Business Communications ch 4-6, BA105 Ch6, BA105 Ch4, BA105 Ch5 – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
According to your text, communication can be defined as "the transmission of ________ from one individual or group to another." a. sounds b. verbal and nonverbal messages c. information and meaning d. verbal messages
answer
c
question
The process of communication begins when ________ . a. a message is sent over a communication channel to the receiver b. a message is put into words c. the receiver decodes the message d. the sender has an idea
answer
d
question
________ is a communication barrier that occurs when individuals associate different meanings to words. a. Brainstorming b. Decoding c. Bypassing d. Encoding
answer
c
question
Which of the following statements about business writing is most accurate? a. Business writing is identical to the writing required in high school and college classes. b. Business writing should be focused on the audience. c. Because business messages are important documents, a writer's primary goal should be to impress readers with long sentences and a large vocabulary. d. Because business documents are permanent records, quantity enhances quality.
answer
b
question
Following the process 3-x-3 writing process helps a writer because it ________ . a. distinguishes business writing from other types of writing b. focuses a message on the writer, channeling the ideas to meet the writer's needs c. takes the guesswork out of writing, making it easy to plan, organize, and complete any message d. eliminates the need for careful editing during the revision stage
answer
c
question
In what phase of the writing process should you spend the most time? a. Writing b. Prewriting c. Revising d. Brainstorming
answer
c
question
The primary purposes for sending business messages are ________ . a. to sell products and to promote business services b. to increase sales and to grow company profits c. to inform and to persuade d. to promote goodwill and to encourage future business
answer
c
question
Mark is planning a business message. He is deciding what kind of language is appropriate, what depth of explanation is needed, and whether his tone should be formal or informal. What prewriting task is Mark completing? a. Gathering information through research b. Identifying the task and purpose c. Responding to the audience profile d. Organizing his message
answer
c
question
Marcee must evaluate each of her employees yearly. What communication channel should she use to convey the results of her evaluation? a. E-mail b. Instant message c. Face-to-face conversation d. Business letter
answer
c
question
When developing audience benefits, you will adapt your message to the receiver's needs by putting yourself in that person's shoes. This process is called ________ . a. sympathy b. audience-profile response c. empathy d. "you" view
answer
c
question
Which of the following sentences is most effective? a. Because you failed to provide us with your receipt, you cannot return this purchase despite your complaint that the merchandise is defective. b. You may not return your holiday purchase if you don't have a copy of the receipt. c. We are happy to offer you in-store credit for the full value of any merchandise returned with a copy of the sales receipt. d. Customers who neglect to save a copy of their receipt will be ineligible for a cash refund and will receive an in-store credit for only half of the claimed purchase price.
answer
c
question
Which of the following sentences avoids bias? a. Mayumi Tanaka, a Japanese American, was hired for the researcher position. b. All nurses and their husbands are invited to the awards ceremony. c. Jerry, 62, was recently transferred to a new position. d. Hundreds of sales representatives are expected to attend the convention.
answer
d
question
Collaboration on team-written documents may be necessary for projects that are big, have short deadlines, and ________ . a. are written on company letterhead b. involve ethical or legal issues c. include digital images d. require the expertise or consensus of many people
answer
d
question
Which of the following represents a benefit of team-written documents? a. Working together helps to create functional barriers that improve formal communication. b. Collaboration protects an individual from blame when a project isn't completed on schedule. c. Working together helps members learn more about the organization's values and procedures. d. Team-written documents and presentations are less formal and more up-to-date.
answer
c
question
One of the most frustrating tasks for teams is writing shared documents, but online collaboration tools now help. Which tool ensures immediate availability of information, allows members to clear up minor matters immediately, and is helpful in initiating a quick group discussion? a. Instant messaging b. Business letters c. E-mail d. Blogs
answer
a
question
In the planning stage of the writing process, business writers collect research. Which question should a business writer ask when collecting research? a. Who is my audience? b. What communication channel should I use to send my message? c. When must the message be sent? d. What does the receiver need to know about this topic?
