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1. 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?
a.
In today’s fast-paced digital age, you shouldn’t take time to revise e-mail messages, text messages, or tweets
because doing so reduces productivity.
b.
People don’t expect informal text messages and tweets to be perfect, so don’t worry about revising them.
c.
To avoid messages that waste time, create confusion, and reduce your credibility, take time to revise e-mail
messages, text messages, and tweets.
d.
Text messages and tweets are too informal to be used in a business environment.
2. The final phase of the 3-x-3 writing process focuses on
a.
revising.
b.
proofreading.
c.
evaluating.
d.
all of these tasks.
d
3. Phase 3 of the 3-x-3 writing process begins with doing which of the following?
a.
Evaluating your document to determine whether it achieves its purpose
b.
Deciding how to organize the message
c.
Composing the first draft
d.
Editing the message to improve content and sentence structure
d
4. 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?
a.
Proofreading
b.
Evaluating
c.
Editing
d.
Anticipating
b
5. 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?
a.
Proofreading
b.
Evaluating
c.
Editing
d.
Anticipating
6. Which of the following statements about Phase 3 of the writing process is most accurate?
a.
A significant amount of a writer’s time should be spent in this phase.
b.
Expert writers can expect to get their documents correct on the first try.
c.
Do not attempt to revise as you write; revision must always take place at the end.
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d.
The first version of a document is usually satisfactory for most business messages.
7. Carla was promoted to a position that will require extensive writing. What is the best writing advice you can give her?
a.
Spend the most time analyzing the purpose and audience.
b.
Revision is necessary only for longer, more important documents.
c.
If you try hard enough, you can write a perfect first draft.
d.
When you finish a first draft, put the document aside and return to it after a break for revision.
d
8. Justin is writing a proposal to submit to his company‘s board of directors. He should spend the most time in the ____
phase to make sure that his document is clear and correct.
a.
prewriting
b.
writing
c.
revising
d.
Justin will spend an equal amount of time in all three phases.
9. What is an advantage of concise business messages?
a.
Concise messages are easier to read.
b.
Concise messages save reading time and, thus, money.
c.
Concise messages are easier to understand.
d.
All of these are advantages of concise business messages.
d
10. 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?
a.
Conciseness
b.
Format
c.
Clarity
d.
Vigor
11. To make your business messages concise, you should avoid which of the following?
a.
Flabby expressions
b.
Unnecessary introductory words
c.
Redundancies and empty words
d.
All of these choices
d
12. At this point in time, due to the fact that, feel free to, and in the near future are examples of
a.
redundancies.
b.
flabby expressions.
c.
long lead-ins.
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d.
opening fillers.
ANSWER:
b
13. The sentence In the event that you pass the CPA exam, please consider applying again could be made more effective
by eliminating a(n)
a.
opening filler.
b.
redundancy.
c.
long lead-in.
d.
flabby expression.
ANSWER:
d
14. The sentence I am writing this e-mail message to let you know that we have received your application for the
receptionist position
a.
contains a redundancy.
b.
contains a long lead-in.
c.
contains empty words.
d.
is an example of good business writing.
b
15. Which of the following sentences does not contain a long lead-in?
a.
I am writing this e-mail message to inform you that our meeting time has been changed.
b.
Please be advised that our meeting time has changed.
c.
Our meeting time has been changed.
d.
You might be interested to learn that our meeting time has been changed.
ANSWER:
16. 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)
a.
redundancy.
b.
flabby expression.
c.
opening filler.
d.
long lead-in.
ANSWER:
17. Basic fundamentals, exactly identical, and repeat again are all examples of
a.
redundancies.
b.
flabby expressions.
c.
long lead-ins.
d.
opening fillers.
ANSWER:
18. The sentence Your attendance at Monday’s marketing meeting is absolutely essential could be improved by
eliminating a(n)
a.
redundancy.
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b.
flabby expression.
c.
opening filler.
d.
empty word.
ANSWER:
19. Which of the following phrases is free of redundancies?
a.
Essential items
b.
Big in size
c.
Combined together
d.
New beginning
ANSWER:
20. Which of the following sentences is free of opening fillers, redundancies, and flabby expressions?
a.
There are several reasons that we should start using social media to communicate with customers.
b.
Our company should start using social media to communication with customers for several reasons.
c.
Due to the fact that we need to improve communication with customers, our company should start using social
media.
d.
