Communication is the process of
A) transferring information and meaning.
B) listening actively.
C) writing messages.
D) speaking to others.
E) none of the above.
Answer:
When you’re introducing a presentation, include a ________ to help your audience
understand the structure and content of your message.
A) catalog of sources
B) preview section
C) bimodal transition
D) contextual connection
E) humorous story
Answer:
The buffer of a negative message
A) should be neutral and noncontroversial.
B) forecasts the nature of the bad news.
C) apologizes for any inconvenience your message may cause.
D) should have nothing to do with the message you’re conveying.
E) allows you to say, “I told you so!” before you state the bad news.
Answer:
Potential employers view your résumé as
A) unrelated to your workplace qualifications.
B) little more than an employment-related document.
C) evidence of your attention to quality and detail.
D) your opportunity to channel your creative spirit.
E) none of the above.
Answer:
The revision process for business reports is essentially the same as it is for other
messages, except that it
A) requires far less effort.
B) takes much less time.
C) may take considerably more time.
D) can be accomplished entirely by common word processing software.
E) is only rarely required.
Answer:
An extranet is
A) a web-monitoring tool that provides an “extra net” of protection against malware and
viruses.
B) a restricted website available to employees and to outside parties by invitation only.
C) another name for a social network such as LinkedIn or Facebook.
D) another name for the hidden internet, which standard search engines do not reach.
E) a network tool that allows employers to “ping” website users and monitor their
activity.
Answer:
The backchannel can present challenges for business presenters because
A) engaged listeners can build support for your message.
B) contrary audience members can have more leverage.
C) supportive listeners can spread your message to a much larger audience.
D) both supportive and unsupportive listeners can provide feedback about your
presentation.
E) all of the above.
Answer:
In a negative message organized using the indirect approach, the reasons for the
decision should
A) be so obvious that you don’t need to mention them.
B) come directly after the buffer and follow naturally from it.
C) be glossed over quickly.
D) be long and wordy, to buffer the negative aspects.
E) appear at the beginning of the message.
Answer:
Which of the following sentences contains the strongest and most effective wording?
A) Given the parameters of the situation, the most propitious choice would be to make
adjustments in certain budget areas.
B) We need to cut the operating budget by 12 percent or profits will plummet.
C) Someone’s going to need to do some budget cutting around here or heads will roll.
D) Perusal of budgetary figures reveals that a 12 percent reduction in operations is
called for if we are to stave off a negative impact on profits.
E) Having dissected the latest budget figures, it is clear to me that we have a real need
to re-examine our priorities and revamp the budget along the lines I have suggested
herein.
Answer:
The writing style for a report should be more formal if
A) you know your readers reasonably well.
B) your report is internal.
C) the subject is controversial or complex.
D) the report is relatively short.
E) you are not confident in your conclusions.
Answer:
The ________ of a word is its literal or dictionary meaning.
A) figurative meaning
B) denotative meaning
C) connotative meaning
D) contextual meaning
E) reflective meaning
Answer:
An index
A) may include the names of important persons mentioned in your report.
B) lists only the names of authors cited in the report.
C) is never necessary in business reports.
D) should always be prepared by someone other than the author of the report.
E) All of the above are true.
Answer:
In a business message, the range of information you present, the overall length, and the
level of detail is known as your
A) coverage.
B) inclusion.
C) scope.
D) depth.
E) furtherance.
Answer:
For serious problems that go beyond routine errors, your company should have
________ that outlines communication, both inside and outside the organization.
A) a crisis management plan
B) a mission statement
C) a contingency proclamation
D) an emergency response symposium
E) a disaster-preparedness meeting
Answer:
During a behavioral interview, you’ll be asked to
A) answer a specific sequence of questions.
B) perform work-related tasks in a simulated workplace environment.
C) deal with a number of questions intended to upset you.
D) relate specific incidents or experiences from your past.
E) observe a focus group and then respond to questions about what you saw.
Answer:
Some people use ________ to tune out anything that doesn’t conform to their beliefs or
their self-images.
A) empathetic listening
B) constricted listening
C) egocentric listening
D) defensive listening
E) critical listening
Answer:
In business documents, abbreviations such as U.S.A. and M.B.A. must always contain
periods.
Answer:
Encouraging additional communication in the close of a negative message
A) is expected, even if you really don’t want to discuss the matter any further.
B) should be avoided unless you are truly willing to discuss the matter further.
C) is appropriate for internal audiences, but never for external audiences.
D) should be done only if you direct the audience to contact someone else.
E) isn’t a good idea, no matter what the circumstances may be.
Answer:
Words such as nevertheless, however, but, and therefore
A) are called pointer words.
B) introduce modifiers.
C) occur only in complex sentences.
D) are useful for making transitions.
E) are examples of pompous, stale language.
