Q&A Hero

Q: Boilerplate is A) a piece of computer hardware used to increase modem speed. B) a standard block of text used in various documents without being changed. C) a list of most-used email addresses. D) a machine used in professional printing.

Q: To ensure a consistent look for all company documents, many organizations provide employees with approved A) autocompletion software. B) spreadsheets. C) macros. D) style sheets.

Q: When you want to develop a paragraph by showing how a general idea is broken into specific categories, which of these methods would you use? A) Illustration B) Comparison and contrast C) Cause and effect D) Classification

Q: Which of the following identifies a paragraph that focuses on the reasons that something gets developed? A) Illustration B) Comparison and contrast C) Cause and effect D) Problem and solution

Q: 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.

Q: A typical paragraph contains the three basic elements of A) a topic sentence, support sentences, and transitional words and phrases. B) simple, compound, and complex sentences followed by compound-complex sentences. C) the main idea, supporting ideas, and evidence. D) a problem, discussion, and a solution.

Q: To downplay a dependent clause in a complex sentence, you should A) place it at the beginning of the sentence. B) place it at the end of the sentence. C) place it in the middle of the sentence. D) set it off with a semicolon.

Q: You can emphasize key points by A) using extra words to describe them. B) making important ideas the subject of the sentence. C) placing them at the beginning or end of a sentence. D) doing all of the above.

Q: A complex sentence consists of A) two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. B) a single subject and a single predicate plus any modifying phrases. C) two or more independent clauses along with all modifying phrases. D) one main thought and one or more subordinate thoughts.

Q: Which of the following is a compound sentence? A) Interest rates are low, and now is an excellent time to buy a home. B) Because interest rates are low, now is an excellent time to buy a home. C) Low interest rates make this an excellent time to buy a home. D) With interest rates low, now is an excellent time to buy a home.

Q: "Insurance premiums have increased, and cost-of-living raises have not kept up" is a A) simple sentence. B) compound sentence. C) complex sentence. D) compound-complex sentence.

Q: "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.

Q: Which of the following words are the most abstract? A) Two, contract, performance B) Software, code, signal C) Kick, move, walk D) Productivity, excellence, motivation

Q: The connotative meaning of a word is A) its dictionary meaning. B) its literal meaning. C) all the associations and feelings the word evokes. D) its objective meaning.

Q: The rules of grammar and usage A) used to be very complex, but have become simpler than ever. B) have not changed in decades, and tend to remain constant over time. C) are complex and some evolve over time. D) no longer matter in business writing.

Q: Using the passive voice makes sense when A) you want to be diplomatic in pointing out a problem or error. B) you want your sentence to be easier to understand. C) you need to make your sentences shorter. D) you want to emphasize the subject.

Q: Identify the voice in the following sentence: "Based on negative client feedback, the marketing department abandoned the campaign." A) Active B) Passive C) Vocative D) State of being

Q: 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.

Q: Plain language is a style of writing A) used only for casual correspondence. B) designed to make complex materials more understandable to the audience. C) aimed primarily at readers for whom English is a second language. D) inappropriate for business communication.

Q: Using humor in business messages is A) an effective way to build strong relationships with clients you are not familiar with. B) usually not effective, and is always inappropriate for formal and intercultural messages. C) appropriate for external messages, but never for internal. D) none of the above.

Q: 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

Q: The casual, acronym-laden language used in text messaging and IM is A) generally considered inappropriate and unprofessional in business. B) accepted and even appreciated among today's busy professionals. C) a good way to display your technical savvy to coworkers and managers. D) none of the above.

Q: In business messages, using terms such as "if," "hope," and "trust" is A) usually a bad idea since it takes away from the writer's credibility. B) a good way to show your modesty. C) common courtesy. D) acceptable for very formal contexts.

Q: To establish credibility with your audience, you should A) impress them with a long list of your accomplishments. B) be modest and deferential. C) show that you are confident and that you believe in yourself and in your message. D) use hedge words ("maybe," "perhaps") to demonstrate your knowledge that no issue is fully cut and dried.

Q: Using the term crippled in business communication is an example of A) the "you" attitude. B) emphasizing the positive. C) disability bias. D) none of the above.

Q: The preferred title for women in business is ________, unless the individual says otherwise. A) Mrs. B) Miss C) Ms. D) Madam

Q: A euphemism is a word or phrase that is A) possibly offensive. B) general or abstract in meaning. C) highly technical. D) a milder term for one with negative connotations.

Q: When you are criticizing or correcting, it is best to A) focus on what the audience members can do to improve. B) emphasize the audience's mistakes so that they will not make the same ones again. C) be honest and call attention to the audience's failures or shortcomings. D) single out the guilty audience members as an example for everyone else to learn from.

