30
80) When preparing to respond to negative messages, it is important to consider
A) how to combat the negative information.
B) the source, tone and content.
C) who the audience is.
D) why the comment was made.
E) legal ramifications of the comment.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Synthesis
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
81) Proactive companies use social media to engage with their stakeholders as a long-term
strategy.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
82) Provide at least five guidelines to observe when making negative organizational
announcements.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
31
83) When rejecting a job applicant, you can soften the blow by
A) expressing appreciation for his or her application.
B) mentioning the qualifications of the person who was hired.
C) praising competitive applicants.
D) apologizing for wasting the person’s time.
E) implying future consideration.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
84) Which of the following is the most effective close for a letter rejecting a job applicant?
A) If you have any questions about our decision, don’t hesitate to call.
B) We hope that despite this rejection you will continue to frequent our establishments.
C) Again, we are very sorry that we cannot offer you a position at this time.
D) I wish you the best in your job search. I am confident you will find a match for your skills and
interests.
E) We will consider your application for any other opening in the future.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
32
85) Which of the following can help you handle requests for recommendations in a social
networking environment?
A) responding to a request from someone you don’t know
B) writing a recommendation for anyone
C) writing as much or as little as you’re comfortable with sharing about the person
D) writing only positive information on everyone
E) asking the person to write the letter, and offer your approval
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Synthesis
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
86) As a member of an online social network, the recommendations you write
A) must include extensive detailed information.
B) cannot be seen by the other network members.
C) become part of your online brand.
D) don’t affect your online profile.
E) require little thought or planning.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
33
87) A letter rejecting a job applicant should
A) avoid explaining why he or she was not selected.
B) point out the applicant’s shortcomings.
C) be as personal as possible.
D) be as long as possible.
E) always offer an apology.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
88) If you must give an employee a negative performance review,
A) do so by email.
B) support your claims with careful documentation.
C) limit your discussion to the areas where the employee needs improvement.
D) minimize anything positive that the employee has done.
E) assume that you’ll be firing the employee before too long.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
34
89) When writing an employment termination letter, you should
A) include words that are open to interpretation.
B) clearly present the reasons for the action.
C) not be concerned with trying to preserve a good relationship with the employee.
D) make clear to the employee that you have carefully researched relevant employment laws.
E) include contact information for the legal department.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
90) Performance reviews in the workplace are designed to
A) limit job requirements.
B) give employees negative feedback on their performance.
C) promote personal action plans for improving performance.
D) offer incentives and salary increases.
E) keep job descriptions up to date.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
35
91) When you’re appraising employee performance, ________ to support any decisions that need
to be made about pay, promotions, or termination.
A) write down your frustrations
B) document performance problems
C) evaluate each employee differently
D) focus on each employee’s faults and shortcomings
E) compare each employee to coworkers
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
92) Which one of the following is not an essential element of writing termination messages in the
workplace?
A) careful planning
B) sensitive writing
C) complete documentation
D) personal allegations
E) emotional ramifications
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
36
93) When terminating an employee,
A) focus on problem resolution.
B) emphasize judgmental language.
C) avoid confrontation by withholding negative feedback.
D) allow the relationship to end negatively, and with hard feelings.
E) make sure reasons are objectively verifiable.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
94) Writing an effective performance review requires
A) evaluating all employees consistently.
B) knowing all employees will react negatively to criticism.
C) following the job description.
D) a focus on improvement, not on what the employee does well.
E) a focus on what the employee does well, minimizing potential areas of improvement.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
95) To avoid a negative surprise during a performance evaluation, managers should
A) keep a list of examples of poor performance.
B) let the employee know ahead of time the review is coming.
C) limit the use of status updates.
D) allow peers to provide input on the performance review.
E) provide regular feedback and coaching throughout the year.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
37
96) When responding to social networking recommendation requests, a single sentence that
focuses on one positive aspect is often all that is necessary.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
97) Define and discuss performance reviews.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
98) Suppose you’re a manager who has to write performance reviews. What can you do to help
you prepare for writing a review that includes negative information?
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
38
99) What are some viable options for refusing social networking recommendation requests?
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Synthesis
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages
100) Explain the characteristics of an effective letter rejecting a job applicant.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Describe strategies for developing negative messages