answer
d
question
Informal research methods may include talking with your boss, interviewing the target audience, conducting an informal survey, and ________ . a. consulting a comprehensive database b. conducting a scientific study c. organizing a focus group d. searching company files
answer
d
question
Daniel has been asked to learn what features his customers consider most important when purchasing a car. Probably, the best research method for Daniel is ________ . a. searching manually b. experimenting scientifically c. investigating primary sources d. searching electronically
answer
c
question
When brainstorming to generate ideas, a group should ________ . a. require every participant to contribute ideas b. evaluate the ideas as they are produced c. meet for at least six hours so that a complete list of ideas can be generated d. encourage only quality ideas
answer
a
question
Jane's plan for a business message begins with the main idea, followed by the details, explanation, and evidence. Jane is using the ________ . a. geographical organizational pattern b. indirect organizational pattern c. informational organizational pattern d. direct organizational pattern
answer
d
question
The indirect strategy works best when delivering these three types of messages: bad news, persuasive messages, and ________ . a. unethical information b. routine information c. neutral information d. sensitive information
answer
d
question
Which sentence type contains an independent clause and a dependent clause? a. Compound-complex b. Complex c. Simple d. Compound
answer
b
question
Which of the following is an example of a comma splice? a. Because Hallie submitted her résumé online. b. Hallie submitted her résumé online she hoped to receive a response from the employer by the end of the week. c. Hallie submitted her résumé online. d. Hallie submitted her résumé online, she hoped to receive a response from the employer by the end of the week.
answer
d
question
Business writers should try to write sentences that average ________ words. a. 20 b. 15 c. 10 d. 40
answer
a
question
Which of the following sentences uses a stylistic device to emphasize the important idea? a. Create an attractive design for your résumé more importantly, present your skills and qualifications clearly. b. Although the plan was to delay hiring any new salespeople until the new office was opened, we should offer the position to the first applicant now to avoid losing candidates to our competitors. c. Our company offers personal customer service. d. The project was developed by one of the regional managers.
answer
a
question
Which of the following sentences contains an active-voice verb? a. Carmen processed the résumés after the application deadline. b. The interviews were conducted by the department supervisor. c. Many résumés were received for the accounting position. d. Paula was hired for the position.
answer
a
question
Which of the following sentences demonstrates parallelism? a. We value employees with drive, ethics, and who have good communication skills. b. The new computer password policy impacted all students, teachers, and those who work in offices. c. Our strategic plans are to improve customer confidence, increase sales, and the development of new products. d. Our regional sales staff will meet in Los Angeles on February 1, in Pittsburgh on August 15, and in Kansas City on December 1.
answer
d
question
Micah is writing a proposal and wants to write powerful paragraphs. To ensure his paragraphs are powerful, how many ideas should he cover per paragraph? a. Three to five b. One c. Seven d. As many as needed
answer
b
question
Paragraphs arranged in the direct strategy ________ . a. tell the reader what actions to take b. begin with the topic sentence, followed by supporting sentences c. disguise their purpose until building the supportive reasoning d. must contain at least three sentences
answer
b
question
Which technique will build paragraph coherence? a. Removing all transitional words or expressions to minimize word count b. Eliminating pronoun use c. Dovetailing ideas d. Avoiding repetition of any kind
answer
c
question
The final phase of the 3-x-3 writing process involves editing, proofreading, and ________ . a. documenting sources b. anticipating the audience c. conducting formal and informal research d. evaluating the message
answer
d
question
Which of the following sentences demonstrates effective, concise style? a. We have sent you this letter to announce the special pricing available to you as a most-valued customer. b. International business travelers learn to pack only the absolutely essential personal items. c. Generally, organizations now have policies to encourage ethical conduct. d. There was a reserve supply of copier paper stored in the second floor stockroom.
answer
c
question
In today's technological world, business writers must know how to microblog effectively. Microblogging involves ________ . a. using special computer software to create budgets b. uploading digital images to promote new products c. exchanging short messages on social media networks d. conducting business meetings through teleconferences
answer
c
question
The sentence Please do not hesitate to call me could be revised for clarity by eliminating a(n) ________ . a. compound expression b. opening filler c. trite business expression d. redundancy
answer
c
question
As a business writer, you must make your messages clear. One way to achieve clarity is to apply the KISS formula, which stands for ________ . a. Key Identification of Synchronous Styles b. Keep It Short and Simple c. Knowledge Information Systems and Solutions d. Know Important Sentences and Syntax
answer
b
question
When challenged by the competition, a smart salesperson can shoot from the hip and make a bundle even in a tight market contains ________ . a. clichés b. buried verbs c. redundancies d. excessive exuberance
answer
a
question
To enhance the readability of your document, use a margin that aligns lines ________ . a. only at the left b. at the center c. at both the left and the right (justified) d. only at the right
answer
a
question
Brenda has written her résumé and has included a bulleted list of her qualifications. Which of the following items within her bulleted list does not demonstrate parallel structure? a. Developed and managed database for 450 customers b. Daily customer service c. Implemented new company procedure for processing customer calls, resulting in increased customer satisfaction d. Processed and updated over 300 customer accounts weekly
answer
b
question
Headings can be an effective tool to highlight information, improve readability, and ________ . a. show that revision has been completed b. eliminate redundancies c. preview or review important ideas d. demonstrate the writer's use of the 3-x-3 writing process
answer
c
question
When proofreading a document, you will check all of the following for errors except ________ . a. format b. names and numbers c. spelling, grammar, and punctuation d. readability
answer
d
question
When proofreading complex documents, ________ . a. be prepared to find errors b. proofread immediately after composing while the document is fresh in your mind c. rely on only your spell checker to catch errors d. read it once, checking word meanings and grammar and mechanics simultaneously
answer
a
question
Which of the following statements is inaccurate? a. Long, complex documents need additional proofreading to verify accuracy in content and consistency in formatting. b. When proofreading important documents that must be perfect, have someone read the message aloud, spelling names and difficult words. c. Proofread a printed copy of a long, complex document once to catch all errors. d. Proofread your document when it is in its final form.
answer
c
question
Many of us struggle with proofreading our own writing because we ________ . a. don't know how to use proofreading and editing marks b. are addicted to the computer software spell-checking tools c. tend to see what we expect to see d. have made the errors ourselves, which means we won't know how to fix them
answer
c
question
What is the best way to judge the success of your communication? a. Through self-evaluation and critique b. Via feedback from the receiver c. In peer review with a classmate or workplace colleague d. By using the automated checking tools in computer software
answer
b
question
Which is a question most likely to be asked in the evaluation phase of revision? a. Have I properly buried my verbs? b. Will my message achieve its purpose? c. Who is my audience and how will they react to my message? d. Should I conduct research to support my current knowledge base?
answer
b
question
Khalida is sending an e-mail message to a client. Before sending it, she wants to make sure that she has made her point in the fewest possible words. What is Khalida checking for?
answer
Conciseness
question
What is the most accurate statement about slang and buzzwords?
answer
If you want to sound professional, avoid using slangy expressions and buzzwords in your writing.
question
Which of the following represents the best business writing?
answer
Your plane leaves San Francisco at 7:20 a.m., PST, and arrives in Atlanta at 3 p.m., EST.
question
A newly hired colleague has asked for your advice about revising e-mail messages, text messages, and tweets. What is the best advice you can give her?
answer
To avoid messages that waste time, create confusion, and reduce your credibility, take time to revise e-mail messages, text messages, and tweets.
question
Which of the following sentences best demonstrates clarity?
answer
Please let your employees know about next Friday's meeting.
question
Which of the following phrases is free of redundancies?
answer
Essential items
question
Today's advanced spell checkers are capable of identifying all spelling errors.
answer
False
question
Basic fundamentals, exactly identical, and repeat again are all examples of
answer
redundancies.
question
Which of the following is an example of an effective, businesslike expression?
answer
None of these choices
question
Ragged right margins?that is, without alignment or justification?provide more white space and improve readability.
answer
True
question
Which of the following represents the best business writing?
answer
The CEO will be visiting our branch tomorrow.
question
A trite business phrase such as please do not hesitate to
answer
is a stale expression that other writers have used over the years.
question
You have created a bulleted list showing features that you are including on your company's Facebook page. Which of the following items is not parallel with the others?
