Tables presented in printed documents must contain fewer columns and rows than
tables presented online.
Answer:
Using polite language in business-related persuasive messages weakens your argument
and reduces your chance of success.
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No matter the situation, you should always provide an extensive explanation of the bad
news in negative messages.
Answer:
Deductive reasoning moves from specific evidence to a general conclusion.
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In the middle part of an application letter, you should spell out your ‘selling points” and
other potential benefits to your employer.
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Most proposals have few supplementary parts.
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In business communication, email is often being replaced by other tools that provide
better support for instant communication and real-time collaboration.
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If your company draws criticism, it is best to respond promptly and honestly.
Answer:
In general, when writing to someone in another country, U.S. businesspeople should be
a bit more formal than they would be otherwise.
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With practice, most writers can create first drafts that do not need to be revised.
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A surface chart is a type of bar chart in which the bars are represented by symbols.
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When you deliver bad news about business transactions (such as a delayed order
shipment), you should always apologize to the audience.
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Although U.S. business is becoming more international and more culturally diverse,
intercultural skills are still low on the list of companies’ employee requirements.
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You should never use euphemisms, because they are inherently dishonest.
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It is never helpful to create a corporate culture that encourages employees to disagree
with the boss.
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When making direct requests, you should avoid such polite words and phrases as
“please” and “I would appreciate.”
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It’s a good idea to take extra copies of your résumé with you to an interview.
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When it comes to persuasive messages, an up-front hard-sell approach is usually the
most successful.
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After you have completed the first draft of your business message, the next step is to
make a final, quick pass through it to check for typos and spelling errors.
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With the variety of electronic media now available, sending a printed message is never
preferable to sending an electronic one.
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You should strive for a sixth-grade reading level for most business messages.
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In an informational report describing the chain of events that led to a plant closing,
chronology would be the best topical organization strategy to use.
Answer:
Observations, interviews, and experiments are all considered secondary sources of
information.
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When writing persuasive messages, one should be careful not to mix emotional and
logical appeals.
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Teams usually achieve lower performance levels than what would have been
accomplished by the members working independently.
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You should use the direct approach for negative messages when the message has a
relatively minor impact on the audience.
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To inform coworkers that the project you’ve all worked on for months has been
unexpectedly eliminated, you should use the indirect approach.
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When writing negative messages, you should begin with a buffer to make the reader
think that good news will follow.
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Emotional intelligence includes the ability to relate to the needs of others.
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Because the competition for most jobs is so great, even a seemingly minor mistake
(such as a typo on a résumé) can eliminate your chances of success.
Answer:
Unlike other business presentations, podcasts require little planning and are most
effective when delivered impromptu.
Answer:
An effective email subject line is very short and describes only the general topic of the
message.
Answer:
In reports that are intended to lead to action, the recommendations section may be fairly
extensive because it spells out exactly what should happen next.
Answer:
It is best to read from a prepared script when creating podcasts for business.
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Most persuasive business messages involve requests for action.
Answer:
Putting “References available upon request” at the end of your résumé is
A) not necessary since the availability of references is usually assumed.
B) standard practice, and most employers will expect to see it.
C) less effective than listing the names and contact information for all references, even
if the employer has not requested them.
D) necessary only when applying for government positions.
E) none of the above.
Answer:
A web directory differs from a search engine in that
A) it doesn’t include Usenet newsgroups.
B) it doesn’t provide as precise results as a search engine.
C) human editors find and index the websites to include.
D) it usually locates more sites than a search engine.
E) it is much easier to use.
Answer:
Using hyperbole when offering praise to fellow employees
A) is a great way to show them how much you appreciate their work.
B) bolsters your credibility by showing that you are results-oriented.
C) is less effective than pointing out specific qualities that warrant praise.
D) is effective as long as you know the employee(s) well.
E) shows that you truly mean what you say.
Answer:
Which of the following statements is true?
A) Despite their popularity for personal use, social networking technologies are not
very useful in business.
B) Social networking technology is so complex that only high-tech companies take
advantage of it.
C) Social networking capabilities have led to a fundamental change in business
communication.
D) The use of social networks is declining.
E) Social networking sites have become increasingly difficult to use.
Answer:
“Although our servers are stable, the telephone system is a serious concern” is a
A) simple sentence.
B) compound sentence.
C) complex sentence.
D) compound-complex sentence.
E) simple-compound sentence.
Answer:
In business communication, using discovery techniques such as free writing and
sketching
A) is a waste of time.
B) can be helpful to unskilled writers, but is not useful to those with expertise and
experience.
C) is helpful when you need to generate ideas and uncover possible avenues to research.
D) almost always leads to confusing, disorganized messages.
E) generally increases writer’s block and the frustration that comes with it.
Answer:
The text of a proposal
A) must always follow the AIDA plan.
B) is usually presented in outline form.
C) consists of the introduction, body, and close.
D) should be italicized.
E) is always organized using the direct approach.
Answer:
Using polite language in persuasive messages
A) enhances the effectiveness of your arguments.
B) is less effective than an aggressive “hard sell.”
C) shows a lack of confidence, and should be avoided.
D) is effective only with external audiences.
E) is helpful in the body, but not in the opening or close.
Answer:
Which of the following is an example of Business Communication 2.0 in action?
A) A manager sends out weekly newsletters to employees.
B) An electronics store invites customers to submit YouTube videos showing how to
install home theater systems.
C) An advertising firm creates a television commercial for a local automobile dealer.
D) A small business owner rents sign space on neglected downtown buildings to
promote revitalization efforts.
E) All of the above are examples of Business Communication 2.0.
Answer:
Periodically making yourself unavailable for instant messaging
A) is a wise move that can increase your productivity.
B) is never a good idea in today’s high-tech environment.
C) is acceptable, as long as you notify everyone who has access to your system to
explain what you are doing.
D) has been shown to decrease overall productivity.
E) is helpful and expected unless you are a manager, supervisor, or executive.
Answer:
When you discuss salary requirements with a prospective employer, you should
A) let the interviewer raise the topic first.
B) say that your requirements are negotiable or that you expect to receive a competitive
compensation package.
C) try to negotiate a higher salary if you are not satisfied with the offer and are in a
good bargaining position.
D) focus on the unique value you can bring to the job.
E) do all of the above.
Answer:
In closing a request for a recommendation, you should include
A) an expression of appreciation.
B) an indication that you’ve enclosed a stamped, preaddressed envelope.
C) the full name and address of the person to whom the letter should be sent.
D) none of the above.
E) all of the above.
Answer:
When making a claim or requesting an adjustment, your close should usually
A) clearly state how angry and disappointed you are.
B) explain the specific details of the problem.
C) request a specific action or express your desire to find a solution.
D) explain that you are planning to seek legal counsel.
E) suggest that you will probably take your business elsewhere.
Answer:
In a negative message organized using the indirect approach, the reasons for the
decision
A) are so obvious that you don’t need to mention them.
B) come directly after the buffer and follow naturally from it.
C) should be glossed over quickly.
D) should be long and roundabout to cushion the negative aspects.
E) should come right at the beginning of the message.
Answer:
Creating a traditional paper résumé is
A) unnecessary in most cases, since so many applicants apply for jobs online.
B) helpful only if you are applying for old-fashioned jobs.
C) still useful, even if most or all of your application efforts take place online.
D) a hindrance for most job seekers, since it suggests they are out of touch with
technology.
E) none of the above.
Answer:
If there is a lack of consensus among the audience at the end of your presentation, you
should
A) gloss over it as quickly as possible.
B) make the disagreement clear and be ready to suggest a method for resolving the
differences.
C) identify the individuals causing the disagreement and ask them pointed questions.
D) calmly explain that no one is leaving until the disagreements are worked out.
E) do all of the above.
Answer:
Supplementing a traditional résumé with a PowerPoint presentation
A) makes you appear desperate.
B) enables potential employers to click through to sections of interest.
C) is limited since it does not offer multimedia capabilities.
D) is more convenient for employers than an online résumé.
E) is none of the above.
Answer:
Attempting to promote products and services to customers who don’t know they’re
being marketed to is known as ________ marketing.
A) viral
B) surprise
C) undercover
D) stealth
E) hidden
Answer:
If you do not have a constant supply of new information to post on a business blog,
A) your audience will appreciate not having to process information that changes
constantly.
B) repost old material so your audience will not lose interest.
C) you should create a traditional website instead.
D) keep readers interested by adding daily comments on current events.
E) you should simply add “Nothing new just yet” each day to let readers know that the
blog is still viable.
Answer:
In computer graphics, a template
A) is a tool for creating curves and geometric shapes.
B) helps ensure an effective design and saves you the time of making numerous
decisions every time you create a chart or graphic.
C) is any kind of chart generated by a spreadsheet program.
D) is a tool for creating classic architectural views.
E) is helpful only for those who cannot use basic software functions.
Answer:
To reduce the formality of an oral presentation,
A) deliver your remarks in a conversational tone.
