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Business Communication
Q:
To guide readers to think a certain way about a topic, incorporate
A) descriptive headings.
B) parallelism.
C) bullet lists.
D) informative headings.
E) subheadings.
Q:
When incorporating lists into a document, they should all use the same grammatical pattern, referred to as
A) repetitiveness.
B) bulleting.
C) clauses.
D) mix.
E) parallelism.
Q:
________ headings identify a topic but do little more; ________ headings guide readers to think in certain ways about a topic.
A) Topical; interrogative
B) Universal; relational
C) Descriptive; informative
D) First level; second level
E) Major; sub
Q:
The ________ assesses the readability of a document by ranking it on a 100-point scale.
A) Plain Language Manifesto
B) Carnegie Readability Ratio
C) Flesch Reading Ease score
D) Simplified Technical English equation
E) Kincaid Grade Level score
Q:
Skillful writers use informative headings and subheadings to
A) conceal the basic structure of the document.
B) guide readers to think a certain way about the topics covered.
C) add a decorative flair to mundane documents.
D) take up space so the document doesn't look too short.
E) simply identify topics covered in the document.
Q:
When creating a list for a business document,
A) always use bullets, rather than numbers or letters.
B) mix listed items as phrases and sentences.
C) be sure to introduce it clearly.
D) any text in the list should be typed in all caps.
E) make sure it contains at least 7 items.
Q:
When it comes to paragraph length,
A) use long paragraphs with detailed information for direct-mail letters.
B) use long paragraphs if you want your document to look more inviting.
C) keep all paragraphs to fewer than 60 words.
D) use one-sentence paragraphs only occasionally, for emphasis.
E) avoid using topic sentences for each paragraph.
Q:
Skilled business writers
A) use long sentences to emphasize important information.
B) keep their sentences to an average length of 40 words or fewer.
C) vary the length of their sentences.
D) use sentences that are between 25-30 words.
E) never use sentences that contain fewer than 10 words.
Q:
Which of the following is not a technique for helping readers who skim your document?
A) using lists and bullets instead of narrative
B) keeping all sentences the same length
C) including headings and subheadings
D) using shorter paragraphs
E) using informative headings
Q:
When you're writing a business message, use headings and subheadings to
A) achieve parallelism.
B) identify subordinate clauses.
C) focus on specific ideas.
D) minimize the relationship between ideas.
E) group related paragraphs together.
Q:
Business writers use bulleted and numbered lists to
A) simplify complex subjects.
B) minimize negative key points.
C) lighten the visual impact of the document.
D) add decorative elements to their messages.
E) extend the length of the work.
Q:
Using short paragraphs will help you improve the readability of your business messages because
A) they will make your writing look more daunting.
B) they can help you emphasize key ideas.
C) they are more time consuming to read than long paragraphs.
D) they eliminate the need for transitional elements.
E) they can be easily understood by a less educated audience.
Q:
Readability indexes measure ________, so they offer a useful reference point for improving your writing.
A) style and syntax
B) sentence length
C) tone of voice
D) proper word usage
E) correct spelling and grammar
Q:
For general business messages, gear your writing toward
A) technical experts.
B) readers at the fifth-grade to sixth-grade level.
C) readers at the eighth-grade to eleventh-grade level.
D) readers at the twelfth-grade to fourteenth-grade level.
E) college graduates.
Q:
Briefly explain what the opening of a document should accomplish.
Q:
Revising your message is important because readers are likely to equate the quality of your writing with the quality of your thinking.
Q:
Describe five techniques you can use to compose effective messages for mobile devices.
Q:
What are the five most common techniques for developing paragraphs?
Q:
If you intend for your message to reach users of mobile devices, present the content in short paragraphs.
Q:
When you're writing for mobile devices, using a linear organization will make your messages easier to read on small mobile screens.
Q:
When a writer needs to send a long document that might be accessed by the receiver on a mobile device, the writer should
A) send each major section in a separate email.
B) send a short executive summary that can be read on a mobile device, with the longer document accessible on a PC.
C) send the entire document at one time.
D) send the entire document at one time, including with several imbedded links.
E) incorporate specific headings and subheading that provide key pieces of information without the need to read the text.
Q:
Using an inverted pyramid for message development on a small screen requires the writer to
A) put the most important information first.
B) use a linear writing style.
C) only include important details.
D) write messages that are general or vague in nature.
E) include an executive summary.
Q:
When developing a message for a mobile device, how should a message be organized?