answer
We will hold a weekly prize giveaway
question
The primary goal of business writing is to impress your reader.
answer
False
question
What is the least accurate statement about typefaces and fonts?
answer
San serif typefaces are best for business messages and longer documents.
question
It is safer and better to proofread on your computer screen than to proofread from a printed copy because you will catch more errors this way and will be able to correct them immediately.
answer
False
question
The first step of Phase 3 of the 3-x-3 writing process is evaluating the document.
answer
False
question
Which of the following sentences does not contain a verb that has been converted into a noun?
answer
The jury concluded that the defendant was guilty.
question
Numbered and bulleted lists can improve readability, comprehension, and retention.
answer
True
question
The first word of every item in a numbered or bulleted list should be capitalized.
answer
True
question
What is an advantage of concise business messages?
answer
All of these are advantages of concise business messages.
question
The sentence In the event that you pass the CPA exam, please consider applying again could be made more effective by eliminating a(n)
answer
flabby expression.
question
As per your request, enclosed please find, and thank you in advance are all examples of
answer
trite business phrases.
question
Add end punctuation to a numbered or bulleted list only if the items in the list are complete sentences.
answer
True
question
Vanessa has written a marketing report for her boss. Before presenting it, she wants to make sure that the report does not contain expressions that have become exhausted by overuse. What is Vanessa checking for?
answer
Clichés
question
The sentence There are five new items that we will add to our menu next week could be made more concise by eliminating a(n)
answer
opening filler.
question
What is the most accurate statement about white space in a business document?
answer
Use headings, bulleted or numbered lists, and effective margins to create the desired amount of white space.
question
Allan is writing instructions for filing an employee grievance. He should use a bulleted list because the order of steps in the process is important
answer
False
question
Which of the following sentences does not contain any buried verbs?
answer
In some parts of the world, business is not conducted over meals.
question
Which of the following is the best example of business writing?
answer
Please tell your employees about the company's new social media policy.
question
There are, there is, and it is are examples of unnecessary opening fillers.
answer
True
question
In the sentence It is absolutely essential that you turn your expense claim in by Friday, the expression absolutely essential is redundant.
answer
True
question
A useful technique for proofreading important documents that must be perfect is to read the message aloud.
answer
True
question
Which of the following sentences does not contain any slang or buzzwords?
answer
We need to do everything possible to stay ahead of our competition.
question
Headings are used only in reports; they are never used in letters, memos, or e-mail messages.
answer
false
question
During Phase 3 of the 3-x-3 writing process, Jamar is correcting his document's grammar, spelling, punctuation, format, and mechanics. What is Jamar doing?
answer
Proofreading
question
Encourage the receiver to respond to your message to evaluate its success.
answer
True
question
The final phase of the 3-x-3 writing process focuses on
answer
all of these tasks
question
The following sentence contains a verb that has been converted to a noun: Morgan performed an analysis of the quarterly sales figures.
answer
True
question
Expressions such as due to the fact that and in the near future can help your business documents sound more professional.
answer
False
question
Which of the following sentences avoids use of trite business phrases?
answer
We have received your loan application.
question
What is an advantage of creating well-designed documents?
answer
All of these are advantages of a well-designed document.
question
When proofreading a document, be concerned with
answer
all of these choices.
question
The sentence I am writing this e-mail message to let you know that we have received your application for the receptionist position
answer
contains a long lead-in
question
To make your business messages concise, you should avoid which of the following?
answer
All of these choices
question
The following sentence contains a redundancy: After studying the basic fundamentals of the provisions, I have decided to vote for the contract.
answer
true
question
You have just been given the job to write tweets for your company and to respond to customers' tweets using the Twitter microblogging service. What should you do?
answer
Include only main ideas and choose descriptive but short words.
question
You are formatting a business document and want to make the best use of margins. What should you do?
answer
You should do all of these.
question
Microblogging messages such as tweets should be concise, but they don't have to include conventional spelling, grammar, or punctuation.
answer
False
question
Which of the following sentences sounds most conversational?
answer
Thanks for your help last week.
question
Which of the following sentences does not contain a long lead-in?
answer
Our meeting time has been changed.
question
Which of the following statements about Phase 3 of the writing process is most accurate?
answer
A significant amount of a writer's time should be spent in this phase.
question
Underlining, bold type, or italics can be used to call attention to important points and terms.
answer
True
question
Concise messages are easier to read and comprehend than wordy messages.
answer
True
question
Routine documents and complex documents are proofread using the same method.
answer
False
question
Blake has just written an e-mail message to his colleagues. Before sending it, he wants to make sure that his colleagues will immediately understand the message. What is Blake checking for?
answer
Punctuation
question
Most experts who have had a lot of practice can prepare a perfect document on the first try.
answer
False
question
Phase 3 of the 3-x-3 writing process begins with doing which of the following?
answer
Editing the message to improve content and sentence structure
question
Some experts recommend spending about half the total composition time editing, proofreading, and evaluating a document.
answer
True
question
Alexis must proofread a complex business document. What is the best advice you can give her?
answer
Be prepared to find errors.
question
Which of the following sentences best controls exuberance?
answer
We are happy to learn that your banquet room is available on December 15.
question
During Phase 3 of the 3-x-3 writing process, Donalyn is analyzing her message to make sure it will achieve its purpose. What is Donalyn doing?
answer
Evaluating
question
At this point in time, due to the fact that, feel free to, and in the near future are examples of
answer
flabby expressions.
question
Because jargon can be confusing, it should never be used in business writing.
answer
False
question
Every message you write should begin with the notion that your audience is thinking What's in it for me?(WIIFM)
answer
True
question
Robert must send an e-mail message to a client in Turkey. He is carefully selecting his words to ensure that his Turkish client, who speaks English as a second language, will understand them. He is involved in which part of the communication process?
answer
Message encoding
question
You can start lowering your energy expenses immediately is an example of an audience-focused sentence.
answer
True
question
Text messages, e-mail messages, business letters, memos, and reports are most effective when they use a formal tone.
answer
False
question
Sofia is an event planner and is responding to an e-mail request from a client. What should Sofia do during the second phase of the writing process?
answer
Determine the best organizational pattern for her reply message to the client.
question
The primary purpose of messages that sell products, convince managers, motivate employees, and win over customers is to
answer
persuade
question
You are in charge of preparing a sales brochure and must profile your audience. What question should you ask to profile your primary audience?
answer
You should ask all these questions
question
Which of the following takes place during the third phase of the 3-x-3 writing process?
answer
All of these choices
question
You want your writing to sound positive and courteous. Which of the following sentences has the best choice of wording?
answer
Please give us your feedback about your online ordering experience.
question
In team writing projects, team members usually work most closely together during Phase 1, the prewriting phase.
answer
True
question
The process of communication begins when the receiver puts a message into writing.
answer
False
question
Which of the following statements about business writing is least accurate?
answer
When writing business documents, business communicators should recognize that quantity enhances quality.
question
Differences in frames of reference are especially significant when
answer
communicating with people from different cultures
question
Which of the following occurs during the second phase of the 3-x-3 writing process?
answer
Conduct research to gather the data you need to provide facts
question
____ helps the sender know whether the message was received and understood.
answer
Feedback
question
You need to give me an answer by Friday is an example of sentence that uses a positive tone.
answer
False
question
Jeanette is offended when she notices that only masculine pronouns are used in the company's human resources manual. This decoding problem is a result of
answer
a semantic obstacle
question
You want to use precise, vigorous words to give your readers more information and keep them interested. Which of the following sentences has the best wording?
answer
The March balance sheet reports a 10 percent decrease in expenses for the first quarter of the fiscal year.
question
Hannah posts her résumé on the websites of several companies. Unfortunately, it is poorly formatted and contains several spelling and grammar errors. What kind of communication barrier may this cause?
answer
Physical distraction
question
Which of the following sentences does not show gender bias?
answer
The servers at Cafe Divine are always professional.
question
Which of the following takes place during the first phase of the 3-x-3 writing process?
answer
Analyze the audience and your purpose for writing.
question
Which of the following statements about team writing is most accurate?
answer
Team members will usually gather at the beginning of a project to brainstorm.
question
Suzanne has just received an e-mail message from a client and is reading it carefully to determine her client's needs. She is involved in the ____ part of the communication process.
