Business Communications Ch. 6
To best convey complex ideas, use a A) short sentence. B) bullet list. C) medium sentence. D) descriptive heading. E) long sentence.
E) long sentence.
During the proofreading process, if you plan to focus on writing errors, look at A) grammar errors. B) content layout. C) missing source notes. D) organization. E) format.
A) grammar errors.
________ such as Times New Roman and Garamond have small cross lines at the ends of each letter stroke. A) Specialty typefaces B) Serif typefaces C) Rococo typefaces D) Sans serif typefaces E) Calligraphic typefaces
B) Serif typefaces
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
B) sentence length
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
C) Flesch Reading Ease score
When evaluating for content, organization, style, and tone, the conclusion of the message should A) be open ended. B) offer an opportunity for further information. C) present new ideas. D) include links to research. E) summarize the main idea and create a positive impression.
E) summarize the main idea and create a positive impression.
The ________ of a message sends a nonverbal message to the reader that may influence their perception of the communication. A) consistency B) clarity C) readability D) tone E) visual design
E) visual design
Like the tone of your language, ________ can be too formal, just right, or too informal for a given message. A) spacing B) use of white space C) restraint D) visual balance E) margins
A) spacing
For most printed business messages, use a type size of ________ for regular text and ________ for headings and subheadings. A) 8 to 10 points; 12 to 14 points B) 10 to 12 points; 12 to 18 points C) 12 to 14 points; 14 to 20 points D) 14 to 16 points; 20 to 24 points E) 16 to 20 points; 20 to 28 points
B) 10 to 12 points; 12 to 18 points
What is wrong with the following sentence? "Having stalled for two days, the assignment was now late." A) It lacks parallelism. B) It contains a dangling modifier. C) It contains an awkward pointer. D) It contains hedging. E) It contains a dependent clause.
B) It contains a dangling modifier.
"Visible to the eye" is an example of A) a cliché. B) a redundancy. C) the passive voice. D) obsolete language. E) hedging.
B) a redundancy.
In order to do an effective job at proofreading a document, A) scan each page as quickly as you can. B) go through the document several times. C) avoid using a systematic approach. D) stop the process after you've run the spell-checker. E) read the document once, but thoroughly.
B) go through the document several times.
According to your textbook, proofreading is A) unnecessary for digital communication. B) the quality inspection stage for a document. C) a casual scan up and down the page or screen. D) something you do immediately after finishing a document. E) more difficult on mobile devices.
B) the quality inspection stage for a document.
________ 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
C) Descriptive; informative
Centered type is commonly used for A) making the document easier to read. B) text paragraphs. C) headings and subheadings. D) bullet lists. E) visual aids.
C) headings and subheadings.
Any space in a message that doesn't contain text or artwork, both in print and online, is considered to be A) ambiguous. B) unnecessary. C) neutral noise. D) white space. E) wasted.
D) white space.
When determining the best way to distribute a message, which of the following should be considered? A) security and privacy B) time C) cost D) convenience E) all of the above
E) all of the above
Many changes made to improve clarity will also improve A) parallelism. B) tone. C) understanding. D) readability index scores. E) conciseness.
E) conciseness.
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.
B) guide readers to think a certain way about the topics covered.
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
B) keeping all sentences the same length
In business communication, the ________ of a message usually have the greatest impact on the readers. A) body paragraphs B) appendix sections C) topics and subtopics D) beginning and ending sections E) visual aids
D) beginning and ending sections
Which of the following techniques can help you proofread more effectively? A) Read each page backward, from the bottom to the top. B) Proofread the document as soon as you complete the draft. C) To ensure consistency, proofread long documents from beginning to end without stopping. D) Always proofread using your monitor (rather than printing out a hard copy of the document). E) Try to find all errors in one pass.
A) Read each page backward, from the bottom to the top.
What is wrong with the following sentence? "To waste time and missing deadlines are bad habits." A) Similar ideas are not parallel. B) It contains a dangling modifier. C) It contains a split infinitive. D) It contains a hedging sentence. E) It contains a camouflaged verb.
A) Similar ideas are not parallel.
According to your textbook, lines of text that are justified are A) set flush or aligned vertically on both the right and left. B) presented in bold and italics. C) set flush left and ragged on the right. D) set flush right and ragged on the left. E) centered on the page.
A) set flush or aligned vertically on both the right and left.
According to professional proofreaders, ________ will help to ensure high-quality results. A) multitasking to get more done B) concentrating on what you're doing C) reviewing complex digital documents on-screen D) reading large amounts of material in one sitting E) having someone else read the document
B) concentrating on what you're doing
To achieve an effective design, pay careful attention to A) content, graphics, and paragraph length. B) consistency, restraint, and detail. C) visual aids, headings, and use of white space. D) type face, use of white space, and color. E) consistency, color, and graphics.
B) consistency, restraint, and detail.
