SAMJ Final

Ricardo is required to translate a report on "The Impact of using Coal in China." For this task, he tried to hire a skilled translator who initially quoted a price of $30 per page. Ricardo, however, can converse in Chinese and believes that he may be able to translate the report himself with the aid of a few of his friends. On the other hand, a volunteer with limited experience in Chinese translations has agreed to do the job for $20 and is willing to lower his rate to $15. Which of the following should Ricardo quote in the budget section of his proposal? a. $30 because even if the grant is cut, he'll still be able to do the project well b. He should not quote a rate in the budget section of his proposal since he may be able to translate it himself c. $50 because the additional funds can be used in other areas of the project d. $20 because he can negotiate with the professional transcriber and get the job done for less e. $15 because he can negotiate with the volunteer to get the translations done

a. $30 because even if the grant is cut, he'll still be able to do the project well

Who among the following individuals is likely to earn more? a. A person with good communication and technical skills b. A person with good managerial and technical skills c. A person with good mathematical skills d. A person with good technical skills e. A person at an entry-level job

a. A person with good communication and technical skills

While designing a brochure for the new water pistol introduced by her company, Meredith identifies the central selling point and objections the audience may have. In order to attract the attention of more people, she plans to include a contest to win the new water pistol with the brochure. Which of the following stages of designing does this scenario exemplify? a. Analyzing the rhetorical situation b. Selecting appropriate visuals c. Creating the design d. Drafting the text e. Printing

a. Analyzing the rhetorical situation

Which of the following is a trait of a successful intercultural communicator? a. Being aware of the values, beliefs, and practices in other cultures b. Being indifferent to individual differences within a culture so as to view it uniformly c. Being aware that preferred values and behaviors are hardly influenced by culture d. Being insensitive to nonverbal behaviors as they hardly communicate anything e. Being firm and unwilling to change

a. Being aware of the values, beliefs, and practices in other cultures

_____ is the term for the enormous amount of data generated by electronic communications. a. Big data b. Data mining c. Filter d. Phishing e. Cookie

a. Big data

Which of the following should a negative message to superiors begin with? a. Describing the problem clearly b. Providing a good reason for the problem c. Asking for inputs and suggestions from the superiors d. Using emotions to explain the problem e. Describing the advantages and disadvantages of all the options

a. Describing the problem clearly

Which of the following is a difference between photographs and drawings as visuals or data displays? a. Drawings are more effective than photographs for showing a process. b. Drawings can include a reference point, while photographs cannot. c. Drawings can be altered, while photographs cannot. d. Drawings do not contain much detail, while photographs contain varying degrees of detail. e. Drawings are more authentic than photographs.

a. Drawings are more effective than photographs for showing a process.

Wendy is planning to conduct a survey to gather information through primary research. She intends to survey a fairly small number of people in a specific location. Which of the following kinds of surveys will be convenient in this case? a. Face-to-face b. Telephone c. E-mail d. Online e. Television

a. Face-to-face

Which of the following is true of a monologue presentation? a. In a monologue presentation, the speaker functions as an expert and questions are asked at the end of the presentation. b. In a monologue presentation, the speaker serves as a facilitator to help the audience tap its own knowledge. c. In a monologue presentation, the speaker encourages the audience to ask questions during the presentation. d. In a monologue presentation, the speaker delivers the information in a conversational and interactive manner. e. In a monologue presentation, the speaker presents the questions or issues that both the speaker and audience have agreed on in advance.

a. In a monologue presentation, the speaker functions as an expert and questions are asked at the end of the presentation.

To maintain an appropriate tone in a negative message, which of the following statements is most appropriate? a. In future, I want you to report any issues you are having to me. b. I am afraid that we cannot give you the discount we promised. c. I am sure you will agree that your credit history with us does not warrant further privileges. d. Unfortunately, our company policy does not encourage such discounts. e. I am sorry that we were unable to give you a salary increment this year.

a. In future, I want you to report any issues you are having to me.

Which of the following statements about the dimensions of teams is true? a. Informational dimensions focus on content; procedural dimensions focus on process. b. Procedural dimensions focus on content; informational dimensions focus on method. c. Informational dimensions focus on people; procedural dimensions focus on solutions. d. Procedural dimensions focus on cooperation; interpersonal dimensions focus on people. e. Interpersonal dimensions focus on decision making; informational dimensions focus on method and process.

a. Informational dimensions focus on content; procedural dimensions focus on process.

Which of the following statements is true about innovation/creativity as a trend in business communication? a. Innovation/creativity is a process that can be learned. b. Innovation/creativity is defined as a burst of inspiration. c. Innovation/creativity in all companies is driven by big data. d. Innovation/creativity cannot be incorporated into businesses of all sizes. e. Innovation/creativity becomes less important as global competition increases.

a. Innovation/creativity is a process that can be learned.

Which of the following best describes an elevator speech? a. It is a powerful statement of why you are a good candidate for a particular job. b. It is a speech that gives you the chance to oppose the views of your interviewer. c. It is a speech that is generally long, informative, and useful in a one-on-one situation. d. It is a speech that employees give candidates at campus interviews. e. It is a speech that an employee delivers to get a promotion or raise.

a. It is a powerful statement of why you are a good candidate for a particular job.

Free Reach Inc., a company that manufactures exercise equipment, creates a non-traditional corporate culture characterized by "active workstations." It also encourages teams to balance on giant balls during team meetings. Which of the following is most likely true of Free Reach Inc. in this scenario? a. It is hurting the productivity of its employees. b. It is enhancing employee listening skills. c. It is ensuring that there will be increased hygiene and etiquette within the office. d. It is maintaining the existence of a conventional corporate culture. e. It is reducing the risk of liability in the workplace.

a. It is hurting the productivity of its employees.

Which of the following best describes "bypassing" in business writing? a. It occurs when two writers use the same word but intend different meanings. b. It occurs when two people use similar sounding words in their documents. c. It occurs when a writer uses a word without being fully aware of its meaning. d. It occurs when two people misuse a word in their documents. e. It occurs when a writer creates a typographical error in a document.

a. It occurs when two writers use the same word but intend different meanings.

_____ refer to words and phrases that an employer will have a computer seek in an electronic résumé. a. Key words b. Weasel words c. Automated words d. Power words e. Code words

a. Key words

When delivering which of the following messages would audience benefits be unnecessary? a. Negative messages b. Promotional messages c. Persuasive messages d. Informative messages e. Responsive messages

a. Negative messages

Which of the following statements is true of the half-truths about business writing? a. Never forget to acknowledge your source if you have borrowed words or ideas. b. Never use "you" because it is too informal. c. Never use "but" to begin a sentence. d. Never use "I" as it makes your writing sound self-centered. e. Never write sentences longer than 20 words even if they are clearly written.

a. Never forget to acknowledge your source if you have borrowed words or ideas.

One of Pablo's subordinates, Aliya, is highly efficient at work. She always meets the deadlines and performs beyond the average expected levels. Pablo has also observed that Aliya is an introvert. He wants all his team members to suggest ideas to celebrate the company's latest achievement. In this scenario, which of the following channels of communication should Pablo use to interact with Aliya? a. Pablo should write an e-mail to Aliya asking her to reply to the mail with some suggestions. b. Pablo should have a one-on-one, face-to-face meeting with Aliya. c. Pablo should call for a team meeting and ask Aliya to speak. d. Pablo should dial Aliya and ask her to instantly suggest ideas over the telephone. e. Pablo should ask Aliya to directly meet the departmental head to discuss her ideas.

a. Pablo should write an e-mail to Aliya asking her to reply to the mail with some suggestions.

Which of the following is true of job hunting? a. People who do not need jobs immediately are more confident and usually get better offers. b. Students who have to job-hunt before graduation can focus on their subjects and classes because an active job search is less time-consuming. c. If one is already working, searching for a new job during work hours helps one get good reference from the current employer. d. One should plan to spend only 10 hours a week on their job search after graduation. e. Informal preparation for job hunting should start only after graduation.

a. People who do not need jobs immediately are more confident and usually get better offers.

Which of the following should you do to deal with fear during a presentation? a. Picture stress leaving your body as you exhale. b. Do not pause while you're talking and keep your feet together. c. Contract your muscles and breathe fast. d. Concentrate on your feelings and not the audience. e. Avoid looking at the audience while you're speaking.

a. Picture stress leaving your body as you exhale.

