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Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
1. The indirect strategy works well with three kinds of messages: (a) bad news, (b) ideas that require persuasion, and (c)
sensitive news.
a.
True
b.
False
2. In the active voice, the subject is acted upon. In the passive voice, the subject is the doer of the action.
a.
True
b.
False
3. Brainstorming is an ineffective research technique.
a.
True
b.
False
4. The new software system will be installed on Monday; therefore, our intranet will be unavailable to employees is an
example of a complex sentence.
a.
True
b.
False
5. All support sentences in a paragraph must relate to the topic sentence.
a.
True
b.
False
6. Business writers should strive for paragraphs with eight or fewer printed lines.
a.
True
b.
False
7. Jonathan is researching the financial impact of a job-sharing benefit for employees. Talking with his boss about the
possible effects of offering this benefit to employees is an effective method of formal research.
a.
True
b.
False
8. A compound-complex sentence contains two complete but related thoughts.
a.
True
b.
False
9. Business writers should strive for a balance of shorter and longer sentences within paragraphs to avoid monotony.
a.
True
b.
False
10. Looking in company files for information is considered formal research.
a.
True
b.
False
11. When you expect the reader to be pleased, mildly interested, or neutral, use the indirect pattern of organization.
a.
True
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b.
False
12. The following sentence demonstrates parallel structure: Maggie was organized, punctual, and she was always positive.
a.
True
b.
False
13. Conducting scientific experiments is a method to gather formal research.
a.
True
b.
False
14. The topic sentence should relate the main idea of a paragraph.
a.
True
b.
False
15. A paragraph is unified when it develops at least three ideas.
a.
True
b.
False
16. When introductory dependent clauses precede independent clauses, they are always followed by a comma.
a.
True
b.
False
17. One advantage of the indirect strategy is that it respects the feelings of the audience.
a.
True
b.
False
18. When you develop a major component on an outline into subpoints, you must have at least two subpoints.
a.
True
b.
False
19. Employers want employees who can write messages appropriately they also want employees who can speak effectively
with others is an example of a well-written sentence.
a.
True
b.
False
20. The following sentence contains a dangling or misplaced modifier: Working all night, the brief was filed with the court
on time.
a.
True
b.
False
21. The most compelling and effective messages contain one repeated sentence pattern rather than a variety of sentences.
a.
True
b.
False
22. Another name for the direct strategy is frontloading.
a.
True
b.
False
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23. One question writers should attempt to answer before drafting a message is What will happen if the receiver doesn’t
complete the requested action?
a.
True
b.
False
24. Instead would be an effective transition to show contradiction.
a.
True
b.
False
25. One advantage of the direct strategy is that it saves the reader time.
a.
True
b.
False
26. Most routine business messages require formal research.
a.
True
b.
False
27. Words such as although, if, because, and since often introduce dependent clauses.
a.
True
b.
False
28. Passive voice should never be used in business writing.
a.
True
b.
False
29. The following sentence effectively uses a stylistic device to de-emphasize the bad news: Although we don’t have any
available positions at this time, we were pleased to receive your application and will keep it on file for six months.
a.
True
b.
False
30. Good writers should avoid repetition of words or key ideas because it shows lack of creativity.
a.
True
b.
False
31. A scratch list is a detailed, hierarchical plan for organizing ideas and information.
a.
True
b.
False
32. Business writers generally place the topic sentence near the end of a paragraph to serve as a summary.
a.
True
b.
False
33. Careful writers avoid labeling main ideas because they know that readers prefer to identify main ideas for themselves.
a.
True
b.
False
34. Modifiers must be close to the words they describe or limit.
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a.
True
b.
False
35. Although mechanical means are occasionally appropriate to create emphasis, more often a writer achieves emphasis
stylistically.
a.
True
b.
False
36. Many communication experts regard poor organization as the greatest failing of business writers.
a.
True
b.
False
37. A run-on-sentence results when a writer joins two independent clauses with a comma.
a.
True
b.
False
38. The prevalence of digital communication has de-emphasized writing skills in the workplace.
a.
True
b.
False
39. Research is key to helping a writer shape a business message.
a.
True
b.
False
40. Writers can use words and phrases such as on the other hand, as opposed to, and conversely to show contrast in
business messages.
a.
True
b.
False
Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
41. To avoid dangling modifiers, you can ask which of the following questions after writing an introductory phrase?
a.
Why?
b.
Who or What?
c.
When?
d.
How many?
42. Technology has changed the working environments of employees, that is why employees are telecommuting more than
ever is an example of a
a.
complete sentence.
b.
fragment.
c.
fused or run-on sentence.
d.
comma splice.
43. Which formal research source is best to obtain firsthand information?
a.
Internet websites and articles
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b.
Reference books
c.
Electronic databases
d.
Interviews
44. A paragraph’s supporting sentences provide
a.
specific details.
b.
explanations.
c.
evidence.
d.
all of these choices.
45. Which of the following uses only active voice in a complete sentence?
a.
The company’s rigid return policy was criticized by a few unhappy customers.
b.
Because a few unhappy customers criticized the company’s rigid return policy.
c.
Managers were told about the unhappy customers who criticized the company’s rigid return policy.
d.
A few unhappy customers criticized the company’s rigid return policy.
46. Ahna is sending a persuasive memo to her staff asking them to participate in the new wellness program. Which of the
following sources of information would be most appropriate to help Ahna shape an effective persuasive message for her
staff?
a.
Tightly controlled scientific experimentation
b.
Library research
c.
Questionnaires and surveys of employees
d.
Research in company files
47. As interns in human resource management, Brad and his team are administering a professionally developed employee
questionnaire to collect information on workplace violence. This type of research produces data that is considered
a.
firsthand information.
b.
informal documentation.
c.
supplementary, secondary information.
d.
scientific experimentation.
48. A topic sentence
a.
provides specific details, explanations, and evidence that support the main idea of a paragraph.
b.
links sentences within a paragraph.
c.
is unnecessary in a paragraph.
d.
states the main idea of the paragraph.
49. Which of the following transitions would help to clarify an idea?
a.
Next
b.
As a result
c.
For example
d.
Instead
50. How many main ideas should be developed in a paragraph?
a.
Two
b.
Three to five
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c.
One
d.
As many as needed to convey effective meaning
51. Which of the following message openings is the most direct opening for an e-mail message announcing a new
telecommuting plan?
a.
A number of employees have asked about telecommuting options.
b.
Many businesses have been implementing telecommuting programs, and we have studied their programs
extensively.
c.
Rising gas prices have led many companies to allow telecommuting, and we think this might be a good idea
for our company.
d.
Our new telecommuting program will begin on August 1.
52. What is a sentence fragment?
a.
Two independent clauses connected without punctuation or a conjunction
b.
Two independent clauses connected by a comma without a conjunction
c.
A broken-off part of a sentence
d.
The part of a sentence containing the verb
53. The second phase of the 3-x-3 writing process begins with
a.
analyzing the audience.
b.
composing the message.
c.
researching the topic.
d.
organizing the message.
54. Which of the following kinds of business messages typically use the indirect strategy?
a.
Nonsensitive memos
b.
Routine requests
c.
Informational reports
d.
Sensitive messages
55. Which of the following is a formal research method?
a.
Talking with your boss
b.
Investigating primary sources
c.
Brainstorming
d.
Looking in company files
56. When brainstorming to generate ideas, you should
a.
critique each idea as it is suggested.
b.
record ideas without judging them.
c.
always work alone for greater efficiency.
d.
allow no more than five ideas to be discussed.
57. Which of the following business messages would not use the direct strategy?
a.
An e-mail message to a staff introducing a new employee
b.
An oral presentation detailing the specifics of a new company wellness initiative
c.
A letter to a coworker congratulating him or her on a recent promotion
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d.
A letter to a customer denying his or her request for credit
58. Which of the following sentences is most effective in de-emphasizing the bad news?
a.
Although cash refunds are not offered, you can exchange resalable merchandise.
b.
Although you can exchange returned merchandise, cash refunds are not available.
c.
Because we only exchange merchandise, it is impossible for you to receive a cash refund.
d.
Because of our exchange policy, you may not receive a cash refund.
59. What is a comma splice?
a.
Two independent clauses run together without punctuation or a conjunction
b.
Two independent clauses joined by a comma without a conjunction
c.
A broken-off part of a sentence
d.
Two dependent clauses
60. According to communication experts, what is the greatest failing of business writers?
a.
Poor spelling
b.
Unclear sentence structure
c.
Ambiguous wording
d.
Poor organization
61. Active-voice sentences
a.
are often more direct and concise.
b.
clearly place the subject of the sentence as the doer of the action.
c.
are generally preferred in business writing.
d.
All of these are true.
62. Which of the following is a simple sentence?
a.
If health insurance costs continue to rise, employee copays may increase.
b.
Having healthy employees decreases the cost of monthly premiums; therefore, we will be implementing a
wellness program.
c.
HMO and PPO insurance plans offer additional cost savings.
d.
Because we will be reducing employee health insurance benefits, some employees may be unhappy; however,
we must make sure that they understand the reason for the change.
63. All of the following would probably require informal research methods except
a.
routine e-mail messages.
b.
business letters.
c.
long reports and complex business problems.
d.
oral presentations.
64. Before composing a business document, you should gather information that will answer which of these questions?
a.
Will I have enough time to complete thorough research?
b.
What is the receiver to do?
c.
What information will be the easiest to locate?
d.
How will I use this information?
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65. In effective business writing, where in a paragraph does a topic sentence usually appear?
a.
At the beginning, to let readers know what to expect
b.
Midway through, to keep readers focused
c.
At the end, to summarize what has been discussed
d.
Topic sentences are unnecessary in business writing.
66. Transitional expressions such as next, first, and finally are useful to show
a.
cause and effect.
b.
illustration.
c.
comparison and contrast.
d.
time association.
67. Placing an idea in italic or bold font is an example of achieving emphasis through
a.
style.
b.
structure.
c.
mechanics.
d.
syntax.
68. Which of the following is an advantage of the direct strategy?
a.
Minimizes a negative reaction
b.
Respects the feelings of the reader
c.
Saves the reader’s time
d.
Encourages a fair hearing
69. Which of the following sentences emphasizes an idea through style?
a.
Consider adding a statement of qualifications section on your résumé; but, most important, include specific
and relevant previous employment information.
b.
Add a statement of qualifications section on your résumé, but also include specific and relevant previous
employment information.
c.
A résumé should include a statement of qualifications section and specific and relevant previous employment
information.
d.
You should include a statement of qualifications section and specific and relevant previous employment
information on your résumé.
70. When should passive voice be used in business writing?
a.
When you want to de-emphasize the action or the recipient of the action
b.
When you want to emphasize the bad news
c.
When you want to conceal the doer of the action
d.
Never
71. All of the following are informal research methods except
a.
interviewing the target audience.
b.
conducting a scientific experiment.
c.
looking in company files.
d.
brainstorming for ideas.
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72. Which of the following uses parallel structure?
a.
Our new paralegal must be smart, efficient, and have flexibility.
b.
The accident shattered her pelvis, dislocated her foot, and her spinal column was broken in three places.
c.
Big business demands superior forecasting, reporting, and analyzing.
d.
A good financial planner must be certified, competent, and must possess ethical standards.
73. The indirect strategy is most appropriate for what kind of messages?
a.
Bad-news messages
b.
Sensitive messages
c.
Persuasive messages
d.
The indirect strategy is appropriate for all answer choices.
74. The use of similar structures to express similar ideas is known as ________ construction.
a.
parallel
b.
grammatical
c.
mechanical
d.
dependent
75. What kind of sentence contains only one independent clause?
a.
Simple sentence
b.
Compound sentence
c.
Complex sentence
d.
Compound-complex sentence
76. Quality Building Materials Inc. has developed a new whole-house weather blanket and needs to determine the price
point at which builders would switch to this new product. The best research method for this is a(n)
a.
manual search of other companies’ price lists.
b.
interview with a local builder.
c.
