Which of the following is most accurate concerning the use of instant messaging in
business situations?
a. Instant messaging is not a business tool and should be reserved for personal use.
b. Instant messaging can be used in some business situations but requires accurate
spelling and grammar when it is used.
c. Instant messaging has wide business use, and spelling and grammar matter less than
in other types of business communications.
d. Instant messaging can be used anytime that email is appropriate.
Answer:
Which of the following is correct concerning the outline for persuasive messages?
a. Solicited and unsolicited sales messages follow the same outline steps.
b. An attention-getting sentence is not essential in a solicited sales message.
c. Unsolicited sales messages follow the same outline as a neutral news message.
d. Solicited sales messages do not require a call for action.
Answer:
Proofreading by reading a document aloud while another person verifies the copy is
a. recommended for every business document.
b. recommended for extremely important documents.
c. recommended only when time permits.
d. not recommended because it takes up two people’s time.
Answer:
In a deductive outline, the most important information should be
a. placed at the end of the message.
b. placed at the beginning of the message.
c. positioned in the middle of the message.
d. introduced after a brief pleasantry.
Answer:
Which of the following statements about employment interviews is FALSE?
a. Preparation for the interview includes researching the organization.
b. A self-analysis of your own strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments, and challenges
should be undertaken prior to interviewing.
c. You should go to the interview prepared to both ask and answer questions.
d. Most questions asked in interviews can be answered from the résumé.
Answer:
A new product to reduce cholesterol is on the market, with a price that is higher than
that of competitors. Where should a writer or speaker introduce price in his or her sales
message?
a. At the beginning, as an intention getter
b. Late in the message, associated with benefit
c. As the final thought of the message to prompt action
d. Nowhere in the message
Answer:
Which graphic aid would be best to show the annual sales performance of five
McDonald’s restaurants in Tyler, Texas?
a. line graph
b. bar chart
c. pie chart
d. Gantt chart
Answer:
The results of product research conducted within a particular cultural setting
a. can be applied broadly as long as all words are corrected translated.
b. has proven suitable for global application by such companies as Disney and Coca
Cola.
c. can prove inappropriate and cause serious problems when applied on a global scale.
d. has proven the constancy of human behavior.
Answer:
Which of the following is the most accurate statement concerning the use of primary
and secondary research methods?
a. Secondary research helps to establish a starting point for primary research.
b. A researcher typically chooses between secondary and primary research as the better
alternative for obtaining information for the particular problem.
c. Primary research is the predominant research method selected for a study, with
secondary research available as an option, if needed.
d. Secondary research includes observation, experimentation, and normative surveys.
Answer:
Which of the following sentences does NOT use proper capitalization?
a. It was a difficult winter for traveling.
b. Bryan Morris, vice president, is responsible for that account.
c. Students entering the MBA program must complete accounting 6093 and finance
d. The manager approved the quarterly report.
Answer:
Which of the following would be the least advisable technique to use when delivering a
business presentation?
a. quotes from prominent people
b. jokes and humor
c. anecdotes
d. numerous exact numbers and statistics
Answer:
Which of the following is NOT recommended within the final sentence of a bad-news
message?
a. Tactful restatement of the refusal
b. Sales promotional material
c. Some future aspect of the business relationship
d. An expression of willingness to assist in some other way
Answer:
Which of the following is the BEST sentence for getting the receiver to take action?
a. Come to our showroom before January 31 and receive your 25 percent discount.
b. Complete the enclosed card at your earliest convenience.
c. Taking action today may be the smartest thing you’ve ever done.
d. If you miss this opportunity, you may never experience the financial freedom you’ve
always dreamed of.
Answer:
Which of the following statements is true of dysphemisms?
a. Dysphemisms are friendly references to a particular individual or group.
b. Dysphemisms direct attention to the real message and away from irrelevant
emotional issues.
c. Some dysphemisms are common across regions, cultures, and occupations.
d. Dysphemisms can be complimentary if chosen carefully.