Which of the following questions should you avoid asking in an interview? a. Questions about salary and benefits b. Questions about the work culture of the organization you are planning on joining c. Questions about where the organization would expect a new candidate to be in three or five years d. Questions about what a good employee should do before the first evaluation e. Questions about interest rates that affect the organization

a. Questions about salary and benefits

Jacob recently wrote a report on the development rate of villages in close proximity to cities in Vietnam. Which of the following did he most likely place in the appendix of the report? a. Supporting data that will later be examined by specialists b. Information that is crucial for the proof of the report c. Evidence which explains the growth of these cities d. Scrutiny of causes and evaluation of possible solutions e. An impersonal note describing his experience in Vietnam

a. Supporting data that will later be examined by specialists

Dario is preparing a report and he wants to provide a specific overview of each section and of the entire report. Which of the following is bestsuited to accomplish this objective? a. Talking heads b. Purpose statements c. Topic headings d. Recommendation statements e. Scope statements

a. Talking heads

Aida is preparing a PowerPoint presentation on the services her company provides. She wants the PowerPoint presentation to look very attractive, so she used three types of fonts in each slide. She made sure that there were enough white space and headings everywhere necessary. She used very few words that were set in all capital letters or highlighted. Which of the following is a mistake in Aidas PowerPoint presentation according to the guidelines for document design? a. The use of three fonts b. The use of white space c. The use of many headings d. The use of only few highlighted words e. The use of only few words set in all capitals

a. The use of three fonts

Which of the following is true of informal meetings? a. They are better for team building than formal meetings. b. They are characterized by the recording of minutes. c. They are conducted under strict rules and regulations. d. They compulsorily settle points by voting. e. They are uncommon in business and workplace settings.

a. They are better for team building than formal meetings.

Which of the following is true of arguments? a. They are the reasons you offer to prove your solution is best. b. They are the audience's responses to you as the source of a message. c. They are the illogical advice you provide. d. They are the common errors you make in an opening statement. e. They are the exaggerated opinions that support your idea.

a. They are the reasons you offer to prove your solution is best.

Which of the following is true of good survey questions? a. They should be placed in a particular order. b. They should make assumptions about respondents. c. They should be phrased in such a way that they mean different things to the researcher and to the respondents. d. They should use words like "often" and "important" for indicating emphasis. e. They should allow frequent bypassing.

a. They should be placed in a particular order.

Elijah, the HR manager of ArtDeco, sent an e-mail to an interviewed candidate stating that the candidate has been shortlisted for the assistant designer post of ArtDeco. The e-mail also includes details about ArtDeco and the job profile. In business communication, which of the following is most likely a secondary purpose of this message? a. To build a good image of the sender's organization b. To have the receiver view the information positively c. To increase communication on the same subject d. To give information to the receiver e. To reassure the receiver

a. To build a good image of the sender's organization

Responding to the need for global experience, business schools are: a. conducting international case studies and setting up overseas campuses. b. encouraging expatriates exclusively as they are better problem solvers. c. toning down student/faculty exchange programs. d. accepting only those candidates who have a bicultural fluency. e. ignoring the need to increase multicultural awareness.

a. conducting international case studies and setting up overseas campuses.

When people object to your proposal because they benefit directly from keeping things as they are, it means they: a. have a vested interest. b. feel threatened. c. succumb to emotional appeal. d. are stick motivators. e. believe in vicarious participation.

a. have a vested interest.

An informative and positive message should start by: a. providing the most important information. b. informing the audience of any possible negatives. c. providing additional information on the main subject. d. making the audience aware of possible loopholes. e. enquiring about the reader's hobbies or personal life.

a. providing the most important information.

Selena is the first woman to be made a director at her company. At her first meeting as a director, the CEO begins the meeting by saying, "I am proud to announce that all the best businessmen in the country are present at this meeting." The phrasing of his statement offends Selena. This is most likely because the statement is: a. sexist. b. racist. c. ageist. d. ethnocentric. e. gender-neutral.

a. sexist.

Tricia is a graduate student. She sees an advertisement for a job opening in her field. She is advised by her professor to apply for the advertised job. Since Tricia knows that the company is hiring, she should write a(n) _____ letter. a. solicited b. prospecting c. personal d. open e. speculating

a. solicited

Which of the following elements of a visual best tells the story that the visual shows? a. Title b. Legend c. Unit labels d. Source e. Column

a. title

A _____ is a memo accompanying document, informing it is being forwarded to the receiver. a. transmittal b. policy bulletin c. 10 K report d. memo of congratulations e. claims adjustment

a. transmittal

Farah is preparing a proposal for developing a new line of ammonia-free hair color. When writing her proposal, Farah should avoid: a. using technical jargon and a complex style of writing. b. highlighting benefits for the entire audience. c. supporting generalizations with data and other information. d. adapting her proposal to meet the needs of the audience. e. anticipating and answering questions her audience may have.

a. using technical jargon and a complex style of writing.

While e-mailing a solicited application letter, _____. a. you can paste your traditional letter into your e-mail b. you need a short letter that catches the reader's attention c. your letter will most likely be a transmission e-mail d. you should not ask for an interview e. you should call the employer to check the status of your application

a. you can paste your traditional letter into your e-mail

Which of the following is a way to handle being out of the job market for a while? a. Avoid local networking events as they are not useful. b. Do freelance work to keep you occupied. c. Allow yourself to leave a gap on your résumé as employers do not mind it. d. Do not mention the period of being out of the job market on your résumé. e. Avoid volunteer work experience as it has no professional value.

b. Do freelance work to keep you occupied.

_____ refers to providing the bibliographic information readers would need to go back to the original source. a. Quotation b. Documentation c. Connotation d. Citation e. Plagiarism

b. Documentation

Which of the following is an example of a startling statement in an opener? a. "Would you like to contribute two hours during weekends to help homeless children?" b. "As many as 170,000 homeless children in some parts of the world have only one meal a day." c. "Children are the wealth of a country's future." Alexander Thomas d. "Many homeless children nowadays are rehabilitated by nonprofit organizations." e. "There is a lot each one of us can do for homeless children."

b. "As many as 170,000 homeless children in some parts of the world have only one meal a day."

Samantha, a team lead at Net Works Co., is heading a project on designing a new software application. Samantha and her team are supposed to complete the development work by the end of the month, but they haven't received the necessary instructions from the client to begin the final phase of development. Consequently, the development work has been delayed and she needs to write to the client about the issue. Which of the following statements would be most appropriate? a. "We're still in the second phase of development because you haven't sent us the necessary details." b. "We're currently working on the second phase of development, and we'll be ready to begin the next phase as soon as we receive further instructions." c. "We have successfully completed the first phase of development; however we can't proceed any further since you haven't given us the necessary instructions." d. "We may not be able to complete the project on time because you haven't provided us with the required details." e. "We cannot move onto the second phase of development because we haven't heard from you yet."

b. "We're currently working on the second phase of development, and we'll be ready to begin the next phase as soon as we receive further instructions."

Which of the following types of reports allows you and a funding agency to resolve problems as they arise? a. A justification report b. A progress report c. An audit report d. An annual report e. A payback report

b. A progress report

Which of the following is an ineffective way to change the audience's knowledge or understanding of something? a. Using examples and statistics to show the need for the change b. Acknowledging the audience's initial interpretation toward the end of the message c. Providing evidences to show that the audience's experience is not universal d. Delivering the message orally to help build consensus toward accepting the change in information e. Allowing the audience to save face by suggesting that changed circumstances call for new attitudes or action

b. Acknowledging the audience's initial interpretation toward the end of the message

In the context of interpersonal communication, which of the following is true of a debating conversational style? a. Topics are generally defined gradually and progressively. b. Aggressiveness is seen as one way to organize the flow of conversation. c. Questions are interpreted as one way to maintain the flow of conversation. d. Reassurance and solidarity are typical responses to someone who shares a problem. e. New comments or responses are direct acknowledgements to the previous comments made by a speaker.

b. Aggressiveness is seen as one way to organize the flow of conversation.

Dan is the owner of a small pastry shop. He wants to create a profile for his shop and share information about his shop to his customers and other interested people. Dan decides to create a focus group that will help him share pictures and other information about his shop and also receive feedback from the customers. According to this scenario, which of the following means of communication should Dan use to promote his shop? a. Tumblr b. Facebook c. Flickr d. LinkedIn e. Wikipedia

b. Facebook

Jo lives in a country that is characterized by a culture that relies on nonverbal signs of communication more than explicit verbal communications. It attaches a high degree of importance to building and establishing business relationships. Considering these characteristics, which of the following countries is the most similar to the country described here? a. Germany b. Japan c. Scandinavia d. Norway e. North America

b. Japan

Which of the following is true of efficient time management in the process of writing a report? a. Don't rely on technology to manage time. b. Make minor revisions to your proposal for the introduction section of the report to save time. c. Mock up visuals and data displays only toward the end as they are essentially time-wasters. d. Spend sufficient time on the background and history of the problem and write important sections later. e. Do not write any section of the report until you've completed the research.

b. Make minor revisions to your proposal for the introduction section of the report to save time.

