Most workplace messages should be organized
a. indirectly.
b. chronologically.
c. directly.
d. topically.
The benefits of voice mail include eliminating unnecessary chit chat, telephone tag,
inaccurate messages, and
a. time zone barriers.
b. the need for written messages.
c. the necessity of a cordial, friendly greeting.
d. prompt responses.
The body of a formal report should
a. define important and unfamiliar terms.
b. identify the individuals responsible for commissioning the report.
c. discuss, analyze, interpret, and evaluate the research findings or solution to the
problem.
d. include a description of all secondary and primary data collected during the research
phase of writing the report.
Several barriers may cause poor listening. Which of the following is a psychological
barrier to effective listening?
a. Focusing on a speaker’s unusual voice
b. Concentrating on a speaker’s unfamiliar words
c. Having noisy surroundings
d. Tuning out speakers whose ideas do not match our own
Which of the following is not a routine business message?
a. An email message to a coworker that confirms the time for an upcoming meeting
b. A letter to a customer denying his or her request for credit
c. An email reply to a customer acknowledging that his or her order has been shipped
d. An allstaff memo that outlines the new procedures for processing returned
merchandise
In the conclusion of your speech, you say, I recommend developing and posting
highquality video podcasts on our website to recruit new employees. You are using the
conclusion to
a. preview your main points.
b. review the main theme of the presentation and to provide a final recommendation.
c. seek personal recognition by company management.
d. prove your intelligence.
The buffer in a badnews message is a
a. hint that good news will follow.
b. statement completely unrelated to the bad news so that receivers will not know that
bad news is coming.
c. statement that reduces shock or pain and encourages the receiver to continue reading.
d. denial of the requested action.
Hard skills refer to a whole cluster of personal qualities, habits, attitudes,
communication skills, and social graces.
a. True
b. False
Melissa completed her undergraduate studies in May, she is now pursuing a master’s
degree in business administration is an example of a
a. complete sentence.
b. fused or runon sentence.
c. fragment.
d. comma splice.
A summary should condense a report or article by what percentage?
a. 5 percent
b. 25 percent
c. 85 to 90 percent
d. 50 percent
Communication begins when
a. an idea is put into words or conveyed through gestures.
b. the idea is sent through a communication channel.
c. the sender has an idea.
d. the receiver decodes the message.
Like it or not, speakers are judged on their appearance. Which of these is the best
advice on choosing your attire for a business presentation?
a. Dress only as well as the bestdressed person in your audience, even if that means
shorts and a tshirt.
b. Dress professionally.
c. Conduct a survey among your colleagues to determine their opinion about your attire.
d. Wear your most casual, comfortable clothing so that you feel more relaxed.
One of the best online sources for jobs is a company’s own website.
a. True
b. False
Tyler used a bulleted list on his rsum to describe his previous job duties. Which of the
following items from his list does not demonstrate parallel structure?
a. Performed inspections of plant equipment, including boilers, condensers, and
chillers
b. Troubleshooting of plant’s chemical equipment
c. Performed load calculations for plant equipment
d. Wrote analytical reports detailing system performance
Jargon should never be used in business writing.
a. True
b. False
Direct quotations are often useful to provide objective data and to establish the severity
of a problem as seen by experts.
a. True
b. False
One of the best ways to reduce stage fright is to know your subject thoroughly.
a. True
b. False
Which of the following constructions uses the best writing style for an informal report?
a. James, Deloitte, and Wilts, Inc., after extensive review of references and credentials
of contractors, has elected to contract with Peck Builders for the new office complex.
b. We’re pleased to announce the selection of Peck Builders as general contractor for
our new office complex.
c. After conducting an exhaustive search of building design elements and costefficiency
data, the company has verified the qualifications of Peck Builders.
d. The findings demonstrate the imperative of selecting a fully qualified and bonded
contractor for the new building project of James, Deloitte, and Wilts, Inc.; that
contractor is Peck Builders.
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.
A meeting agenda should include the date and place of the meeting, start and end times,
a brief description of each topic with its time allotment, and
a. a refreshment list.
b. an explanation of the leader’s position on each of the agenda topics.
c. any premeeting preparation expected of participants.
d. All answer choices should be included on a meeting agenda.
Reports should be organized using the direct strategy when the readers are informed or
supportive of the topic.
a. True
b. False
Most jobs today are found through
a. referrals and persontoperson contacts.
b. newspaper advertisements.
c. college career fairs.
d. employment agencies.
Although you will be judged on your technical and communication skills in and out of
the office, you do not have to worry about demonstrating proper business attire and
dining etiquette.
a. True
b. False
Which of the following is a formal research method?
a. Performing a scientific experiment
b. Searching the Web
c. Conducting an interview
d. All answer choices are examples of formal research methods.
Unlike a business proposal, a formal business report does not need to be edited or
proofread.
a. True
b. False
To correctly format a hardcopy interoffice memorandum, which of the following is not
a guideline you should follow?
a. Set 1inch top and bottom margins and left and right margins of 1 to 1.25 inches.
b. Insert in bold the guide words: Date:, To:, From:, and Subject: at the left margin.
c. Provide a heading that includes the name of the company plus “Memo” or
“Memorandum.”
d. Justify the right margin.
Yardstick reports
a. are long formal reports used only in the manufacturing industry.
b. do not include researched data.
c. are rarely written or used in businesses today.
d. examine problems with two or more solutions against set criteria.
Which of the following countries would likely view a business contract as a binding
document?
a. Mexico
b. Greece
c. Japan
d. Germany
Which of the following is the best advice for writing the body of an email message?
a. To help the receiver act on the subject, avoid frontloading.
b. Use numbered or bulleted lists when appropriate.
c. Develop your ideas into at least three screens to demonstrate your writing ability and
the seriousness of your message.
d. Do not waste space on headings and subheadings.
Receivers are far more likely to accept negative news when you show that the decision
was
a. fair.
b. impartial.
c. rational.
d. All answer choices are correct.
Which of the following is a talking heading?
a. IT Outsourcing
b. Savings
c. Cost Savings
d. Projected Cost Savings for IT Outsourcing
The first step in preparing a report is to sit down and begin writing immediately; this
technique allows you to capture your best ideas quickly.
a. True
b. False