to hear.
paying attention.
listening to another person.
3. Which statement is one of Kant’s ethical standards?
A Mass communication does not exist; however, mass destruction may occur
randomly.
B Adhere to the philosophy of “win-win” with all sources and receivers to win.
C Sources and receivers use rewards and punishments to communicate information.
D Adhere to the philosophy of “lose-lose” with all sources and receivers to lose.
4. Which of the following best defines constructive conflict?
A
B
C
D
Satisfaction
Disagreement
Defeating
Offending
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5. What are the five methods for closing an interview?
A
B
C
D
Isolation, set up, assumptive, subtle, and dedicated
Isolation, set up, assertive, subtle, and direct
Isolation, set up, assumptive, subtle, and direct
Isolation, set up, assertive, subtle, and dedicated
Answer Key
Item Number
Correct Answer
1
2
3
4
5
C
A
B
A
C
TEKS
expectation
1B
1G
2B
3H
4L
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