Which of the following is true of networking as a skill in interpersonal communication? a. Networking is an over-appreciated skill in the business environment. b. Networking becomes even more important as you climb the corporate ladder. c. Networking should not rely on informal conversations as a source of information. d. Good networkers do not share personal and emotional informational about themselves. e. Good networkers connect with people within their own social and professional circles only.

b. Networking becomes even more important as you climb the corporate ladder.

Noberto is a final-year graduate student working on his thesis on the increasing incidence of mental illness in children-a topic that is relatively new in his field. His research is based on a sample of 300 children from all over the country. The data he collects is complex and is presented in tables, pie charts, bar charts, and line graphs. He also uses some photographs and drawings. For the purpose of integrating visuals and data displays into his text, which of the following would you recommend to Noberto? a. Noberto should use Excel, Numbers, and OpenOffice to edit all his visuals. b. Noberto should ensure that he summarizes the main point of each visual or data display before he presents it. c. Noberto should not help the readers find key points. d. Noberto should use single-sentence explanations about each visual or data display since the topic is new in his field. e. Noberto should not refer to or explain every visual and data display.

b. Noberto should ensure that he summarizes the main point of each visual or data display before he presents it.

_____ is a major aspect of global business that refers to the process of sending corporate work to other companies. a. Counter planning b. Outsourcing c. Paraplanning d. Reverse internalization e. Internal migration

b. Outsourcing

Daniel is creating a print advertisement for a wrinkle-reducing face cream. The advertisement has to have a sense of authenticity so that customers know the exact effects of the product. It must also visually demonstrate how the product is used. Which of the following visuals should Daniel use to present the data? a. Dynamic displays b. Photographs c. Gantt charts d. Line graphs e. Pie charts

b. Photographs

On which of the following does an interpersonal dimension of a team focus? a. Creating content b. Promoting friendliness c. Gathering data d. Finding results e. Evaluating methods

b. Promoting friendliness

The sales manager of a bank wants his team members to send him the sales figures for the month of March. He creates an email asking for the update. Which of the following is most likely to be the best subject line for the manager's email? a. Submission Status: March 2011 b. Sales Reports for March 2011 c. Details of report to be sent immediately d. Update: Your Reports for this Month e. Status update: Submission of Reports

b. Sales Reports for March 2011

Rhonda is the CEO at Eliat Corporation, a multinational company. In the context of spatial cues in nonverbal communication, which of the following best indicates that Rhonda has a position of power and status in the company? a. She primarily demonstrates a debating conversational style. b. She occupies a corner office on the top floor of the building. c. She places her hands in her pockets when she addresses a large group. d. She sits in a common area where the accounts department of the office sits. e. She demonstrates active listening responses when communicating with her employees.

b. She occupies a corner office on the top floor of the building.

Which of the following statements is true about student teams? a. Successful teams communicate directly and do not rely on non-verbal cues to build trust. b. Successful teams regularly communicate as a team; less successful teams meet less often. c. Less successful teams focus on the contribution of each team member instead of the team as a whole. d. Successful teams appoint subgroups or individuals to make decisions; less successful teams make important decisions as a group. e. Less successful teams deal directly with every conflict that occurs.

b. Successful teams regularly communicate as a team; less successful teams meet less often.

A website developed by a web designer is ready to be published. Before making it open to the public, the designer wants to test its usability. Which of the following would be a good technique for assessing the usability testing of this website? a. Ask users to fill up survey questions. b. Test it with an audience. c. Conduct a session to get feedback. d. Hire a professional to run through it. e. Ask a team member to check for mistakes.

b. Test it with an audience.

Manuela is preparing the annual report for her company, which will reach her subordinates, her superiors, the board of directors, the distributors, and the employees in other branches. Who among the following is the external audience of the annual report? a. The board of directors b. The distributors c. Manuelas superiors d. Manuelas subordinates

b. The distributors

Which of the following is true of the hidden job market? a. The number of unadvertised jobs decreases the higher on the job ladder you go. b. The percentage of jobs that are not advertised is as high as 80 percent. c. Many new jobs come from responding to advertisements and not through networking. d. Solicited job application letters are the best way to reach the hidden job market. e. In a hiring freeze, the hidden job market loses its ability to sustain.

b. The percentage of jobs that are not advertised is as high as 80 percent.

Which of the following is true of using social media as channels to solve customer complaints? a. They generally enable only one-way communication. b. They are ineffective for solving customer complaints. c. They are more likely to reduce the negativity of feedback. d. They are more effective channels than the phone or websites. e. They are faster and more effective for solving problems.

b. They are ineffective for solving customer complaints.

Which of the following is true of good report problems? a. They grow out of superficial issues. b. They have data and evidence that is comprehensible to a researcher. c. They are broad and cover a large topic. d. They are time-consuming and cannot be solved in the available time. e. They are not characterized by purpose statements.

b. They have data and evidence that is comprehensible to a researcher.

Which of the following is true of complex sentences? a. They have two main clauses separated by a preposition. b. They have one main clause and one subordinate clause. c. They have two main clauses joined by a conjunction. d. They are good for showing illogical relationships. e. They have only one main clause.

b. They have one main clause and one subordinate clause.

Which of the following is a difference between oral messages and written messages? a. Unlike written messages, oral messages make it easier to minimize undesirable emotions. b. Unlike written messages, oral messages make it easier to use emotion to help persuade an audience. c. Oral messages can make use of visuals to clarify or emphasize material while written messages cannot. d. Oral messages make it easier to present extensive or complex data compared to written messages. e. Oral messages use you-attitude while written messages use we-attitude.

b. Unlike written messages, oral messages make it easier to use emotion to help persuade an audience.

Which of the following will help in dealing with information overload? a. Using social media b. Using choice engines c. Sending text messages instead of e-mails d. Sending instant messages instead of e-mails e. Making phone calls to convey the message instead of sending e-mails

b. Using choice engines

Which of the following is most likely to bring out you-attitude at a sentence level? a. Using "you" in negative situations b. Using passive verbs to avoid assigning blame c. Talking about your emotions and feelings d. Talking about yourself, not about your audience

b. Using passive verbs to avoid assigning blame

Which of the following examples best illustrates positive emphasis in a sentence? a. We have failed to meet our sales targets. b. We will obtain the contract by next week. c. Never fail to save a copy of your document before sending it. d. We have not been able to obtain enough resources for the project. e. If you are unable to open the website, please call the number mentioned below.

b. We will obtain the contract by next week.

Which of the following represents poor writing in documents? a. Writing that takes a short time to read b. Writing that requires a reader to gather more information c. Writing that involves minimal cycling of documents d. Writing that emphasizes audience benefits e. Writing that takes less time to comprehend

b. Writing that requires a reader to gather more information

Which of the following guidelines should you follow when designing a PowerPoint presentation? a. You should use only one slide to cover a topic irrespective of its size. b. You should use a big font size for your titles: 44 or 50 points. c. You should try to create slides with more text than visuals. d. You should include as many bullet points as possible on each slide. e. You should use different backgrounds for different slides.

b. You should use a big font size for your titles: 44 or 50 points.

Daunte is frustrated about management's recent decision to merge his two teams into one. He discusses this issue with Claire, a co-worker. Claire responds by saying, "It sounds like management's decision really bothers you." In the context of listening skills, Claire's statement bestexemplifies a(n): a. sarcastic tone that blocks responses. b. active response that mirrors feelings. c. active response that advises the speaker. d. blocking response that criticizes the speaker. e. negative response that magnifies the problem.

b. active response that mirrors feelings.

The _____ of an interview should be used by a candidate to summarize restated key accomplishments and strengths, and to express enthusiasm for the job. a. introduction b. close c. rebuttal d. opener e. initiation

b. close

Altech Inc., a biotech company, writes a proposal to the National Institute of Health, requesting the organization to fund its oral insulin project. This proposal is most likely an example of a(n) _____. a. unsolicited proposal b. competitive proposal c. noncompetitive proposal d. supplemental proposal e. evaluation proposal

b. competitive proposal

Design choices for graphics that accompany text such as the way one uses photographs, charts, and graphs, and the ways in which one emphasizes information on those graphics refers to the _____ of design distinguished by Charles Kostelnick. a. supra-level b. extra-level c. intra-level d. outer-level e. inter-level

b. extra-level

Lydia has completed her first round of interview with a publishing house and is waiting to hear from the company. At this point, it is appropriate for Lydia to: a. call a few times within the first week to show her enthusiasm for the job. b. follow up with a call and leave a message if she gets voice mail. c. write a thank-you note if she does not hear from them in a week. d. wait for them to contact her. e. wait at least two weeks before she contacts them.

b. follow up with a call and leave a message if she gets voice mail.