B) use a large room.
C) seat the audience in rows.
D) use only the passive voice.
E) do all of the above.
Answer:
One of your first steps in preparing to seek employment should be to
A) write the story of you, including the things you are passionate about, your abilities,
and so forth.
B) call some potential employers and ask for interviews.
C) visit promising businesses and ask if they have any openings.
D) come to terms with the fact that you will have little to no control over where you end
up.
E) forget everything you’ve been told about how to get a job—the market is tougher
than ever.
Answer:
Interviews in which the interviewer adapts his or her line of questioning based on the
answers you give and any questions you ask are known as ________ interviews.
A) free-flowing
B) creative
C) screening
D) unhindered
E) open-ended
Answer:
Informative headings and subheadings
A) simply identify topics covered in the document.
B) guide readers to think a certain way about the topics covered.
C) are easier to write than descriptive headings.
D) are less helpful to readers than descriptive headings.
E) are unnecessary in business documents; descriptive headings are sufficient.
Answer:
The accepted principles of conduct that govern behavior within a society are known as
A) laws.
B) social guidelines.
C) ethics.
D) protocols.
E) none of the above.
Answer:
Which of the following sentences contains a camouflaged verb?
A) Some do; others don’t.
B) She is a marketing manager but also serves as ad manager.
C) The recommendation of the committee is to proceed as planned.
D) He slowly, deliberately added the numbers.
E) We tried, and then tried again.
Answer:
Which of the following is not an example of pompous language?
A) We are in receipt of
B) Please be advised that
C) Please let us know
D) We wish to inform you
E) Henceforth, we fully expect
Answer:
Which of the following is not a common organizational format for analytical reports?
A) Focusing on conclusions
B) Focusing on recommendations
C) Focusing on information
D) Focusing on logical argument
E) All of the above are common formats.
Answer:
Speeches, presentations, and meetings are all examples of ________ media.
Answer:
In a proposal to install and monitor a security system, statements such as “Our company
has over 25 years of experience” should appear in what section?
A) Introduction
B) Body
C) Close
D) Appendix
E) Index
Answer:
Stakeholders affected by the quality of business communication include
A) customers.
B) employees.
C) suppliers.
D) shareholders.
E) all of the above.
Answer:
In a positive message, the main idea is presented
A) in the first sentence of the middle paragraph.
B) at the end of the middle paragraph.
C) right at the beginning of the letter.
D) in the last sentence of the letter.
E) by implication only.
Answer:
The best way to clarify your main idea in a presentation is to
A) provide a lengthy handout for your audience to review during your presentation.
B) describe it using jargon and complicated language to emphasize its importance.
C) develop a single sentence that links your subject and purpose to your audience’s
frame of reference.
D) allow your audience to gradually figure it out on their own.
E) restate it in three identical sentences, one right after the other.
Answer:
The detailed proof needed to support your conclusions and recommendations should
appear in the ________ of your report.
A) opening
B) body
C) close
D) appendix
E) index
Answer:
Using endorsements to gain credibility with your audience
A) rarely works, since most see it as a blatant sales pitch.
B) can be an effective strategy, as long as your audience views the person making the
endorsement as an expert.
C) is fine for commercials and advertisements, but not otherwise.
D) makes you seem desperate and untrustworthy.
E) is effective only when your audience is hostile.
Answer:
How does the primary function of upward-flowing communication differ from that of
downward-flowing communication?
Answer:
Briefly define communication.
Answer:
List at least three factors to consider in deciding which medium to use for a business
message.
Answer:
Describe the four steps to organizing a presentation effectively.
Answer:
What is the primary difference between a feasibility report and a justification report?
Answer:
Explain what it means to “emphasize the positive” in business messages, and describe at
least three techniques for doing so.
Answer:
Explain why it is generally best to prepare the prefatory parts of your report after you’ve
written the text.
Answer:
Explain the importance of networking as part of your career search, and describe how to
go about finding helpful networks.
Answer:
Briefly explain how the growth of electronic communication has become both a
blessing and a curse for business communicators.
Answer:
Briefly describe at least three advantages of a diverse workforce.
Answer:
When creating podcasts for business, should you script them entirely and read them
word-for-word? Briefly explain your answer.
Answer:
Briefly explain the difference between primary research and secondary research.
Answer:
If a job candidate receives a job offer while other interviews are still pending, how
should he or she ask the employer for a time extension?
Answer:
Briefly explain the difference between file merge and mail merge.
Answer:
Define cultural pluralism.
Answer: