Politeness: Definition, Strategies, and Importance

Question 1

Which of the following is an example of an indirect speech act used to make a request?

Accepted Answer

Excuse me, do you mind if I open the window?

Answer

Can you pass the salt?

Answer

I'm quite cold.

Answer

It's a nice day today.

Question 2

Which of the following is considered a high-context culture where nonverbal cues are highly valued?

Accepted Answer

Japan

Answer

United States

Answer

Switzerland

Answer

Germany

Question 3

What is meant by the term 'politeness spiral'?

Accepted Answer

A series of increasingly polite exchanges between participants that can lead to exaggerated politeness

Answer

A situation where politeness norms become too rigid and inflexible

Answer

A type of indirect speech act where the speaker implies a different meaning than what is literally stated

Answer

A measure of politeness in a given culture based on the frequency of polite expressions used

Question 4

How does politeness contribute to maintaining and enhancing positive relationships?

Accepted Answer

Politeness shows respect for others and their feelings, building trust and strengthening relationships.

Accepted Answer

Politeness reduces misunderstandings and conflicts, creating a more harmonious environment.

Answer

Politeness requires prioritizing others' needs over one's own.

Answer

Politeness is only important in formal settings.

Question 5

How do politeness strategies vary depending on cultural contexts?

Accepted Answer

Politeness strategies can vary based on the power dynamics between speakers in certain cultures.

Answer

Politeness strategies are fixed and uniform across all cultures.

Answer

Politeness strategies are only relevant in specific cultural contexts.

Answer

Politeness strategies are always explicit and straightforward.

Question 6

How does empathy contribute to politeness in communication?

Accepted Answer

Empathy helps individuals understand and consider others' feelings, beliefs, and perspectives.

Answer

Empathy makes social conventions in communication less important.

Answer

Empathy ensures that individuals always agree with each other.

Answer

Empathy is mainly useful when communicating with people from different cultures.

Question 7

Which politeness strategy involves using indirect language to soften the impact of a request or command?

Accepted Answer

Indirectness

Answer

Negative politeness

Answer

Positive politeness

Answer

Ambiguity

Question 8

What is the primary goal of positive politeness?

Accepted Answer

To build relationships and create a sense of connection

Answer

To avoid conflict and maintain harmony

Answer

To minimize imposition and reduce the burden on others

Answer

To maintain social distance and avoid overly familiar interactions

Question 9

Which of the following is a hallmark of indirectness in polite communication?

Accepted Answer

Using vague language and avoiding direct statements

Answer

Avoiding personal pronouns to maintain a sense of formality

Answer

Stating intentions clearly and directly to avoid confusion

Answer

Expressing direct requests in a straightforward manner

Question 10

How can humor contribute to politeness in communication?

Accepted Answer

It can defuse tension, lighten the mood, and create a sense of shared understanding

Answer

It can help to convey sarcasm and irony, making it easier to express disagreement

Answer

It can create a sense of superiority, making the speaker appear more knowledgeable

Answer

It can make the speaker appear aloof and uninterested

Question 11

What is the cultural significance of politeness in American society?

Accepted Answer

It promotes harmony, cooperation, and mutual respect

Answer

It reinforces social hierarchy and maintains clear distinctions between different levels of society

Answer

It protects individual rights and freedoms above all else

Answer

It inhibits open and honest communication, as people are hesitant to express their true feelings

Question 12

The concept of 'face' in pragmatics primarily refers to:

Accepted Answer

A person's public image

Answer

A person's emotional state

Answer

A person's financial status

Answer

A person's physical appearance

Question 13

The key difference between politeness and etiquette is that:

Accepted Answer

Politeness is subjective, while etiquette is objective.

Answer

Etiquette is more context-specific than politeness.

Answer

Politeness is only concerned with verbal communication.

Answer

There is no meaningful difference between politeness and etiquette.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a potential benefit of using polite language?

Accepted Answer

Social isolation and exclusion

Answer

Improved social relationships

Answer

Reduced misunderstandings and conflicts

Answer

Increased job opportunities

Question 15

A politeness marker is a linguistic feature that:

Accepted Answer

Indicates politeness and respect

Answer

Is used only in formal settings

Answer

Must always be used when speaking

Answer

Is only found in certain languages

Question 16

How can politeness norms differ across cultures? Consider how these differences might affect communication.

Accepted Answer

Direct eye contact can be seen as respectful in some cultures, but disrespectful in others.

Answer

Politeness is the same in every culture.

Answer

Politeness only affects how we speak, not our body language.

Answer

The main goal of politeness is always to make the other person feel good.

Question 17

How does politeness contribute to building trust and rapport in relationships?

