Which of the following should be placed immediately after a direct opening?
A) Positive alternatives to the news
B) A list of those affected by the news
C) An apology
D) Reasons for future decisions
E) An explanation of why the news is negative
Which of the following makes pages feel less intimidating and encourages the reader to
look at the document?
A) Restraint
B) Justified margins
C) White space
D) Varying type styles
E) Boldface
During the post-production stage of a business video, you can
A) remove transitions between video segments.
B) retake shots you are unhappy with
C) record the main audio track and record narration.
D) replace sections of dialogue.
E) determine a list of B-roll shots
When using digital media, how can you be sure you are presenting facts instead of your
opinion?
A) Include links to Wikis
B) Include supporting evidence
C) Open a discussion forum
D) Assume others will view the message
E) Avoid text language
The goal of ________ is to understand and evaluate a speaker’s message based on
elements such as logic, evidence, and validity, as well as the speaker’s intentions and
motives.
A) cerebral listening
B) content listening
C) critical listening
D) covert listening
Which type of infographic can be used to replace conventional reports because of its
strength as a powerful communication tool?
A) One that incorporates big data
B) One that is a stylized collection of charts and graphs
C) One based on demographics
D) One with a structured narrative
E) One that replaces pie charts
The ________ is the form a message takes, and the ________ is the system used to
deliver a message.
A) channel; network
B) medium; channel
C) format; medium
D) channel; medium
Why do some users consider remarketing and behavioral targeting to be unethical?
A) The practice is invasive
B) The practice compromises data security
C) The practice generates additional spam
D) There is no “opt out” option
E) The practice allows bloggers to publish misinformation
Which of the following should you look for when reviewing design, format, and
programming issues?
A) Missing reference items
B) Missing elements
C) Writing errors
D) Lack of adherence to company design standards
E) Incorrect numbers
When you’re responding to questions during an interview, you’re more likely to answer
them successfully if you
A) begin speaking before the employer finishes asking the question.
B) reply in a terse, matter-of-fact style throughout the interview.
C) pause for a moment before answering each question.
D) treat all questions as an opportunity to clarify your personal preferences.
E) look for ways to steer the conversation back to your strengths and interests.
Which of these high-priority items should be double-checked carefully?
A) Jargon
B) Names
C) Indentations
D) Headings
E) Subheadings
Which of the following does a communicator need to improve cultural competency?
A) Diversity, attitude, and technology
B) Attitude, knowledge, and skills
C) Technology, knowledge, and ethnocentrism
D) Knowledge, skills, and stereotyping
E) Ethnocentrism, xenophobia, and stereotyping
Which of the following is one of the steps in building and fostering a positive business
relationship?
A) Projecting a unique image
B) Establishing credibility
C) Eliminating the “you” attitude
D) Conveying negative news in a realistic manner
E) Using euphemisms to avoid ever saying anything negative
Which of the following would be the best way to open a solicited application letter?
A) Mention the name of a person that your reader knows and regards highly
B) Use a question to demonstrate your understanding of the needs of the organization
C) Describe your understanding of the job’s requirements and show how well your
qualifications fit them
D) Identify where you discovered the job opening and describe what you have to offer
E) Describe your life-long desire to work at that organization
How can a routine, positive message be used as a resale message when writing to a
customer?
A) By acknowledging the order
B) By writing a short and specific message
C) By minimizing negative information
D) By using an indirect approach
E) By reinforcing the wisdom of a purchase selection
Which visual element in a slide is the equivalent of paper in a printed report?
A) Background
B) Artwork
C) Type style
D) Foreground
E) Color
Which section are readers most likely to read when they are in a hurry and won’t read
the entire report?
A) Preview
B) Introduction
C) Body
D) Summary
E) Recommendations
Which topical organizations discusses advantages and disadvantages between two or
more entities?
A) Comparison
B) Importance
C) Sequence
D) Chronology
E) Category
If you do all of the following EXCEPT ________, you’ll boost the readability of your
text-based slides.
A) write in the active voice
B) include short informative titles
C) express your ideas in complete sentences
D) limit each slide to one thought, concept, or idea
Doing all of the following EXCEPT ________ will improve the message’s readability.