When speaking or writing to multiple audiences, if it is not possible to meet everyone's needs, it is advisable to meet the needs of the _____ first. a. secondary audiences b. gatekeepers c. watchdog audiences d. auxiliary audiences e. whistle-blowers

b. gatekeepers

A secondary purpose of a negative message is to: a. maintain goodwill. b. reduce further communication on the same subject. c. make the audience comprehend the message. d. make the reader accept the message. e. convey bad news to the audience.

b. reduce further communication on the same subject.

Imani is responding to a newspaper advertisement for the post of editorial assistant in a publishing house. When she writes her application letter, she indicates immediately that she is applying for the specific position advertised. This is a recommended practice for _____ application letters. a. speculating b. solicited c. referral d. follow-up e. prospecting

b. solicited

Imani is responding to a newspaper advertisement for the post of editorial assistant in a publishing house. When she writes her application letter, she indicates immediately that she is applying for the specific position advertised. This is a recommended practice for _____ application letters. a. speculating b. solicited c. referral d. follow-up e. prospecting

b. solicited

Cindy attends a career counseling session in her neighborhood where she receives career advice and useful tips from seasoned career counselors. These experts specifically discuss how career objective statements should be framed and provide general guidelines regarding them. Cindy is advised that career objective statement should: a. cover at least half of the first or second page of a résumé. b. state what one wants to do and the responsibility one wants to hold. c. aim at targeting a diverse range of jobs in the prospective market. d. be elaborate and focus on generalities. e. be placed at the top of a résumé rather than on a cover letter.

b. state what one wants to do and the responsibility one wants to hold.

Which of the following is a typical difference between a conversational writing style and a good business writing style? a. A conversational writing style is personal; a good business writing style is impersonal. b. A conversational writing style is friendly; a good business writing style is unfriendly. c. A conversational writing style does not contain paragraphs; a good business writing style does contain paragraphs. d. A conversational writing style uses short sentences; a good business writing style uses incomplete sentences. e. A conversational writing style uses standard English; a good business writing style can be ungrammatical.

c. A conversational writing style does not contain paragraphs; a good business writing style does contain paragraphs.

Johanna begins her presentation on the effects of climate change by saying, "'Climate change is the worst catastrophe man has ever witnessed!' That's what Raymond Bennet said." Which of the following openers has Johanna used in her presentation? a. An anecdote b. A question c. A quotation d. A startling statement e. A memoir

c. A quotation

Ergo Inc., a retailing company, is hosting a massive event for its 25 th anniversary. The HR manager at Ergo Inc. is drafting an e-mail invite for the employees. Which of the following examples illustrates the most nonsexist subject for the e-mail invite? a. Every salesman and his wife are invited to the 25th year celebrations. b. All salesmen and their guests are invited to the 25th year celebrations. c. All salespeople and their guests are invited to the 25th year celebrations. d. I am happy to announce that every salesman and his guest are invited to the 25th year celebrations. e. I am glad to announce that all salespeople and their wives are invited to the 25th year celebrations.

c. All salespeople and their guests are invited to the 25th year celebrations.

An advertising firm is trying to evaluate if it should change its recruitment policy or continue with its existing practices. It decides to seek a proposal from an HR consultant. Which of the following is the proposal more likely to provide? a. A record of the implementation process b. A record of the evaluation process c. An assessment of whether change is a good idea d. A developmental plan for achieving the desired change e. A list of measurable outcomes

c. An assessment of whether change is a good idea

Which of the following is an example of psychological reactance? a. A sales executive achieves the sales targets for the quarter. b. An employee establishes good working relationships with his colleagues. c. An employee refuses to meet his deadlines after being passed over for a promotion. d. An executive undergoes training for technical expertise at her job. e. An employee is laid off for an inability to perform his duties.

c. An employee refuses to meet his deadlines after being passed over for a promotion.

Huang is writing a new edition report on networking strategies in business. While writing the report, he refers to previous reports on the same subject. He wants to include previous reports in the document. In which of the following sections of the report will it be appropriate to include them? a. executive summary b. Introduction c. Appendix d. Recommendation e. Transmittal

c. Appendix

After six months on the job, David is still one of the slowest resources in his team. Jonathan, his manager, needs to give him a performance appraisal. Which of the following should Jonathan undertake? a. List at least ten areas in which David should improve. b. Omit everything negative since he wants to motivate David to improve. c. Cite specifics observations about his performance in the last few months. d. Give vague references of his work to avoid upsetting him. e. Use labels and inferences to make him take action on them.

c. Cite specifics observations about his performance in the last few months.

Which of the following is true of oral communication? a. The kinds of statements that people interpret as compliments and the socially correct ways to respond to compliments are similar among cultures. b. To understand someone from another culture, one must understand the stereotypes of his/her culture. c. Cultures vary in the way they deal with unpleasant details. d. Effective oral communication is uninfluenced by cultural understanding. e. The meanings of gestures are interpreted similarly in different cultures.

c. Cultures vary in the way they deal with unpleasant details.

_____ is the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes, to feel with that person. a. Locus of control b. Expectancy c. Empathy d. Individualism e. Neuroticism

c. Empathy

Ronaldo, an employee at Insure Cycle Inc., is drafting a letter to send along with other insurance documents. Which of the following styles of writing should he use while preparing the report? a. Stiff and legal b. Formal and humorous c. Friendly and businesslike d. Ambiguous and chummy e. Formal and complex

c. Friendly and businesslike

Which of the following statements can be best applied to the use of Gantt charts? a. Gantt charts are bar charts that identify positive and negative values, or winners and losers. b. Gantt charts are used to compare items over time. c. Gantt charts are bar charts used to show schedules. d. Gantt charts can only be used to compare one segment to the whole. e. Gantt charts are bar charts that sum the components of an item.

c. Gantt charts are bar charts used to show schedules.

Kayla is attending an interview for the post of an administrative executive. Which of the following would be a good answer to the question, "What is your greatest weakness?" a. I am a workaholic and like to work all the time. b. I do not like working with people, and I know that my interpersonal skills will be required only once I am promoted. c. I do not like selling products. But I like selling ideas, which is why this position interests me. d. I do not have any substantial work experience, and I think that is my greatest weakness. e. I am a perfectionist and always submit work that is flawless.

c. I do not like selling products. But I like selling ideas, which is why this position interests me.

Which of the following examples best illustrates good you-attitude? a. Even you should be able to edit this document through a spelling checker. b. You should be the one editing this document because it is your job. c. I should not have to edit documents in addition to all the writing work I do. d. You never do your share of work which makes tasks more difficult for others. e. Why should I edit this document when it is clearly not my work?

c. I should not have to edit documents in addition to all the writing work I do.

Which of the following statements is true of Charles Kostelnicks four levels of design? a. If a person decides to use italics, he is making an extra-level choice. b. If a person chooses to use Calibri font, he is making an inter-level choice. c. If a person chooses to use bullets to list items, he is making an inter-level choice. d. If a person decides to include more white space, he is making an extra-level choice. e. If a person chooses to use pie charts to represent data, he is making a supra-level choice.

c. If a person chooses to use bullets to list items, he is making an inter-level choice

Which of the following statements is true of Charles Kostelnicks four levels of design? a. If a person decides to use italics, he is making an extra-level choice. b. If a person chooses to use Calibri font, he is making an inter-level choice. c. If a person chooses to use bullets to list items, he is making an inter-level choice. d. If a person decides to include more white space, he is making an extra-level choice. e. If a person chooses to use pie charts to represent data, he is making a supra-level choice.

c. If a person chooses to use bullets to list items, he is making an inter-level choice.

Which of the following is recommended while providing reasons in a negative message? a. If the situation calls for it, clearly state that you cannot do something. b. If you have several reasons for saying no, use them all. c. If you do not have a good reason, omit the reason rather than use a weak one. d. Attribute the negative message to "company policy." e. If you do not have a good enough reason for the negative message, make a superior accountable.

c. If you do not have a good reason, omit the reason rather than use a weak one.

Which of the following is a good coping strategy for an individual who has joined his first full-time job? a. Get to know your colleagues, but do not keep networking with people in the field. b. Be more observant and do not ask too many questions until later. c. Learn the jargon, but use it sparingly around the office. d. Do not try to plug into the office grapevine. e. Help out when you're asked, but do not go out of your way as it could offend others.

c. Learn the jargon, but use it sparingly around the office.

Janet works as a nurse in a school for underprivileged children. She is a single mother of two children and lives with her aged parents. A major part of the household expenses come from her earnings. From her small Christmas bonus, she intends to buy new clothes for her family. Which of the following objective features of an apparel store would appeal the most to Janet? a. Free goodies on purchases above $250 b. 100 outlets worldwide c. Lowest prices in town d. New collection from spring summer 2014 e. No credit cards accepted

c. Lowest prices in town

Which of the following examples best illustrates positive emphasis in an application letter? a. Please give me a chance. b. I cannot promise that I am substantially different from the other candidates, but I shall do my best. c. My profile of a professor was published in the campus newsletter. d. I have learned an excessive amount about technology and its uses. e. I fervently apologize for my lack of experience.

c. My profile of a professor was published in the campus newsletter.

Malcolm has recently joined his first job at an advertising firm in Manhattan. It has only been a few weeks at his new organization, but he is already well-adapted to the new environment. David, Malcolm's colleague, asks him how he has managed to adapt himself so quickly and Malcolm says, "Knowing and understanding the conventions at work really enabled me to adapt to the new work environment." Which of the following practices would have best helped Malcolm in learning the company's conventions? a. Learning workplace rules from the human resources department b. Having a long, formal discussion with his supervisor c. Observing what other employees are doing d. Learning about the company and work culture online e. Reading up official documents and annual reports

c. Observing what other employees are doing

Which of the following is most likely to be used as a technology to organize a quick virtual meeting? a. Producteev b. Google Docs c. Skype d. Dropbox e. Prezi

c. Skype

Which of the following statements is true regarding proposal style? a. Avoid using facts and figures in proposals as they may be inaccurate. b. Use "believing" wording extensively to sound convincing. c. Support your generalizations and inferences with data. d. Use technical jargons in your language to impress your audience. e. Avoid anticipating questions that the audience may have.

c. Support your generalizations and inferences with data.

Gabrielle is delivering a presentation on the different mediums that can be used to spread awareness about the need to conserve the Yellow River in China. She begins her presentation by explaining why television advertisements should not be used as a means of promoting awareness. Then, she moves on to discuss the disadvantages of using radio advertising to promote their cause. She concludes her presentation by discussing print media, specifically newspapers, and how they can serve their purpose by spreading the message to a wider public base. Which of the following patterns of organizing data did Gabrielle use in her presentation? a. The problem-causes-solution pattern b. The pro-con pattern c. The excluding alternatives pattern d. The chronological pattern e. The 1-2-3 pattern

c. The excluding alternatives pattern

Identify the correct statement about the use of visuals and data displays in a business document. a. The use of visuals and data displays should be limited when the document is used to persuade the audience. b. The number of visuals and data displays depends on the information and not the audience. c. The number of visuals and data displays should be more when the information is complex. d. Visuals and data displays can be used only in newsletters and reports, but not in e-mails. e. Visuals and data displays should not be used at all if the audience does not value them.

c. The number of visuals and data displays should be more when the information is complex.

Which of the following is true of buffers? a. They are effective subject lines for negative messages. b. They are reasons that explain a problem. c. They are statements that delay the negative in the news. d. They are statements that put a reader in a negative state of mind. e. They are statements that explicitly convey a positive piece of news.

c. They are statements that delay the negative in the news.

Which of the following examples best illustrates you-attitude in an application letter? a. Your company has just conducted a successful merger with its competitor. b. I did an exceptional job when I was president of the student council. c. Under my presidency, students were able to have many of their needs met. d. A company with your reputation and status is perfect for my financial and cultural needs. e. I have a tremendous ability to learn and apply what I learn to my work.

c. Under my presidency, students were able to have many of their needs met.

While choosing appropriate words for business writing, which of the following is true? a. Always use a short word instead of a long word. b. Use a short word instead of a long word, even if the long word is more familiar. c. Use a long word if your audience prefers it. d. Always use an acronym if one exists. e. Use technical jargon generously.

c. Use a long word if your audience prefers it.

Rita applies for the position of a visualizer in a web designing company. On her résumé, she experiments with layout and fonts to make it look attractive, and at the same time she wants to ensure that she follows the basic guidelines pertaining to layout and design. While doing so, which of the following should she adhere to? a. Avoid working with fonts and bullets to highlight information. b. Always use résumé templates that come with word-processing software. c. Use enough white space to group items. d. Make headings as wide as possible to give her résumé a balanced look. e. Make her résumé look "busy" by using innumerable fonts and colors to highlight data.

c. Use enough white space to group items.

Which of the following is a top web design mistake according to Jakob Nielsen? a. Use of effective contrast b. Use of light background c. Use of large text blocks d. Provision of links to home page e. Use of small graphics

c. Use of large text blocks

Mistletoe Inc., a retail store, prints a newspaper advertisement for its Christmas sale. To maintain you-attitude, which of the following examples of advertisements is most likely to be effective? a. We offer the best discounts in the market at Mistletoe! b. We are going to make your dreams come true this Christmas! c. You can now avail of our Christmas discount of 50 percent on all products at Mistletoe. d. We are thrilled to offer our customers a 50 percent discount on all products at Mistletoe. e. You will be delighted to avail of the 50 percent discount that we offer on all our products.

c. You can now avail of our Christmas discount of 50 percent on all products at Mistletoe.

Xorbia is a software company that recently sold its new V-2 model to a client. Which of the following would be an appropriate goodwill ending for an e-mail to the new customer? a. Do convey my regards to your wife and children. b. The V-2 software will help you find free time to work on your golf game! c. You have made a wise decision by purchasing the personalized V-2 software. d. The V-2 software will save you money to go for that long awaited holiday! e. I assure you, the V-2 software will help you spend a lot of quality time at home.

c. You have made a wise decision by purchasing the personalized V-2 software.

Lesley is working on a campaign that aims at promoting reforestation in the country. As part of the campaign, Lesley sends out emails that list the advantages and disadvantages of reforestation. By doing this, she feels, the audience will be in a better position to take a stand on the issue. The pattern of organizing information used by Lesley is referred to as: a. a spatial pattern. b. a chronological pattern. c. a pro-and-con pattern. d. a geographic pattern. e. a problem-solution solution.

c. a pro-and-con pattern.

The term _____ refers to résumé that summarize what one did in a time line starting with the most recent events, and going backward in reverse order. a. skills résumé b. functional résumé c. chronological résumé d. mini résumé e. targeted résumé

c. chronological résumé

Patricia Nicholas plans to attend a business meeting in Paris to obtain a client's approval on a new line of clothing. Her client has a leisurely approach to matters related to time of which Patricia is unaware. Patricia is late to the meeting by five minutes and apologizes repeatedly to the members present. Patricia is most likely to have calculated time: a. based on personal feelings. b. based on body clock. c. in five-minute blocks. d. in 30-minute blocks. e. in hourly blocks.

c. in five-minute blocks.

_____ questions do not lock the subject into any sort of response. a. Branching b. Closed c. Open d. Rhetorical

c. open

A secondary purpose of persuasive messages is to: a. increase future communication on the same subject. b. have the audience act on their decision. c. overcome any objections that might prevent or delay action. d. encourage the audience to change their beliefs. e. weaken the relationship between a communicator and an audience.

c. overcome any objections that might prevent or delay action.

A(n) _____ introduces or summarizes the main idea of a paragraph. a. transition word b. transitive verb c. topic sentence d. gerund e. action verb

c. topic sentence

To make an effective phone call, you should: a. give the phone number only at the beginning of the call. b. manage other work while in the call to save time. c. use an information hook. d. use a stern business tone. e. make it long and discuss all the possible issues.

c. use an information hook.

Which of the following is an example of a direct request? a. "I wonder where the annual conference will be held." b. "Is the June conference going to be in Cincinnati this year?" c. "I wish they would send us the details about the June conference." d. "Please email me the details of the annual conference this year." e. "Where do you think I can find details of the upcoming annual conference?"

d. "Please email me the details of the annual conference this year."

Jayla wants to change her audience's perception of a problem in order to solve it effectively. Which of the following patterns of organizing information would be appropriate in this scenario? a. A pro-and-con pattern b. A compare/contrast pattern c. A problem-solution pattern d. A general to particular pattern e. An elimination of alternatives pattern

d. A general to particular pattern

Which of the following conventions should you follow when creating visuals and data displays? a. Avoid using titles that tell the story that the visual or data display shows. b. Ensure that you divide your informal visuals into tables and figures. c. Use formal visuals and data displays when preparing documents that are not reports or proposals. d. Avoid straying from convention or you may confuse or alienate your audience. e. Use informal visuals and data displays when preparing proposals or reports.

d. Avoid straying from convention or you may confuse or alienate your audience.

