NCCER CORE Jobsite Communication Skills Questions and Answers

Question 1

A supervisor gives you verbal instructions for a task, but you are in a very noisy area and miss some key details. What is the BEST immediate course of action?

Accepted Answer

Ask the supervisor to write down the instructions or move to a quieter location.

Answer

Pretend you understood to avoid slowing down the work.

Answer

Begin the task and ask a nearby co-worker what they think the supervisor said.

Answer

Wait for the noise to stop and hope you remember what to do.

Question 2

Which of the following is a primary component of active listening on a jobsite?

Accepted Answer

Providing feedback, such as nodding and asking clarifying questions, to show you are engaged.

Answer

Thinking about your next task while the person is speaking.

Answer

Interrupting the speaker as soon as you have a question.

Answer

Focusing only on the spoken words and ignoring nonverbal cues.

Question 3

On a diverse jobsite, a significant barrier to communication can be the use of technical terms and slang that not everyone understands. What is this type of barrier called?

Accepted Answer

Jargon

Answer

Environmental

Answer

Nonverbal

Answer

Procedural

Question 4

You need to inform your entire crew about a critical change in the building plans that will affect their work for the next day. Which communication method is most effective for ensuring everyone gets the same, accurate information and that there is a record of it?

Accepted Answer

Holding a brief team meeting and following up with a written notice or email.

Answer

Yelling the instructions across the jobsite.

Answer

Telling the first crew member you see and asking them to pass it on.

Answer

Sending individual text messages with no group confirmation.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of NEGATIVE nonverbal communication that could create tension and misunderstanding on a jobsite?

Accepted Answer

Crossing your arms and avoiding eye contact while receiving instructions.

Answer

Making eye contact when someone is speaking to you.

Answer

Giving a 'thumbs-up' to a co-worker who has completed a task well.

Answer

Nodding your head to show you are following along with a conversation.

Question 6

A new crew member, for whom English is a second language, seems hesitant and confused after receiving verbal instructions. As a co-worker, what is the best way to help ensure they understand the task safely?

Accepted Answer

Politely ask if they would like you to demonstrate the task or use visual aids like gestures or drawings.

Answer

Speak louder and slower, using the exact same words.

Answer

Tell them to figure it out so they can learn for themselves.

Answer

Ignore the situation and let the supervisor handle it.