Communication Skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing (LSRW) Basics Questions

Question 1

Differentiate between hearing and listening (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Hearing is a physical process of receiving sound; listening is a mental process of understanding meaning. Hearing is automatic; listening needs attention and effort. Listening involves feedback and response, while hearing may not.

Question 2

Expand LSRW.

Accepted Answer

LSRW stands for Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.

Question 3

Define listening.

Accepted Answer

Listening is an active process of receiving and understanding a message and responding appropriately.

Question 4

What is active listening?

Accepted Answer

Active listening is attentive listening with feedback, clarification and summarising.

Question 5

Define skimming.

Accepted Answer

Skimming is quick reading to understand the main idea of a text.

Question 6

Define scanning.

Accepted Answer

Scanning is reading quickly to locate specific information in a text.

Question 7

State one principle of good business writing.

Accepted Answer

Clarity is a principle of good business writing.

Question 8

List any three barriers to effective listening.

Accepted Answer

Distractions/noise, lack of concentration, prejudice/assumptions, stress/emotions and interrupting the speaker are barriers (any three).

Question 9

Explain any three techniques of active listening.

Accepted Answer

Pay full attention and avoid distractions. Ask clarifying questions. Paraphrase/summarise what you heard and give feedback to confirm understanding.

Question 10

Explain how to improve speaking skills in business (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Speak with clarity and logical structure, maintain professional tone, and use appropriate speed and pauses. Prepare key points, be confident, and avoid fillers.

Question 11

Differentiate between skimming and scanning with one example each.

Accepted Answer

Skimming is quick reading for main idea (e.g., skim a report to know topic). Scanning is searching for specific details (e.g., scan report to find a sales figure or date).

Question 12

Write any three principles of effective business writing.

Accepted Answer

Clarity, conciseness, correctness, proper structure, and professional tone are principles (any three).

Question 13

Explain listening and active listening techniques with benefits.

Accepted Answer

Listening is an active process of receiving, understanding, evaluating and responding to a message. It is different from hearing because hearing is only physical reception of sound, while listening involves attention and interpretation.

Active listening techniques:
1) Pay full attention and avoid distractions.
2) Do not interrupt; allow the speaker to complete.
3) Ask clarifying questions to remove doubt.
4) Paraphrase/summarise the message to confirm understanding.
5) Provide feedback (verbal/non-verbal) and show empathy.

Benefits:
- reduces misunderstandings and errors
- improves relationships and trust
- helps negotiation and conflict resolution
- increases productivity and coordination

Thus good listening is a key skill for effective business communication.

Question 14

Explain effective business writing with proper structure and example.

Accepted Answer

Effective business writing should be clear, concise and correct.

Key principles:
1) Plan: decide purpose, audience and key points.
2) Structure: introduction/purpose, details (bullets), conclusion/action.
3) Clarity: use simple words, avoid jargon.
4) Conciseness: remove unnecessary words.
5) Correctness: correct facts, grammar and spelling.
6) Tone: polite and professional.

Example (improving clarity):
Unclear: “Send it soon.”
Clear: “Please send the updated sales report by 5 PM today.”

Following these steps improves professionalism and reduces confusion in workplace writing.

Question 15

Explain reading skills: skimming, scanning and comprehension with exam tips.

Accepted Answer

Reading skill is important for understanding emails, reports, policies and contracts.

Skimming:
- quick reading to get main idea and structure.
- used to understand what the document is about.

Scanning:
- quick search to find specific information like dates, figures, names or keywords.

Comprehension:
- detailed reading to understand meaning, logic and implications.

Exam tip: First skim to get the gist, then scan for key facts, and finally read important sections for comprehension.

Communication Skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing (LSRW) Basics

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