Chapter 1-4 Practice Quizzes
It is impossible to not communicate.
True
Sentence Fragment
A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence. Fragments can often be identified by the words that introduce them—words such as although, as, because, even, except, for example, if, instead of, since, so, such as, that, which, and when. These words often introduce dependent clauses. Make sure such clauses are always connected to independent clauses, with a comma if needed. (A semicolon can only be used to connect two independent clauses.)
Identify whether the bold term is an abstract or concrete noun. The NOTION that he should be promoted is ridiculous.
Abstract noun (Concrete nouns name specific objects that can be seen, heard, felt, tasted, or smelled. Abstract nouns name ideas, qualities, or concepts.)
Which of the following sentences de-emphasizes the bad news?
Although the company cannot reimburse you for tuition costs, you may attend class during work hours.
Which of the following phrases is not a trite business phrase?
At your request
North Americans are uncomfortable with silence.
Communication style
South Americans sometimes speak with extravagant or poetic language.
Communication style
Proofreading includes which of the following tasks?
Correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, names and numbers, and format
__________ can be defined as "the complex system of values, traits, morals, and customs shared by a society, region, or country."
Culture
Which of the following are qualities of successful business writing? Check all that apply.
Effective business writing is purposeful, concise, and audience oriented. Good business writing does not focus on the needs and concerns of the writer and does not need to be entertaining to be effective.
Which of the following is not an advantage of frontloading?
Eliminates the need for researching
Identify the business trend illustrated in the example. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are shipped from Chile and sold in the United States along with domestically grown produce.
Heightened global competition
The Boston Hotel: High-end linens, 600-thread-count sheets, Coffeemaker and selected teas, Imported beer, Fresh-squeezed juices, Affordability, Food and drink, Double-thick bath towels, Silk pillowcases, Raw silk curtains with gold embellishments, $100/night four-star rooms, Free snacks, shampoo, and conditioner, Free wireless Internet What are three subcategories in the previous scratch list?
High-end linens, affordability, food and drink (Well-organized messages group similar items together; ideas follow a sequence that helps the reader understand relationships and accept the writer's views. High-end linens, affordability, and food and drink are three subcategories. The other items consist of specific examples within these subcategories.)
Which of the following best describes low-context cultures?
Individuals in low-context cultures tend to be logical, analytical, and action oriented.
Identify tips that would help Jim listen more effectively to what his international colleague has to say about the production process. Check all that apply.
Keep an open mind, Provide feedback, Judge ideas, not appearances
Linda Scarpino works for a telecommunications company in the sales department where she regularly communicates with clients. Linda often works from home and uses her home e-mail address, [email protected], to communicate with her clients.
Linda's e-mail address is unprofessional. (Using e-mail addresses that do not promote a professional image undermines your image and that of your company. Do not use e-mail addresses that are cute, suggestive, or similar to chatroom user names.)
In American culture, what does pulling away from a speaker indicate? Check all that apply.
Mistrust, anxiety (In North American culture, pulling away from a speaker indicates mistrust, fear, or anxiety. Leaning toward a speaker connotes interest and attention)
How many typefaces should you use in a business document?
No more than two
According to anthropologist Edward T. Hall, which social interaction zone describes communication usually occurring at approximately 1.5 to 4 feet?
Personal zone
Raul is attending a workshop, but he is having difficulty hearing the speaker because the people behind him are talking. What type of barrier to effective listening is Raul experiencing?
Physical barrier
According to experts, what is the greatest failing of business writers?
Poor organization
Which of the following identifies the three phases of the writing process?
Prewriting, drafting, and revising
Which of the following is the best tip for proofreading documents?
Proofread your document when it is in its final form.
Which of the following are steps involved in the revising phase of the writing process? Check all that apply.
Revising is the final phase and involves editing, proofreading, and evaluating.
Identify the business trend illustrated in the example. The new cereal product development team included a project manager located at headquarters in Chicago, a marketing specialist in the Los Angeles office, and a research and development (R&D) team in Kansas.
Self-directed work groups and virtual teams
Which is the most accurate statement about nonverbal behavior?
The context of a communication setting can greatly affect the meaning of any nonverbal behavior.
Using a direct opening strategy
The direct opening has at least three advantages: it saves the reader time by starting with the main idea, it sets a proper frame of mind by providing the main idea first, and it reduces frustration by eliminating extra verbiage.
Which of the following sentences does not include a redundant expression?
The fundamentals of our economy are strong.
Which of the following is a situation that might call for an indirect strategy? Check all that apply.
The indirect strategy works best with audiences who are uninterested, unwilling, displeased, or perhaps hostile. An indirect opening works well with bad news, sensitive news, and certain types of persuasive messages.
Passive Voice
The passive voice is useful to (a) emphasize an action rather than a person, (b) de-emphasize negative news, and (c) conceal the doer of an action.
The three phases in the writing process
The prewriting phase consists of analyzing, anticipating, and adapting. The drafting phase includes researching, organizing, and drafting. Revising is the final phase and involves editing, proofreading, and evaluating.
Which of the following sentences avoids buzzwords, slang, or clichés?
The proposal for the tuition reimbursement program must be submitted to the board for approval by June 1.
The first step in composing a message is to identify its purpose.
True
Plural Nouns
To form plural nouns, follow these guidelines: add es to nouns ending in s, x, z, ch, or sh; add s to most numerals, letters, degrees, and abbreviations; and drop the y and add ies to nouns ending in y if y is preceded by a consonant.
Which of the following sentences does not contain a dangling or misplaced modifier?
To apply for financial aid, send in your application by January 1.
Which statement about writing in today's workplace is most accurate?
Today's workers will be expected to write a variety of messages using many electronic technologies
A face-to-face conversation is a richer medium than a written report or proposal.
True
The perception of time and the way time is used are culturally learned.
True
Message sent from a BlackBerry mobile device to a new manager: You rock Mr. O! I'm totes excited about the new account. This message sent from a BlackBerry mobile device to a client is:
Unprofessional (Writing messages with incomplete sentences, errors, and IM slang is unprofessional. Employers and clients appreciate standard English and professionalism.)
Choose the best description of the barrier listed. Nonverbal distractions
We don't listen due to our reaction to unusual clothes, speech, or mannerisms.
Which of the following sentences avoids burying a verb in a wordy noun expression?
We hope to discover the reason our profits are declining.
After identifying the purpose of your message, you should select the most appropriate communication channel. When determining the most effective channel for your message, which of the following should you consider? Check all that apply.
When selecting the channel for your message, you should consider the importance of the message, the amount and speed of feedback and interactivity required, the necessity of a permanent record, the cost of the channel, the degree of formality desired, the confidentiality and sensitivity of the message, and the receiver's preference and level of technical expertise.
Which of the following statements represents the most courteous use of language?
Will you please submit the proposal by Monday.
Emphasis
You can add emphasis to an idea in your message by using mechanical devices such as underlining, italicizing, boldface type, and font changes. Using all caps is the digital equivalent of yelling, so it should be used sparingly, if at all. These visual cues help draw the reader's attention to particular words or phrases that you feel are more important than others. Tabulation, or vertically listing items using bullets or numbering, can also be used to visually outline an idea or instructions that would be cumbersome to list in a sentence.
Which of the following sentences best demonstrates the "you" view?
You can improve your chances for promotion by attending our management trainee seminars
Which of the following represents positive business writing?
Your order will be shipped as soon as we receive credit authorization.
There is a department meeting scheduled for 8 a.m. on Friday is an example of a sentence containing __________.
a filler
You need to let your employees know that there will be a mandatory meeting next Monday to discuss your company's health insurance benefit. The most appropriate channel to communicate this message to your employees is __________.
an e-mail
Some trends in today's workplace include an emphasis on teamwork, an increase in telecommuting, and __________.
an increase in social media and changing communication technologies
Claire and Brandon are in the first phase of the writing process as they prepare a formal report for a client. In this phase, they should __________.
analyze the audience and determine the purpose of the message
Business writing should be purposeful, economical, and __________.
audience oriented
Gina will graduate from Tulane University in July, her brother will graduate from Arizona State University in December is an example of a __________.
comma splice
Employers often rank __________ skills among the most requested competencies.
communication
Brittany is preparing a market analysis for her business plan and knows she will have to conduct formal research to gather the information she needs. To conduct formal research, she should __________.
conduct interviews and surveys or organize a focus group
Translating a message from its symbol form into meaning involves _________.
decoding
An effective paragraph __________.
focuses on a single main idea
Paragraphs with __________ or fewer lines look inviting and readable.
eight
Writers who put themselves in the receiver's shoes to focus a message on audience benefits are using the skill of __________.
empathy
For complex documents it's best to proofread __________.
from a printed copy
Complete the sentence with the most appropriate choice. You can counter the effects of psychological listening barriers by
keeping an open mind
Communication is defined as "the transmission of information and meaning from a sender to a receiver." The most important element of this definition is __________.
meaning
Anything that interrupts the transmission of a message in the communication process is called _________.
noise
A culturally diverse workforce in which employees are tolerant of differences can benefit both the organization and its employees. One way to improve tolerance is by __________.
practicing empathy
Many job applicants post their résumés on company websites some post on social networking sites such as LinkedIn is an example of a __________.
run-on sentence
Business writers prefer the active voice because in active-voice sentences the __________.
subject is the doer of the action
The best way to evaluate the effectiveness of your writing is__________.
through feedback from your receiver
Some key dimensions of culture include context, individualism, power distance, communication style, and __________.
time orientation
Support sentences must relate to the topic sentence.
True
The belief in the superiority of one's own culture is known as ethnocentrism.
True
The process of converting an idea into words or gestures that will convey meaning is called encoding.
True
Well-organized messages group similar items together.
True
Megan is creating a property description for a new real-estate brochure. To make her brochure effective, Megan should anticipate her audience by __________.
considering what the readers are like and how they will react to the message
When microblogging, you should practice all the following except __________.
creating long messages to demonstrate your writing skills
Comma Splice
A comma splice results when a writer joins two independent clauses with a comma. Independent clauses may be joined with a semicolon, a coordinating conjunction (and, or, nor, but, so), or a conjunctive adverb (however, consequently, therefore). Clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction require a comma. Clauses joined by a coordinating adverb require a semicolon. You can also repair a comma splice by punctuating it as two separate sentences.
I am writing you this message to see if you can speak at our conference on May 3 is an effective opening for an e-mail message.
False
The United States is an example of a high-context culture.
False
Although most international business is conducted in English, levels of comprehension can vary. How can you enhance your oral communication skills in international environments? Check all that apply.
Some of the ways you can enhance comprehension are encouraging accurate feedback, accepting blame, smiling when appropriate, and following up on your business in writing.
The third phase of the 3-x-3 writing process involves __________.
editing, proofreading, and evaluating your document
All of following statements regarding bulleted or numbered lists are accurate except __________.
end punctuation should always be added to all bulleted or numbered lists
Business Manager Heather Guite expects her employees to be displeased or even hostile when she announces a new work schedule that will become effective next month. An effective organizational strategy for Heather is to __________.
explain all background information firs
Most routine writing tasks, such as composing e-mail messages or informational reports, require information that you can collect __________.
informally
To build paragraph coherence, __________.
incorporate transitional expressions that connect your ideas
In American culture, we tend to _______ people who look directly at us, and sustained eye contact indicates ________
trust, trust and admiration (From the receiver's viewpoint, in North American culture, good eye contact reveals sincerity, confidence, and truthfulness.)
Sloppy e-mail messages and inappropriate dress ____________
undermine your credibility (A sloppy e-mail message undermines your professional credibility and signals to the receiver that he or she is unimportant because you didn't take care in the preparation of the message. You can build professional credibility by taking the time to prepare well-organized, professional messages and by being well groomed. A professional appearance signals to coworkers, superiors, and clients that you are well prepared and that you take your work seriously.)
You can establish a professional yet conversational tone in business messages by __________.
using familiar words and pronouns such as I or you
You can improve your oral communication effectiveness with people who do not speak English as their first language by__________.
using simple English
Surveys of employers and recruiters continually rank written communication skills as a top skill set sought in applicants. Why are communication skills increasingly important?
Because advancements in technology have increased the number of messages being exchanged and the scope of the audiences who might receive these messages
Which questions should you ask yourself in order to avoid frustration and inaccurate messages? Check all that apply.
Before composing your message you should consider what the receiver of the message needs to know, what action the receiver should take after receiving your message, how the receiver should take action and when, and what will happen if the receiver does not take action. By asking yourself these questions, you will be able to anticipate the research necessary for the successful composition of your message.
To emphasize a main idea through style, you should use underlining, italicizing, or bolding.
False
Which of the following sentences uses language that is biasfree?
Each nurse is responsible for charting the status of his or her patients.
Because headings provide a visual distraction for readers, you should avoid integrating them in business documents.
False
Technology has made writing less important in today's workplace.
False
Identify the business trend illustrated in the example. Line workers at a Virginia steel mill developed a new process that made the line safer. It went through only one level of management before it was approved by the vice president of operations.
Flattened management hierarchies (In order to remain competitive, many companies have reduced their managerial workforce, leading to quicker decision making and fewer costly time delays.)
Mr. Youngher arrives at his interview for a community relations internship with Bethlehem Electric in Chicago five minutes late and in a rumpled suit. When he is introduced to the chief marketing officer, Mr. Youngher moves in close as they shake hands and winks. The executive takes a step back. What is the message that Mr. Youngher's nonverbal cues are sending?
Mr. Youngher's nonverbal cues indicate that he is not interested in the job and is unaware of professional norms and protocols.
MADDEN PUBLISHING has its headquarters located downtown.
Proper noun (Proper nouns name specific persons, places, or things and are always capitalized. All other nouns are common and are not capitalized.)
Which of the following are appropriate strategies for communication in diverse workplaces? Check all that apply.
Seek training, Build on similarities., Understand the value of difference.
You can also improve your messages through stylistic emphasis in sentence structure and word choice. Which of the following stylistic devices can be used to achieve emphasis? Check all that apply.
To achieve emphasis, use vivid words so readers can picture your ideas, label the main idea to help readers follow your message, place important ideas at the beginning or end of a sentence to make them noticeable, and place important ideas in simple sentences to highlight them.
Which of the following is a compound sentence?
We know that you'll want to receive the early-bird pricing; therefore, please register for the conference by October 15.
Choose the best description of the barrier listed. Language problems
We respond unfavorably to unfamiliar jargon and "charged" words.
Which of the following statements about listening is most accurate?
We spend more time listening on the job than reading, writing, or speaking.
Outlines give you a chance to organize your thinking before determining word choice and sentence structure. Which of the following will help you create a more effective outline?
When making an outline, define the main topic in the title. Divide the main topic into major components or classifications (preferably 3 - 5). Break the components into subpoints. If there is a single item under a subpoint, combine it with the main time above or below it. Make each component exclusive and use details, illustrations, and evidence to support each subpoint.
The most compelling and effective messages contain a variety of sentence patterns and avoid common sentence faults. You can create successful messages with sentence variety by understanding the four sentence types, controlling the length of your sentences, and avoiding fragments, run-ons, and comma splices.
A simple sentence is one independent thought containing a subject and a predicate verb. A compound sentence is a sentence that contains two independent clauses (complete sentences) joined by a conjunction, a semicolon, or a conjunctive adverb. A complex sentence contains an independent clause and a dependent clause. A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and a dependent clause.
Identify the business trend illustrated in the example. Wordsmith, a small newsletter-writing company, has just installed a new server that will host newsletters online as wikis. Rosa, the CEO, is excited about broadening Wordsmith's client base.
Changing communication technologies
Complete the sentence with the most appropriate choice. You can improve your listening if you
Concentrate on what the speaker is saying
Flabby Expressions
Concise sentences are trim and lean. Avoid flabby phrases such as in the event that, proceeding along the normal course of events, feel free to, and until such time.
Katelyn needs to participate in an important conference call. She shuts down her computer, turns off her smartphone, and tells her assistant to hold all incoming calls for the next hour. What technique is Katelyn using to improve her listening?
Controlling her surroundings
The three most common sentence errors are fragments, run-ons, and comma splices. If you can identify the common types of sentence errors, you will be more likely to avoid making them.
Corrected: Typing an e-mail message is a form of message encoding; an idea is converted into written language. Comma splices are two independent clauses joined only by a comma. Run-ons are two dependent clauses that are not joined by any punctuation. To correct run-ons and comma splices, you may form a compound sentence. Compound sentences are two independent clauses joined in one of three ways: by a coordinating conjunction preceded by a comma, by a semicolon, or by a conjunctive adverb preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. Fragments are incomplete sentences that can often be identified by the words that introduce them, such as although, as, because, even, except, if, instead, which, when, and that. To correct this error, you may form a complex sentence by joining the dependent clause to the independent clause with a comma.
Experts suggest that good writers spend 25 percent of their time in the prewriting phase, 25 percent in the drafting phase, and 50 percent in the revising phase. These percentages are not rigid; however, you should spend a significant portion of the writing process revising your message. The work of a good writer is not in the writing itself but in the revision.
Experts suggest that good writers spend 25 percent of their time in the prewriting phase, 25 percent in the drafting phase, and 50 percent in the revising phase. These percentages are not rigid; however, you should spend a significant portion of the writing process revising your message. The work of a good writer is not in the writing itself but in the revision.
Business writers who use official-sounding language such as commensurate and remuneration appear more impressive and are more effective than those who use words such as equal or pay.
False
Which of the following are techniques that you can use to help the reader follow your ideas? Check all that apply.
The most effective techniques you can use to build paragraph coherence are to repeat a key idea by using the same expression or a similar one, to use pronouns to refer to previous nouns, and to show connections with transitional expressions.
Attached, you should find three charts and two graphs. I have scheduled the first conference call for 18.10.09 and the next for 20.10.09. What has she done to make her writing more easily understood? Check all that apply.
The sentences are short., Contractions are not used., The date format matches local styles.
Which of the following are among the primary purposes for sending business messages? Check all that apply.
The two primary purposes for sending business messages are to inform and to persuade. A secondary purpose for business messages is to establish goodwill.
A paragraph is unified when it develops a single main idea.
True
Adaptation is the process of creating a message that suits the audience.
True
As you revise, make your writing clear by using specific verbs, concrete nouns, and vivid adjectives.
True
Business writers should strive to keep sentences to 20 words or fewer.
True
Everything you write will be evaluated by others.
True
Good writers should expect to spend most of their time revising their messages.
True
Microblogging consists of short messages exchanged on social media networks.
True
Collecting information before composing a message is important primarily because doing so __________.
helps shape the message
Tony is conducting a team meeting, and he notices that Brittany rolls her eyes every time he says something. Tony should __________.
politely seek additional information by saying, "I'm not sure that you really agree with my ideas. Do you have a suggestion to improve them?"
The primary purposes of business writing are typically to inform and persuade; a common secondary purpose is to __________.
promote goodwill
All the following are techniques to increase white space within a document except __________.
selecting an appealing typeface
Americans can be a bit standoffish. If someone violates their space or territory, they will _________ . Similarly, Americans are fairly formal in the allocation of time. In the United States, if you show up on time, you demonstrate ___________.
step back, respect
Celene told her coworker, "I'm glad Jin will be working with us on our project. Because he is Asian, he can create the budget because Asians are whizzes with math." Celene's statement is an example of _______________.
stereotyping
Encoding
the process of converting ideas into words and gestures
Most people can process information faster than speakers can talk.
True
One of the best ways to become an active listener is to stop talking.
True
One reason concise messages are essential in business is that they save money by saving time.
True
Ragged-right margins increase white space and improve readability.
True
When proofreading complex documents, concentrate on individual words rather than ideas.
True
While your physical appearance delivers an important nonverbal message to others, the physical appearance of your documents delivers an important nonverbal message as well.
True
You should strive to use a variety of sentence types in your writing.
True
Which of the following are appropriate questions to ask when profiling your audience? Check all that apply.
You must be aware of who your audience members are in order to address the issues that interest them most. Consider your relationship with the audience (a colleague, a superior, someone you've never met) relative to your position. What do your audience members already know about your topic? If they don't know much, give them enough information to understand your point. If they already understand, focus on your main points. What people know depends on their education, their location, and their values. Understanding these variables will help you predict whether they'll agree or disagree with your ideas. If you think they'll disagree, you'll need to persuade them. Pay attention to secondary audiences. When you send an message, your addressee may not be the only person who reads it. Always consider who else may see the message you're writing to ensure it makes sense to all potential readers.
Identify the business trend illustrated in the example. To boost company recognition, Nick, the president of StreetLife Entertainment, makes daily blog entries.
Changing communication technologies
In today's workplace, soft skills such as communicating clearly, getting along with coworkers, solving problems, and taking initiative are less important than technical or hard skills.
False
Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process involves analyzing your purpose, anticipating your audience, and adapting your message to the audience.
False
The best way to manage a diverse workplace is to do everything possible to minimize or eliminate differences.
False
The best words you can use to create an audience-centered message are I and we.
False
The communication process begins when the receiver provides nonverbal or verbal feedback to the sender.
False
The direct organizational strategy works well with three kinds of messages: bad news, ideas that require persuasion, and sensitive news.
False
The following sentence demonstrates effective business writing: The hiring committee will perform an analysis of each candidate's application.
False
The following sentence demonstrates effective business writing: You will receive an application form under separate cover.
False
The sentence Business messages should be accurate, concise, and written with clarity demonstrates balanced, or parallel, writing.
False
The statement Every salesman who meets this year's quota will receive two additional vacation days represents effective business writing.
False
The three phases of the writing process must be followed in proper sequence to create successful messages.
False
Read the following scenario, and answer the questions that follow. A colleague from the plant in Germany has arrived at the Chicago plant to share insights on a recent product line changeover implemented in Germany. This changeover has saved thousands of euros at the German facility, but Jim does not think it will work in the United States. Jim feels that there is a completely different attitude towards work and innovation in the U.S., and in fact, thinks the German facility is technologically behind his plant. Additionally, the colleague often mispronounces words when he speaks English, and doesn't dress appropriately for the U.S. office. He showed up to work on the plant floor in a formal suit and tie, with dress shoes that had a slippery sole. However, the colleague is a guest, and it is important that Jim pretends to be interested. Identify the listening barriers. Check all that apply
Psychological barriers, Faking attention, Nonverbal distractions (Jim is forming opinions about his German colleague based on superficial issues instead of the quality of the work. Jim assumes the new method will not work in the U.S. and he is paying unnecessary attention to nonverbal distractions such as dress and word pronunciation. Additionally Jim is faking attention as he pretends to be interested and is not really listening to what the German colleague has to offer.)
Which of the following sentences expresses the idea most effectively?
The company president was happy to learn that sales were increasing after the new product launch.
Feedback
The verbal and nonverbal responses from the receiver to the sender are feedback. Feedback can help the sender know that the message was received and understood.
Human Resources Manager Isaac Bauer is researching case studies as he prepares an employee wellness workshop. An effective method of formal research is to search print and online journal articles.
True