Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification Practice Exam

What does the term 'communication' refer to?

1. Expression of ideas

2. Interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information

3. Gathering of data

4. Making presentations

The correct answer is: Interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information

The term 'communication' is best defined as the interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information. This definition emphasizes the interactive nature of communication, highlighting that it involves not only the expression of ideas but also the reception and understanding of those ideas by others. Effective communication requires both sender and receiver engagement, which includes listening, feedback, and responsiveness to ensure that the intended message is accurately understood. In contrast, while expression of ideas may be a component of communication, it is not a complete definition since it does not encompass the necessity of a two-way interaction. Gathering of data and making presentations are activities that can be related to communication, but they do not fully capture the essence of what communication involves, which is the ongoing exchange and mutual understanding of information between parties. Therefore, the definition that encompasses the full scope and goal of communication is the interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information.