A) using the indirect method
B) with low priority items first
C) with general information leading to more specific information
D) with a linear flow from the top to the bottom
E) with a series of links leading to specific data
Q:
How does user comprehension of information change when using a mobile device?
A) User comprehension improves because of the ability to view imbedded links.
B) User comprehension decreases because users tend to scroll past important information.
C) User comprehension increases because of increased focus while viewing the message.
D) User comprehension decreases because of text language usage.
E) User comprehension increases because of the increased use of visuals and graphics.
Q:
When developing your message for mobile technology and different user interface features, ________ must be adapted.
A) the direct approach
B) use of connotative words
C) use of text language
D) paragraph layout
E) the design and layout of the message.
Q:
All of the following except ________ will help you write effective messages for mobile device users.
A) prioritizing information
B) writing shorter, more focused messages
C) using a linear organization
D) including longer paragraphs
E) developing more focused messages
Q:
When you're writing for mobile devices, use ________ to present the most important information first and provide successive layers of detail that readers can consume, if they want to.
A) an indirect approach
B) an inverted pyramid style
C) a data-dispersion approach
D) a curvilinear methodology
E) a pyramid style
Q:
All of the following except ________ will help you compose effective mobile messages.
A) using short subject lines and page headings
B) using a top-to-bottom linear flow to organize the message
C) saving space by presenting the message in one long paragraph
D) putting what your readers want to know at the top of the message
E) using linear organization
Q:
As a rule, keep subject lines and headlines to around ________ when writing messages for smartphone users.
A) 5 characters
B) 10 characters
C) 15 characters
D) 20 characters
E) 25 characters
Q:
Identify and describe the elements of an effective paragraph.
Q:
When developing paragraphs, you should use only one method within each paragraph and throughout a document.
Q:
Transitions connect ideas by showing how one thought is related to another.
Q:
Breaking ideas down into specific categories uses ________ to develop a paragraph.
A) problem and solution
B) illustration
C) cause and effect
D) comparison or contrast
E) classification
Q:
A paragraph that is developed using a cause and effect relationship will
A) give examples that demonstrate the general idea.
B) use similarities or difference to develop the topic.
C) focus on the reasons for something.
D) show how an idea is broken into specific categories.
E) present a problem and then discuss the solution.
Q:
Skillful writers use transitional elements to
A) automate text entry and correction.
B) track footnotes and endnotes.
C) ensure consistent formatting throughout a document.
D) erect a verbal cushion between themselves and their readers.
E) connect ideas and show the relationships between them.
Q:
A(n) ________ is a cluster of sentences related to the same general topic.
A) paradigm
B) paraphrase
C) paragraph
D) classification
E) illustration
Q:
If a writer focuses on the similarities and differences of a topic to compose a paragraph, then he or she is using the ________ approach.
A) connotative and denotative
B) problem and solution
C) comparison or contrast
D) cause and effect
E) illustration
Q:
In which of the following situations are transitional elements useful?
A) eliminating a shift in ideas between paragraphs
B) isolating specific points within a paragraph
C) linking major sections or chapters in a long report
D) eliminating a string of nouns
E) switching from historic information to current information
Q:
Effective paragraphs are both ________ (focused on a single idea) and ________ (organized logically).
A) brief; constrained
B) intense; systematic
C) unified; coherent
D) dense; collated
E) simple; specific
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
E) problem and solution
Q:
In ________ paragraph, a writer analyzes the reasons for and/or the consequences of an action, an event, or a decision.
A) an illustration
B) a comparison and contrast
C) a cause and effect
D) a problem and solution
E) an augmentation
Q:
In business writing, the topic sentence of a paragraph is
A) usually implied and is rarely included in the paragraph.
B) generally explicit and is often the first sentence in the paragraph.
C) often vague and is usually placed in the middle of the paragraph.
D) most often understated and normally is the last sentence in the paragraph.
E) used to present specific data for the reader.
Q:
Skillful writers use transitional elements to
A) automate text entry and correction.
B) track footnotes and endnotes.
C) ensure consistent formatting throughout a document.
D) connect ideas and show the relationships between them.
E) reinforce the "you" attitude.
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.
E) are used as connotative words.
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.
E) strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities.
Q:
Identify and define the four basic varieties of sentences.
Q:
To emphasize a dependent clause, it is better to place it at the end of a sentence rather than in the middle.
Q:
________ sentences express one main thought and one or more subordinate thoughts related to it.
A) Complex
B) Compound
C) Confounded
D) Compound-complex
E) Conjoined
Q:
________ sentences express two or more independent but related thoughts of equal importance, usually joined by a coordinating conjunction.
A) Complex
B) Compound
C) Conjoined
D) Compound-complex
E) Simple-active
Q:
Consider the following sentence: "Employee turnover has decreased significantly this quarter, so even though you may question Sam's training methods, you'll have to admit that his results are impressive." What type of sentence does it represent?
A) compound
B) complex
C) congruent
D) compound-complex
E) simple-run on
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.
E) use two simple sentences.
Q:
You can emphasize key points by
A) using few, but strong, words to describe them.
B) making less important ideas the subject of the topic sentence.
C) placing them at the end of the paragraph.
D) using several simple sentences in a row.
E) giving the most important points the most space.
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.
E) words that are hard to understand.
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.
E) Interest rates are low.
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.
E) simple-compound 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.
E) simple-compound sentence.
Q:
Discuss the difference between connotative and denotative words, and when each might be appropriate to use in business writing.
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:
How is the denotative meaning of a word different from its connotative meaning?
Q:
In business communication, it is best to use words that are low in connotative meaning.
Q:
When communicating with members of the same, specialized field, the use of ________ can be an efficient way to convey complex ideas quickly.
A) clichs
B) buzzwords
C) anecdotes
D) jargon
E) simple sentences
Q:
When choosing words that communicate well with the audience, a writer should focus on using
A) unfamiliar but professional sounding words.
B) jargon.
C) buzzwords.
D) a limited use of nouns.
E) precise words.
Q:
When you begin to write your first draft of a message,
A) try to write and edit at the same time.
B) make the draft as perfect as possible to save time later.
C) show the draft to several others to gain feedback.
D) start with an introduction, and then move to the body of the message.
E) be as creative as possible.
Q:
The ________ meaning of a word is its literal, dictionary meaning; the ________ meaning includes all the associations and feelings it evokes.
A) connotative; denotative
B) objective; subjective
C) denotative; connotative
D) transactional; transcendental
E) euphemistic; subjective
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
E) chair, table, horse
Q:
Most ________ express a concept, quality, or characteristic. Most ________ represent something you can see, touch, or visualize.
A) abstract words; concrete words
B) interpretive words; explanatory words
C) incisive words; generalized words
D) selective words; common words
E) generalized; abstract
Q:
Some terms and phrases called ________ have become so common that they have lost some of their power to communicate, and ________ are newly coined terms often associated with technology, business, or cultural changes.
A) euphemisms; idioms
B) clichs; buzzwords
C) colloquialisms; clichs
D) pull quotes; derivations
E) idioms; colloquialisms
Q:
As you create and refine your messages, evaluate your writing at all of the following levels except
A) strong words.
B) effective sentences.
C) coherent paragraphs.
D) multimedia enhancements.
E) use of words that convey power.
Q:
The ________ of a word is its literal or dictionary meaning.
A) figurative meaning
B) denotative meaning
C) connotative meaning
D) contextual meaning
E) euphemistic meaning
Q:
When choosing words to convey a message, successful writers pay attention to
A) convenience and mannerisms.
B) correctness and effectiveness.
C) metaphors and euphemisms.
D) connotation and vocalization.
E) using words that don't convey too much power.
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.
E) lacking in the ability to be interpreted based on circumstance.
Q:
If your workplace writing contains grammar errors and word choice mistakes, your readers will
A) be understanding if they are an internal audience member.
B) question your professionalism.
C) expect some grammatical errors since everyone is busy.
D) probably not notice thanks to spelling and grammar checking features of word processing software.
E) be surprised that autocorrect features of word processing software did not catch them.
Q:
List three situations in which the passive voice can help you demonstrate the "you" attitude.
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:
What is the difference between tone and style in business writing?
Q:
A conversational tone is not appropriate for most business messages.
Q:
In workplace writing, doing all of the following except ________ will help you achieve a tone that is conversational yet still businesslike.
A) using text messaging acronyms throughout the message
B) being careful about the use of humor in the message
C) being careful about the level of intimacy in the message
D) avoiding stale and pompous language in the message
E) avoiding preaching and bragging
Q:
A sentence is in the active voice when
A) the subject receives the action performed by the object.
B) both the subject and the object receive the action.
C) the subject performs the action and the object receives it.
D) neither the subject nor the object receives the action.
E) the object performs the action and the subject receives it.
Q:
The term ________ refers to the overall impression of your messages.
A) tone
B) climate
C) style
D) dialect
E) medium