The amount of work involved in receiving a message is an aspect of A) cost. B) convenience. C) timeliness. D) security. E) privacy.
B) convenience.
Word combinations such as basic fundamentals, anonymous stranger, and future plans are examples of A) predicates. B) redundancies. C) split modifiers. D) camouflaged verbs. E) parallel terms.
B) redundancies.
When producing a document for mobile technology, the preferred typeface is ________ because screens have lower resolution than printed text. A) serif B) sans serif C) calligraphy D) bold E) standard
B) sans serif
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.
B) they can help you emphasize key ideas.
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.
C) be sure to introduce it clearly.
For effective document design in business communication, you should A) fit as much material as possible on each page. B) mix different typefaces and decorative touches throughout the document. C) let "simpler" and "fewer" be your guiding concepts. D) use a one-size-fits-all approach to balance design elements. E) use bright background colors to make your message stand out.
C) let "simpler" and "fewer" be your guiding concepts.
The ________ of a message involves the total effect of elements such as page or screen design, typography, and graphics. A) resonance B) semantic structure C) production quality D) information value E) layout
C) production quality
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.
C) readers at the eighth-grade to eleventh-grade level.
When you begin the ________, focus your attention on content, organization, style, and tone. A) production process B) editing process C) revision process D) research process E) distribution process
C) revision process
Which of the following will best improve the message's readability? A) using long, parallel sentences B) avoiding bulleted and numbered lists C) using headings and subheadings D) making sure that the information is accurate, relevant, and sufficient E) writing in the past tense
C) using headings and subheadings
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.
C) vary the length of their sentences.
Which of the following sentences is the most concisely worded? A) The project manager is in charge of furnishing specifications until such time as the project gets underway. B) All specifications should be provided by the project manager prior to the start of a project. C) Project managers have the capability of changing specifications before the official start date. D) The project manager must give the engineers the revised specifications before the project starts. E) When it comes to specifications, the project manager must certainly be the only one to change them.
D) The project manager must give the engineers the revised specifications before the project starts.
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.
D) add decorative elements to their messages.
"The above-mentioned book" is an example of A) a redundancy. B) a strung-out sentence. C) an indefinite pronoun starter. D) an awkward reference. E) a camouflaged verb.
D) an awkward reference.
A ________ is a verb that has been changed into a noun or an adjective. A) transitive verb B) transformed predicate C) predicate nominative D) camouflaged verb E) camouflaged pronoun
D) camouflaged verb
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.
D) informative headings.
Which of the following is an example of a hedging sentence? A) The employee's performance appears to be less than satisfactory. B) The deadline is next Tuesday. C) The financial statement needs to have two sections. D) We must act on these recommendations. E) Please meet me at 3:00.
A) The employee's performance appears to be less than satisfactory.
A ________ uses words such as may and seems to avoid stating a judgment or fact directly. A) hedging sentence B) hypothetical clause C) defensive sentence D) tortuous statement E) parallel sentence
A) hedging sentence
Word endings such as -ion, -ing, and -ment often change verbs into nouns and are referred to as A) noun sequences. B) awkward references. C) camouflaged verbs. D) parallel nouns. E) dangling modifiers.
C) camouflaged verbs.
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.
E) group related paragraphs together.
When selecting typefaces for most business documents, you should A) generally avoid using more than two typefaces on a page. B) make generous use of all caps, underlining, and boldface. C) use the same typeface for the entire document. D) use a large type size (at least 14 points) for your basic text if you need to fill up space. E) use smaller typeface to same room when including headings.
A) generally avoid using more than two typefaces on a page.
Businesspeople who compose messages for mobile devices should A) keep formats simple. B) write complex paragraphs. C) fill in all on-screen white space. D) assume device compatibility. E) use a non-standard typeface.
A) keep formats simple.
Which one of the following is usually included in a typical memo format? A) the writer's signature B) a salutation C) a subject line D) a complimentary close E) an indication of those who are copied on the memo
C) a subject line
Because of security concerns, files should be sent A) as word processor files. B) as emails. C) as PDF files. D) using embedded links. E) as an Adobe Acrobat file.
C) as PDF files.
Because mobile users consume information one screen at a time, you should ________ when you're writing to them. A) always format your message to be viewed from a vertical perspective B) include long, fully justified paragraphs in small font sizes C) divide your message into independent, easy-to-consume bites D) use stylized typefaces and complex layouts E) use several bullets and lists
C) divide your message into independent, easy-to-consume bites
Regarding the three-step writing process, all of the following except ________ are important elements of the completing step. A) proofreading the message B) revising the message C) forecasting the message D) producing the message E) distributing the message
C) forecasting the message
Before revising someone else's work, A) identify the writing style you wish to use. B) identify key points you wish to make. C) identify the writer's intent of the message. D) identify ways you can help the writer change the emphasis of the piece. E) identify ways to help the writer incorporate your agenda into the piece.
