Level 0 exam — Professional communication

Exam — fresh questions

12 questions to validate the fundamentals: the communication model, channels, active listening and audience adaptation.
Answer everything, then click Check: your score and explanations will appear.

0.1 · Recall

1. In the sender-receiver model, what proves a message was understood?

The volume of the voice The receiver's feedback The length of the message The channel chosen

Without feedback, the sender cannot know whether their message got through as intended: it's the only reliable indicator.

0.1 · Application

2. A message contains an acronym unknown to the receiver, who doesn't understand the request. What kind of noise is this?

Psychological noise No noise at all Physical noise Semantic noise (jargon)

An unexplained acronym or jargon creates semantic noise: the message is poorly encoded for this particular receiver.

0.1 · Application

3. What are the three types of noise that can distort a message?

Large, small, medium Physical, semantic, psychological Fast, slow, medium Oral, written, visual

Physical noise (environment), semantic (jargon, ambiguity) and psychological (emotion, bias) are the three classic families.

0.2 · Recall

4. What happens when words contradict tone and posture?

The message is ignored Nothing in particular The receiver believes the words The receiver believes the nonverbal

In case of contradiction (paradoxical communication), it is the nonverbal that wins in the receiver's perception.

0.2 · Application

5. An employee says "I'm fine" in a tense voice with arms crossed. What should you prioritize?

Tactfully name the mismatch you perceive Ignore it and change the subject Raise your voice to insist Take the words "I'm fine" literally

Tactfully naming the gap (without accusing) opens a real dialogue rather than sticking to a formal answer contradicted by the body.

0.2 · Arbitration

6. What is the best lever for naturally consistent nonverbal communication?

Inner alignment (genuinely agreeing with your message) Speaking louder Avoiding all eye contact Repeating memorized gestures

A forced nonverbal performance rings false; inner alignment makes consistency natural, without any "acting" effort.

0.3 · Recall

7. What is active listening, precisely?

Only taking notes Listening while preparing your reply Listening to understand, and showing it to the other person Staying politely silent

Active listening aims at truly understanding the other person, demonstrated through rephrasing, questions and silence — not preparing your comeback.

0.3 · Application

8. What is the main effect of a well-done rephrase?

It systematically annoys the listener It checks understanding and often makes the real issue surface It replaces the question It ends the exchange

By restating the meaning in your own words, you check your understanding and the other person corrects or clarifies, sometimes revealing the real issue.

0.3 · Arbitration

9. After an open question, the other person pauses in silence. What should you do?

Change the subject Answer for them Immediately fill the silence with another question Leave the silence, it often invites elaboration

Active silence gives the other person space to develop their thought; filling it too fast often cuts off the most useful information.

0.4 · Application

10. What is the right reflex to adapt a message to its recipient?

Systematically oversimplify Start from what you personally want to say Start from what the other person knows and expects Always use the same message for everyone

Adapting means starting from the other person (what they know, expect, fear) rather than your own priorities as a communicator.

0.4 · Application

11. What should be prioritized in a message aimed at a busy executive?

Industry jargon Full technical detail The essentials and the impact (benefit, risk, decision expected) A complete project history

A busy executive wants actionable essentials: impact, risk, decision — not technical detail, reserved for the operational team.

0.4 · Arbitration

12. Which is NOT a legitimate way to adapt your message?

Changing the substance or facts depending on the audience Translating jargon into plain language Presenting the benefit for the target audience Adjusting the level of detail

Adapting concerns the form (vocabulary, detail, angle); changing the substance or facts based on the audience is dishonesty, not adaptation.

What's next?

Score ≥ 80%: move on to Level 1 — V3 (emails, subject line, netiquette, messaging).
Score < 80%: reread the explanations above — each one re-explains the concept (model, channels, listening, adaptation) — then redo the test.