Technical Writing
After a potential customer surprised your company with an unexpected sales opportunity, you are working with a team to create a proposal. There are five people on your team, each in a different time zone, and you have two days to complete the document. Which tool is most likely to help you address the challenges of collaboration on this project?
using a shared workspace that allows people to edit documents synchronously or asynchronously
Which statement about revising your document is true?
using a shared workspace that allows people to edit documents synchronously or asynchronously
Which sentence does NOT use modifiers correctly?
Hanging on the walls of our gallery, huge crowds enjoyed viewing these masterpieces.
You are heading a committee whose purpose is to determine if it would be practical to open a fitness center for employees on company premises. Which of the following would be the best title for the committee's report?
"An Employee Fitness Center: A Feasibility Study"
Which of the following is the correct way to write the date March 29, 2015, in Japan?
15/3/29
You have been assigned to a team in your technical-communication class. Each team must pick a topic for the recommendation report, which is a collaborative project worth a significant part of your semester grade. As you are discussing potential projects, John suggests a topic that is interesting but is too large to complete in the time available in the semester. Which statement represents the most effective way to critique John's idea?
"Because we have only six weeks to spend on this project, I wonder if we have enough time to research the issue fully."
Your company manufactures mountain bikes. Which of the following would be the best title for a report written for high-level managers about a problem with defective brakes?
"Proposed Solution to Defective Brakes on Atlas Bicycle Line"
Which of the following should you consider when analyzing your audience for a piece of writing?
**All the options are correct!!! how the reader will use the information what the reader already knows about the subject how well the reader understands your writing
Which of the following is the correct way to write the date May 12, 2015, in Europe?
12/5/15
Which of the following is the correct way to write the number "four thousand three hundred seventy two and sixty-eight hundredths" in a European country?
4.372,68
Which of the following is the correct way to write the number "seven thousand nine hundred seventeen and thirty-two hundredths" in the United States?
7,917.32
Which statement about ethical obligations toward the public is true?
A company acts ethically by providing a product or service that is safe and effective
Which statement about tagged content is correct?
A content tag is a keyword added to online content by someone who posted the content or found it online.
Which of the following is an example of someone making a decision based on audience considerations?
A student writing to a former high school history teacher about her experience in college focuses on her coursework, especially the history class she is taking, and mentions residential life and extracurriculars only in passing.
Which of the following is an example of someone making a decision based on audience considerations?
A student writing to a prospective employer about her recent internship focuses on how much job-related information she acquired.
Which statement about collaborating with team members from a different culture is true?
A subject that is highly personal and private in one culture, such as family or religion, can be a common topic of conversation in a different culture. Team members from another culture might avoid answering a question in a group meeting, preferring to answer the question privately to show politeness to the speaker. To avoid being impolite by saying no, a team member might agree to do something that he or she would rather not do. **All of these statements are true!!!
Which statement about collaborating with team members from a different culture is true?
A subject that is highly personal and private in one culture, such as family or religion, can be a common topic of conversation in a different culture. Team members from another culture might avoid answering a question in a group meeting, preferring to answer the question privately to show politeness to the speaker. To avoid being impolite by saying no, a team member might agree to do something that he or she would rather not do.
Which of these statements provides effective advice on managing large projects?
Actively monitor progress on the project.
Which statement best describes the difference between academic research and workplace research?
Academic research questions are abstract, while workplace research questions are applied.
Which of the following statements is an example of expert testimony used as evidence?
According to the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, pipelines are undoubtedly the safest way to transport petroleum products.
Which statement about the four moral standards is true?
Acting in a way that supports one moral standard might prevent you from supporting another one.
You are writing a proposal to install solar-energy technology on your company's premises. You expect a number of your readers to object to your proposal because of the up-front costs. Which statement best anticipates this objection?
Although it is costly to install solar technology, prices have fallen rapidly in recent years, and substantial savings begin immediately on installation.
Which of these is NOT a type of misleading statement?
An executive summary
When you have a document to write, how much of your time might you expect to spend on planning?
Around 1/3
Which of the following is NOT one of the steps to take in preparing a document for translation?
Avoid pronouns and modifiers.
Which of these statements about blog posts is NOT true?
Blog posts are generally unaffected by commercial interests.
Your company wishes to export a product to France, which is a member of the European Union. Which of the following laws must the product comply with?
Both the laws of France AND the laws of the European Union.
