SHS

Oral Communication
in Context
Semester 1 – Quarter 1 - Module 3:
Breaking the Barriers

1
Oral Communication – Grade 11
Semester 1 – Quarter 1 - Module 3: Breaking the barriers

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any
work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the
government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for
exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things,
impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand

names, trademarks, etc.) included in this book are owned by their respective
copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to
use these materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and
authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.

Regional Director: Gilbert T. Sadsad

Assistant Regional Director: Jessie L. Amin

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Lalaine M. Raposon
Editors: Nida D. Bernaldez
Carlita L. Briones
Emil Asejo
Reviewers: Nida D. Bernaldez
Iriga City Division (headed by Dr. Claudia Marilou S. Marpuri)
Illustrator: Albert B. Belir
Layout Artist: Alexis I. Piñgol
Oral Communication in Context
Module

MELC 3-Q1. Breaking the barriers

First Semester, Module 3

1
Module 3
__________________________________________________
BREAKING THE BARRIERS
I. INTRODUCTION

Congratulations!

Now that you have already learned about the nature and models of
communication, you must also be familiar with its barriers in order to combat
these and thus achieve effective communication.

Just as life itself, there are hindrances to communication that we must

overcome in order to understand well and enjoy the interesting journey of Oral
Communication. The barriers that you are about to learn often obstruct the flow
of communication and lead to its breakdown, but, with ample knowledge and
right approach, you can surpass these blockages.

II. OBJECTIVES
Before we begin to learn the concepts on breaking these barriers, take
note of these goals that you have to meet at the end of this lesson:

Firstly, you need to be able to:

• define barriers to communication
• distinguish effective communication from ineffective ones
• analyze situations highlighting ineffective communication
• suggest ways on how to combat the barriers to
communication
In order for you to:
• differentiate the 5 Major Barriers of Communication
• synthesize solutions to barriers encountered
• map community-based barriers and offer solution
• analyze an illustration of barriers and propose a resolution
Which will then help you to:

• determine the best strategy to employ for a specific barrier

• map the problem and offer solutions on how to overcome the
barriers
• discern the best organizer of strategy to a specific barrier to
communication
• create a video campaign on how to combat the barriers to
communication

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 Your target outputs at the end of this module are:
• an illustration of appropriate communication flow
based on the factors and inputs that you are about to
learn; and

• a video campaign/ advertisement of strategies on how

to avoid the barriers to communication.

III. VOCABULARY LIST

For you to better understand the concepts on this module, let’s unlock
first the terminologies that you will encounter in the entirety of this course
through different word games which will challenge your vocabulary skills.

Are you ready? Grab your paper and pen and let’s get started!

TASK 1 (CROSS THE WORD)

Instructions: Supply the term described in each item. Write your responses
either downward or across based on the following clues:

ACROSS DOWN
1. items that distort or prevent 3. the individual to whom a
communication1 message is directed4
2. mental structure used for 4. specialized set of terms and
organizing information2 language
5. the study of meaning, signs and 7. any smallest act of
symbols used for communication 3 communication
6. the upbringing of an individual 8. the environment or nature of
or a group communication

1
Lombardo Jennifer, Barriers to Effective Communication: Definition & Examples, https://study.com (accessed June 21, 2020)
2Devito,The Basics of Human Communication, https://humancommkj.weebly.com, (accessed June 21, 2020)
3Bajracharya Shraddha, Semantic Barriers of Communication, https://businesstopia.net, (accessed June 21, 2020)
4Nordquist Richard, A Receiver’s Role in Clear, Effective Communication Is An Important One, https://thoughtco.com, (accessed

June 21, 2020)

3
 THE CROSSWORD

The words described in Task 1 are some elements of

communication vital in understanding the barriers to
communication.

Let’s try some more! This time, I will introduce you to the
factors that commonly affect the effective flow of
communication.

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 TASK 2 (FIL-TTER (Fill with Letters)
Instructions: Fill in the boxes with letters (concepts) corresponding the clue/s
or example/s given in each item.