Answer:
Printed materials that you give to the audience to supplement your presentation should
be
A) incidental to your overall presentation strategy.
B) an integral part of your presentation strategy.
C) extraneous because you’ve put all of the necessary details on your presentation
slides.
D) posted online, in case anyone might be interested in seeing them after the
presentation.
E) none of the above.
Answer:
Starting with your initial contact and continuing throughout the interview process, you
should
A) stress to the employer how much getting the job will mean to you.
B) press for a decision because you are scheduled for other interviews.
C) let the employer determine how to use your knowledge, skills, and abilities.
D) explain how your skills and accomplishments will meet the needs of the employer.
E) none of the above.
Answer:
Which one of the following is a dysfunctional team role?
A) Encouraging
B) Controlling
C) Initiating
D) Coordinating
E) Compromising
Answer:
Social networks are a natural tool for bringing together ________, people who engage
in similar work, and ________, people who share enthusiasm for a particular product or
activity.
A) private networks, public networks
B) virtual network societies, dilettantes
C) communities of practice, communities of interest
D) intra-disciplinary conclaves, product champions
E) community groups, marketing mavens
Answer:
“Dream teams” composed of multiple superstars
A) always perform better than other teams.
B) often yield disappointing results because members struggle to put team needs above
their own.
C) are much easier to lead.
D) are usually so successful that it hurts morale among the organization’s other teams.
E) are easier to assemble than other teams.
Answer:
A potential downside to the use of electronic media in business communication
involves
A) delivering messages quickly.
B) maintaining employee productivity.
C) promoting audience interaction.
D) reaching geographically dispersed audiences.
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:
Social media postings on sites such as Twitter and Facebook
A) are personal and confidential, and cannot be used in a court of law.
B) cannot be forwarded or copied.
C) have a limited lifespan online.
D) have caused some employees to be fired.
E) cannot legally be used by employers to make personnel decisions such as those
related to promotion or termination.
Answer:
When composing a negative message, you should try to
A) choose a buffer that will distract your reader from the main point of your message.
B) gain the audience’s acceptance of the bad news.
C) leave the reader with hope that you will change your decision.
D) avoid stating the bad news.
E) surprise the audience with the bad news.
Answer:
In the final paragraph of your application letter you should
A) show the reader that you’re a contender and demand an interview.
B) close with a pithy quote from your favorite philosopher or poet.
C) request an interview and provide contact information.
D) cover your bases by saying something like, “If I’ve left anything important out, I’m
sorry.”
E) thank the reader in advance for interviewing you and making a job offer.
Answer:
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) Benefits are completely unrelated to the audience.
E) None of the above
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:
What is the correct format for reference initials?
A) RSR/sm
B) RSR:sm
C) RSR:SM
D) Any of the above
E) None of the above
Answer:
Suppose wealthy professionals will be the audience for a marketing or sales message
that promotes your company’s new security system. Which of the following benefits
should you emphasize?
A) How reliably the system protects property
B) Low cost and easy monthly payments
C) The attractive appearance of the device
D) Easy, do-it-yourself maintenance
E) Sales projections for the new system
Answer:
________ are informal standards of conduct that team members share.
A) Group maintenance roles
B) Rules of parliamentary procedure
C) Group norms
D) Robert’s Rules
E) Group dynamics
Answer:
Describe the primary function of the letter of transmittal.
Answer:
Briefly describe how to meet an unfamiliar audience’s informational needs.
Answer:
What are three potential disadvantages of working in teams?
Answer:
Briefly describe at least five software capabilities that can help business writers shape
their writing.
Answer:
What kinds of information should you research as you prepare to write marketing and
sales messages?
Answer:
What six stages should you go through in preparing an effective outline for a
presentation?
Answer:
Explain how inappropriate use of email at work can lead to legal problems.
Answer:
Why is it especially important in marketing and sales messages to avoid implying offers
or promises you cannot fulfill?
Answer:
Briefly describe at least three advantages of using lists in business documents.
Answer:
What is a multimedia document, and what advantage does this medium offer?
Answer:
What is the primary difference between a feasibility report and a justification report?
Answer:
Describe at least three of the tasks involved in developing an audience profile.
Answer:
What four guidelines should you follow in writing effective closes to negative
messages?
Answer:
What’s the difference between an effective buffer and a poorly written buffer? Provide
an example of a buffer that would be inappropriate for a message explaining that a
student’s grade appeal has been denied.
Answer:
How can the journalistic approach help you include all required information in your
business messages?
Answer:
What is networking etiquette?
Answer:
In preparing a formal report, how can you ensure the accuracy of your table of
contents?
Answer:
Briefly explain problem factoring.
Answer:
List and describe the three methods for organizing a résumé along with the advantages
and disadvantages of each one.
Answer: