To decode a message means to ______ a message.

To decode a message means to ______ a message.

• A. Create
• B. Send
• C. Receive
• D. Respond to

Answer: (C)

This question tests the order of steps in the communication process. In typical models, a sender encodes a message, the message is transmitted, the receiver gets it, and only after that is the message decoded to interpret its meaning. So to decode a message, you must have first received it; decoding is the act of interpreting information you have just obtained. Therefore the best choice describes decoding as part of the receiving stage—you obtain the message to understand it. Creating or sending happens earlier, and responding comes after decoding and understanding.

This question tests the order of steps in the communication process. In typical models, a sender encodes a message, the message is transmitted, the receiver gets it, and only after that is the message decoded to interpret its meaning. So to decode a message, you must have first received it; decoding is the act of interpreting information you have just obtained. Therefore the best choice describes decoding as part of the receiving stage—you obtain the message to understand it. Creating or sending happens earlier, and responding comes after decoding and understanding.