Which of the following is a step in editing a document during a collaborative writing project? a. Deciding how drafts will be shared b. Ensuring drafts are labeled and dated correctly c. Ensuring everyone is working on the most current version d. Checking for consistency in the way that format elements are handled e. Determining who will do what in the document

d. Checking for consistency in the way that format elements are handled

Which of the following is true of the process of finding out about employers and jobs? a. Finding out the name and address of a specific individual in an organization you are applying to is not recommended. b. Calling an organization to find out more details about a job can come across as unprofessional. c. Talking to friends who have graduated recently may give you subjective opinions about the job market. d. Conducting information interviews will give you more insights about a job that may interest you. e. Knowing an organization's larger goals is unnecessary when you are applying for a position in that organization.

d. Conducting information interviews will give you more insights about a job that may interest you.

Which of the following is true of the process of finding out about employers and jobs? a. Finding out the name and address of a specific individual in an organization you are applying to is not recommended. b. Calling an organization to find out more details about a job can come across as unprofessional. c. Talking to friends who have graduated recently may give you subjective opinions about the job market. d. Conducting information interviews will give you more insights about a job that may interest you. e. Knowing an organization's larger goals is unnecessary when you are applying for a position in that organization.

d. Conducting information interviews will give you more insights about a job that may interest you.

Which of the following is an example of a sentence using active voice? a. The report was created by the accounts executive, Alley Carter. b. Monthly and annual sales figures were covered in the report. c. The report was read by all members of the sales team. d. David Riley, a sales executive identified flaws in the report. e. The details of the report were mailed to everyone by Sally Jones.

d. David Riley, a sales executive identified flaws in the report.

Sarah O'Neil is writing an e-mail to Eleanor Rice, the director of a funding agency. Sarah has not communicated with the director before and is wondering how best to address her. Which of the following illustrates the most polite way to address Eleanor Rice? a. Dear Mrs. Eleanor b. Dear Mrs. Rice c. Dear Eleanor d. Dear Ms. Rice e. Dear director

d. Dear Ms. Rice

Which of the following ethical questions best pertains to the qualities of a message? a. Do graphics help the audience understand? b. Does the design of the document make reading easy? c. Does the language of the message respect the audience? d. Does the message use good sources and are these sources used honestly? e. Does the organization support employees' efforts to be honest, fair, and ethical?

d. Does the message use good sources and are these sources used honestly?

Aziza is applying to various colleges and is required to write an essay about her ambitions for each college. After spending weeks on the essay, she has finally completed it. Before submitting it, she wants to revise it a few times. Which of the following questions will Aziza ask herself when checking the style and tone of her essay? a. Have I said everything I wanted to say? b. Are the transitions between ideas smooth? c. Have I presented my content so that it can be easily absorbed? d. Have I used you-attitude in my content? e. Is the document visually inviting?

d. Have I used you-attitude in my content?

Ronaldo has just completed his first interview with a prospective employer, and he thinks it has gone off quite well. Which of the following should he do to reinforce his positive first interview? a. He should call a few times to enquire about his status. b. He should write a thank-you note within a week if he does not hear from them. c. If he gets voice mail, he should keep trying till he gets through to someone. d. He should write a thank-you note within the next 24 hours. e. If he receives an enquiry over e-mail, he should wait a day before replying.

d. He should write a thank-you note within the next 24 hours.

Identify the correct statement about infographics. a. Infographics are not used in resumes. b. Infographics are used only in newspapers and news magazines. c. Creating infographics is completely different from creating brochures. d. In infographics, text provides supporting detail, while visuals communicate the message. e. Infographics present complex findings only from quantitative research studies, and not qualitative studies, in an easily digestible format.

d. In infographics, text provides supporting detail, while visuals communicate the message.

Identify the correct statement about infographics. a. Infographics are not used in resumes. b. Infographics are used only in newspapers and news magazines. c. Creating infographics is completely different from creating brochures. d. In infographics, text provides supporting detail, while visuals communicate the message. e. Infographics present complex findings only from quantitative research studies, and not qualitative studies, in an easily digestible format.

d. In infographics, text provides supporting detail, while visuals communicate the message.

Which of the following is an advantage of using passive voice in sentences? a. It makes sentences shorter and less time consuming to understand. b. It makes it clear who is responsible for action even when the agent is omitted. c. It makes a document interesting, especially if it consists of big words. d. It is more tactful than active voice and is often used to avoid assigning blame. e. It takes less time to understand even when the sentences are long.

d. It is more tactful than active voice and is often used to avoid assigning blame.

Which of the following leads to increase in the cost of communication? a. Drafting short e-mails b. Reducing document cycling c. Reducing the number of e-mails d. Maintaining and administering archives e. Sending e-mails without attachments

d. Maintaining and administering archives

While evaluating sources of data, which of the following is true of analyzing numbers and patterns? a. Simplifying numerical data by rounding-off is not a useful practice in research. b. Numbers are objective; they are not subject to varying interpretation. c. Averages are not susceptible to a single extreme figure. d. Patterns enable one to derive meaning from data collected during research. e. Negative results are always disappointing to the audience.

d. Patterns enable one to derive meaning from data collected during research.

Which of the following is a nonsexist replacement for "manpower"? a. Man b. Males c. Persons d. Personnel e. Gentlemen

d. Personnel

Aliyah prepares a to-do list of all the tasks she needs to complete within the week. First, she completes her high-priority tasks. She then divides her large tasks into smaller ones, so that they are easier to undertake. At the end of the week, she evaluates the tasks that remain incomplete. In which of the following processes is Aliyah primarily involved? a. Measuring big data b. Using social signals c. Demonstrating spatial cues d. Practicing time management e. Using acknowledgement responses

d. Practicing time management

Which of the following is a guideline to design web pages? a. Use large graphics. b. Use a lot of animations. c. Use a bright background. d. Provide visual variety in the text. e. Avoid using music or sound effects.

d. Provide visual variety in the text.

According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the _____ dichotomy essentially measures the way an individual prefers to take in information. a. Extroversion-Introversion b. Thinking-Feeling c. Channeling-Formatting d. Sensing-Intuition e. Judging-Perceiving

d. Sensing-Intuition

Leona delivers a presentation to the employees of her firm about the sales targets for the approaching quarter. In her presentation, she emphasizes certain words in her sentences such as, "You have achieved this in the past, and you can do it again!" and "I believe this is possible!" Her presentation positively affects the employees and inspires them to work hard toward achieving their targets. Which of the following voice qualities has Leona used to motivate her audience? a. Tone of Voice b. Enunciation c. Pitch d. Stress e. Timbre

d. Stress

Which of the following is true of networking? a. Reciprocity is harmful to networking. b. Networking becomes less important as you advance in your career. c. Social media is not meant for professional networking. d. Successful networking is characterized by a "two-way" reputation. e. Networking is insignificant for entry-level positions.

d. Successful networking is characterized by a "two-way" reputation.

Which of the following statements is true of a document summary? a. Supporting evidence for the main point should be presented before stating it. b. A summary of a visit with a client should begin with an umbrella paragraph. c. Subsidiary points should not be included in a summary. d. The main point should be present in the first paragraph. e. Conversations should never be summarized.

d. The main point should be present in the first paragraph.

Which of the following is true of nonverbal communication? a. Cultures across the world have the same body language. b. In all cultures, one should make eye contact to indicate that one is listening. c. Smiling is universal and the way people interpret smiles is the same everywhere. d. The meanings of gestures vary widely in different cultures across the world. e. Touching is inappropriate in the business settings of all countries.

d. The meanings of gestures vary widely in different cultures across the world.

Which of the following best demonstrates a message with positive emphasis? a. This lawn mower is not guaranteed for life. b. I trust the item you ordered has been delivered. c. Please be patient as we fix the technical fault. d. The new Mr. Potato flavor includes more tasty ingredients. e. I hope that you are satisfied enough to sign us on for future business.

d. The new Mr. Potato flavor includes more tasty ingredients.

Rodrigo is a regular customer at a local restaurant. Recently, he has noticed that the restaurant has reduced its serving portions, yet the prices have remained unchanged. He decides to write a letter of complaint to the management of the restaurant to state his displeasure. Which of the following should he do while writing his complaint letter? a. Convey his anger to ensure that he is making his point. b. Use sarcasm to strengthen the impact of his complaint. c. Threaten to never eat at the restaurant again. d. Try providing supporting facts for his complaint. e. Start with a buffer.

d. Try providing supporting facts for his complaint.

Which of the following questions is most likely to be asked in a behavioral interview? a. What will you do if a team member says he no longer wants to manage projects? b. How will you motivate people in your team to perform better? c. How do you think you can add value to our climate campaign team? d. What did you do the last time a project faced a crisis? e. How would you handle a situation which involves low funds for a campaign?

d. What did you do the last time a project faced a crisis?

