UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B, D and E are correct, whereas C and F are wrong and together form the correct set of wrong statements. Rich channels such as face-to-face talk indeed convey many cues and are useful for complex issues, while lean channels are adequate for simple routine information. E-mail is usually leaner than face-to-face interaction, so C is false, and it is unrealistic and unnecessary to insist that every message use the richest channel, making F false. Thus the mistaken statements are C and F.

Option A:
Option A is incomplete because it selects C only as wrong and ignores F, which also misguides channel choice. While it is correct to reject the claim about e-mail being richer, the demand to always use the richest channel is equally problematic. Therefore C only cannot be the correct response.

Option B:
Option B is similarly incomplete, focusing only on F and overlooking C. It correctly flags the exaggerated demand for richest channels but fails to challenge the inaccurate comparison of e-mail and face-to-face interaction. For that reason F only cannot be accepted.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it groups C and F, the two statements that conflict with media richness theory. It recognises that e-mail is generally leaner than face-to-face communication and that channel choice should be strategic rather than maximal. Consequently C and F only is the right answer.

Option D:
Option D is wrong since it adds B, a correct statement about the relative richness of face-to-face talk and written notices, to the wrong set. Face-to-face conversation does carry more cues than a formal notice, so labelling B as wrong is inconsistent. Hence B, C and F only cannot be chosen.

Channel richness refers to the capacity of a communication medium to provide immediate feedback, multiple cues such as tone and gestures, and personal focus. Face to face discussion allows teachers and students to see facial expressions, hear vocal nuances and respond instantly to each other, so it is considered the richest channel for complex or sensitive topics.

Option A:
Option A (email) allows thoughtful, documented messages, but feedback is delayed and nonverbal cues are limited to writing style and emoticons, so the channel is less rich.

Option B:
Option B (printed handouts) is a one-way written channel that provides information but no built-in mechanism for immediate feedback or observation of nonverbal responses.

Option C:
Option C is correct because face to face classroom discussion offers immediate feedback and combines verbal and nonverbal cues, making it the richest channel among the options.

Option D:
Option D (notice on website) is also one-way, impersonal communication; students typically cannot respond in real time, so the channel has low richness.