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COM1501: Fundamentals of Communication
OCT/NOV Examination 2026 Preparation
Covers Exam Papers from 2023 to 2025
⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆
Communication Sciences
Exam Revision Guide
COM1501
Module Code:
Fundamentals of Communication
Module Name:
OCT/NOV Examination 2026 Prep
Paper/Exam:
Oct/Nov 2023, 2024 & 2025
Years Covered:
100 per paper
Total Marks:
40–50 Multiple Choice
Questions:
Study for understanding, not just memorisation. Every question here has appeared
or closely mirrors real UNISA COM1501 exam patterns.
Exam Revision Notes | COM1501 | 2023–2025
,COM1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Fundamentals of Communication
Question 1 [10 marks – Oct/Nov Pattern 2023/2024]
(a) [4 marks]
Question: Which five major stages in the development of human communication are
distinguished according to different “ages”? Identify the key containing the ages listed in
the correct chronological order.
(1) Writing, speech and language, electronic mass media, printing
(2) Writing, printing, speech and language, electronic mass media
(3) Speech and language, writing, printing, electronic mass media
(4) Writing, speech and language, printing, electronic mass media
Answer: Option (3) — Speech and language, writing, printing, electronic mass
media
Key Concept
The five stages of human communication development in chronological order are:
1. Speech and language — the earliest form; vocal sounds, gestures, facial expres-
sions
2. Writing — cuneiform, hieroglyphics, papyrus, parchment, then paper
3. Printing — Gutenberg’s printing press (1450s) made literacy accessible to the
masses
4. Electronic mass media — telegraph, telephone, radio, television, internet
Exam Tip
The printing age is described as having “marked the start of the modern world.” Stein-
berg (2007) notes that “the most remarkable achievement of the 20th century was the
speed with which communication developments occurred.”
(b) [3 marks]
Question: During which era in the development of human communication did people first
express their creativity in the form of cave paintings and art?
(1) Speech and language
Page 2 of 29
,COM1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Fundamentals of Communication
(2) Writing
(3) Electronic mass media
(4) Mass communication
Answer: Option (1) — Speech and language
In the earliest era, before writing existed, people communicated through gestures, facial ex-
pressions, grunts, senses, and cave paintings. Cave art counts as a visual form of early commu-
nication, not “writing” in the formal sense.
Watch Out
Do not confuse cave paintings with the “writing” age. Writing refers specifically to
formalised systems like cuneiform and hieroglyphics. Cave paintings predate these.
(c) [3 marks]
Question: Literacy came within reach of the masses during the age of:
(1) Writing
(2) Print
(3) Speech and language
(4) Electronic mass media
Answer: Option (2) — Print
Gutenberg’s printing press around 1450 made books reproducible at scale. Before this, hand-
copying manuscripts was slow and expensive, keeping literacy the privilege of the clergy and
elite. Print changed this; books reached ordinary people, and mass literacy followed.
Page 3 of 29
,COM1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Fundamentals of Communication
Question 2 [15 marks – Oct/Nov Pattern 2023/2025]
(a) [5 marks]
Question: Explain the purpose of communication using Packard’s theory of needs. A
father watches a football match with his son every Saturday. He does this partly because
he wants to maintain a close bond with his son. In terms of Packard’s theory, which need
does this behaviour reflect?
(1) The need for immortality
(2) The need for love objects
(3) The need for emotional security
(4) The need for ego gratification
Answer: Option (2) — The need for love objects
Key Concept
Packard’s Eight Hidden Needs (relevant to communication):
• Emotional security — seeking safety; avoidance of anxiety
• Reassurance of worth — needing confirmation of value and importance
• Ego gratification — desire for status, respect, prestige
• Creative outlets — need to express creativity
• Love objects — desire to give and receive love; maintaining close bonds
• Sense of power — control over one’s environment
• Roots — belonging to a group, tradition, or community
• Immortality — fear of death; need to leave a lasting legacy
Example
Valentine’s Day advertising targets the need for love objects by associating flowers and
gifts with demonstrating affection. Cholera warnings targeting travellers to Mozam-
bique after Cyclone Idai reflect the need for immortality (survival fear).
Page 4 of 29
,COM1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Fundamentals of Communication
(b) [5 marks]
Question: Consider the similarities between Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Packard’s
theory. Identify the correct pairing.
A. Maslow’s need for safety and Packard’s need for emotional security
B. Maslow’s social needs and Packard’s need for love objects
C. Maslow’s esteem needs and Packard’s ego gratification
D. Maslow’s self-actualisation and Packard’s need for creative outlets
(1) A and B only
(2) A, B, and C only
(3) B, C, and D only
(4) A, B, C, and D
Answer: Option (4) — A, B, C, and D
Table 1: Maslow vs Packard: Needs Comparison
Packard’s Corresponding Need
Maslow’s Need
Emotional security
Safety/Security
Love objects / Roots
Social/Belonging
Ego gratification / Reassurance of worth
Esteem
Creative outlets
Self-actualisation
Sense of power (survival)
Physiological
(c) [5 marks]
Question: A woman regularly posts on social media to document her business achieve-
ments and receive likes and comments from the public. In terms of Maslow’s hierarchy
of needs, her behaviour addresses which level?
(1) Physiological needs
(2) Safety needs
(3) Esteem needs
(4) Self-actualisation
Page 5 of 29
, COM1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Fundamentals of Communication
Answer: Option (3) — Esteem needs
Maslow’s esteem level includes both self-esteem (confidence, achievement) and the desire for
recognition and respect from others. Public validation through social media likes and com-
ments directly feeds the esteem need.
Page 6 of 29
]]
COM1501: Fundamentals of Communication
OCT/NOV Examination 2026 Preparation
Covers Exam Papers from 2023 to 2025
⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆ ⋄ ⋆
Communication Sciences
Exam Revision Guide
COM1501
Module Code:
Fundamentals of Communication
Module Name:
OCT/NOV Examination 2026 Prep
Paper/Exam:
Oct/Nov 2023, 2024 & 2025
Years Covered:
100 per paper
Total Marks:
40–50 Multiple Choice
Questions:
Study for understanding, not just memorisation. Every question here has appeared
or closely mirrors real UNISA COM1501 exam patterns.
Exam Revision Notes | COM1501 | 2023–2025
,COM1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Fundamentals of Communication
Question 1 [10 marks – Oct/Nov Pattern 2023/2024]
(a) [4 marks]
Question: Which five major stages in the development of human communication are
distinguished according to different “ages”? Identify the key containing the ages listed in
the correct chronological order.
(1) Writing, speech and language, electronic mass media, printing
(2) Writing, printing, speech and language, electronic mass media
(3) Speech and language, writing, printing, electronic mass media
(4) Writing, speech and language, printing, electronic mass media
Answer: Option (3) — Speech and language, writing, printing, electronic mass
media
Key Concept
The five stages of human communication development in chronological order are:
1. Speech and language — the earliest form; vocal sounds, gestures, facial expres-
sions
2. Writing — cuneiform, hieroglyphics, papyrus, parchment, then paper
3. Printing — Gutenberg’s printing press (1450s) made literacy accessible to the
masses
4. Electronic mass media — telegraph, telephone, radio, television, internet
Exam Tip
The printing age is described as having “marked the start of the modern world.” Stein-
berg (2007) notes that “the most remarkable achievement of the 20th century was the
speed with which communication developments occurred.”
(b) [3 marks]
Question: During which era in the development of human communication did people first
express their creativity in the form of cave paintings and art?
(1) Speech and language
Page 2 of 29
,COM1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Fundamentals of Communication
(2) Writing
(3) Electronic mass media
(4) Mass communication
Answer: Option (1) — Speech and language
In the earliest era, before writing existed, people communicated through gestures, facial ex-
pressions, grunts, senses, and cave paintings. Cave art counts as a visual form of early commu-
nication, not “writing” in the formal sense.
Watch Out
Do not confuse cave paintings with the “writing” age. Writing refers specifically to
formalised systems like cuneiform and hieroglyphics. Cave paintings predate these.
(c) [3 marks]
Question: Literacy came within reach of the masses during the age of:
(1) Writing
(2) Print
(3) Speech and language
(4) Electronic mass media
Answer: Option (2) — Print
Gutenberg’s printing press around 1450 made books reproducible at scale. Before this, hand-
copying manuscripts was slow and expensive, keeping literacy the privilege of the clergy and
elite. Print changed this; books reached ordinary people, and mass literacy followed.
Page 3 of 29
,COM1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Fundamentals of Communication
Question 2 [15 marks – Oct/Nov Pattern 2023/2025]
(a) [5 marks]
Question: Explain the purpose of communication using Packard’s theory of needs. A
father watches a football match with his son every Saturday. He does this partly because
he wants to maintain a close bond with his son. In terms of Packard’s theory, which need
does this behaviour reflect?
(1) The need for immortality
(2) The need for love objects
(3) The need for emotional security
(4) The need for ego gratification
Answer: Option (2) — The need for love objects
Key Concept
Packard’s Eight Hidden Needs (relevant to communication):
• Emotional security — seeking safety; avoidance of anxiety
• Reassurance of worth — needing confirmation of value and importance
• Ego gratification — desire for status, respect, prestige
• Creative outlets — need to express creativity
• Love objects — desire to give and receive love; maintaining close bonds
• Sense of power — control over one’s environment
• Roots — belonging to a group, tradition, or community
• Immortality — fear of death; need to leave a lasting legacy
Example
Valentine’s Day advertising targets the need for love objects by associating flowers and
gifts with demonstrating affection. Cholera warnings targeting travellers to Mozam-
bique after Cyclone Idai reflect the need for immortality (survival fear).
Page 4 of 29
,COM1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Fundamentals of Communication
(b) [5 marks]
Question: Consider the similarities between Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Packard’s
theory. Identify the correct pairing.
A. Maslow’s need for safety and Packard’s need for emotional security
B. Maslow’s social needs and Packard’s need for love objects
C. Maslow’s esteem needs and Packard’s ego gratification
D. Maslow’s self-actualisation and Packard’s need for creative outlets
(1) A and B only
(2) A, B, and C only
(3) B, C, and D only
(4) A, B, C, and D
Answer: Option (4) — A, B, C, and D
Table 1: Maslow vs Packard: Needs Comparison
Packard’s Corresponding Need
Maslow’s Need
Emotional security
Safety/Security
Love objects / Roots
Social/Belonging
Ego gratification / Reassurance of worth
Esteem
Creative outlets
Self-actualisation
Sense of power (survival)
Physiological
(c) [5 marks]
Question: A woman regularly posts on social media to document her business achieve-
ments and receive likes and comments from the public. In terms of Maslow’s hierarchy
of needs, her behaviour addresses which level?
(1) Physiological needs
(2) Safety needs
(3) Esteem needs
(4) Self-actualisation
Page 5 of 29
, COM1501 | Exam Revision 2023–2025 Fundamentals of Communication
Answer: Option (3) — Esteem needs
Maslow’s esteem level includes both self-esteem (confidence, achievement) and the desire for
recognition and respect from others. Public validation through social media likes and com-
ments directly feeds the esteem need.
Page 6 of 29