answer
decoding
question
Preparing a business message or presentation is easier and more efficient if you have a systematic process to follow.
answer
True
question
While conducting an orientation session for new employees, Clayton noticed looks of confusion on the faces of some listeners. He then paused and asked his audience, "What questions do you have so far?" Clayton was striving to overcome communication barriers by
answer
creating an environment for useful feedback.
question
Which of the following is the best wording to avoid racial, ethnic, age, and disability bias?
answer
AARP membership is open to anyone age 50 or over.
question
The process of communication is successful only when
answer
the receiver understands an idea as the sender intended it.
question
Business communicators generally spend the most time on the prewriting phase of the 3-x-3 writing process.
answer
False
question
Exhibiting sarcasm or anger in a business message can help you get your point across or meet your goals.
answer
False
question
While reading an e-mail message from her boss, Melissa is distracted by numerous typographical and spelling errors. These errors that detract from the message and make it difficult to read are called
answer
noise
question
Which of the following statements about anticipating and profiling your audience is most accurate?
answer
You will adjust your tone, style, and content to accommodate the expectations and needs of your audience.
question
Francis is starting his first full-time job after graduating from college, and he wants to sound conversational but professional on the job. What is the best advice you can give him?
answer
Strive for an informal, conversational tone in most business messages.
question
Jorge is working on a sales brochure to promote a new product. Which of the following will Jorge do during the third phase of the writing process?
answer
Proofread the brochure carefully for correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
question
So that your needs can better be met in the future, please complete the online survey about your recent flight with Southwest Airlines is an example of
answer
spotlighting audience benefits.
question
Robert says that he will answer his client's questions "as soon as possible." Robert plans to answer the questions by early next week; his client expects the answers by the end of the day. This misunderstanding results from
answer
bypassing
question
The best feedback to a message is descriptive rather than evaluative.
answer
True
question
Omar is writing an e-mail message about a new delivery service. In anticipating and profiling the audience, he should
answer
try to get a general idea of who his audience is.
question
Team writing is especially important for documents that require the expertise or consensus of many people.
answer
True
question
Which of the following statements about the 3-x-3 writing process is most accurate?
answer
Experienced writers usually spend the most time on the third phase of the writing process.
question
Good attorneys always defend their clients demonstrates better business writing than A good attorney always defends his client.
answer
True
question
You and your boss come from very different educational and professional backgrounds. You are most likely to experience communication barriers due to differing frames of reference.
answer
True
question
Which of the following statements about the "you" view is most accurate?
answer
Be careful because second-person pronouns such as you and your can be overused and misused.
question
Robert is gathering data for a business proposal he is writing. Robert is in the first phase of the writing process.
answer
False
question
A face-to-face conversation is considered a richer medium than a written report or proposal.
answer
true
question
Profiling the audience means anticipating how both primary and secondary audiences will react to a message.
answer
True
question
Select the best definition of communication.
answer
Communication is the transmission of information and meaning from one individual or group to another
question
Cassandra is trying to decide whether to call her boss or to send an e-mail message. Cassandra is in the first phase of the writing process.
answer
True
question
The third phase of the writing process involves editing, proofreading, and evaluating your message.
answer
True
question
Anthony is part of a virtual team collaborating on a written proposal. Which of the following collaboration tools can help his team work together on this shared document?
answer
All of these choices
question
Determining whether a message will be transmitted by e-mail or delivered in person is part of
answer
selecting an appropriate communication channel for the message.
question
Which sentence best illustrates the "you" view?
answer
You will receive your complete walking tour itinerary one month before your trip.
question
Kendra is part of a team that will be preparing a presentation to the board of directors about a new product idea. What will her team likely do the first time they meet?
answer
Brainstorm for ideas.
question
A company's annual report describes the company's efforts to give back to the community. The primary purpose of this report is to ____; the secondary purpose is to ____.
answer
inform; promote goodwill
question
You are talking with the president of your company about a possible merger. Which of the following is the most useful feedback you can provide during the conversation?
answer
If I understand you correctly, your recommendation is that we go through with the merger.