It is perfectly clear that our company should start using social media to communicate with customers.
ANSWER:
21. Which of the following represents the best business writing?
a.
This e-mail message is to inform you that the CEO will be visiting our branch tomorrow.
b.
The CEO will be visiting our branch tomorrow.
c.
You should be aware that the CEO will be visiting our branch tomorrow.
d.
The CEO will be visiting our branch tomorrow for a period of three hours.
ANSWER:
22. Which of the following represents the best business writing?
a.
We want to thank each and every one of you for sharing the true facts during our meeting.
b.
In addition to the above, you will find more information in the attached brochure.
c.
There are three items that are absolutely essential for us to discuss at a later date.
d.
Your plane leaves San Francisco at 7:20 a.m., PST, and arrives in Atlanta at 3 p.m., EST.
ANSWER:
23. 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?
a.
Don’t worry about trying to make your tweets concise; the most important thing is to get your message across.
b.
Include only main ideas and choose descriptive but short words.
c.
Don’t worry about using conventional spelling, grammar, and punctuation; this is not expected in tweets.
d.
You should do all of these.
ANSWER:
24. One important part of the revising process is to test for ________ to make sure that your message will be immediately
understood by the reader.
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a.
clarity
b.
conciseness
c.
mechanics
d.
punctuation
25. 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?
a.
Conciseness
b.
Format
c.
Clarity
d.
Punctuation
ANSWER:
26. What should you do to make a business message clear?
a.
Keep your message short and simple.
b.
Dump trite business phrases.
c.
Avoid clichés, slang, and buzzwords.
d.
All of these choices
d
27. Which of the following is a goal of business writing?
a.
To impress your reader
b.
To keep your writing short and simple
c.
To maintain a formal tone by using indirect, pompous language
d.
All of these choices are goals of business writing.
ANSWER:
b
28. Which of the following sentences sounds most conversational?
a.
The undersigned is sincerely grateful for the kind assistance you provided last week.
b.
Thanks for your help last week.
c.
It is my sincere hope that it was not too much of an inconvenience for you to sacrifice your valuable time to
assist a colleague last week.
d.
My sincere gratitude is offered to you in exchange for the support you offered to me last week.
b
29. Which of the following is the best example of business writing?
a.
It would be advantageous for you to enlighten your employees regarding the company’s new social media
policy.
b.
Please tell your employees about the company’s new social media policy.
c.
You are hereby advised to inform your employees about the new social media policy that has been adopted by
the company.
d.
The individual referenced above must inform his or her subordinates in regard to the company’s new social
media policy.
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ANSWER:
b
30. As per your request, enclosed please find, and thank you in advance are all examples of
a.
long lead-ins.
b.
redundancies.
c.
trite business phrases.
d.
professional business phrases.
ANSWER:
31. A trite business phrase such as please do not hesitate to
a.
contains unnecessary redundancy.
b.
is a stale expression that other writers have used over the years.
c.
is unclear because it is too technical.
d.
sounds professional and businesslike.
ANSWER:
b
32. Which of the following sentences avoids use of trite business phrases?
a.
The application will be sent under separate cover.
b.
Enclosed please find a coupon to use during your next visit.
c.
We have received your loan application.
d.
Please do not hesitate to call me if you have questions.
ANSWER:
33. The sentence Every effort will be made to ship your package by the end of the day could be made more effective by
eliminating a(n)
a.
trite business phrase.
b.
flabby expression.
c.
redundancy.
d.
opening filler.
ANSWER:
34. Which of the following is an example of an effective, businesslike expression?
a.
Pursuant to your request
b.
In accordance with your wishes
c.
With reference to
d.
None of these choices
ANSWER:
d
35. Which of the following sentences does not contain any trite business phrases?
a.
We received your application for the management position.
b.
As per your request, we are processing your application for the management position.
c.
Every effort will be made to process your application for the management position shortly.
d.
Thank you in advance for your interest in our management position.
ANSWER:
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36. Which of the following represents the best business writing?
a.
Thank you in advance for considering my application for the finance position.
b.
Enclosed are three samples of our fabric.
c.
Do you know what her phone call was in reference to?
d.
Pursuant to your request, we have added you to our mailing list.
37. 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?
a.
Conciseness
b.
Proper punctuation
c.
Buried verbs
d.
Clichés
38. Which of the following sentences does not contain any clichés?
a.
Understanding this new software is easier said than done.
b.
