W1-2-60-1-6

JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

OF
AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS 2015/2016
FIRST YEAR FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION FOR THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE/BACHELOR OF BUSINESS INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY/BACHELOR OF PROCUREMENT OF PROCUREMENT AND
CONTRACTING/ BACHELOR OF PURCHASING AND SUPPLIES MANAGEMENT

HRD 2101: COMMUNICATION SKILLS

DATE: DECEMBER 2015 TIME: 2 HOURS

INSTRUCTIONS: ANSWER QUESTION ONE AND ANY OTHER
TWO QUESTIONS

QUESTION ONE: READING SKILLS (30 MARKS)

Reading the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

Physical activity can be defined as any body movement carried out by

skeletal muscles and requiring energy. Quick, easy movement such as
standing up or walking down a hallway require little energy or effort:
more intense, sustained activities such as cycling 5 miles or running in
a race required considerably more.

The term exercise is commonly used to refer to a subset at physical

activity-planned, structured, repetitive movement of body designed
specifically to improve or maintain physical fitness. Levels of fitness
depend on physiological factors such as heart’s ability to pump blood.
To develop fitness, a person must perform a sufficient amount of
physical activity to stress the body and cause long-term physiological
changes.

Exercise can improve mood, stimulate creativity, clarify thinking,

relieve anxiety and provide an outlet of anger and aggression.
Exercise triggers many physical changes in the body that alter mood.
One theory has to do with the physical structure of the brain. The area
of the brain responsible for the movement of muscle is near the area
responsible for though and emotion.

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Regular exercise contributes to improved self-esteem and body image.
According to a recent study, women who worked out on a regular basis
rated their bodies as more attractive and healthier than did sedentary
women. Other studies have found that athletes tend to have more positive
images of their bodies than non-athletes, regardless of gender, sport or
level of expertise.

Exercise may also help boost creativity. In a study of college students,

those who run regularly or took aerobic dance classes scored significantly
higher on standard psychological taste of creativity than sedentary students.
Over the long term, exercise can slow and possibly even reverse certain
age-related declines in cognitive performance, including slowed reaction
time and loss of short term memory and non-verbal reasoning skills.

The best exercise programme has two primary characteristics.

It promotes your health, and it is fun for you to do. Exercise does
not have to be a chore. On the contract, it can provide some pleasurable
moments of your day, once you make it an habit. A little though and
planning will help you achieve these goals.

Exercising regularly may be the single most important thing you can
do now to improve the quality of your life in the future.

Questions

a) In one word, mention what type of physical activity develops fitness. [2 marks]

b) Mention the benefits of exercise discussed in the passage. [4 marks]

c) Distinguish between physical activity and exercise according

to the passage. [4 marks]

d) What argument does the author bring out in paragraph three in

relation to the theory of mood? [4 marks]

e) Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the passage:

i) Sedentary
ii) Pleasurable moments
[4 marks]

f) What other benefits of exercise are outlined in the passage? [3 marks]

g) In one sentence, summarize the message in paragraph six and seven. [3 marks]

h) Describe any THREE bad reading habits. [6 marks]

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QUESTION TWO: LIBRARY SKILLS (20 MARKS)

Study the reading list below and answer the questions that follow.

READING LIST

1. Hewes, G. 1973. “Private Communication and the Gestrual origin

of language”, Current anthropology. 14,4-32.

2. Millenson, J.S. 1991. “Psychological Strategies for Fashion

Advertising”, In M.R. Solomon (Ed). The Psychology of Fashion,
Lexington: Health p.60 - 70.

3. The Costing of Education Plans. UNESCO, 200. Paris: UNESCO.

4. Currie, P. and Cray, E. 2001. Strictly Academic: Academic Reading

and Writing text. New York: Harper & ROW.

5. Mayor, M. B. and A. K. Pugh, 2004. Language, Communication

and Education. Sidney: The Open University.

a) Using item number (1-5) only arrange the references in the

Reading list as they would appear in a bibliography of an
academic paper. [5 marks]

b) Why is productivity a major concern for managers in modern

organizations? [5 marks]

c) What types of publications are item No. 1 and 2? [2 marks]

d) Re-write item No.3 using APA style. [5 marks]

e) Name the type of author in item 3 and 4. [3 marks]

QUESTION THREE: STUDY SKILLS (20 MARKS)

a) Ali is a member of your study group and he has the following behavior:
i) He comes late for the group meetings
ii) He does not do his assignments
iii) He does not listen to his colleagues’ opinions
iv) He is extremely rude to the group leader

Suggest FIVE ways in which he can be helped to be a good member

of the group. [10 marks]

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b) End of Semester Examinations are set to begin in a month’s time
and Romario who is a first year student does not know how to carry
out her revision.

In point form, give her FIVE suggestions on what she should do. [5 marks]

c) Outline FIVE factors to consider when choosing a conducive

place to study. [5 marks]

QUESTION FOUR: LISTENING AND SPEAKING SKILLS (20 MARKS)

a) With appropriate example, explain FIVE hindrances to effective

listening and suggest how you would overcome them. [10 marks]

b) Discuss FIVE qualities that would make you be considered

a good public speaker. [10 marks]

QUESTION FIVE: GENERALQUESTION (20 MARKS)

Discuss the importance of studying communication skills at

the University. [20 marks]