question
Encoding is the process of translating a message from its symbol form into meaning.
answer
False
question
How can one become a better business writer?
answer
Do all of these choices.
question
Which of the following sentences uses conversational, middle-level diction?
answer
Hello! You will not believe what I just learned. Drop by my office before you leave today to discuss it.
question
Words like denigrate, the undersigned, and expropriate should be used in business messages because they will make you sound more professional.
answer
False
question
Which of the following is an example of an internal disruption in the decoding process?
answer
Meaghan finds her mind drifting during a lecture as she thinks about her upcoming trip to Florence.
question
Alex is having trouble concentrating on a report he is reading because his smartphone keeps ringing and his colleagues keep sending him text messages. What kind of communication barrier is this?
answer
Digital interruptions
question
Deborah is writing a proposal to solicit business from a potential client. She should expect to spend the most time on
answer
editing, proofreading, and evaluating the proposal.
question
The first question to ask yourself when composing a business message is "What channel should I use to send the message?"
answer
False
question
Jay includes the sentence "Let me know whether I can answer any questions" at the end of his e-mail message as a way to encourage
answer
feedback.
question
Devon is writing an e-mail message to a customer to tell him that the customer's order has been shipped. His primary purpose is to
answer
inform
question
Professional business messages should not include texting-style abbreviations such as BTW, slang, sentence fragments, or chitchat.
answer
True
question
Samuel is working on a report and has reached Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process. What question should he ask while collecting information during this second phase?
answer
Samuel should ask all of these questions.
question
Paragraphs arranged in the direct plan start with supporting sentences and conclude with the topic sentence.
answer
False
question
You are preparing an outline for your report on Web security in the workplace. Which of the following should be a major category for this outline?
answer
Web Security Threats
question
Madeline is writing an e-mail message to ask about conference facility availability and rates. She should use the direct pattern.
answer
True
question
Clauses that begin with words like although, since, because, when, and if are usually
answer
dependent.
question
Angelica has been asked to learn how many pedestrians walk by a specific location that her company is considering for a new sporting goods retail shop. Probably the most useful way to research this information would be by
answer
investigating primary sources.
question
Most experts recommend trying to produce error-free first drafts of your documents.
answer
False
question
Placing the main idea first or last in a sentence is a good way to emphasize it
answer
True
question
Monica wants to make sure that her sentences are easily understood. How long should she make them?
answer
An average of 20 words
question
Which of the following is a clause?
answer
When you were on vacation
question
Many communication experts regard ______________ as the greatest failing of business writers.
answer
poor organization
question
With a solid plan and careful planning is a sentence fragment.
answer
True
question
Which of the following is a compound sentence?
answer
Raymond applied for the position, and he was called for an interview two days later.
question
Caitlin is writing a sales letter to encourage customers to add features to their wireless data plans. She should use the direct approach.
answer
False
question
Which of the following is not a mechanical technique for stressing important ideas?
answer
Using vivid words
question
Which of the following documents would most likely use an introduction/problem, facts/findings, conclusions, and recommendations organization?
answer
Analytical report
question
Many communication experts regard poor organization as the greatest failing of business writers.
answer
True
question
Melanie is working on a report and has reached Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process. What should she do first in this second phase?
answer
Gather any necessary information.
question
One of the most important tasks in preparing well-organized messages is
answer
grouping similar ideas together.
question
Shauna is writing a document that will compare and contrast different retirement plans. She will most likely use the ____ paragraph plan.
answer
pivoting
question
Organizing one's ideas ahead of time and working from an outline are good ways to prevent writer's block.
answer
True
question
Brooke is working on a business proposal for a prospective client. What is the primary question Brooke should ask as she gathers information for her project?
answer
What does the client need to know about this topic?
question
Jack is writing a memo to refuse an employee's vacation request. He should use the indirect pattern.
answer
True
question
Which of the following is not an advantage of the indirect pattern?
answer
Reduces frustration
question
Which of the following is a dependent clause?
answer
Since the company began selling stock to the public
question
If you have any new ideas is an example of an independent clause.
answer
False
question
June is our busiest month, February is our slowest contains a comma splice.