Boxes Clue/ Example

1.
o
1. outside disturbance,
2.
inattentiveness
a
noise 2. late arrival
3.

o 3. same spelling, different in

meaning
4.
4. literal meaning of a word
e
5.
5. in-depth interpretation
o o

6.
6. a barrier caused by human’s
way of thinking
y o
7. one country’s attributions,
Barrier
norms, orientation
7.

u 8. a form of non-verbal
communication mostly
8.
conveyed by hand/ body
u
9. a document/ communication
9. sent to affiliate within the
organization
e a

10. 10. a manner of sending an

official document via the world
wide web.
e o
mail

How was your Vocabulary Quest? Did you have fun? The list that follows can
still help you in understanding the concepts better.

These are words that you are about to encounter along the way:

1. ACTIVE LISTENING – involves listening with all the senses ---

giving full attention to the speaker.5

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 2. CHANNEL – the process of information flow.6
3. MBWA (Management by Walking Around) – a management
strategy where superiors closely monitor their subordinates by
providing moral and psychological support
4. CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK – a remark given to improve a
person
5. SYMPATHY – an expression of understanding and care for
someone else’s suffering.7
6. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE – the hierarchical arrangement
of lines of authority, communication, rights and duties of an
organization.8
7. FLEXIBILITY – the ability to cope up with and to different
situations.

IV. PRE-TEST

This is a good preparation and orientation of the road that you are
about to take. Your purpose is set and gears are checked. Let’s do the
warm-up now through a series of pre-tests to assess your prior knowledge
about our lesson – The Barriers to Communication.

TASK 3 (THE FACES OF COMMUNICATION)

Instructions: Below are common scenarios where communication takes place.

Distinguish whether each scene is effective or not. Draw ☺ if

it’s effective,  if otherwise or  if neutral. Use your
notebook in answering this activity.

__________ 1. Using high tone of voice when conversing with

someone
__________ 2. Sending a text message in complete words and proper
punctuations
__________ 3. Winking to show agreement to a proposition
5
Skills You Need, Active Listening, https://skillsyouneed.com (accessed June 18, 2020)
6
Knowledge Hut Tutorials, Project Management Concepts, https://knowledgehut.com, (accessed June 18, 2020)
7
Cambridge Dictionary, Sympathy, https://dictionary.cambridge.org, (accessed June 18, 2020)
8
Business Dictionary, https://businessdictionary.com, (accessed June 18, 2020) 6
 __________ 4. Responding late to an electronic mail or text message
__________ 5. Addressing someone with Madame/ Sir
__________ 6. Gossiping to friends and acquaintances
__________ 7. Using emoji/ emoticons to formal e-mail
__________ 8. Doing sign language when conversing to a mute
person
__________ 9. Stuttering and stammering during a speech delivery
__________ 10. Maintaining eye contact during conversation

TASK 4 (PICTURE ASSOCIATION)

Instructions: Based on the picture posted below, associate a word/ phrase

related to barriers of communication and briefly explain the
concept presented.

1. _______________________ 2. _________________________
_____

_
3. ___________________________ 4. ___________________________

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TASK 5 (WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN)

Instructions: Consider the following barriers indicated in each item. Given

the situation, determine the best strategy to employ so to
achieve smooth communication flow and avoid interference.
Encircle the best option.

1. Jargons
Mac has a friend named Tom who works at a five-
star hotel. When the two met one afternoon, Mac heard
that Tom was speaking with someone over the phone
who seemed to be his co-worker. He heard that they
were using a language he couldn't understand.

A. Mac should not meddle in Tom’s business.

B. Tom should have opted to talk to his colleague

privately.

C. Tom could have used simpler language in order

to be understood.

2. Status
Lea is a bank teller. One day, she handled a
transaction that required managerial authority. On her
end, she could not perform the needed actions that the
client was requesting. She was hesitating to approach
the manager for her to assist the client.

A. Lea should try to resolve the matter herself so

she can be promoted.

B. Lea should be honest that the client’s issue is

beyond her control, hence, consult the matter to
the proper authority.

C. Lea should endorse the request to her fellow

teller who is confident enough to relay the request
to a manager.

3. Trust Issues
Matthew is the head of the security department at
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. It is required in his job to
always treat everything happening in the institution with
utmost confidentiality/secrecy so as not to compromise
his job.

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 A. Matthew can disclose information but only to
the higher-ranking officials of the company.

B. It is Matthew's main function to treat every

information regarding his job with utmost secrecy
even to his closest friends or family.

C. It is okay for Matthew to disclose information

about his job to his wife, she is not part of the
organization, after all.

4. Physical Barrier
Nori and Meg are best friends. Nori lives in Austria
while Meg lives in the Philippines. They always send
emails and call each other thru video chat , but most of
the time, their conversation doesn't last long because
of Nori's weak internet connection.

A. Nori should subscribe to another internet

service provider to maintain consistent
communication with Meg.

B. Meg should always understand Nori whenever

she is experiencing weak internet connection to
keep their good friendship.

C. Meg and Nori should always plan their time of

conversation and its duration and always make
every minute count.

5. Semantics
Alyssa went to an antique shop in a nearby town.
To her amazement of the price indicated in an item, in a
loud voice, he told the sales person, “This is so cheap.”
which offended the sales person.
A. Alyssa should not comment such thing.

B. The salesperson could just ignore Alyssa.

C. The sales person could have asked what

Alyssa meant.

6. Organizational Barrier
Mr. Tan is the CEO of Philippine Airlines. Because
of the current situation of the Philippines regarding the
COVID-19 Pandemic, he released a memo to his
subordinates informing that "all flights from July 2020 to
December 2020 will be cancelled until furth er notice".

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 The memo was relayed to Joan, the manager -in-charge
of printing memos. When the memo was printed, it
reads: "all flights from July 2020 until December 2021
will be cancelled until further notice."

A. It is Mr. Tan's subordinates and employees'

responsibility to understand and relay the memo
properly.

B. It is Joan's responsibility to double -check and

validate the information she received before
printing it.

C. It is Mr. Tan's responsibility to make sure that

the memo will be understood and re layed properly
by all his subordinates and employees.

7. External Noise
Mikey and Kyle were having a conversation in a
park when a sports car passed by in front of them.
Mikey did not hear Kyle's last word.
A. Mikey and Kyle should just text each other
instead of having a conversation at the park .

B. Mikey and Kyle should stop their conversation

whenever a vehicle will pass by.

C. Mikey and Kyle should look for a nother place

that offers a quiet ambiance for their conversation.

8. Personal Interest
Jenny is an incoming college student. She is being
pushed by her parents to take -up engineering. She
doesn't like the course and wants to take -up Mass
Communication instead.

A. Jenny should not enroll first to college and stop

schooling for a year to decide.

B. Jenny should obey her parents' preferences

after all, she may eventually learn to love
engineering.

C. Jenny should talk to her parents, express her

heart's desire, and try to convince them that Mass
Communication is the course/program that she
prefers.

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 9. Distance
Juan and Pedro were twenty feet away from each
other and having a conversation by shouting at each
other. Juan did not hear what Pedro said about the
book that he borrowed from him.

A. Juan and Pedro should simply go near each

other.

B. Juan should politely ask Pedro to repeat what

Pedro said.

C. Juan and Pedro should just send each other

texts messages instead.

10. Negative Self-image

Eric is always trying his best to complete all the
challenges being given to him. Unfortunately, for
whatever reason, he is always falling short. Because of
this, he lost his confidence and never tried his best.

A. Eric should give up trying.

B. Eric should keep trying but if he continuously

failed, then that's the time to give up.

C. Eric should never give up and understand that

it is a part of life to experience downfalls no matter
how often they are.

Hurray!

My advance congratulations for a job well done in

accomplishing the Pre-Test. I hope that you were able to
enjoy the warm up activities!

I will not prolong your excitement anymore. Let’s proceed

to our main discussion!

V. LEARNING ACTIVITY
Barriers to Communication can be defined as the aspects or conditions
that interfere with effective exchange of ideas or thoughts.

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There are several factors that may affect the effective flow of communication namely:

Environmental Halo Effect

Technological Misinterpretation
Organizational Fear
Jargons Stress
External Noise Status
Emotions Chain of command
Distance Trust Issues
Personal Interests Negative Self Image

Barriers have 5 major classifications:

1. Physical Barriers
2. Semantic and Language Barriers
3. Socio-Psychological Barriers
4. Cross Cultural Barriers
5. Organizational Barriers

To understand these 5 major classifications, let’s discuss them one by one:

PHYSICAL BARRIERS

- these are barriers to communication that are distractive to our

senses, maybe our sense of sight, hearing or others.

Common examples of these are: faulty organizational structure,

noise, time and distance, and, information overload

Source: Jadrav Namrata, Barriers to Communication, https://slideshare.net, (accessed June 22, 2020)

Take a look at the clippings below to know its more specific examples:

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 Source: Jadrav Namrata, Barriers to Communication, https://slideshare.net, (accessed June 22, 2020)

SEMANTIC AND LANGUAGE BARRIERS

A random Japanese guy once said, “Those who speak do not know and
those who know, do not speak.”.

This is mainly because of Semantic and Language Barriers present

between and among speakers.

SEMANTICS is defined as the study of meaning, signs and symbols

used for communication. And, any alteration therein could cause blockage to the
flow.
Examples of these include:
• Homophones (similar sounding words)
▪ pail/ pale
• Homographs (words that have multiple pronunciation)
▪ lead (to direct) / lead (an element)
• Homonyms (words that have multiple meaning)
▪ close/ close
• Denotation (literal) and Connotation (figurative)
▪ Cheap (inexpensive/ cheap (substandard)

SEMANTIC AND LANGUAGE BARRIERS

On the same note, LANGUAGE BARRIERS also impact the delivery of the message.
Some of its common factors are:
• language difference (a Chinese-national speaking in Mandarin to an
indigenous Filipino);
• no clarity in speech (hoarse voiced student delivering his valedictory
speech);
• using jargons (a lawyer mentioning legal terms to a medical practitioner);
• not being specific (using vague or high-sounding words to impress people
and being too wordy).

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 SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIERS

PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIER can be described as the cause of distorted

communication because of human psychology problems.
This barrier is mainly caused by:
• Attitude and opinions
• Emotions
• Filtering and distortion of message
• Status difference
• In attention
• Closed mindedness
• Fields of experience

Aside from these, others include:

• Group identification
• Self-image
• Premature evaluation
• Distrust
• Poor retention

CROSS - CULTURAL BARRIERS

You were taught in your Araling Panlipunan discussion that

CULTURE is one country’s attributions, norms, orientation. Each and
every country’s culture is unique and at times, a slight difference could
lead to misunderstanding:

Listed herein are the different cross-cultural barriers, namely:

language, values, social relation, concept of time, concept of space
and gestures.

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 ORGANIZATIONAL BARRIERS

Sooner or later, you will be part of your dream company. And most jobs require not
just your hard skills but also soft skills like communication.

And so, in order for you the stand out from the rest, take note of these common
existing barriers that exist within an organization, so to avoid them:

➢ Loss or distortion of messages as they pass from one level to another

➢ Filtering of information according to one’s understanding/interpretation
➢ Messages not read completely or not understood correctly
➢ Deliberate withholding of information from peers perceived as rivals
➢ Information gap if upper level does not know the true state of affairs
➢ Lack of communication policy
➢ Authoritarian attitude of management
➢ Poorly defined authority and responsibility
➢ Too many levels in organization structure
➢ Insufficient communication training

Source: Jadrav Namrata, Barriers to Communication, https://slideshare.net, (accessed June 22, 2020)

Now that you already familiar with the different factors and major
classifications of the barriers to communication, what do you think are the ways how
to avoid these?

This time, let’s learn the different strategies to BREAK THE BARRIERS.

