Semantic barriers in message interpretation – UGC NET Question

Statements A, B and D are correct, while C is the only wrong statement. A is true because when people attach different meanings to the same word, misunderstanding can occur. B is true since specialised jargon and technical terms may not be understood by non-specialists, creating semantic problems. D is true as unclear or ambiguous sentence structure can make the intended meaning difficult to decode. C is false because semantic barriers arise from meaning-related issues, not from purely physical noise in the environment, which belongs to physical barriers.

Option A:
Option A correctly identifies C only as the wrong statement. It recognises that meaning-related problems, not physical noise, define semantic barriers. By leaving A, B and D outside the wrong set as correct statements, this option precisely matches the requirement to select the wrong statement or statements. Therefore C only is the correct answer.

Option B:
Option B includes A and C as wrong but misclassifies A, which accurately describes how different interpretations of words can create semantic barriers. Treating A as wrong contradicts the basic definition of semantic barriers. Hence A and C only cannot be accepted.

Option C:
Option C combines C and D as wrong, even though D correctly notes that ambiguous sentence structure can cause semantic problems. Including D in the wrong set makes this combination inconsistent with communication theory. Therefore C and D only is not a valid answer.

Option D:
Option D groups A, C and D as wrong statements and thus wrongly treats A and D as incorrect. Since both A and D correctly identify sources of semantic barriers, this option overstates the number of wrong statements and is logically flawed. Consequently A, C and D only cannot be chosen.