Answer:
Which of the following is FALSE true concerning readability level?
a. A readability level of 10 means that a person would need to be able to read at the
10-grade level to understand the material.
b. The two factors affecting the readability level are the number of difficult words in the
passage and the average sentence length.
c. Many word processing software programs can calculate readability levels of
documents.
d. The writer must know the education level of the audience to use the appropriate
reading level.
Answer:
Which of the following is NOT part of the three-step process to preparing a spoken or
written business message?
a. Identify the central idea of the message.
b. Determine the likely receiver reaction to the message.
c. Choose either an inductive or deductive approach.
d. Determine the approach that you as the sender prefer.
Answer:
Web-based project software
a. was declared illegal due to heightened security procedures that have been
implemented since September 11, 2001.
b. lacks efficiency due to the differences in computer systems, terminology, and
processes.
c. can cause misunderstandings between different vendors, resulting in delayed
completion of projects.
d. allows information to be viewed from any computer with Internet access, as long as
the user has the proper security clearance and passwords.
Answer:
Which of the following statements is MOST accurate in regard to presentation software
for the design of graphics?
a. Current presentation software packages have eliminated the need for users to have
any previous knowledge or graphic or visual design.
b. The latest presentation software packages try to guide users away from the worst
errors of taste and judgment.
c. Developers of presentation software continue to ignore rules for effective design of
graphic aids in the default settings of their products.
d. An effective writer can confidently rely on presentation software to design effective
visuals.
Answer:
Which of the following is FALSE concerning the diverse workplace?
a. The increased number of women in the workplace has decreased the incidence of
sexual harassment charges.
b. Age diversity can lead to misunderstandings due to various differences in
perceptions, values, and communication styles of the generations.
c. People from different backgrounds invariably bring different values, attitudes, and
perceptions to the workplace.
d. Several generations will be required for us to learn to deal effectively with an
ethnically diverse workforce.
Answer:
Which is the following is true concerning text messaging?
a. The Chinese language is especially well-suited to text-messaging.
b. The Japanese commuters prefer phone conversations to texting.
c. In the U.S., texting is most popular among people age 30 to 50.
d. Southeast Asia has not yet acquired texting technology.
Answer:
Exceptions to the use of the inductive approach for bad news messages include
a. messages addressing an insignificant matter.
b. memos sent within the company.
c. oral presentations.
d. all of the above.
Answer:
An effective persuasive message employs concrete and specific language to create an
accurate representation of the product, service, or idea.
Answer:
Placing graphic material in the appendix is
a. recommended when the graphics would make the discussion complicated to follow.
b. recommended the majority of the time to simplify text preparation.
c. not recommended if the information is quantitative.
d. never recommended.
Answer:
A supervisor notices that an employee has been late to work for three days this week.
What action would be LEAST recommended for fostering open communication?
a. Call the employee to ask him about the lateness.
b. Write the employee a disciplinary memorandum about the lateness.
c. Meet with the employee face-to-face to discuss the lateness.
d. Send the employee an email message about his or her lateness.
Answer:
A major difference between the memorandum format and the letter format is
a. the memo omits the salutation and complimentary close.
b. the memo double spaces paragraphs.
c. the memo omits reference initials.
d. the memo must be printed on a memo form.
Answer:
Which of the following sentences reflects the use of active voice?
a. The Research and Development department developed a new product line.
b. The department secretary was promoted by the supervisor to an administrative
assistant position.
c. The contract was signed by the land developer yesterday.
d. It was determined that sales have fallen significantly.
Answer:
When you provide credit information about another person, you have an ethical and
legal obligation to
a. yourself.
b. the credit applicant.
c. the business from whom credit is requested.
d. all of the above.
Answer:
Which of the following sentences shows the correct use of possessives?
a. This companies’ mission statement has been revised since it’s merger.
b. This company’s mission statement has been revised since its merger.
c. The banks’ had been negotiating a merger for several months.
d. The bank’s had been negotiating a merger for several month’s.
