Communication Barriers Worksheet Name:

Part 1: Practising “I” Statements

Complete the following “I” statements by providing a response; What you would actually say to the
person. Also, offer a suggestion/solution so that the person knows how to correct how they affected you.

1)Your cousin says to you: “You never want to participate in church activities like we used to when
we were kids.” Your response is:

2) Your friends says to you: “If I were you, I wouldn’t work at that job.” Your response is:

3) Your mid-term mark just came out and your overall average is low. Your Guidance Councillor says to
you: “You have to get it together if you want to make it to college.” Your response is:

4) You repeatedly ask a co-worker to cover for you or help you at work. They say to you: “You always
want me to pick up the slack for you at work. I wish I could just do my job and be left alone so I can
get my duties done.” Your response is:

5) Some friends has ask if you repeatedly to meet up with them and and use the excuse that you are
busy or are too tired. One of them out of frustrations says to you: “You’re too busy to spend any time
with your friends. Even when you have free time, you are “too tired." Your response is:

6) You signed up for a gym membership that you never use and you want your parents to call to end the
contract. You didn’t read the fine print, it will costs $125 to cancel the membership. One of them says to
you: “Why do you always jump into things without thinking or checking with us? We will not always be
there to fix everything for you.” Your response is:

7) Your friends dept card doesn’t work at the Movie Theatre and you pay their way in using yours:
“You’re the best. I wish I could have more friends like you to count on." Your response is:

8) You ask a classmate that you sit next to for help with an assignment. They respond: “You are
driving me crazy by constantly asking me for help without trying to do things for yourself!“ Your
response is:

9) You ask a friend if they want go to the mall on a Saturday. They respond: “You always want to go to
the mall and I am tired of doing the same thing over and over again.” Your response is:

10) You are babysitting at a neighbours house and you ask one of the kids to go and clean their room.
They say to you: “You are always asking me to clean my room, but it is clean enough for me. Why can’t
you stop asking me to do things I don’t want to do?” Your response is:
Part 2: Communication Problem Solving • “I” Statements Paragraph
Read the following scenario and write a paragraph response illustrating how you would handle the
situation using "I" Statements. What would you actually say to the person? Also, offer a suggestion/
solution so that they know how to correct how they affected you or how make things better for everyone.

Scenario One: Your friend comes over and is unusually quiet. You ask your friend, “Is there something
wrong?” and s/he says, “Nothing!”

Scenario Two: You are trying to teach an aunt how to use your digital camera that she needs to borrow.
She is silent, but you can tell by the frowns and puzzled looks that she is having difficulty with all the
features you are explaining.

Scenario Three: You have been waiting for a friend at the mall and are upset because s/he is over an
hour late. When you call your friend’s cell phone, your friend is also upset because s/he is waiting for you
at a coffee shop.

Scenario Four: You are working on a group project with four classmates and are having problems
dividing the tasks. Both you and another student in the group want to handle the Power Point
presentation component, but there is only one computer for you to use.

RUBRIC