How can the sentences in this paragraph be improved? Over the past decade, most production houses have released approximately 30 features per year and have averaged 8 films in the summer and winter holiday seasons when attendance is higher than at other times of the year and filmmakers make most of their profits. Garvin Productions now proposes to change this pattern and take what amounts to a large gamble by concentrating almost entirely on the summer blockbuster season, when they propose to release over 15 films in each of the next two years.
Break up sentences to vary sentence length.
A major truck manufacturer uses the following rules for Simplified English: • Avoid using passive voice. • Use articles as much as possible. • Avoid compound verb tenses. • Use terms consistently. • Avoid long hyphenated words. • Avoid long sentences. Which of the following sentences follows these rules?
Check the valve and put it in the correct place.
How can the sentences in this paragraph be improved? Calcium titanate is also known as calcium titanium oxide. It is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula CaTiO3. In its mineral form it is called perovskite. It was named after Russian mineralogist L. A. Perovski (1792-1856). Perovski discovered it. Calcium titanate is a colorless solid. However, perovskite is often colored. The coloration results from impurities.
Combine sentences to vary sentence length.
How can the sentences in this paragraph be improved? Human Resources monitors the company carefully for turnover problems. Over the past 3 years, turnover has increased by over 25 percent. It has now reached 30 percent per year. The problem is particularly acute in the Engineering division. We believe that an important cause is low salaries. Over the last two months, we have undertaken a careful review. We found that our salaries and total compensation are low. They are not in line with those of our main competitors.
Combine sentences to vary sentence length.
Technical communication can be challenging. Some measures of excellence in technical documents might seem to be at odds with others. Which two measures of excellence below could potentially conflict with each other?
Comprehensiveness and conciseness
You are a new employee in the advertising division of a company. Your manager has asked you to seek the advice of the senior engineering team about whether to proceed with the advertising campaign for a product that is behind schedule on development. The senior engineering team consists of two individuals. Which research method will best help you obtain the information you need?
Conduct an interview with the team members.
When you are ready to research information about your subject, what approach should you take?
Consult secondary resources like books, articles, and websites to get information that complements what you already know, and conduct primary research to get unpublished information you need.
Which of the following statements is NOT an example of a logical fallacy?
Customer returns of the System X.O cell phone exceed expected numbers by 60 percent, so the product must be faulty.
Which is the main feature of a modular report?
Different sections are addressed to different readers.
The engineering department in your company has developed a prototype of a new GPS device. Samples of the device have been provided to users to test, and your job is to develop a questionnaire to distribute to these users at the end of the three-month testing period. Which of the following is NOT a good question to include?
Do you find this device more accurate than the model produced by our competitor?
Answering which of the following questions is NOT helpful in assessing the authorship of an article on a website?
Does the author provide a picture of herself or himself?
Which is the most important reason to record research data carefully?
Doing so will help you attribute information to the source it came from.
You are writing a press release about a new communication tool intended for senior executives in the Middle East. Your client, a company based in that region, states that your target audience includes only men, since in his culture women cannot become executives. Which of the following is the most ethical way to handle this situation?
Encourage the client to adopt a more moderate stance.
Which of these statements best describes field research?
Field research provides data that help you describe and analyze what happens in a specific group of people at a specific time.
An intern at GreenUp, a company that develops green building products, is writing a press release about a product her group is working on. The in-house report about the product begins like this: In-House Report The Water Management Group has developed a three-dimensional (3D) nitrogen-doped multiwall carbon nanotube (N-MWCNT) sponge that can soak up water contaminants up to three times faster than current products. Which of the following is the best opening for the press release?
GreenUp has developed an innovative product called a carbon nanotube sponge that can soak up water contaminants up to three times faster than current products.
If you are researching the factors that affect the quality of water in your city's water system, which of these interview questions is most likely to elicit focused, relevant information?
How do the geographical features in our area affect the taste of our water?
Which of these is an applied research question?
How has the customer-service industry adapted to changes in communications technology over the past 40 years? What communication theories best describe the experience of a phone call to customer service? ***What will happen if Acme changes its customer-service model from telephone-only inquiries to email-only inquiries? How will widespread use of mobile phones affect the customer-service industry over the next 10 years?
Which statement, in a letter to a client in the Middle East, would be an error based on failing to consider religious differences between cultures?
I hope that you will be able to visit our office soon after the Christmas holidays.