Answer:
When interpreting and analyzing a graphic presented within the text,
a. restate what the graphic obviously shows to facilitate deeper level understanding.
b. emphasize the main point with a summary, comparisons to other sources, and
speculations on outcomes.
c. restate all data presented in a text format.
d. do none of the above since the graphic speaks for itself.
Answer:
When leaving a voice mail message for a client concerning the scheduling of a meeting,
you should NOT
a. discuss your schedule for the week, detailing the dates and times of each meeting you
already have on your calendar.
b. give your name and company affiliation before starting to talk about the meeting.
c. leave your name, phone number, and two or three possible dates and times for the
meeting.
d. repeat your name and give your phone number at the end of the message.
Answer:
While e-portfolios and employment videos are helpful in communicating an applicant’s
qualifications and abilities, their use may also
a. enable the potential employer to stereotype and discriminate against the applicant.
b. decrease attention to the ‘soft skills” of the applicant.
c. encourage the potential employer to focus on your physical characteristics
d. lead to all of the above.
Answer:
Which of the following are NOT barriers to intercultural communication?
a. Ethnocentrism, stereotypes, and translation limitations
b. Chronemics, proxemics, and kinesics
c. Synergy, decentralized decision making, and cross functional teams
d. All of the above are barriers
Answer:
Mentally organizing a message before writing it
a. lengthens the time spent composing the message.
b. ensures that ideas are presented clearly and logically.
c. enables the writer to follow the inductive outline rather than a simplistic deductive
outline.
d. accomplishes all of the above.
Answer:
Electronic databases provide access to articles from newspapers, magazines, journals,
and other types of publications.
Answer:
Common types of persuasive requests include claim messages and requests for special
favors and information.
Answer:
What is meant by “common language?” How does common language help professionals
manage quantities of data efficiently?
Answer:
Humor should not be used when introducing a presentation because it can be offensive
to members of the audience.
Answer:
Secondary research is only necessary when primary research does not yield enough
information.
Answer:
List the three major parts of an effective presentation and briefly describe the goals of
each.
Answer:
Using the default settings in presentation software programs is recommended, since
software manufacturers assure that they accurately reflect the rules for graphic aid
design.
Answer:
The well-planned résumé will slightly understate the credentials of the applicant to
avoid the risk of unethical embellishment.
Answer:
Extemporaneous speeches require no preparation or rehearsal.
Answer:
When delivering a presentation, an impressive introduction of you as the speaker will
help to establish your credibility with the audience.
Answer:
An abstract, or executive summary, summarizes the findings section of the formal
report but does not mention the recommendation(s).
Answer:
A benefit of videoconferencing is that it restores the nonverbal elements of
interpersonal communication that are lost over the telephone.
Answer:
Rather than using a single strategy, spokespersons at the Centers for Disease Control
have found a blend of strategies to be most effective in providing information to the
public.
Answer:
Conference Hotel Changes
You manage a large hotel that is used by organizations and businesses for meetings and
conferences. A recent storm has damaged part of your hotel which means that you have
fewer rooms available for meetings. You now have nearly 20 percent fewer guest rooms
for conference participants and four less meeting rooms for smaller sessions. You
estimate that room repairs will take nearly a month, but the Association of Intercultural
Studies is scheduled to arrive for a three-day conference in two weeks and has booked
all rooms. Now there are not enough rooms for the conference.
Required:
As manager of the hotel, write a letter to the meeting manager for the association. Tell
the manager the bad news regarding the damage to the rooms and provide an alternative
of using rooms at a nearby hotel.
Answer:
Word processing software can simplify the tedious task of creating a table of contents.
Answer:
Using numbers when possible eliminates potential confusion with international
audiences because dates and amounts are conveyed in the same way throughout the
world.
Answer: