Your goal as a business writer is to impress your reader.
a. True
b. False
All of the following are effective tips for creating an outline except
a. use a single item under a major component.
b. divide the topic into three to five major components or classifications.
c. break the components into subpoints.
d. use details, illustrations, and evidence to support subpoints.
Which of these statements would best explain your qualifications in the body of a cover
message?
a. I am a qualified and fully certified criminologist.
b. Training in crisis prevention and emergency response has prepared me to serve and
protect your community at the River Valley Campus.
c. You need a licensed criminologist, and I meet those qualifications.
d. With my bachelor’s degree from Luther College, I am wellprepared and eager to
apply my knowledge in criminology.
The indirect strategy of organization is appropriate for a business report when readers
a. are supportive of the topic.
b. must be persuaded.
c. are familiar with the topic.
d. want to know the results immediately.
All companies have embraced social networking.
a. True
b. False
Feedback
a. includes only those verbal responses from the receiver.
b. is not an important part of the communication process.
c. is the process of converting an idea that will convey meaning.
d. includes both the verbal and nonverbal responses from the receiver.
Which of the following statements about reports in today’s business environment is
most accurate?
a. Business writers now deliver reports orally, electronically, or digitally.
b. Efficient reporting plays an important role in helping organizations sift through data
and make decisions.
c. Business reports range widely in length, purpose, and delivery mode.
d. All answer choices reflect accurate statements about reports in today’s business
environment.
More jobs are found through referrals and persontoperson contacts than through any
other method.
a. True
b. False
What is the most effective way to handle an illegal or inappropriate question during an
interview?
a. If you find the question harmless and you want the job, go ahead and answer it.
b. Confront the interviewer about the illegal nature of the question.
c. Storm out of the room in anger; after all, you wouldn’t work for a company with such
low ethics.
d. Refuse to answer the question because it is your legal right to do so.
Allison is declining a request for a monetary contribution from a charitable organization
to which her employer, BMI Industries, usually donates. Which of the following most
effectively implies the refusal?
a. BMI Industries regrets that it cannot contribute this year, but the company hopes to
be able to next year.
b. Although our profits are being reinvested in BMI Industries this year, we hope to be
able to contribute next year.
c. Although we cannot contribute this year, we may be able to next year.
d. Unfortunately, we are prevented from contributing this year, but we may be able to in
the future.
Which of the following sentences best focuses on the audience?
a. We are very pleased to have you as our newest customer.
b. You can help us by sending us your payment immediately.
c. Register now to lock in your preferred travel dates.
d. All sentences are focused on the audience rather than the sender.
When verbal and nonverbal messages conflict, listeners tend to believe the verbal
message.
a. True
b. False
Monica is writing her first safetyinspection report. To sound businesslike and
professional, Monica should include expressions such as the affected party, the
undersigned, and the writer.
a. True
b. False
Reports that provide data or findings, analyses, and conclusions are
a. informational reports.
b. analytical reports.
c. summaries.
d. progress reports.
When you organize an analytical report indirectly, in what order should the ideas be
presented?
a. Introduction/problem, conclusions/recommendations, facts/findings, and
discussion/analysis
b. Introduction/background, facts/findings, and summary
c. Introduction/problem, facts/findings, discussion/analysis, and
conclusions/recommendations
d. The indirect strategy does not follow a set order of ideas.
All of the following are important preliminary steps for securing an interview except
a. developing a jobsearch strategy.
b. preparing a rsum.
c. knowing the hiring process.
d. writing a thankyou message to an interviewer.
The most effective sales messages follow the AIDA strategy.
a. True
b. False
An email message or memo usually ends with action information, dates, or deadlines; a
summary of the message; or a
a. witty quotation.
b. copyright notice or confidentiality statement.
c. closing thought.
d. reference line that includes the typist’s initials.
Which of the following is a form of nonverbal communication?
a. Facial expressions, such as frowning or raising the eyebrows
b. Eye contact, such as staring or avoiding looking someone in the eye
c. Time, such as showing up too late or too early
d. All answer choices are forms of nonverbal communication.
As a manager, Mary must inform her production employees that they will need to work
extra hours to meet a customer’s order. Mary’s message will be most effective if she
uses warm words and a conversational tone.
a. True
b. False
As the human resources director for your company, you must give a presentation to the
company owners about the staff demographics in each of your company’s two locations.
What organizational pattern would be best for you to present your data?
a. Chronological
b. Simple/complex
c. Value/size
d. Geography/space
What is the best advice for proofreading a complex document?
a. Be prepared to find errors.
b. Increase your reading speed.
c. Read the message only once.
d. Proofread the message immediately after it has been fully written.
Proofreading includes the use of only a grammar or spellchecker.
a. True
b. False
Which of the following is most acceptable for business writing?
a. Please think about the new insurance option.
b. Caltrek experienced a change in profits during the last fiscal year.
c. Retailers can expect to pay higher amounts for their goods and services.
d. Sheila will examine the job proposal carefully.
Which of the following statements about nonverbal communication is most accurate?
a. Nonverbal communication comprises very little of a message that is sent or received.
b. When verbal and nonverbal messages contradict, receivers believe that the verbal
message is more accurate.
c. Meanings of nonverbal behaviors are often influenced by the communication context
and by one’s culture.
d. Nonverbal communication applies to only intended messages.
Rational appeals are associated with reason and intellect; whereas, emotional appeals
relate to status, ego, and sensual feelings.
a. True
b. False
ANS: True
RATIONALE: The use of rational and emotional appeals is an effective way to
HTMLENTITY#8203HTMLENTITYbuild interest in a persuasive message. Rational
appeals are associated with reason and intellect and are appropriate when a product is
expensive, longlasting, or important to health, security, or financial success. Emotional
appeals, on the other hand, relate to status, ego, and sensual feelings and are appropriate
when a product is inexpensive, shortlived, or nonessential.
Welldesigned documents increase readability and audience comprehension.
a. True
b. False
Podcasting has experienced large growth and has spread among various user groups
online.
a. True
b. False
The best way to judge the success of your communication is through feedback.
a. True
b. False
As a persuasive writer, you should practice all of the following except
a. showing that you are truthful, experienced, and knowledgeable.
b. offering a bribe or kickback to ensure that you win over your audience.
c. anticipating opposition from conflicting beliefs, values, and attitudes and being
prepared to counter with wellreasoned arguments and facts.
d. incorporating statistics, reasons, and analogies and then converting these facts into
specific audience benefits.
A synonym for professionalism is
a. hard skills.
b. social acceptance.
c. business etiquette.
d. diversity.
Nearly all text in Western cultures is aligned at the left and reads from left to right.
a. True
b. False
The purpose of an executive summary is to
a. announce the topic of the report and tell how it was authorized.
b. secure funding.
c. present an overview of a longer report for people who may not have time to read the
entire document.
d. show the main sections of a report.