Soft Skill Development Week 7 NPTEL Assignment Answers 2025

NPTEL Soft Skill Development Week 7 Assignment Answers 2024

1. Ancient Greek philosophy lacks persuasive potential owing to their lack of knowledge about modern scientific discoveries.

(a) True
(b) False ✅

Answers: b

Explanation:
Greek philosophy, despite lacking modern scientific insights, is rich in logic, rhetoric, and foundational thought — key elements of persuasive communication. Hence, it still holds persuasive value.

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2. Leadership is a communicative relationship between one person and others, such that when one gives a direction, and another gladly carries it out.

(a) True ✅
(b) False

Answers: a

Explanation:
This is a widely accepted definition of leadership that emphasizes communication and voluntary cooperation.

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3. The Yale attitude change approach follows a more complex paradigm of persuasion than the cognitive response model.

(a) True
(b) False

Answers: b

Explanation:
The cognitive response model is more advanced; it focuses on the thoughts people generate in response to persuasive messages, making it more complex than the Yale model.

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4. Which of the following is not a component of motivation?

(a) Direction
(b) Effort
(c) Persistence
(d) Persuasion

Answers: d

Explanation:
Persuasion is a communication strategy, not a component of motivation. Motivation includes direction, effort, and persistence.

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5. ___________ is a fascinating aspect of human social life. If we treat people right, they will treat us right – at least ninety per cent of the time.

(a) Persuasion
(b) Negotiation
(c) Communication
(d) Discussion

Answers: b

Explanation:
Negotiation often involves reciprocity and mutual respect, which aligns with the statement provided.

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6. In which of the following negotiating styles, individuals easily give the other person concession in the hope of strengthening their relationships but tend to neglect their own needs in favour of helping the other person.

(a) Avoider negotiating style
(b) Compromiser negotiating style
(c) Accommodator negotiating style
(d) Problem solver negotiating style

Answers: c

Explanation:
Accommodators prioritize relationships over their own needs and frequently give in during negotiations.

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7. What are the motivational factors used by effective leaders to increase employee motivation by motivating the team members?

(a) Appreciation
(b) Involvement
(c) Awareness of personal situations
(d) All of the above

Answers: d

Explanation:
Effective leaders use all these factors to make employees feel valued, involved, and understood.

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8. Consider the following statements.
A: Persuasion is an honest form of manipulation.
B: Brainwashing is a subset of manipulation.

(a) A and B are true
(b) A is true but B is false
(c) B is true but A is false
(d) Both A and B are false

Answers: c

Explanation:
Persuasion is distinct from manipulation. While brainwashing involves manipulation, persuasion is based on reason and consent.

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9. Which of the following characteristics determine the leadership style of a task leader?

A. Always makes sure the decisions are taken properly
B. Always is charged with proper direction to fulfill the tasks of the group
C. Always make sure the group reaches a conclusion at the end of the meeting

(a) Only A is correct
(b) Only A and B are correct
(c) Only A and C are correct
(d) All A, B, and C are correct

Answers: d

Explanation:
All three reflect a task-oriented leadership style that ensures clarity, direction, and closure.

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10. Which of the following statements about motivation is correct?

A. Motivation is a psychological force that contributes to a person’s degree of commitment
B. Motivation includes drives and desires for goal attainment that regulate the direction, intensity, and persistence of human action.
C. The motivation of each person changes from time to time even if s/he may continue to behave in the same way.

(a) Only A is correct
(b) Only B is correct
(c) Only B and C are correct
(d) All A, B, and C are correct

Answers: d

Explanation:
All statements accurately describe different dimensions of motivation.

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11. Which of the following are the contemporary issues related to negotiation?

A. The role of personal traits
B. The effect of cultural difference
C. The use of third parties to help resolve differences

(a) Only A and B are correct
(b) Only B and C are correct
(c) Only A and C are correct
(d) All A, B, and C are correct

Answers: d

Explanation:
Modern negotiation considers all these factors—individual traits, cultural contexts, and mediation.

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12. Consider the following statements.
A: The same argument can be interpreted as persuasive by someone, and as manipulative by another.
B: The authority of the person trying to persuade us depends on our liking of that person.

(a) A and B are true
(b) A is true but B is false
(c) B is true but A is false
(d) Both A and B are false

Answers: b

Explanation:
A is true because perception is subjective. B is false — authority is based on credentials or expertise, not just likability.

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13. Which among the following are symptoms of demotivated people?

A. Absenteeism
B. Increased accidents
C. Wastage of raw materials
D. Sloppy work habits

(a) Only A is true
(b) Only A, B and D are true
(c) Only B, C and D are true
(d) All A, B, C, and D are true

Answers: d

Explanation:
All options listed are typical symptoms of low motivation and engagement in the workplace.

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14. Fear appeal may fail when there is

(a) illusion of invulnerability
(b) optimism bias
(c) too little to fear
(d) All of the above

Answers: d

Explanation:
Each condition reduces the effectiveness of fear-based persuasion by minimizing perceived personal risk.

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15. Consider the following statements.
A: Audience personality trait is not constrained by considerations of gender.
B: Hesitant language has less credibility.
C: Usage of intense metaphors should be avoided in persuasive arguments.

(a) All A, B and C are true
(b) Only C is true
(c) Only B and C are true
(d) None of the above ✅

Answers: d

Explanation:
All three statements are either inaccurate or debatable. Audience traits may be influenced by gender, hesitant language can still be effective depending on context, and intense metaphors can enhance persuasion when used well.