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CHAPTER 7. Writing with a Readable Style
True/False Questions
1. The passive voice should always be avoided.
2. Jargon can be useful in communications among specialists.
3. Whenever possible, you should preface your assertions with “I think,” “In my
opinion,” “I believe,” or some other qualifier.
4. Nominalizations add credibility and efficiency to your writing.
5. Avoid using short sentences in technical writing.
6.
others. Combining sentences can help deemphasize some ideas and emphasize
7. Using the term “Ms.” is an out-of-date strategy that should be avoided.
8. Inefficient style is not only difficult to read, but also potentially unethical
when it confuses the audience.
9. Items in a list need not be written in similar grammatical form.
10. Avoid person-first language for people with disabilities.
Fill-in-the-blank Questions
11. A noun that has been formed from a verb and often ends in ion is called a
.
12. Whereas repetition is saying the same thing twice using the same words,
is saying the same thing twice but using different words.
13. is the accepted phrases, terms, and shorthand individuals in a
profession use to communicate with each other efficiently.
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Multiple-choice Questions
14. Sentences using active voice
(a) include a clear agent performing the action.
(b) might be too blunt to be effective.
(c) might be inappropriate if the object is more important than the subject.
(d) have the recipient of the action in the subject slot of the sentence.
(e) include a clear agent performing the action, but might be too blunt to be effective, and
might be inappropriate if the object is more important than the subject.
15. In choosing the appropriate tone,
(a) show confidence and directness by using the active voice.
(b) remember that using “you” and “your” is too informal.
(c) emphasize the positive.
(d) remember that using “you” and “your” is too informal, but the tone could emphasize
the positive.
(e) show confidence and directness by using the active voice, and also emphasize the
positive.
16. All of the following are elements of style except
(a) sentence length.
(b) tone.
(c) grammar.
(d) sentence construction.
(e) wording.
17. Which of the following statements about tone is most accurate?
(a) When conveying negative news, a negative tone is appropriate.
(b) Vary the tone of a document from section to section as needed.
(c) Never use “I” or “we” in a technical document.
(d) Using “you” and “your” will help a writer connect with readers.
(e) Use a very informal tone when writing to subordinates.
18. An example of sexist language is
(a) Ms.
(b) Dear Sir.
(c) chairperson.
(d) flight attendant.
(e) Both Ms. and Dear Sir are sexist.
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19. To write fluently
(a) use parallel structure.
(b) use the same sentence construction throughout.
(c) vary sentence length.
(d) use parallel structure and vary sentence length
(e) use parallel structure and vary sentence length, but use the same sentence construction
throughout.
20. All of the following are common sources of wordiness except
(a) strong verbs.
(b) qualifiers.
(c) prepositional phrases.
(d) “there is.”
(e) weak verbs.
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CHAPTER 7 ANSWER KEY