Which of the following is true about writing to international audiences? a. Negative messages need no buffering in any culture. b. Written contracts are treated similarly across all cultures. c. Most cultures are less formal in their writing than the United States. d. Writers need to research a culture before composing messages for people in it. e. Directness is a common trait that is treated as politeness across all cultures.

d. Writers need to research a culture before composing messages for people in it.

Cara recently received criticism in the form of an e-mail from the communications manager in her organization. The e-mail stated, "The public phase of the water campaign has been stalled because the sample press releases are still pending from your end." Which of the following criticism responses used by Cara best indicates effort to buy time with limited agreement? a. I am extremely sorry that I have not sent the sample press releases to you yet. b. You are angry about the delay in sending the sample press releases, am I right? c. Are you stating you have not received the sample press releases for the campaign? d. Yes it is true. The sample press releases are being worked on and are not ready yet. e. I apologize for the delay in sending the sample press releases. This will not happen again.

d. Yes it is true. The sample press releases are being worked on and are not ready yet.

The first paragraph of a proposal for a student report you've created usually includes: a. the steps you will follow to solve the problem you've identified. b. a list of the time you intend to spend on each activity and the date by which you expect to finish it. c. an indication that you would welcome any suggestions your instructor may have for improving the research plan. d. a sentence or two summarizing the topic and purposes of your report. e. an outline of the costs associated with your project and the benefits it will bring.

d. a sentence or two summarizing the topic and purposes of your report.

A(n) _____ on job candidates includes a verification of legal and criminal records, complete employment history, and academic credentials. a. account bookkeeping b. gateway procedure c. negotiability check d. background check e. academic gatekeeping

d. background check

While composing a claim, you should: a. write a positive subject-line. b. start with a buffer statement. c. use a more indirect approach in your mail. d. begin by stating the problem. e. state the problem only later in the mail.

d. begin by stating the problem.

Relative to written messages, oral messages make it easier to: a. minimize undesirable emotions. b. present many specific details. c. track details and agreements. d. get immediate action or response. e. present extensive or complex data.

d. get immediate action or response.

A question reads "What would you say if you had to motivate an employee who missed an important deadline?" This is an example of a _____ question. a. probing b. mirror c. branching d. hypothetical e. situational

d. hypothetical

Sonia, a manager at an advertising agency, prepares a report to record the work completed so far and the work remaining on her new project. Her report further analyzes the quality of the work and recommends specific restructuring to the project. Sonia has prepared a(n) _____. a. trip report b. closure report c. credit report d. interim report e. justification report

d. interim report

In many discourse communities, the ending "Call me if you need more information" in a letter of recommendation means that the writer: a. has no experience in business and does not know how to end letters appropriately. b. is unwilling to spend time giving specifics and rather talk on the phone. c. wants to talk about the employee's strengths in detail on the phone. d. is unwilling to put negative details on paper but can share details over a phone call. e. is not interested in sharing details about an ex-employee's track record.

d. is unwilling to put negative details on paper but can share details over a phone call.

When using visuals or data displays, _____ should be typically used to create a sense of authenticity or show the item in use. a. dot charts b. line graphs c. Gantt charts d. photographs e. maps

d. photographs

Dominic is presenting a report on a failed project. He begins his presentation by explaining the problems faced by the team while working on the project, such as the short deadlines and the small workforce. Then, he identifies the causes of these problems. He concludes by suggesting that the company expand its workforce. According to the scenario, Dominic has used the _____ pattern of organizing the information in his presentation. a. chronological b. pro-con c. excluding alternatives d. problem-causes-solution e. 1-2-3

d. problem-causes-solution

To maintain the correct paragraph length and unity for your application letter, use _____ at the beginning of your paragraphs to make your letter more readable. a. gerunds b. auxiliary verbs c. talking heads d. topic sentences e. transition words

d. topic sentences

To maintain the correct paragraph length and unity for your application letter, use _____ at the beginning of your paragraphs to make your letter more readable. a. gerunds b. auxiliary verbs c. talking heads d. topic sentences e. transition words

d. topic sentences

Humor is appropriate in informative messages when: a. it is directed against a specific group. b. the writer does not know the audience well. c. it is political or religious in nature. d. used with restraint in select situations. e. it is used directly against individuals.

d. used with restraint in select situations.

Which of the following is true of writing sales proposals? a. You should write your proposal assuming that your buyer will understand why your product or system is good. b. You should present your audience benefits using "we-attitude" and an informal tone in your proposal. c. You should use technical jargon in your proposal as it will be appreciated by your audience. d. You should deal with any objections your reader may have regarding your proposal. e. You should avoid asking your reader to approve your proposal as it could sound desperate.

d. you should deal with any objections your reader may have regarding your proposal.

Cecilia, a risk manager at a banking firm, prepares a report that documents the causes of failure of a recent project. She lists lack of sustainability as a reason for failure and recommends suitable action to prevent such failures in the future. Under which of the following categories of reports does her report fall? a. An accident report b. A credit report c. An interim report d. A progress report e. A closure report

e. A closure report

Which of the following statements is true of the basic criteria for an effective message? a. A single set of words will work in all possible situations. b. A message should make the audience presume its meaning to c. keep the audience involved. d. As long as the data presented in a message is accurate, spelling and grammar errors do not matter. e. A message should present a positive image of the communicator and his or her organization.

e. A message should present a positive image of the communicator and his or her organization.

Elijah has completed the first semester of his undergraduate program, and he is looking for an internship in fund-raising. He writes an application letter to a reputed not-for-profit organization even though it has not advertised an internship vacancy yet. In this scenario, which of the following kinds of application letters should Elijah write? a. A follow-up letter b. A solicited letter c. A recommendation letter d. A highlight letter e. A prospecting letter

e. A prospecting letter

Elijah has completed the first semester of his undergraduate program, and he is looking for an internship in fund-raising. He writes an application letter to a reputed not-for-profit organization even though it has not advertised an internship vacancy yet. In this scenario, which of the following kinds of application letters should Elijah write? a. A follow-up letter b. A solicited letter c. A recommendation letter d. A highlight letter e. A prospecting letter

e. A prospecting letter

Which of the following is an example of a demographic characteristic? a. A person's interests b. A person's beliefs c. An individual's lifestyle d. A person's moral values e. An individual's income

e. An individual's income

In the introduction of a report, _____ refer to statements whose truth one presumes, and which help one prove a final point. a. Synopses b. Criteria c. Facts d. Procedures e. Assumptions

e. Assumptions

Midwest Insurance Company has recently launched a unit link life insurance plan. It is now planning to offer bonuses to employees who achieve the maximum sales target of this new plan. The company needs to send e-mails to all its life advisors about the bonus offered. Which of the following would be the best subject line for this e-mail? a. New Unit Link Insurance Plan b. Offers for This Month's Insurance Plan c. Sell More Unit Link Plans This Month d. How to Make More Money Through Bonuses e. Bonuses for the New Unit Link Insurance Plan

e. Bonuses for the New Unit Link Insurance Plan

_____ questions direct different respondents to different parts of the questionnaire based on their answers to earlier questions. a. Hypothetical b. Mirror c. Situational d. Probing e. Branching

e. Branching

Which of the following is true of values, beliefs, and practices in business communication? a. Response to people and situations is always unaffected by beliefs and practices. b. Business communication is free from the impact of religion and its values. c. Gestures that mean approval are the same in all countries. d. People within a certain culture have identical values, and they follow the same practices. e. Communication is crucial in today's world because cultural practices change rapidly.

e. Communication is crucial in today's world because cultural practices change rapidly.

Which of the following statements is most likely to be true of the attitudes of people in North American cultures toward oral and written communications? a. They favor indirectness over directness. b. They consider oral word to be more important than the written word. c. Contracts are less binding than promises. d. Their attention to detail is low. e. Context is less important and information is explicit.

e. Context is less important and information is explicit.

Which of the following activities is included in the planning process of writing? a. Evaluating your work and measuring it against your goals b. Adding, deleting, substituting, or rearranging your content c. Ensuring that your document is free from typographical errors d. Getting feedback on your writing from another person e. Defining your purpose and analyzing your audience

e. Defining your purpose and analyzing your audience

Which of the following describes the right way to provide feedback to a team? a. Feedback must not be frequent as it can disrupt work patterns. b. Feedback must be honest but must not incorporate criticism. c. Feedback should not involve praise as praise diminishes the impact of feedback. d. External feedback is more important than internal feedback. e. Feedback should be generated as soon as team decisions are implemented.

e. Feedback should be generated as soon as team decisions are implemented.