Accepted Answer

It makes people feel valued and respected.

Answer

It promotes honesty and transparency.

Answer

It encourages competition and rivalry.

Answer

It has no impact on trust and rapport.

Question 18

How do non-verbal cues contribute to conveying politeness?

Accepted Answer

They reinforce the intended politeness with visual cues.

Answer

They contradict the politeness expressed verbally.

Answer

They replace the need for verbal expressions of politeness.

Answer

They have no impact on the perception of politeness.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic of politeness?

Accepted Answer

Conciseness

Answer

Indirectness

Answer

Hedging

Answer

Empathy

Question 20

In the United States, which of the following is generally considered a polite way to decline a request?

Accepted Answer

I apologize, but I am unable to help you with that.

Answer

No, I cannot do that.

Answer

I don't want to do that.

Answer

Leave me alone.

Question 21

Which type of politeness emphasizes maintaining a cooperative and respectful environment?

Accepted Answer

Positive politeness

Answer

Negative politeness

Answer

Exaggerated politeness

Answer

Indirect politeness

Question 22

Which politeness strategy involves expressing gratitude or appreciation?

Accepted Answer

Expressions of solidarity

Answer

Mitigation

Answer

Face-saving acts

Answer

Deference

Question 23

What does the term "negative face" refer to in politeness theory?

Accepted Answer

The desire to avoid imposing on others

Answer

The desire to be liked and approved of

Answer

The desire to maintain social hierarchy

Answer

The desire to avoid conflict

Question 24

What is the primary purpose of hedging in polite communication?

Accepted Answer

To make statements less assertive or certain

Answer

To express empathy or understanding

Answer

To avoid causing offense

Answer

To maintain a respectful distance

Question 25

In cross-cultural communication, why is it essential to adjust politeness strategies to different cultures?

Accepted Answer

Adapting politeness strategies involves modifying verbal and non-verbal cues to align with cultural expectations and enhance communication effectiveness.

Answer

To avoid confusion and ensure clarity, politeness strategies should remain consistent across cultures.

Answer

Politeness is a universal concept that does not require adaptation based on cultural context.

Answer

Cultural norms have no influence on the effectiveness of politeness strategies in cross-cultural communication.

Question 26

Which conflict resolution strategy effectively reduces tension by acknowledging the other person's perspective?

Accepted Answer

Active listening

Answer

Indirect apology

Answer

Assertive confrontation

Answer

Sarcastic remark

Question 27

When employing politeness strategies, what ethical considerations and potential dilemmas should be taken into account?

Accepted Answer

Politeness strategies should be used judiciously, with attention to their ethical implications and potential consequences in each situation.

Answer

Politeness strategies should be applied consistently, regardless of personal values.

Answer

Politeness has no ethical implications and should not be considered in ethical decision-making.

Question 28

How has the advent of digital communication and social media impacted politeness strategies?

Accepted Answer

Digital communication has led to the emergence of new politeness strategies.

Answer

Digital communication has diminished the importance of politeness.

Answer

Politeness strategies are identical in all communication contexts.

Question 29

How does empathy enhance polite communication and contribute to building positive relationships?

Accepted Answer

Promotes understanding by considering others' viewpoints.

Answer

Limits self-expression to avoid causing offense.

Answer

Encourages confrontational and assertive communication.

Answer

Weakens the sincerity of apologies and expressions of gratitude.

Question 30

Which of the following does NOT contribute to politeness, as discussed in this unit?

Accepted Answer

Expressing oneself dominantly.

Answer

Using respectful language.

Answer

Avoiding interrupting others.

Answer

Showing empathy and understanding.

Question 31

Which politeness strategy involves using indirect language and avoiding direct confrontation to maintain harmony?

Accepted Answer

Negative politeness.

Answer

Positive politeness.

Answer

Feigned incompetence.

Answer

Joking.

Question 32

What is the primary purpose of politeness in communication?

Accepted Answer

To foster and maintain positive relationships.

Answer

To avoid conflict at all costs.

Answer

To establish superiority.

Answer

To exert authority.

Question 33

What is the term for an utterance that conveys a specific intention, such as requesting or apologizing?

Accepted Answer

Speech act.

Answer

Politeness marker.

Answer

Pragmatic device.

Answer

Conversational strategy.

Question 34

How is the concept of 'face' connected to politeness?

Accepted Answer

Face refers to an individual's social status and reputation, and politeness involves preserving the face of oneself and others.

Answer

Politeness is only concerned with preserving one's own face.

Answer

Face has no connection to politeness.

Answer

Face is a measure of a person's self-confidence.

Question 35

How does politeness vary across different cultures?

Accepted Answer

Politeness norms can vary significantly across cultures.

Answer

Politeness is universally understood and practiced in the same way.

Answer

Cultures do not influence politeness behaviors.

Answer

Politeness is only relevant in certain societies.

Question 36

What is the role of nonverbal communication in conveying politeness?

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal cues, such as eye contact and body language, can play a significant role in expressing politeness.

Answer

Nonverbal communication is not relevant to politeness.

Answer

Politeness is only conveyed through verbal language.

Answer

Nonverbal cues always convey politeness.

Question 37

How do non-verbal cues contribute to politeness? Can they support or oppose verbal politeness strategies?

Accepted Answer

Non-verbal cues, like smiling or nodding, can reinforce verbal politeness.

Accepted Answer

Non-verbal cues, like frowning or shaking one's head, can contradict verbal politeness.

Answer

Non-verbal cues have no impact on politeness.

Answer

Verbal politeness strategies are always more effective than non-verbal cues.

Question 38

When using politeness strategies, it's important to consider ethical implications. How do these strategies interact with other ethical principles, like honesty and transparency?

Accepted Answer

The ethical implications of politeness depend on the situation and the ethical principles involved.

Answer

Politeness should always come first, no matter what.

Answer

Politeness should only be used when it doesn't conflict with other ethical principles.

Answer

Politeness is always unethical and should never be used.

Question 39

Which of the following is NOT a key concept in the study of politeness?

Accepted Answer

Sarcasm

Answer

Face

Answer

Power

Answer

Solidarity

Question 40

Which of the following is an example of a politeness strategy used in many cultures?

Accepted Answer

Using indirect requests

Answer

Interrupting others during conversations

Answer

Using slang and informal language in formal settings

Answer

Using sarcasm to make light of a situation

Question 41

What is the primary goal of politeness in communication?

Accepted Answer

To maintain positive relationships and avoid conflict

Answer

To get what one wants without regard for others

Answer

To impress others with one's knowledge

Question 42

What is the relationship between face and politeness?

Accepted Answer

Face is the social value of a person, and politeness is the means by which face is maintained

Answer

Face is the objective truth about a person, and politeness is the means by which it is conveyed

Answer

Politeness is the social value of a person, and face is the means by which it is maintained

Question 43

Which of the following is an example of a face-saving strategy?

Accepted Answer

Apologizing for a mistake

Answer

Insulting the other person

Answer

Ignoring the other person's request

Answer

Threatening the other person

Question 44

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of politeness?

Accepted Answer

Direct communication

Answer

Tact

Answer

Empathy

Answer

Respect

Question 45

In what context is politeness most likely to deteriorate?

Accepted Answer

A heated argument

Answer

A professional meeting

Answer

A formal job interview

Answer

A friendly conversation

Question 46

Which politeness strategy involves softening the impact of a request by using less forceful language?

Accepted Answer

Hedges

Answer

Negative politeness

Answer

Deference

Answer

Positive politeness

Question 47

What is the primary function of negative politeness?

Accepted Answer

Avoiding imposition or causing discomfort

Answer

Facilitating bonding and rapport

Answer

Expressing admiration or flattery

Answer

Maintaining social harmony

Question 48

Which of the following actions demonstrates impolite behavior?

Accepted Answer

Interrupting another person during a conversation

Answer

Greeting a stranger with a friendly "hello"

Answer

Covering one's mouth when coughing or sneezing

Answer

Saying "thank you" to someone

Question 49

Why is politeness considered essential in communication?

Accepted Answer

It helps foster positive relationships and maintain social harmony by minimizing conflict.

Answer

It ensures fairness and equality in conversations.

Answer

It prevents misunderstandings and misinterpretations.

Question 50

What is the fundamental difference between positive and negative politeness?

Accepted Answer

Positive politeness focuses on building relationships, while negative politeness focuses on avoiding imposing on others.

Answer

Positive politeness makes the recipient feel valued, while negative politeness makes the speaker seem humble.

Answer

Positive politeness is used in formal settings, while negative politeness is used in informal settings.

Question 51

How does politeness contribute to effective communication in diverse cultural contexts?

Accepted Answer

It allows individuals to adapt to unfamiliar social norms and build rapport with people from different backgrounds.

Answer

It ensures that everyone has the same level of language proficiency.

Answer

It eliminates the potential for misunderstandings due to cultural differences.

Question 52

Which of the following scenarios represents a violation of Brown and Levinson's politeness theory?

Accepted Answer

Making a direct request without any politeness strategies, such as using indirect language or softening phrases.

Answer

Using polite language, such as "please" and "thank you"

Answer

Offering an apology after interrupting someone