What is the best advice when writing a statement of purpose for a formal report?
a. Write a statement of purpose only for external formal reports.
b. Omit limitations to avoid a negative tone.
c. Use action verbs that tell what you intend to do.
d. Use vague language to allow for flexibility.
Answer:
One advantage of the indirect strategy is that it respects the feelings of the audience.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
Which of the following would have a negative impact on a group?
a. Encouraging members to partcipate
b. Setting rules and abiding by them
c. Analyzing tasks and defining problems
d. Failing to stay on task
Answer:
Courtney is getting married and is trying to gather information about the banquet
facilities of a potential venue in Las Vegas. She has lots of questions and decides to
write a routine informational message. How should she present these questions in her
message?
a. As a separate enclosure
b. In a bulleted or numbered list in the body of her message
c. In paragraph form in the body of her message
d. In a follow-up e-mail
Answer:
To avoid coming across as tentative in an interview, always answer a question even if
you don’t understand it.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
The direct strategy would be most appropriate when
a. delivering bad news.
b. presenting ideas requiring persuasion.
c. expecting the audience to be pleased, mildly interested, or neutral.
d. revealing sensitive news.
Answer:
In order to be an effective writer, you must follow the three phases of the writing
process in sequence, moving from Phase 1 to Phase 2 to Phase 3 in order.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
Eyasu must create a corporate blog. Which of the following should he use in his blog?
a. Expressive action verbs
b. Numbers, bullets, and subheadings
c. Conversational language
d. Eyasu should use all these techniques in his blog.
Answer:
To get the best results, write your claim promptly because delaying a claim makes it
seem less important.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
Instructions should be divided into a series of steps, and then each step should be
written in the imperative mood, which means it is written as a command.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
Individuals in high-context cultures prefer direct verbal interaction, value
individualism, rely on logic, say “No” directly, and give authority to written
information.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
Which of the following sentences uses positive language?
a. Your order cannot be shipped before June 1.
b. Your August 15 letter claims that your new computer is malfunctioning.
c. We can’t provide a free printer with your purchase of a computer.
d. We look forward to completing your order when we receive your credit card
information.
Answer:
List two advantages of properly documenting research data.
Answer:
All of the following are important preliminary steps for securing an interview except
a. developing a job-search strategy.
b. preparing a résumé.
c. knowing the hiring process.
d. writing a thank-you message to an interviewer.
Answer:
Which of the following sentences uses modifiers correctly?
a. Competent in computer graphics, our website was designed by Gloria.
b. To take advantage of the discounted pricing, place your order immediately.
c. To meet customers’ orders, production must be increased.
d. Placing the proposal on the desk, the office was left by John.
Answer:
Formal proposals are written for only external audiences.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
The most popular résumé format is the
a. chronological format.
b. direct format
c. functional format.
d. indirect format.
Answer:
When answering a phone call for a coworker, be honest and tell the receiver the exact
whereabouts of your coworker.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
Use a direct organizational pattern in an adjustment message granting a claim.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
What advice should you follow when preparing a table of contents?
a. Avoid leaders (spaced dots) on a table of contents to avoid confusing the reader.
b. Include only the front matter components and the main body headings and
subheadings.
c. Center all major headings.
d. Title the page Contents or Table of Contents.
Answer:
Which of the following statements about writing skills in today’s business world is most
accurate?
a. Because of today’s emphasis on technology, the need for good writing skills is not
important.
b. Employees today can expect to write fewer messages than in previous years.
c. Today’s employees must use a variety of media to communicate with others.
d. Only employees in fields such as communications and public relations must be able
to write effective business messages.
Answer:
Which of the following is the best advice about the use of direct quotations in a report?
a. Beware of overusing quotations because you may appear as if you have no ideas of
your own.
b. If you use a direct quotation, don’t dilute its impact by summarizing it or introducing
it in your own words.
c. Place the direct quotation in quotation marks, but change a few words to show you
have your own ideas.
d. Avoid using any direct quotations in a report.
Answer:
Many report writers begin their research with an analysis of company records and files.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
Show confidence in the closing of an adjustment message by writing with a positive,
confident tone; mentioning the product in a favorable light; and
a. suggesting a new product or service.
b. expressing your appreciation for the customer’s business or anticipating future
business.
c. referring to the desire to be of service and to satisfy customers.
d. All answer choices are correct.
Answer:
The bad feelings associated with disappointing news can generally be reduced if the
receiver knows the reasons for the rejection, feels that the news was revealed
sensitively, and believes that the matter was treated seriously and fairly.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
What statement about an e-portfolio is most accurate?
a. An e-portfolio is a collection of digital files that can be navigated with the help of
menus and hyperlinks.
b. E-portfolios can be accessed only at websites.
c. A print résumé is more effective than an e-portfolio at showing off an applicant’s
talents and qualifications.
d. E-portfolios have replaced traditional résumés in the screening and hiring process.
Answer:
Although e-mail is successful for both internal and external communication, you should
still use letters when
a. you need immediate feedback.
b. the message must reach your reader very quickly.
c. formality and sensitivity are essential.
d. you have too little time to proofread.
Answer:
Communication is successful only when
a. verbal feedback has been sent to the receiver.
b. no noise occurs during the communication process.
c. verbal and nonverbal feedback have been sent to the receiver.
d. the receiver understands an idea as the sender intended it.
Answer:
When placing a business telephone call, immediately name the person you are calling,
identify yourself and your affiliation, and give a brief explanation of your reason for
calling.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
Primary research data can be defined as
a. information that comes from reading what others have experienced and observed.
b. information gained from firsthand experience and observation.
c. statistics collected during the first stage of research.
d. data received from the World Wide Web.
Answer:
The United States is an example of a low-context culture.
a. True
b. False
Answer:
One advantage of the direct strategy is that it saves the reader time.
a. True
b. False
Answer: