question

Chapter 4

answer

Practice

question

Which of the following statements about stereotyping is true?

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Popular culture plays an important role in the formation of negative stereotypes

question

___ is the degree to which an organization or society encourages and rewards individuals for being fair, altruistic, friendly, generous, caring, and kind.

answer

Humane Orientation

question

Collectivists tend to

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view themselves as interdependent, forming an identity based on that of their family and friends.

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The cultural dimension that deals with the level of confrontation and directness considered appropriate and productive is called___.

answer

assertiveness

question

Steve, the CEO of a chocolate manufacturing company called Sweet Splash, intends to expand his business to Asia. To facilitate this expansion, he decides to transfer one of his more experienced managers to the targeted country. He wishes to pick a manager who displays high cultural intelligence. Which of the following managers fulfills this requirement?

answer

Jordan, who works well with people from different backgrounds

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In high gender egalitarianism cultures

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men and women are encouraged to occupy the same professional roles. Gender egalitarianism deals with the division of roles between men and women in society. In high gender egalitarianism cultures, men and women are encouraged to occupy the same professional roles and leadership positions.

question

Which of the following is characteristic of people from high uncertainty avoidance cultures?

answer

They often stress orderliness and consistency, even if it means sacrificing experimentation and innovation. Uncertainty avoidance (UA) refers to how cultures socialize members to feel in uncertain, novel, surprising, or extraordinary situations. People from high uncertainty avoidance cultures often stress orderliness and consistency, even if it means sacrificing experimentation and innovation.

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_____ is the belief that your own culture is superior to all others.

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Ethnocentrism The opposite of a learner mind-set when working with other cultures is the judger mind-set. In cross-cultural working relationships, the judger mind-set is often referred to as ethnocentrism. It is the belief that your own culture is superior.

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Which topic should you avoid discussing in both Brazil and India?

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poverty

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People from low uncertainty avoidance cultures

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prefer informality in most interpersonal business interactions. Uncertainty avoidance (UA) refers to how cultures socialize members to feel in uncertain, novel, surprising, or extraordinary situations. People from low uncertainty avoidance cultures prefer informality in the most interpersonal business interactions.

question

Which is most likely to happen in an egalitarian culture?

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The company will award stock to employees so they can share in the ownership. In egalitarian cultures, people tend to distribute and share power evenly, minimize status differences, and minimize special privileges and opportunities for people just because they have higher authority. A company that wants employees to share in ownership is a sign of egalitarianism.

question

_____ deal with the levels of independence and interdependence that people in a society possess and encourage.

answer

Individualism and collectivism Individualism refers to a mind-set that prioritizes independence more highly than interdependence, emphasizing individual goals over group goals, and valuing choice more than obligation. By contrast, collectivism refers to a mind-set that prioritizes interdependence more highly than independence, emphasizing group goals over individual goals, and valuing obligation more than choice. References

question

_____ refers to a mind-set that values choice more than obligation.

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Individualism refers to a mind-set that prioritizes independence more highly than interdependence. It emphasizes valuing choice more than obligation.

question

Which behavior would you most likely see in a low humane orientation culture?

answer

When people form new acquaintances, they avoid physical gestures of welcome. Humane orientation (HO) is the degree to which an organization or society encourages and rewards individuals for being fair, altruistic, friendly, generous, caring, and kind. In low HO cultures, people smile and display other nonverbal signs of welcome infrequently.

question

While evaluating the various courses available at the University of Radcliffe, Marcie skips over the language brochures. She believes that learning a new language is unnecessary; English is considered the global business language and she speaks it fluently. Which of the following statements, if true, makes her decision a bad one?

answer

Learning another culture's language helps you understand its people better.

question

Chapter 5

answer

Practice

question

Which of the following is typically included in the reviewing stage of writing an effective business message?

answer

removing distractions from the message In order to create an effective business message, during the reviewing stage you should ensure that the communication is fair, consider whether your message is effective, and remove any distractions.

question

In the course of creating an effective business message, excellent business thinkers are most likely to

answer

identify and articulate key questions and problems. Excellent business thinkers possess a number of characteristics. First, they clearly and precisely identify and articulate key questions and problems. Second, they gather information from a variety of sources. Third, they make well-reasoned conclusions and solutions. Fourth, they remain open to alternatives to approaching and reasoning about the business problem—that is, they are mentally flexible.

question

The inductive approach to writing a business argument

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provides the supporting reasons first before the primary message. For some messages, such as when delivering bad news, the indirect or inductive approach is used. In this approach, supporting reasons are provided first, followed by the primary message.

question

To break out of the reputation of an inexperienced newcomer, you should

answer

ask your boss for ideas about improving your professional reputation. To break out of a reputation as an inexperienced newcomer you should set up a time to talk with your boss. In the meeting, explain your growth in various areas and ask for your boss's ideas about improving your professional reputation.

question

While analyzing the advantages of orientation programs for new employees, Carter learns that these programs can make new employees more comfortable in their jobs and thus help them focus on their work. This in turn increases employee efficiency and reduces the likelihood that they will quit their jobs. Which of the following statements should Carter avoid making because it exaggerates the facts?

answer

Orientation programs eliminate the likelihood of new employees quitting their jobs. Claiming that orientation programs eliminate the likelihood of new employees quitting would be an exaggeration, since Carter's analysis only found that it reduces the likelihood of quitting. Exaggeration impacts readers' perceptions of the writer's overall credibility as well as the credibility of the message.

question

Which of the following techniques is most likely to make business messages more positive?

answer

displaying a confident attitude In order to make business messages more positive, you should focus on actions you can accomplish and demonstrate a realistic optimism.

question

In all business messages, communicators should ideally aim to

answer

project concern for others. and positivity

question

Which of the following is most likely to lower a person's credibility?

answer

exaggeration of facts

question

To build well-reasoned business positions, one should

answer

avoid faulty cause/effect claims. As you analyze business issues, you are often trying to identify causes and effects. To build well-reasoned business positions, you should avoid faulty cause/effect claims.

question

Which of the following is most likely to be included in the drafting stage of writing an effective business message?

answer

making the message easy to read In order to create an effective business message, during the drafting stage you should set a positive and other oriented tone, make the message easy to read, and make the message easy to navigate.

question

Which of the following should ideally be one of the goals of a business communicator?

answer

to express the message in a way that respects others

question

At the U.S. division of Bluebell Inc. the productivity of the employees is going down. Kinsey, the branch manager conducts thorough research and learns that most of the employees were involved in social loafing. If he wants to use the deductive approach, how should Kinsey structure his report to senior management?

answer

state the primary message; lay out supporting reasons; conclude with a call to action Most business arguments employ a direct or deductive approach. In other words, they begin by stating the primary message, which is typically a position or recommendation. Then they lay out the supporting reasons. Most business messages conclude with a call to action.

question

While examining the pros and cons of introducing a stress-busting yoga program for the employees of Hillock Inc., Juanita learns that the pros far outnumber the cons and decides to recommend implementation of the yoga program. Which of the following statements is most likely to increase the positivity of her proposition?

answer

The yoga program would increase the efficiency of the employees. In order to make business messages more positive, you should focus on actions you can accomplish and demonstrate a realistic optimism. Stressing that the yoga program would increase the efficiency of employees accomplishes this.

question

The deductive approach is also known as the _____ approach.

answer

direct

question

Which of the following suggestions should be followed to build a well-reasoned business position?

answer

Use strong analogies. To build well-reasoned business positions, avoid the following types of logical inconsistencies: unsupported generalizations, faulty cause/effect claims, weak analogies, either/or logic, slanting the facts, and exaggeration.

question

Chapter 6

answer

Practice

question

Which of the following is most likely to have a negative impact on your readers' perceptions of your credibility

answer

being vague Being specific affects the judgments your readers make about your credibility. Specific statements lead your readers to believe that you know what you are talking about (competence); that you are not hiding anything (character); and that you want your readers to be informed (caring). Being vague, on the other hand, detracts from your credibility.

question

Which of the following steps typically belongs to the reviewing process?

answer

proofreading the document The reviewing process includes three interrelated components: conducting the FAIR test, proofreading, and getting feedback.

question

The use of uncommon words in a business message is most likely to

answer

make it more difficult for readers to interpret the message. Whenever possible, one should choose short, conversational, and familiar words in business messages so that it is easier for readers to interpret. Using longer, less common words to "sound smart" rarely pays off. They slow processing and distract from your message. They may even inadvertently send the signal that you are out of touch, quirky, or arrogant.

question

Which of the following statements about business messages is true?

answer

Providing required information is essential because not providing enough information can leave your reader wondering how to respond. One challenge while writing a business message is deciding which information is relevant for your message. After all, providing too much information can distract your readers and weigh your document down. On the other hand, not providing enough information can leave your reader wondering how to respond.

question

In the context of the reviewing process, the "A" in the FAIR test stands for _____.

answer

access

question

Improving ease of reading with natural style requires that the writer

answer

use short and familiar words. Whenever possible, choose short, conversational, and familiar words. Using longer, less common words to "sound smart" rarely pays off. They slow processing and distract from your message.

question

To keep their writing natural and engaging, business writers should avoid

answer

out-of-place words. To keep your writing natural and engaging, make sure you do not distract your readers with overused or out-of-place words or phrases. Buzzwords, which are workplace terms that become trite because of overuse, can stir negative feelings among some readers.

question

While conducting the FAIR test, which of the following questions will help you analyze whether your message demonstrates respect for the inherent worth of your audience?

answer

Have you shown that you value others? The reviewing process includes three interrelated components: conducting the FAIR test, proofreading, and getting feedback. The "R" in FAIR test stands for "respect." At this stage, you are likely to check whether your message shows that you value others.

question

When writers use long paragraphs in business messages, it

answer

shows disrespect for the reader's time.

question

Writers of business messages should avoid sentences that begin with "it is" or "there are" because they

answer

contain more words than necessary. Readers naturally want to know precisely who or what the subject of a sentence is, particularly in business writing, where specificity is so important. Most sentences that begin with "it is" or "there are" fail to provide a specific subject and generally contain more words than necessary

question

To ensure the completeness of a business message, one should

answer

be specific. Most of your messages in the workplace have a clear goal: to update your team members, to promote a service to a client, to give an assignment, and so on. Your goal of completeness means that your message provides all the information necessary to meet that purpose. You can achieve completeness with three basic strategies: providing all relevant information; being accurate; and being specific.

question

The less specific you are while writing your business messages, the greater the possibility that your readers will

answer

scan and skim your message. If you are not specific while writing your business messages, your readers may become impatient and begin scanning and skimming for the information they want. If they cannot find that information, they are unlikely to respond to your message as you intend.

question

In the context of the reviewing process, the "F" in the FAIR test stands for _____.

answer

facts

question

Typically, paragraphs in routine business messages have

answer

40-80 words. Typically, paragraphs in business messages should contain 40 to 80 words. For routine messages, paragraphs as short as 20 to 30 words are common and appropriate.

question

To help business writers make their messages easier to read, they should

answer

use short sentences.

question

Chapter 7

answer

Practice

question

What is the primary advantage of using word processing software to compose important email messages?

answer

It is better at reviewing text for typos and grammatical problems than email systems. Carefully review your message for typos, spelling, punctuation, or grammatical problems before sending it. For important messages, consider first composing your message with word processing software. This will help you apply a higher level of seriousness. In addition, you'll be able to use spell-check and grammar-check features that are more reliable than those within email systems.

question

The heavy volume of digital messages received on a daily basis makes it necessary for business professionals to perform the delicate task of balancing the

answer

need to respond to others with their own need to focus on work. In most business positions, you need to respond to others as soon as possible. This places you in a delicate balancing act; how can you stay responsive to others yet stay focused enough on your own tasks to achieve peak performance?

question

The team that is planning the annual company sales meeting has members in several offices. They need to have a conversation about the agenda for the sales meeting. Which of the following will they most likely use?

answer

a conference call Conference calls are used for team conversations. They are typically less rich than one-to-one phone conversations because many participants do not provide cues continuously during the conversations.

question

Ella and Pasha work for the same company in two different locations. They need to quickly discuss and clarify issues related to a mutual project. Which of the following should they use?

answer

phone conversations Phone conversations are used for one-to-one conversations between parties in in different locations. They constitute a fairly rich communication channel that enables workers to quickly discuss and clarify workplace issues.

question

Which of the following involves an act or thought process committed by the sender rather than the receiver of an email?

answer

flames In some cases, people's sense of freedom online leads to flames, which are emails or other digital communications in which the sender communicates "hostile intentions characterized by words of profanity, obscenity, and insults that inflict harm to a person or an organization."

question

Which of the following guidelines is helpful when leading a group video call?

answer

Send out instructions about how to use the technology in advance of the meeting. There are many options for group voice and video calls. If you are leading the call, send out information about the technology to participants so they can be prepared. When the first five to ten minutes of group calls are consumed by participants trying to figure out the technology, the meeting rarely turns out productive or engaging.

question

Which statement about texting is correct?

answer

Texting is either synchronous or asynchronous, depending on how is it used. Texting is difficult to classify. It can be considered asynchronous, yet many people use texting more conversationally with frequent and rapid back-and-forth messages, which makes it a more synchronous channel.

question

Which of the following communication channels is low in richness but high in control?

answer

email

question

Which of the following, when used, is most likely to contribute to email chains?

answer

the "forward" feature Three features contribute to email chains: forward, copy, and reply to all. Many business professionals use the copy feature liberally to let everyone in a department or work unit in on the conversation. Of course, one of your goals is transparency, allowing others in your relevant work group to know how decisions are being made. But copying too many people can lead to information overload.

question

Which of the following channels of communication is low in planning, is used for team meetings, and is a richer form of interacting than conference calls but typically requires more expensive equipment and careful scheduling?

answer

videoconferences are used for team meetings. They are a richer form of interacting than conference calls but typically require more expensive equipment and careful scheduling. It is low in planning as messages are spontaneous.

question

Which statement correctly describes the current state of texting in the workplace?

answer

Texting is a new, undeveloped form of communication in the workplace, and attitudes toward it vary significantly.

question

Which of the following involves releasing and overcoming anger and frustration so that you can make a more rational and less emotional response?

answer

Relaxation involves releasing and overcoming anger and frustration so that you can make a more rational and less emotional response.

question

Which of the following guidelines should be followed to minimize e-interruptions?

answer

Avoid unnecessarily lengthening an email chain.

question

Reply email chains become especially confusing when

answer

some recipients reply only to the sender and others reply to everyone. In an email conversation of more than four or five people, various message recipients can lose track of the sequence of messages or miss some messages altogether. Reply email chains become especially confusing when some colleagues are using just the reply feature whereas others are using the reply to all feature.

question

The ______ effect means that recipients are more likely to perceive messages that are intended as neutral as negative.

answer

negativity

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