Q: Select the sentence with the most positive emphasis: A) We failed to complete the process audit on time. B) We hope to complete the process audit by Friday. C) We haven't completed the process audit. D) Because of Joan's inaccurate figures on the Haymen project, we are not finished with the process audit.

Q: In part because of limited opportunities for feedback, written and most forms of electronic communication require ________ than oral communication. A) less care B) fewer nouns C) more tact D) more informality

Q: It is best to limit your use of the word "you" in business messages if A) you know your audience well. B) your organization prefers an informal, personal style. C) you are filling your audience's informational needs. D) it will make your message sound overly authoritative or accusing.

Q: Select the sentence with the best "you" attitude: A) Because your report was poorly written, we cannot accept it. B) Your report failed to meet company requirements. C) When we receive a report that is professional, we can act on your recommendations. D) Once your application is complete, you should receive a response within two weeks.

Q: Which of the following statements that would appear in a business letter best reflects the "you" attitude? A) You failed to enclose a check for $25. B) We need a check from you for $25 so that we can send the merchandise by May 15. C) We will send you the merchandise as soon as we receive your check for $25. D) You will have your merchandise by July 15 if you send us your check for $25 today.

Q: Briefly describe at least four software capabilities that can help business writers shape their writing.

Q: What are the five most common techniques for developing paragraphs?

Q: Explain what it means to choose "words that communicate well," then list four techniques for selecting the best words when writing business messages.

Q: List three situations in which the passive voice can help you demonstrate the "you" attitude.

Q: Explain what it means to "emphasize the positive" in business messages, and describe at least three techniques for doing so.

Q: Give the definition of a complex sentence, then provide an example of one.

Q: How is the denotative meaning of a word different from its connotative meaning?

Q: Briefly explain the difference between the active voice and the passive voice. Include an example of each one.

Q: List at least three guidelines to follow if you want to achieve a conversational tone in business messages.

Q: Briefly explain the difference between tone and style in business writing.

Q: List at least three personal characteristics that can help establish credibility with your audience.

Q: List at least two types of biased language and explain how to avoid each type.

Q: Define bias-free language.

Q: You are scheduled to discuss a negative performance evaluation with one of the employees you supervise. How can you emphasize the positive during your conversation?

Q: List three strategies to become more sensitive to your audience's needs.

Q: A standard block of text used in various documents without being changed is called ________.

Q: A(n) ________ is a cluster of sentences related to the same general topic.

Q: ________ sentences express one main thought and one or more subordinate thoughts related to it.

Q: ________ sentences express two or more independent but related thoughts of equal importance.

Q: ________ words express a concept or quality, not a tangible object.

Q: The ________ meaning of a word is its literal, dictionary meaning, whereas the ________ meaning includes all the associations and feelings it evokes.

Q: A sentence is in the ________ voice when the subject performs the action and the object receives the action.

Q: ________ ________ is a way of presenting information in a simple, unadorned style so that your audience can easily grasp your meaning.

Q: Style is the way you use words to achieve a certain ________, or overall impression.

Q: If your audience is unfamiliar with you, you need to devote the initial part of your message to establishing ________a measure of your believability based on how reliable you are and how much trust you evoke in others.

Q: Terms such as "handicapped employees" are examples of ________ bias.

Q: To avoid embarrassing blunders in language related to gender, race, ethnicity, age, or disability, use ________ language.

Q: Replacing harsh, unpleasant terms with milder words, or ________, can avoid negative connotations for your audience.

Q: In messages that need to deal with difficult negative situations, it is best to emphasize the ________ aspects of your topic.

Q: Using the ________ attitude allows you to establish empathy with your audience.

Q: Templates and style sheets can both help to ensure a consistent look for all company documents.

Q: If you are preparing a form letter, file merge enables you to personalize each letter by automatically inserting names and addresses from the database.

Q: When developing paragraphs, you should use only one method within each paragraph and throughout a document.

Q: Coherence between thoughts is achieved through the use of transitional words and phrases.

Q: A properly constructed paragraph should deal with more than one topic.

Q: Briefly describe at least three factors to consider when choosing media for business messages.

Q: How can your audience's level of understanding help you determine the appropriate amount of information to include in a business message?

Q: List at least three helpful questions to ask in evaluating the purpose of a message.

Q: Explain each phase of the three-step writing process.

Q: What are the four tasks involved in planning business messages?

Q: Briefly distinguish between the direct and indirect approaches to organizing business messages.

Q: In preparing a letter to a vendor regarding a missing part of your order, would the direct or indirect approach be preferable? Briefly explain your choice.

Q: Briefly explain the difference between the topic of a message and the main idea.

Q: Briefly define media richness, and provide at least one example each of a rich medium and a lean medium.

Q: Briefly explain how the growth of electronic communication has become both a blessing and a curse for business communicators.

Q: List at least three strategies to help ensure the accuracy of information you in include in business messages.

Q: Briefly describe how to meet an unfamiliar audience's informational needs.