UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Statements A, B and C are correct, while D is incorrect. A is true because encoding involves turning ideas into symbols such as words, diagrams or sounds. B is true since decoding is the receiver’s act of interpreting those symbols. C is true because effective communication depends on the receiver’s interpretation approximating the sender’s intended meaning. D is false because encoding is relevant in all forms of communication, including interpersonal exchanges, not just mass communication.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it includes only A and B and omits C. Although it recognises the basic processes of encoding and decoding, it fails to mention the requirement that decoded meaning approximate the intended meaning for communication to be effective. Thus A and B only does not capture all the correct statements.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it groups B and C but leaves out A. Excluding A ignores the initial step of transforming ideas into communicable symbols, which is fundamental to the communication process. Therefore B and C only is incomplete.

Option C:
Option C is correct because it brings together A, B and C, covering encoding, decoding and the need for shared meaning. It also implicitly rejects D, which restricts encoding to mass communication. As it includes all and only the true statements, this option is the correct answer.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it treats all four statements as correct, including D. D misrepresents encoding as a process unique to mass communication and neglects its role in everyday interpersonal messages. Consequently this option mixes a false statement with true ones and cannot be accepted.

Schramm introduced the idea that sender and receiver each have a "field of experience,"which includes their knowledge,attitudes and cultural background. Communication is more effective when these fields overlap,because messages are then interpreted in similar ways. The stem directly refers to this requirement for overlap. Therefore,the correct term is "field of experience."

Option A:
Mechanical channel refers to the physical medium carrying the signal and does not capture the psychological and cultural similarities Schramm emphasises.

Option B:
The field of experience concept explains why the same message may be understood differently by people with different backgrounds,making option B accurate.

Option C:
Economic power or formal authority may affect influence but are not the key factor named in Schramm's model.

Option D:
Formal authority refers to organisational position,which is separate from shared experiences and knowledge.

Defining communication as creating and sharing common understanding highlights that it happens between people in relationships. This makes communication fundamentally a social process rather than a purely individual activity. Social interaction is central because meanings are negotiated in groups and communities. The correct option therefore captures the core nature of communication in this definition.

Option A:
Calling communication social stresses that humans use it to connect,coordinate and cooperate with others in daily life. It fits the idea of shared understanding described in the stem. This option recognises that communication cannot exist without at least two participants.

Option B:
Mechanical would reduce communication to devices and technical transmission,ignoring human interaction and shared meaning. It does not reflect the emphasis on understanding between people. This term therefore fails to capture the conceptual focus of the definition.

Option C:
Ritualistic refers to symbolic ceremonies and formal rites,which are only one special context of communication. The general definition in the stem is broader than ritual acts and cannot be limited to them. Hence ritualistic is not the best descriptor here.

Option D:
Random suggests that communication is haphazard and without structure,which contradicts the idea of purposeful creation of understanding. Effective communication is organised around shared codes and norms,not random acts.

Statements A, B and D are correct, while C and E are incorrect. A is true because communication requires that meaning be shared, not just symbols sent. B is true since information can be transmitted without checking understanding. D is true because communication is typically seen as interactive, allowing feedback. C is false because if the receiver does not understand, communication is incomplete, and E is false because the two concepts are related but not identical. Thus, A, B and D only is the correct combination.

Option A:
Option A groups A, B and D, emphasising shared meaning, possible lack of understanding in mere transmission and the two-way nature of communication. It deliberately excludes C, which wrongly treats non-understood messages as full communication, and E, which incorrectly equates information and communication. As it contains all and only true statements, this option is correct.

Option B:
Option B lists A and D only, omitting B and thereby ignoring the crucial insight that information transmission can ignore the receiver’s understanding. Without this distinction, A and D only does not fully answer the question about differences between information and communication.

Option C:
Option C combines B and C, but C is incorrect since it allows communication to be declared successful even without understanding. Including C in a “correct” set contradicts fundamental definitions, making B and C only invalid.

Option D:
Option D presents A, B and E, but E is wrong because information does not always become communication unless it is meaningfully received. Therefore A, B and E only cannot be treated as the right answer.

Statements A, B and D describe core features of communication, whereas C is incorrect. A is true because communication continues whenever people interact and exchange messages. B is true since communication necessarily involves the sharing and negotiation of meaning between sender and receiver. D is true as communication may be expressed through both spoken or written words and through non-verbal cues such as gestures and facial expressions. C is false because communication can occur without sophisticated technology, for example in direct face-to-face interaction.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it includes only A and B and omits D, which is also a true statement about modes of communication. By excluding D it fails to recognise that non-verbal expression is an important part of communication. Therefore this option does not list all the correct statements given in the question.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it combines A, B and D, the three statements that accurately capture basic features of communication. It acknowledges that communication is continuous, based on shared meanings and transmitted through verbal and non-verbal channels. It deliberately excludes C, which wrongly restricts communication to situations using sophisticated technology. For these reasons this option fully matches the set of correct statements.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it identifies only B and D as correct and leaves out A. While B and D are valid, omitting A ignores the continuous nature of communication during interaction. Hence this option does not represent the full set of correct statements in the list.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because it treats all four statements A, B, C and D as correct. Including C is problematic because communication does not always require sophisticated technology. As it mixes one false statement with true ones, this option cannot be accepted.

Schramm introduced the concept of "field of experience" to describe a person's background,knowledge and cultural setting. He proposed that communication is easier when sender and receiver fields overlap. This overlap allows similar interpretation of symbols. Hence field of experience is the correct term.

Option A:
Field of experience explains shared understanding because common background and knowledge make symbols and messages easier to interpret similarly.

Option B:
Economic power may influence access to media but is not the core theoretical idea here.

Option C:
Formal status refers to organisational rank,which is not central in Schramm's diagram.

Option D:
Mechanical channel deals with physical means of transmission and is different from experiential overlap.