Communication Skills December 2023 Past Paper

CPA FOUNDATION LEVEL COMMUNICATION SKILLS
MONDAY: 4 December 2023. Afternoon Paper. Time Allowed: 3 hours.

This paper has seven (7) questions. Answer any FIVE questions. ALL questions carry equal marks. Do NOT write anything on this paper.

QUESTION ONE
(a) Distinguish between an “advisory committee” and an “executive committee”. (4 marks)

(b) Explain SIX reasons why interpersonal communication is essential at the workplace. (6 marks)

(c) Analyse the importance of each of the FIVE stages of the listening process of communication. (10 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)

QUESTION TWO
(a) With reference to report writing:
(i) Highlight FOUR functions of the introduction part of a report. (4 marks)

(ii) Discuss FOUR reasons why reports are important tools in an organisation. (8 marks)

(b) Analyse FOUR approaches that a communication manager might use to prevent the spread of rumours in an organisation. (8 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
QUESTION THREE
(a) Highlight FOUR factors that could contribute to effective oral communication. (4 marks)

(b) Describe THREE major innovations that are reshaping the practice of communication in the 21st Century. (6 marks)

(c) Discuss FIVE reasons why online surveys have become more popular in business organisations. (10 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)

QUESTION FOUR
(a) Identify FOUR situations in which an organisation might issue a circular letter to the public. (4 marks)

(b) You have been appointed as a team leader in a group discussion. Discuss FOUR approaches that you could use to address the communication barriers within the group. (8 marks)

(c) Analyse FOUR benefits of giving feedback to customers in an organisation. (8 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)

QUESTION FIVE
(a) Summarise FIVE features of an effective curriculum vitae (CV). (5 marks)

(b) Highlight FIVE disadvantages associated with social media communication. (5 marks)

(c) (i) Explain the meaning of “vertical communication”. (2 marks)

(ii) Discuss FOUR circumstances that may require an organisation to use vertical communication.
(8 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)

QUESTION SIX
(a) (i) Explain the meaning of “ethical communication”. (2 marks)

(ii) Examine FOUR organisational factors that might cause employees to engage in unethical behaviour.
(8 marks)
(b) Discuss FIVE guidelines that can be used to improve the understanding and interpretation of non-verbal communication. (10 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)

QUESTION SEVEN
(a) Highlight FIVE disadvantages of audio-visual communication. (5 marks)

(b) Outline SEVEN reasons why most of the professionals prefer to use presentation softwares during conferences.
(7 marks)
(c) Describe FOUR characteristics of a good proposal. (8 marks)
(Total: 20 marks)
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