Overcoming Communication Barriers:

Everything starts with us, thus, we must commit to improving our individual
skills through:

➢ Listening actively
➢ Selecting the appropriate channel for the message
➢ Making a special effort to understand each other's perspective
➢ Practicing MBWA (Management by Walking Around) by those in managerial
position
.

Additionally, we must also strive to take these organizational actions such as:
➢ Create a climate of trust and openness
➢ Develop and use formal information channels in all directions
➢ Encourage the use of multiple channels including formal and informal
communications
➢ Fit communication needs to the organizational structure should
Source: Jadrav Namrata, Barriers to Communication, https://slideshare.net, (accessed June 22, 2020)

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Specifically, below are the suggested ways that you may adopt to battle the 5 Major Barriers:

For Physical Barriers

❖ Plan Appropriate Seating Arrangement
❖ Ensure Visibility & Audibility
❖ Attain Environmental Comfort
❖ Minimize Visual/Oral Distractions

For Semantic and Language Barriers

❖Use of Simple Language
❖Maximize Symbols & Charts
❖Practice Active Listening/ Constructive
Feedback

For Socio-Psychological Barriers-

❖ Call Attention & Motivate
❖ Assist & Sympathize

For Cross Cultural Barriers-

❖ Understand Traditions & Customs
❖ Be Informed of all Sides of Culture

For Organizational Barriers-

❖ Adopt Simple Organizational Structure
❖ Avoid Information Overload
❖ Have Flexibility in Meeting Targets

Source: Jadrav Namrata, Barriers to Communication, https://slideshare.net, (accessed June 22, 2020)

VI. PRACTICE TASK

Were you able to digest all the information? I hope so.

If not, maybe, you’re experiencing a barrier too!

Anyway, don’t worry because some practice activities are
prepared for you to test how far you absorbed our lesson.

Gear up and let’s begin!

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 (For average learners)
TASK 6 (SITUATION ASSOCIATION)

Instructions: From the POOL OF SITUATIONS below, choose the most related
scenario opposite to its concept.

POOL OF SITUATIONS

a. A doctor using specialized language.

b. Thinking that poor people are illiterate.
c. Your friend who does not let you read an e-mail.
d. Cluttered spaces.
e. Use of homonyms and homophones.
f. Sending a communication through memorandum.
g. Distraction from the ambulance’s siren.
h. Talking to someone for something.
i. Poor reception of message.
j. Not talking to a superior

__________ 1. Status
__________ 2. Physical Barriers
__________ 3. Organizational Barrier
__________ 4. Personal Interest
__________ 5. Negative Self-Image
__________ 6. Distance
__________ 7. External Noise
__________ 8. Semantic Barrier
__________ 9. Trust Issues
__________ 10. Jargons

TASK 7 (MY HANDPRINT OF SOLUTIONS)

Instructions: Draw a pattern of your hand. Identify a major barrier (palm)

you’ve witnessed as a student and offer solutions (fingers) which could have
been made to avoid the identified barrier. (Rank these solutions in order of importance.)

(For advanced learners)

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 (FISH BONE MAPPING)

Instructions: Using a Fish-Bone Diagram and based on the discussion in this

module, identify a barrier to communication present in your
community. List down your available resources or means to
combat this. After which, offer possible solution to the identified
interference. Refer to the format below:

Bone (Resources)

Tail Head
(Solution) (Problem/ Barrier)

Source: https://www.google.com/search

VII. POST TEST

TASK 8 (FACTOR ANALYSIS)

Instructions: Analyze the situation below, discuss about the barriers encountered
therein and specify the factors that had affected the effective flow of
communication.

SCENARIO: Write your analysis here:

Lucas was tasked to present an action
plan for their organization’s upcoming
project. He was able to pronounce
every word correctly but he showed
poor posture. He was fidgeting with his
pen, frequently brushing his hair,
playing with his ID, using vague
sentences, looking at his feet multiple
times and turning back from the
audience when writing on the board. As
a result, his presentation was
informative but not engaging and
interactive.
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________
_____________________________

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TASK 9 (ORGANIZING THE BARRIERS)
Instructions: Using a graphic organizer of your choice, illustrate how the factors
discussed in this lesson could affect the effective flow of
communication.

*Samples are presented above, you may choose other organizers

TASK 10 (PICTURE NARRATIVE)

Instructions: Based on the illustrations below, create a story showing/
highlighting the barriers to communication evident. At the end of it, propose a
possible solution.

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My Story: ___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

Resolution: __________________________________________________

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VIII. ASSIGNMENT
(CONQUERING THE BARRIERS OF THE PAST)

Instructions: Interview a professional within your barangay, inquire about the

different challenges/ barriers he/she had encountered in his/ her
lifetime. Indicate also how he/she was able to solve the situation/s.

Challenge/ Barrier Solution

WE CAN BREAK THE BARRIER

Instructions: Make a video campaign on the theme: WE CAN BREAK THE
BARRIER: Ways on How to Combat the Barriers to
Communication. Be guided by the criteria indicated below:

CRITERIA:

Content – 40%
Presentation - 30%
Relevance to the Theme – 20%
Language and Mechanics – 10%

21
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1
Lombardo Jennifer, Barriers to Effective Communication: Definition & Examples,
https://study.com (accessed June 21, 2020)
2
Devito, The Basics of Human Communication, https://humancommkj.weebly.com,
(accessed June 21, 2020)
3
Bajracharya Shraddha, Semantic Barriers of Communication, https://businesstopia.net,
(accessed June 21, 2020)

Nordquist Richard, A Receiver’s Role in Clear, Effective Communication Is An Important

4

One, https://thoughtco.com, (accessed June 21, 2020)

5
Skills You Need, Active Listening, https://skillsyouneed.com (accessed June 18, 2020)
6
Knowledge Hut Tutorials, Project Management Concepts, https://knowledgehut.com,
(accessed June 18, 2020)
7
Cambridge Dictionary, Sympathy, https://dictionary.cambridge.org, (accessed June 18,
2020)
8
Business Dictionary, https://businessdictionary.com, (accessed June 18, 2020)

Jadrav Namrata, Barriers to Communication, https://slideshare.net, (accessed June 22,

2020)

22
23
Part III. VOCABULARY LIST
Task 1: CROSS THE WORD
Across: Down:
1. BARRIER 3. RECEIVER
2. SCHEMA 4. JARGONS
5. SEMANTICS 7. DISCOURSE
6. ORIENTATION 8. CONTEXT
Task 2: FIL-TTER (Fill with Letters)
1. noise
2. visual (noise)
3. homonyms
4. denotation
5. connotation
6. psychological (barrier)
7. culture
8. gesture
9. memorandum
10. electronic (mail)
Part IV. PRE-TEST
Task 3: THE FACES OF COMMUNICATION
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. ☺
6. 
7. 
8. ☺
9. 
10. ☺
Task 4. PICTURE ASSOCIATION
(Answers may vary)
1. Physical Barrier
2. Semantic/ Language Barrier
3. Psychological Barrier/ Lack of Self Esteem
4. Cultural Barrier
ANSWER KEY:
24
Task 5. WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN
1. C.
2. B.
3. B.
4. C.
5. C.
6. C.
7. C.
8. C.
9. A.
10. C.
Part VI. PRACTICE TASKS
Task 6. (SITUATION ASSOCIATION)
1. B. 6. I.
2. D. 7. G.
3. F. 8. E.
4. H. 9. C.
5. J. 10. A.
Task 7 (MY HANDPRINT OF SOLUTIONS)/ (FISH BONE MAPPING)
(Answers may vary and are subjective.)
Part VII. POST TEST
Task 8 (FACTOR ANALYSIS)
(Answers may vary and are subjective.)
Task 9 (ORGANIZING THE BARRIERS)
(Answers may vary and are subjective.)
Task 9 (PICTURE NARRATIVE)
(Answers may vary and are subjective.)
Part VIII. ASSIGNMENT
* CONQUERING THE BARRIERS OF THE PAST
* WE CAN BREAK THE BARRIER
(Answers may vary and are subjective.)
(* The subject teacher may craft his/ her rubrics as basis for evaluating students’ outputs.)