C) identify the writer's intent of the message.
The first draft a document is often A) clear. B) compelling. C) improvable. D) tightly written. E) perfect.
C) improvable.
When you're proofreading a workplace document, treat the process as a A) survey of convenience, security, and privacy issues. B) casual scan up and down the page or the screen. C) methodical procedure in which you look for specific problems that may occur. D) review of the content, organization, style, and tone of the document. E) review of spelling and grammar.
C) methodical procedure in which you look for specific problems that may occur.
When reviewing your document for content, you should be concerned with A) grammar and usage. B) punctuation and spelling. C) the accuracy and relevance of the information. D) style and tone. E) type styles and typefaces.
C) the accuracy and relevance of the information.
The term ________ refers to the physical design of letters, numbers, and other text characters. A) type style B) typography C) typeface D) serigraphy E) white space
C) typeface
When ________ are strung together as modifiers, they should be replaced with a single well-chosen word to make the sentence easier to read. A) bullet points. B) dangling modifiers. C) dependent clauses. D) nouns. E) references.
D) nouns.
When proofreading a document, design and format errors include A) typographical mistakes. B) missing text sections. C) missing exhibits. D) problems with page numbers and page breaks. E) missing tables, charts and other images.
D) problems with page numbers and page breaks.
Using white space in a document A) is considered "cheating." B) is only an option when you can't use color. C) makes your document look unappealing. D) provides visual contrast. E) is helpful when you lack adequate information.
D) provides visual contrast.
When you need to revise a long, complex document, A) start the process as soon as you've finished your first draft. B) start by focusing on misspelled words and grammar errors. C) save time by multitasking while you're revising the document. D) try to put your draft aside for a couple of days before you start. E) start by looking for sentence level issues, such as grammar and spelling.
D) try to put your draft aside for a couple of days before you start.
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.
D) use one-sentence paragraphs only occasionally, for emphasis.
When you're editing a document for conciseness, A) change verbs into nouns. B) separate subjects and predicates. C) delete unnecessary words and phrases. D) convert sentences to "it is" or "there are" structures. E) eliminate awkward references.
E) eliminate awkward references.
Readability indexes are useful when determining A) smooth transitions. B) "you" attitude. C) clear sentence structure. D) proper word usage. E) number of syllables.
E) number of syllables.
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.
E) parallelism.
Messages with spelling and grammar errors create an impression of A) multitasking. B) poor autocorrecting software. C) blog use. D) simple revision focus. E) poor quality thinking.
E) poor quality thinking.
When sending large files, use ________ to shrink the size of the email attachment. A) a PDF file B) Adobe Acrobat C) printed copies of the bulk of the material D) a file compression utility E) recordable media
E) recordable media
To edit for conciseness, A) eliminate wordy phrases. B) add relative pronouns. C) use longer, more complex words. D) add redundancy. E) include double modifiers.
A) eliminate wordy phrases.
When evaluating the work of others, you should A) make sure you understand the writer's intent before you begin suggesting or making changes. B) talk with the writer about his or her intent only after you suggest changes, since this is a good way to test the effectiveness of the document. C) avoid talking with the writer about the document, since other readers may not have that opportunity. D) compare the other person's writing style with your own, and if yours is better, rewrite the document in your own style. E) suggest ways to improve the writing, even if you don't believe the author really needs them.
A) make sure you understand the writer's intent before you begin suggesting or making changes.
White space provides ________ for the reader. A) resting points B) design elements C) an identification of important information D) justification E) headings
A) resting points
When you have two or more similar ideas to express in writing, use parallelism to A) show that the ideas are related. B) show that the ideas are of dissimilar importance. C) show that the ideas are on the same level of generality. D) eliminate overly long words and phrases. E) incorporate infinitives.
A) show that the ideas are related.
When considering the cost of distributing a message, be sure to consider A) the nonverbal message you send. B) the effect on the organization. C) the speed of distribution. D) intended audience. E) the amount of work involved for the audience.
A) the nonverbal message you send.
Starting a sentence with "It is" or "There are" is A) usually a sign that the sentence could be shorter and more active. B) perfectly acceptable, and you need not try to rewrite the sentence. C) a sign that you are using active voice. D) a sign that you are using passive voice. E) a way to impose parallelism.
A) usually a sign that the sentence could be shorter and more active.
The term type style refers to A) the space around text and between text columns. B) any modification that lends contrast or emphasis to type. C) a combination of text, graphics, photographs, audio, video, and interactivity. D) the letters, numbers, and other text characters in a message. E) the word choices made.
B) any modification that lends contrast or emphasis to type.
To make your messages mobile friendly, A) use large paragraphs. B) divide the message into easy to consume bites. C) avoid white space. D) include graphics. E) write for a vertical perspective.
B) divide the message into easy to consume bites.