If you study hard, you’ll pass the CPA exam with flying colors.
c.
Just do your best during your job interview.
d.
The best business communicators are able to think outside the box.
39. What is the most accurate statement about slang and buzzwords?
a.
If you want to sound professional, avoid using slangy expressions and buzzwords in your writing.
b.
Buzzwords are informal words with arbitrary and extravagantly changed meanings that quickly go out of
fashion.
c.
Buzzwords are technical terms that are meant to express rather than impress.
d.
Slang and buzzwords will help your writing sound hip and current.
40. Which of the following sentences does not contain any slang or buzzwords?
a.
I can’t believe that I totally bombed my presentation.
b.
We need to do everything possible to stay ahead of our competition.
c.
We hope to incentivize our employees to work hard to meet the project deadline.
d.
I hope we don’t get burned, but we really need this paradigm shift.
b
41. Conduct a discussion of, give consideration to, and perform an analysis of are all examples of
a.
verbs that have been converted to nouns.
b.
long lead-ins.
c.
trite business phrases.
d.
redundancies.
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42. Which of the following sentences does not contain a verb that has been converted into a noun?
a.
The task force made a recommendation to start a wellness program.
b.
Our supervisor made a decision to eliminate overtime.
c.
The jury concluded that the defendant was guilty.
d.
The accountant will perform an analysis of the quarter’s financial statements.
ANSWER:
43. Which of the following sentences does not contain any buried verbs?
a.
The health care industry is dependent on a highly trained staff.
b.
The task force reached a conclusion that the company should go public.
c.
In some parts of the world, business is not conducted over meals.
d.
We have made plans to create a reduction in our operating expenses.
ANSWER:
44. Which of the following represents the best writing?
a.
Dominique conducted an investigation of the company’s financial statements.
b.
Elena reported her findings.
c.
Please give consideration to my proposal.
d.
The general manager made the assumption that Alex had contacted the customer.
ANSWER:
45. Which of the following sentences best controls exuberance?
a.
We totally understand that you really didn’t mean to actually come across that way during the interview.
b.
Our customers are extremely pleased with our really excellent customer service.
c.
We are happy to learn that your banquet room is available on December 15.
d.
We definitely think that the company could actually reduce turnover by offering new benefits.
ANSWER:
46. Which of the following is free of wordy or trite phrases?
a.
It is my personal opinion that we cannot create a reduction in our inventory unless we lower prices.
b.
You may be assured that every effort will be made to ship your order by October 1.
c.
Management has been unable to reach a conclusion regarding contract negotiations with the union.
d.
Although Chinese is the language spoken by the largest number of native speakers in the world, English is
considered the language of international business.
ANSWER:
47. Which of the following sentences best demonstrates clarity?
a.
Every effort should be made to notify each and every employee without delay of next week’s gathering.
b.
First and foremost, it is imperative that all employees be notified of next week’s assembly.
c.
It is the duty of all supervisors to inform their subordinates of next week’s congregation.
d.
Please let your employees know about next Friday’s meeting.
ANSWER:
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48. What is an advantage of creating well-designed documents?
a.
Well-designed documents are easier to read.
b.
Well-designed documents are easier to comprehend.
c.
Well-designed documents make the writer look well-organized and intelligent.
d.
All of these are advantages of a well-designed document.
49. What is the most accurate statement about white space in a business document?
a.
Use as little white space as possible to ensure that all space on your page is being put to good use.
b.
Strive for paragraphs of nine or more printed lines to make your document more readable.
c.
Use headings, bulleted or numbered lists, and effective margins to create the desired amount of white space.
d.
Business communicators should do all of the above when formatting business messages.
50. You are formatting a business document and want to make the best use of margins. What should you do?
a.
Use side margins of 1 to 1.5 inches.
b.
Left-justify your text (make it even at the left margin).
c.
Use ragged-right margins without justification.
d.
You should do all of these.
51. What is the least accurate statement about typefaces and fonts?
a.
A typeface defines the shape of text characters, and a font refers to a specific style (such as boldface) within a
typeface family.
b.
Serif typefaces have small features at the ends of strokes, and sans serif typefaces do not.
c.
San serif typefaces are best for business messages and longer documents.
d.
Readers are generally most comfortable with 10– to 12-point type for body text.
52. To make your business messages more readable, you can do which of the following?
a.
Add footnotes.
b.
Incorporate numbered and bulleted lists.
c.