A) using a mix of short, medium, and long sentences
B) using bulleted and numbered lists to emphasize key points
C) using headings and subheadings to make the document easy to skim
D) making sure that the information is accurate, relevant, and sufficient
Why is using the indirect approach usually better when refusing claims and requests for
adjustments?
A) It is quicker and easier to write
B) You can include an apology and offer discounts on future transactions
C) You don’t have to include an apology
D) The customer is likely to be emotionally involved
E) There will be a stronger indication the issue is closed
In marketing and sales messages, what is the primary difference between selling points
and benefits?
A) Selling points are positive whereas benefits are not
B) Selling points focus on the user rather than the product
C) Selling points focus on the product rather than the user
D) Selling points focus on price compared to quality
E) Selling points are emphasized only when the product is compared to the competition
A report focused on recommendations should
A) first establish or verify the need for action.
B) not include conclusions.
C) avoid mentioning any potential risks.
D) outline costs, but not in detail.
E) begin with a summary of the issues.
Which of the follow are claims that are NOT explicitly made, but can be inferred from
what is or is not said?
A) Behavioral targeting
B) Implied
C) Invasion of privacy
D) Opt-in email newsletters
E) Remarketing
How can you determine the level of detail needed in an internal message?
A) By forecasting the audience’s probable reaction
B) By timing your message effectively
C) By determining audience composition
D) By limiting size and geographic distribution of the audience
E) By understanding audience preferences and expectations
Which of the following is the equivalent of a report’s cover and title page?
A) Agenda
B) Title slide
C) Program details
D) Navigation slide
E) Handouts
If you’re thinking about using a functional rsum to support your job search, remember
that many employers
A) are suspicious of them.
B) strongly prefer them to chronological rsums.
C) view them as a sign of strong communication skills.
D) don’t know what they are.
E) prefer a CV or a traditional rsum.
In a proposal to install an air conditioning system, statements such as, “Our company
has over 25 years of experience installing heating, plumbing, and air conditioning
systems,” should appear in what section?
A) Introduction
B) Body
C) Close
D) Appendix
E) Recommendations
Why are bloggers legally required to let readers know if companies have compensated
them for product reviews?
A) To prevent plagiarizing information provided by bloggers
B) To ensure no copyright laws were violated
C) To maintain the privacy needs of the blogger
D) To promote transparency and ethics in social media reviews
E) To increase the instances of ethical dilemmas between the blogger and the
organization
A poorly written buffer can
A) trivialize the reader’s concerns.
B) divert attention from the problem.
C) mislead the reader into thinking your message actually contains good news.
D) all of the above.
Which of the following is a good way to improve the readability of a message?
A) Make it easy to skim
B) Avoid lists and bullets
C) Highlight every key detail
D) Use long paragraphs
E) Avoid all use of jargon
What is the ability to evaluate evidence completely and use that evidence to form a
logical conclusion?
A) Professionalism
B) Audience-centered approach
C) Critical thinking
D) Digital information fluency
E) Ethics
Which of the following is an advantage to sending a follow-up message after an
interview?
A) It will allow you to build a relationship with the interviewer without the stress of the
interview
B) It will remind the interviewer you are actively looking and are waiting for a decision
C) It saves the interviewer the time it will take them to get in touch with you
D) It will let the interviewer know you are a good fit for the organization
E) It will reinforce the idea that this position is your first choice
Why are strong communication skills important to your career, regardless of your
major?
Delivering online presentations can be challenging. For example, small video images
can make it hard to determine whether audience members are bored or confused. Given
such challenges, what can you do to ensure successful online presentations?
Identify and discuss best practices for explaining and justifying a routine request.
Discuss information that should be included in the introduction of solicited and
unsolicited proposals.
What three functions do effective headings serve in business documents? Explain each
one.
What are three methods of reasoning you can use when making a logical appeal?
Briefly describe at least three strategies for writing effective multicultural messages.
Briefly explain the difference between the active voice and the passive voice. Include
an example of each one.
Explain “data visualization” and give at least one example to support your explanation.
Discuss ways to increase cultural pluralism.
How do transitions help a reader move through sections of a report?
What steps should be taken during the planning stage of the three-step writing process?
Discuss the four sections of the AIDA model for persuasive messages.
Describe the importance and effectiveness of storytelling when crafting business
communications.
Discuss the five ways in which you can make your communication efforts as effective
as possible.
Why is it important to think through the writing of an RFP before it is sent out?