answer
True
question
An organizational pattern that presents the main idea followed by details, explanation, and evidence is the
answer
direct organizational pattern.
question
The focus of a brainstorming session should be on the quality of ideas, not the quantity.
answer
False
question
Most business messages use the ____ paragraph plan because it clarifies the subject immediately.
answer
Direct
question
When should the active voice be used?
answer
For most business writing
question
What type of sentence fault results when a writer joins two independent clauses with a comma?
answer
Comma splice
question
You can build paragraph coherence by incorporating which of the following techniques?
answer
All of these choices
question
Brandon is preparing a short informational report for his boss and wants to begin his research by conducting informal research. What should he consider doing?
answer
Brandon should consider doing all of these.
question
What type of sentence fault results when a writer joins two independent clauses without using a conjunction or semicolon?
answer
Comma splice
question
Which of the following documents would most likely use an introduction, a proposed solution, staffing, a schedule and/or costs, and authorization organization?
answer
Proposal
question
The first ATM opened near London in 1967 is an example of an independent clause.
answer
True
question
Peter is writing an e-mail message to his staff about an upcoming training session, and he is sure they'll be pleased with the news. Peter should use the
answer
direct pattern.
question
Select the active-voice sentence.
answer
Many companies now offer wellness programs.
question
One effective way to overcome writer's block is to
answer
work in a quiet environment in which you can concentrate.
question
An organizational pattern that presents the main idea after the details, explanation, and evidence is the
answer
indirect organizational pattern.
question
Select the passive-voice sentence.
answer
The website was redesigned by a team of professionals.
question
The best brainstorming sessions have no time limits.
answer
False
question
Which of the following is a sentence fragment?
answer
Although we expect sales to increase next quarter.
question
To achieve parallel construction, use similar structures to express similar ideas.
answer
True
question
Sentences that average 20 words are most effective for business writing.
answer
True
question
The sentence James responded to the inquiry is an active-voice sentence in which James acts as the subject.
answer
true
question
Sensitive messages that deliver bad news should usually be organized
answer
in an indirect pattern.
question
Edwin has just been hired as an executive assistant and will be doing a lot of writing on the job. What is the best advice you can give him about composing documents?
answer
Set aside a given time for writing during which he will have no visitors, phone calls, or interruptions.
question
When should the passive voice be used?
answer
To de-emphasize bad news
question
Which of the following should be organized in a direct pattern?
answer
An online manual showing visitors how to download a software program
question
Which of the following statements about formal and informal research is least accurate?
answer
When you work on a business report, avoid using the Web for research because much of what is available on the Web isn't credible.
question
Since our restaurant opened last week, we have been booked solid is an example of a compound sentence.
answer
False
question
Andrew must deny a customer's application for credit. What organizational pattern should he use?
answer
An indirect pattern
question
What type of sentence fault results when a writer punctuates a broken-off part of a complex sentence as if it were a complete sentence?
answer
Comma splice
question
Which of the following sentences demonstrates parallelism?
answer
Our new CEO's objectives are to improve employee morale, to boost revenues, and to enhance community relations.
question
The sentence Clara was accepted into an MBA program is an active-voice sentence.
answer
False
question
The topic sentence of a paragraph must always appear first.
answer
False
question
Chuck is part of a team identifying ideas to cut expenses. The team has decided to hold a brainstorming session. What is the best strategy the team can do during this session?
answer
Set an established time limit.
question
Which of the following is an example of using a formal research method?
answer
Amy conducts a Web search to find information about a competitor's products.
question
Which of the following should be organized in an indirect pattern?
answer
An e-mail message to employees telling them that overtime will be eliminated
question
When you expect the reader to be pleased, mildly interested, or neutral the most effective organizational pattern is the
answer
direct pattern.
question
The following sentence contains a dangling modifier: Working all night, the report was finished by Robert.
answer
False
question
Which of the following is an independent clause?
answer
Please call with any questions you have
question
When dependent clauses precede independent clauses, they always are followed by a
answer
comma
question
The direct organizational pattern should be used when writing to an audience that will be unwilling, uninterested, displeased, disappointed, or hostile.
answer
False
question
The first step of Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process is to conduct research to collect all the needed information.
answer
True