Include a bibliography at the end.
d.
Eliminate white space.
53. Which of the following statements about numbered and bulleted lists is most accurate?
a.
Use a bulleted list when the sequence of items is important.
b.
In a numbered or bulleted list, capitalize the first word only if the listed item is a complete sentence.
c.
Make the items in a numbered or bulleted list parallel.
d.
Add end punctuation to all items in a numbered or bulleted list.
54. You have created a bulleted list showing features that you are including on your company’s Facebook page. Which of
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the following items is not parallel with the others?
a.
Links to important pages on our company’s website
b.
Photos showing customers using our products
c.
We will hold a weekly prize giveaway
d.
Information about upcoming events
ANSWER:
55. Which of the following statements about headings is least accurate?
a.
Headings can help a reader separate major ideas from details.
b.
Headings are used only in reports.
c.
Headings are an effective tool for highlighting information and improving readability.
d.
Headings can assist the writer by encouraging the grouping of similar information.
ANSWER:
b
56. What is the least accurate statement about proofreading and document errors?
a.
Documents with errors affect your credibility and the success of your organization.
b.
You should proofread your document continuously while it is being written.
c.
When you finish your first draft of an important document, put it aside for at least 24 hours before
proofreading it.
d.
It can be difficult to catch our own errors because most of us read what we thought we wrote.
ANSWER:
b
57. When proofreading a document, be concerned with
a.
spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
b.
format.
c.
names and numbers.
d.
all of these choices.
ANSWER:
d
58. Alexis must proofread a complex business document. What is the best advice you can give her?
a.
Proofread the document on your computer screen to save paper.
b.
Be prepared to find errors.
c.
Read the document just once to save time.
d.
Alexis should do all of these.
ANSWER:
59. The best way to evaluate your finished written message is by
a.
determining the readability level.
b.
running it through a grammar/style checker program.
c.
receiving feedback.
d.
paying a professional to proofread it for you.
ANSWER:
60. Lawrence is evaluating a report that he will be submitting to his supervisor. What should Lawrence ask himself during
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the evaluation process?
a.
Will the report attract my supervisor’s attention?
b.
Will the report convince my supervisor that I am worth listening to?
c.
How will I know whether the report is successful?
d.
Lawrence should ask all of these questions.
d
61. The first step of Phase 3 of the 3-x-3 writing process is evaluating the document.
a.
True
b.
False
False
62. Some experts recommend spending about half the total composition time editing, proofreading, and evaluating a
document.
a.
True
b.
False
True
63. Most experts who have had a lot of practice can prepare a perfect document on the first try.
a.
True
b.
False
False
64. Concise messages are easier to read and comprehend than wordy messages.
a.
True
b.
False
True
65. Expressions such as due to the fact that and in the near future can help your business documents sound more
professional.
a.
True
b.
False
False
66. The sentence This e-mail message is to inform you that your employment application has been received is an example
of effective business writing.
a.
True
b.
False
False
67. There are, there is, and it is are examples of unnecessary opening fillers.
a.
True
b.
False
True
68. In the sentence It is absolutely essential that you turn your expense claim in by Friday, the expression absolutely
essential is redundant.
a.
True
b.
False
True
69. The following sentence contains a redundancy: After studying the basic fundamentals of the provisions, I have decided
to vote for the contract.
a.
True
b.
False
True
70. Microblogging messages such as tweets should be concise, but they don’t have to include conventional spelling,
grammar, or punctuation.
a.
True
b.
False
False
71. The primary goal of business writing is to impress your reader.
a.
True
b.
False
False
72. One way to achieve clarity is to use passive-voice sentences in your messages.
a.
True
b.
False
False
73. The following is an example of effective business writing: As per your request, further instructions will be sent to you
under separate cover.
a.
True
b.
False
False
74. Use phrases such as please do not hesitate to and thank you in advance to make your writing sound businesslike.
a.
True
b.
False
False
75. To sound professional and businesslike, you should try to use common expressions such as easier said than done, last
but not least, and think outside the box.
a.
True
b.
False
False
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76. If you want to sound professional, avoid using slang such as bombed and getting burned and buzzwords such as right-
size and leveraging in your business writing.
a.
True
b.
False
True
77. The following sentence contains a verb that has been converted to a noun: Morgan performed an analysis of the
quarterly sales figures.
a.
True
b.
False
True
78. To add exuberance to your business documents, freely use words such as totally, definitely, extremely, and actually.
a.