Internet search of insulation values for weather blankets.
d.
scientific experiment that presents price choices with controlled variables.
77. What kind of sentence contains an independent clause and a dependent clause?
a.
Simple sentence
b.
Compound sentence
c.
Complex sentence
d.
Compound-complex sentence
78. Which of the following is an advantage of the indirect strategy?
a.
Saves the reader’s time
b.
Respects the feelings of the audience
c.
Reduces frustration
d.
Sets a proper frame of mind
79. Which of the following is true about paragraph length?
a.
Shorter paragraphs are generally considered more readable.
b.
Longer paragraphs make the writer appear more knowledgeable.
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c.
Paragraph breaks should be avoided because they may cause the reader to lose interest.
d.
Paragraphs should contain multiple main ideas to save space.
80. The direct strategy would be most appropriate when
a.
delivering bad news.
b.
presenting ideas requiring persuasion.
c.
expecting the audience to be pleased, mildly interested, or neutral.
d.
revealing sensitive news.
81. When you expect a reader of your message to be uninterested, unwilling, displeased, or hostile, you should
a.
put the bad news first.
b.
begin with the main idea.
c.
explain all background information first.
d.
send the message via e-mail, text message, or IM.
82. To build paragraph coherence, a writer should
a.
repeat a key idea by using the same expression or a similar one.
b.
use pronouns to refer to previous nouns.
c.
show connections with transitional expressions.
d.
All answer choices can build paragraph coherence.
83. What is a run-on sentence?
a.
Two independent clauses run together without punctuation or a conjunction
b.
Two independent clauses joined by a comma without a conjunction
c.
A broken-off part of a sentence
d.
An independent clause containing two dependent clauses
84. What kind of sentence contains two independent clauses?
a.
Simple sentence
b.
Compound sentence
c.
Complex sentence
d.
Compound-complex sentence
85. A(n) ________ modifier occurs when the word or phrase it describes is not close in the sentence enough to be clear.
a.
parallel
b.
misplaced
c.
distant
d.
run-on
86. What is the recommended maximum number of words for a sentence?
a.
10
b.
20
c.
25
d.
30
87. The sentence that expresses a paragraph’s main idea is called the
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a.
blueprint.
b.
preview.
c.
supporting content.
d.
topic sentence.
88. Paragraphs are coherent when
a.
all sentences are written in the active voice.
b.
each sentence includes dependent and independent clauses.
c.
ideas are linked; that is, one idea leads logically to the next.
d.
All answer choices are correct.
89. Which of the following is a complex sentence?
a.
Visit our website to learn more about our newest product line.
b.
The conference will be held on Monday, but few managers will be able to attend.
c.
Employers are now using social media sites to screen applicants; therefore, job seekers are advised to clean
up their digital presence.
d.
Because of rising insurance premiums, many companies are offering employee-wellness incentives.
90. A scratch list for a message is
a.
the ideas you have decided not to include
b.
a complex, hierarchical arrangement of your ideas
c.
a list of the general topics you wish to include
d.
ideas for illustrations you plan to include
Enter the appropriate word(s) to complete the statement.
91. A ____________________ sentence contains two independent clauses and one dependent clause.
92. Before and meanwhile are examples of transitional expressions that show ____________________ association.
93. Long reports and complex business problems generally require some use of ____________________ research
methods.
94. The new organizational chart was presented by our recently hired CEO is an example of a sentence using the
___________________ voice.
95. Persuasive and bad-news messages should usually use the ____________________ strategy.
96. ____________________ is an organizational writing technique that involves placing the main idea first and following
the main idea with details, an explanation, or evidence.
97. A ____________________ results when a writer joins two independent clauses with a comma.
98. A ____________________ modifier results when the word or phrase the modifier describes is missing from its
sentence.
99. An effective paragraph employs techniques such as strategic repetition and transitional expressions to build
____________________.
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100. Interviewing the target audience of a message is considered an ___________________ research method.
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