In western cultures, which of the following colors suggests a positive connotation of tranquility and a negative connotation of jealousy? a. Red b. White c. Yellow d. Blue e. Green

e. Green

_____ are people outside a company whose posts and tweets help sales. a. Training personnel b. Negotiators c. Sales personnel d. Mediators e. Influencers

e. Influencers

Which of the following is true of formal and informal visuals used for business communication? a. Informal visuals are used specifically for proposals and reports. b. Informal visuals are typically divided into tables and figures. c. Formal visuals are usually inserted directly into the text. d. Formal and informal visuals have numbers and titles. e. Informal visuals do not have numbers or titles.

e. Informal visuals do not have numbers or titles.

Robert complains to Selena, his co-worker, that he is overloaded with work and cannot cope. Selena responds that the work he has is nothing compared to hers. She tells him that he should be thankful that he does not work with her boss. In the context of interpersonal skills, which of the following is true of Selena's response? a. It is a blocking response that threatens Robert. b. It is a blocking response that interrogates Robert. c. It is an active response that mirrors Robert's feelings. d. It is an active response that paraphrases Robert's words. e. It is a blocking response that minimizes Robert's problem.

e. It is a blocking response that minimizes Robert's problem.

Which of the following statements is true of a poor document? a. It has no effect on communication. b. It results only due to errors in the writing process. c. It affects both organizations and society positively. d. It is not improved by improving the design. e. It is not influenced by conventions.

e. It is not influenced by conventions.

Which of the following best defines a sampling frame? a. It refers to the process of selecting a group of people for study. b. It refers to a specific measurement value that a sampling unit supplies. c. It refers to the incomplete examination of the available data. d. It refers to a non-probability sampling technique. e. It refers to a list of all sampling units.

e. It refers to a list of all sampling units.

Which of the following is considered appropriate attire for a woman to an interview? a. Patterned hosiery b. Vividly patterned clothing c. Extra buttons attached to a new suit d. Backpacks or purses e. Knee-length skirt

e. Knee-length skirt

Which of the following is a common ground rule for a team during the formation stage? a. Come to the meeting without any preparation or prior knowledge. b. Have only key members speak on important issues and procedures. c. Do not communicate immediately if you think you may not be able to fulfill an agreement. d. If you have a problem with a person, tell everyone about it. e. Leave the meeting with a clear understanding of what each member is to do next.

e. Leave the meeting with a clear understanding of what each member is to do next.

Which of the following is most likely to build goodwill in granting a request to resolve a complaint? a. Providing information about accepting the request in the middle of the message b. Elaborating the inconvenience one had to undergo in order to solve the complaint c. Accepting the request reluctantly to avoid future requests of the same kind d. Elaborating and describing one's own process in making the decision e. Mentioning the grant of request in the very first sentence of the message

e. Mentioning the grant of request in the very first sentence of the message

Ravi is a job applicant who plans to send his résumé with an e-mail. He is afraid that it will get rejected by spam filters. While e-mailing his résumé, which of the following is a preventative step that Ravi can take to avoid the effect of spam filters? a. Send his résumé to a spam counter that will count the number of spam messages. b. Overuse words and phrases to manage to get through the spam. c. Use unusual colors on his résumé to differentiate it from spam. d. Use all capitals in his subject line to make it appear important. e. Set his personal spam filter to high and send his résumé to himself.

e. Set his personal spam filter to high and send his résumé to himself.

Whitney has to deliver an informative presentation on a new laptop model to a large group of people. Which of the following guidelines should Whitney follow in order to effectively deliver her presentation? a. She should avoid the use of color and visuals as it tends to distract the audience. b. She should avoid giving her audience a written outline of her presentation as it might help them track her mistakes. c. She should avoid providing examples because they might confuse the audience and raise more questions. d. She should provide new information and not link it to the knowledge the audience already has. e. She should avoid bringing up the negatives of the new model unless she is sure that the audience will think of them.

e. She should avoid bringing up the negatives of the new model unless she is sure that the audience will think of them.

Kayla, a graduate student, is preparing her first résumé She makes it a point to frequently use key words throughout her résumé. Which of the following guidelines should Kayla follow while writing her résumé? a. She should be as concise as possible even if it means eliminating vital content. b. She should never use phrases and sentence fragments. c. She should use the word "I" to appear confident about her qualifications and experience. d. She should use nouns in place of verbs and gerunds to create a more dynamic image. e. She should ensure that items in the list follow a parallel structure.

e. She should ensure that items in the list follow a parallel structure.

Judith needs to write a progress report on marketing Delights, a new line of designer bags in Mexico. Which of the following guidelines does she need to follow when drafting her report? a. She should use emphasizing techniques to highlight all the features in her report. b. She should present every detail in her report as equally important. c. She should include every detail, including trivial details, in her report. d. She should adapt her report to meet her own requirements and needs. e. She should use you-attitude and a positive tone in her report.

e. She should use you-attitude and a positive tone in her report.

Which of the following guidelines should you follow when handling questions in an oral presentation? a. Avoid linking your answers to the points you've covered in the presentation. b. Say, "That's a good question" when a member of the audience asks you a question. c. Answer a question spontaneously even if you don't know the answer. d. Nod your head to indicate that you understand a question as it is asked. e. Summarize the main points at the end of the question period.

e. Summarize the main points at the end of the question period.

Which of the following is true of compound sentences? a. They have one main clause and one subordinate clause. b. They work best when joining two unrelated clauses. c. They are not good for showing logical relationships. d. They have only one main clause. e. They consist of two main clauses joined by a conjunction.

e. They consist of two main clauses joined by a conjunction.

Which of the following statements is true of serif fonts? a. They do not have extensions. b. They lack serifs. c. They should be used for titles. d. They are ideally used for tables. e. They have little extensions.

e. They have little extensions.

In business communication, which of the following is a purpose of claims adjustment documents? a. To persuade stockholders to retain stock and others to buy b. To build a good image of the writer c. To save time and money d. To persuade customers e. To inform customers

e. To inform customers

Which of the following questions are legal in an interview? a. What is your age? b. Are you married? c. Are you differently abled? d. What is your native language? e. What languages can you speak?

e. What languages can you speak?

Which of the following examples illustrates the highest level of politeness from a superior to a subordinate? a. Turn in your assignment by Friday. b. Please turn in your assignment by Friday. c. All assignments should be turned in by Friday. d. Ensure that your assignment is turned in by Friday. e. Would you be able to turn in your assignment by Friday?

e. Would you be able to turn in your assignment by Friday?

Which of the following is true of a virtual cover letter while applying for a job? a. It is unnecessary to include context and explanation. b. It is mandatory to include a lengthy introductory passage on your goals and professional interests. c. Your prospective employer will only assess you after reading everything you have posted online. d. You should avoid using key words as they increase the likelihood of you being rejected by an employer. e. You will not get a chance to submit a cover letter until after the employer has seen what you have posted online.

e. You will not get a chance to submit a cover letter until after the employer has seen what you have posted online.

Which of the following examples best demonstrates the use of you-attitude in a sentence? a. You must pay before the product is dispatched. b. We are happy to extend you a credit line of $50,000. c. You'll be delighted to know that you have been selected. d. I have spoken to my supervisor and he has approved your leave. e. You will receive complete insurance benefits as a full-time employee.

e. You will receive complete insurance benefits as a full-time employee.

While preparing a report, a copy of the interview questions is included in the _____ of the report. a. list of references b. criteria section c. research methodology. d. literature review e. appendix

e. appendix

In an organization, a person who has the power to stop your message from reaching the primary audience is called a(n) _____. a. whistle-blower b. category captain c. intrapreneur d. stakeholder e. gatekeeper

e. gatekeeper

The survey conducted by the National Commission on Writing showed that almost all employees have writing responsibilities that include: a. text messaging b. technical report c. tweeting and blogging d. creative e. presentation with visuals

e. presentation with visuals

Joshua is in his office break room having coffee when he is joined by two other colleagues, Frank and Ross. The colleagues start to talk about the new hierarchical structure introduced in the organization, a topic that has been the focus of controversy for some time. Frank and Ross are completely against the new structure and are critically evaluating the company's management. They refer to Joshua and want to know what he thinks. Joshua is uncomfortable since this is a controversial topic. To maintain an appropriate tone in his message to Frank and Ross, Joshua should: a. make a joke about the new structure and then change the topic. b. give his opinion and continue the discussion so as to not insult them. c. speak loudly and tell them that they should not discuss this topic at all. d. threaten to report them to the HR department. e. state that this is an important topic and then leave the break room quickly.

e. state that this is an important topic and then leave the break room quickly.

A problem-solving pattern is most likely to be used when: a. the audience will do as you ask without any resistance. b. you need responses only from people who will find it easy to do as you ask. c. the audience may not read the entire message. d. you expect emotion to be more important than logic in the decision. e. the audience may resist doing as you ask.

e. the audience may resist doing as you ask.