True
b.
False
False
79. Ragged right margins⎯that is, without alignment or justification⎯provide more white space and improve readability.
a.
True
b.
False
True
80. Underlining, bold type, or italics can be used to call attention to important points and terms.
a.
True
b.
False
True
81. Numbered and bulleted lists can improve readability, comprehension, and retention.
a.
True
b.
False
True
82. 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.
a.
True
b.
False
False
83. Add end punctuation to a numbered or bulleted list only if the items in the list are complete sentences.
a.
True
b.
False
True
84. The first word of every item in a numbered or bulleted list should be capitalized.
a.
True
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b.
False
True
85. Headings are used only in reports; they are never used in letters, memos, or e-mail messages.
a.
True
b.
False
False
86. Today’s advanced spell checkers are capable of identifying all spelling errors.
a.
True
b.
False
False
87. Routine documents and complex documents are proofread using the same method.
a.
True
b.
False
False
88. A useful technique for proofreading important documents that must be perfect is to read the message aloud.
a.
True
b.
False
True
89. 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.
a.
True
b.
False
False
90. Encourage the receiver to respond to your message to evaluate its success.
a.
True
b.
False
True
91. The third phase of the 3-x-3 writing process includes editing, proofreading, and ____________________.
evaluating
92. ____________________ a document involves correcting its grammar, spelling, punctuation, format, and mechanics.
Proofreading
93. ____________________ means improving the content and sentence structure of your message.
Editing
94. ____________________ is the process of analyzing whether your message achieves its purpose.
Evaluating
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95. ____________________ expressions such as at this point in time and due to the fact that are wordy phrases that may
be better expressed in single words.
96. Introductory words such as This is to inform you that and I am sending this e-mail message to let you know that are
examples of long ____________________.
97. Sentence beginnings such as there is, there are, and it is are examples of opening ____________________.
98. Expressions such as basic fundamentals and necessary prerequisite that repeat meaning and include unnecessary
words are ____________________.
99. ____________________ consists of short messages exchanged on social media networks such as Twitter, Facebook,
and Tumblr.
100. The KISS formula refers to Keep It Short and ____________________.
101. Expressions such as pursuant to your request, in receipt of, and under separate cover are stale expressions that other
writers have used over the years. These expressions are known as ____________________ business phrases.
102. ____________________ such as exception to the rule and pass with flying colors are expressions that have become
exhausted by overuse and that can be difficult to explain, especially to those who are new to our culture.
103. ____________________ is composed of informal words with arbitrary and extravagantly changed meanings, such as
snarky or getting burned. These words quickly go out of fashion because they are no longer appealing when everyone
begins to understand them.
104. ____________________ are technical expressions that have become fashionable and often are meant to impress
rather than express. These empty words include such expressions as optimize, incentivize, right-size, and paradigm shift.
105. She gave consideration to the proposal demonstrates a common writing problem. It needlessly transforms a(n)
____________________ into a wordy noun expression.
106. Empty space on a page is called ____________________ space, which can improve readability.
107. One of the best ways to ensure rapid comprehension of ideas is through the use of numbered or
____________________ lists. These lists provide high “skim value,” allowing readers to browse quickly and grasp main
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ideas.
108. ____________________, which are most often used in reports, provide a quick preview or review, help a reader
separate major ideas from details, and enable a busy reader to skim familiar and less important information. They also
help the writer organize carefully so that similar material is grouped together.
109. Careful proofreaders should look for problems with spelling, grammar, punctuation, names and numbers, and
____________________.
110. The best way to evaluate the success of your communication is through ____________________.
111. Expert writers agree that a significant amount of time should be spent on the revision phase of the writing process.
Describe what takes place during the revision phase of the writing process, and explain why this phase is so important.
112. Conciseness is important in business writing. Business messages should make their point in the fewest possible
words. Explain why conciseness is so important in business writing and in microblogging. Then describe three techniques
you can use to make your writing concise. Give two before-and-after examples of each technique.
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113. A major revision task involves assessing the clarity of your message. A clear message is one that is immediately
understood. Describe three techniques that can add clarity to your writing.
114. Describe three techniques that you can use to make your documents more readable, and explain how these techniques
improve readability.
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115. You are preparing a business proposal to submit to your company’s board of directors. Explain why proofreading it
carefully is important. What should you look for in your proofreading? Describe five techniques you will use to proofread
this complex document.