Which statement, appearing in the code of ethics for an engineering company, would be most effective at promoting ethical conduct?
If you violate the standards of this code of conduct during your tenure as an employee, you are subject to reprimand, suspension, or separation from employment, depending on the violation.
Why is it important to choose software for a writing project carefully?
If your project is collaborative, as most writing projects are, you need to pick a tool that everyone can access and use effectively.
Which sentence uses a convincing verb?
In this report, we will propose a number of small modifications.
You are an engineer in a software company. You are asked to rewrite a report on a cloud-based storage system for your fellow engineers. Here is an excerpt from the report, which was originally written by an accountant: Financial Report The major advantage of cloud storage is that clients pay only for the storage they actually use. This means that the costs incurred are operating costs, not capital expenditures. We estimate that costs would begin at approximately $40,000 per year and would grow to $55,000 per year over one decade, given current company growth projections. What changes are most important to make in rewriting the report for the new audience?
Include more technical details and less financial information.
Which of the following statements is true?
Inspections are like observations, but they require you to recruit active participants. Experiments are like field research, but they negate quantitative data. ***Inspections are like observations, but they require you to participate more actively. Demonstrations are like observations, but they require you to participate more actively.
You want your company to buy an expensive piece of equipment that you are sure will save time and money in the long run. However, you know that management will not approve such a large expenditure. What is the best solution to this problem?
Investigate less-expensive alternatives.
Which statement describes a responsible emotional appeal?
It appeals to the emotions but also relies on facts. It avoids overstatement and dramatization. It includes an accurate statement of facts. ***All the options given are correct!!
Which of the following best describes effective sales material prepared for an audience of the general public?
It avoids difficult vocabulary, explains concepts in simple terms, and uses many colorful graphics.
Which grammatical error does this sentence illustrate? Lying sodden on the driveway after a night of rain, I found my missing cellphone.
It contains a misplaced modifier.
What organizational error does this paragraph contain? Legumes—or plants in the Fabaceae, or bean, family—are extremely important in traditional agriculture because of their ability to add nitrogen to the soil. Many different legumes, such as beans, lentils, peanuts, and clover, are grown as food crops for people and animals. Legumes are distinguished biologically by the ability of their roots to extract nitrogen from the air and move it into the soil. They do this in concert with symbiotic bacteria in the genus Rhizobia that live in nodules in the plant's root system. When the plant dies, the nitrogen in its roots is released into the soil, serving as natural fertilizer. In traditional agriculture, legume crops were rotated, or alternated, with nonlegumes to preserve soil fertility.
It contains a sentence that is unrelated to the main idea.
What organizational error does this paragraph contain? During an asthma attack, airways in the lungs become swollen, making it hard to breathe. As the walls of the airways swell, they narrow, and less air gets in and out of the lungs. Cells in the airways make more mucus than usual, which can make breathing even harder. Symptoms of an asthma attack include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, and tightness or pain in the chest. —Adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Secondhand Smoke and Asthma"
It contains no clear topic sentence.
What is wrong with this sentence? The senator is likely to vote against the bill because she is an idiot who doesn't have both oars in the water.
It does not use an appropriate level of formality.
Which of the following is NOT an advantage of creating a paragraph list?
It forces the writer to create a clear heading for the section.
Which statement about writing for an audience from another culture is correct?
It helps to have your writing reviewed by a member of that culture. People from different cultures have different expectations about the way an argument is structured. An audience from an Eastern culture may expect an argument to be implied rather than stated directly. ***All the options are correct!!
In interviewing the merchandising manager of a local department store, your friend Marc plans to ask this question: "Is it profitable to sell shoes in your store when there are so many online shoe sellers?" You sense that this interview question is not as effective as it could be. What type of question is it?
It is a closed question.
Which grammatical error does this sentence illustrate? The engineers in this group have passed the programming test, which was very difficult they must now come for in-person interviews.
It is a run-on sentence.
Which statement describes a well-conceived technical document that demonstrates the measure of excellence known as conciseness?
It is detailed enough to be useful to readers but not unnecessarily long.
What is wrong with this sentence? The report was completed by the committee after two years of study and over six months of writing.
It is not clear and specific.
Which statement about revising your document is true?
It is often effective to combine your efforts at revising with feedback you get from others who have read your document
Which statement about the relationship between your intended audience and purpose and the organization of your document is NOT correct?
It is often necessary to create a new organizational pattern for a given audience rather than use a standard one.
Which statement about making ethical decisions is true?
It is possible to identify more than one ethical response to a dilemma.
Which of these statements does NOT identify a characteristic of a technical document?
It maintains a reading level of 12th grade or higher through vocabulary management.
What is wrong with this sentence? Basically, the problem is that Doug is kind of inefficient; essentially, he takes too long to finish his work.
It uses filler words and phrases.
What makes the following sentence difficult to understand? The preliminary analysis was done by the engineering team led by Karim and Bethany.
It uses passive voice.
Which sentence is NOT written at the correct level of formality for technical communication?
It's true that the rules are relaxed on casual Fridays, but guys, pull up your pants.
Which of the following sentences does NOT contain a comma splice?
Jake is a very clever programmer, but Alice excels at basic math.
Which of the following may be a cultural difference in the way a document is organized?
Main ideas may be stated at the ends of paragraphs rather than at the beginning. Main findings may be presented at the end of the document rather than at the beginning. The document may not follow a conventional organizational pattern. ***All the options given are correct!!
What description best summarizes a company's responsibilities in producing technical communication regarding a product?
Make a good-faith effort to understand how people use the product and to prevent any problems.
Which statement about the skills of successful workplace communicators is true?
Many of the communication skills learned in college provide an important foundation for successful workplace communication.
Which of the following statements is an example of ad hominem reasoning?
Mike should not be offered that supervisory position. His parents are both senior executives and he is rising fast himself, so he has no sympathy for nonmanagerial employees.
Which sentence is NOT written at the correct level of formality for technical communication?
Once business hours are over, dudes, go chill out at the spa.
Which of the following statements demonstrates fair-mindedness as part of a professional persona?
Our team did not agree with the marketing group's approach at the beginning, but we soon came to realize that they had some great ideas.
Which of the following statements might be more persuasive to a reader from a Western culture than a reader from an Eastern culture?
Over 60 percent of readers who view the ad click through to the offer.
Which of the following statements is an example of a circular argument?
Our product is certainly superior to our main competitor's because ours is the best on the market.
Which of the following statements is NOT an example of a logical fallacy?
Our dietary supplements are healthful and complete because they follow the scientific recommendations of the USDA.
Which of the following sentences is clearest and most specific?
Our group completed the project late because we lacked support personnel.
Which of the following is a complete sentence?
Our latest model has an advanced suspension system.
Which sentence means that last year was the only year in which Ralph audited the quarterly reports?
Ralph audited the quarterly reports last year only.
Which of these is NOT a helpful guideline for using social media?
Re-post libelous or slanderous material only if you did not create it.
Which statement best describes the difference between wikis and blogs?
Readers can post comments on a blog, whereas they can edit the content on a wiki.
Which sentence is the best example of writing for an audience of people who do not have a medical background?
Rotator cuff syndrome is commonly caused by overuse of the joint and may be successfully treated by rest and physical therapy.
Which sentence does NOT emphasize important contextual information?
Sales growth over has been relatively disappointing for the past two quarters, and it has fallen greatly below our projections.
You have been asked to write a report for senior management on whether your company should buy or lease a computer-aided design system. After analyzing your audience and purpose, what should you do next?
Seek approval of management for your idea.
Read the following paragraph from an intern's report to her manager. Intern's Report Building this website will be an overwhelmingly difficult and intricate task, but I am positive that our web development team can accomplish it within the required timeframe. That will demonstrate our team's importance to Tryton Manufacturing. I am sure that no other team could accomplish so much in so little time. In what way does the intern fail to present herself effectively?
She exaggerates the importance of her team by saying that no other team could accomplish the task at hand. She uses phrases like "I am positive" and "I am sure." She states that her goal is to demonstrate her team's importance rather than to benefit the organization. ***All the options are correct!!!
Which of the following is the best example of a clearly written heading in a report for readers who are unfamiliar with the subject matter?
Should My Child Receive the Flu Vaccine?
You are arguing that video games can be excellent learning tools for children. You know that many of your readers believe that video games are fun but do not teach children useful skills. Which of the following strategies will best counter this opposing view?
Show that the opposing argument is incorrect by presenting expert testimony and statistics that prove the benefits of video games.
How can social media provide an opportunity for primary research?
Social media can allow you to track people's posts while they are experiencing events.
Which statement about field research is true?
Some field research studies have both quantitative and qualitative elements.
What about software spell-checkers makes them incomplete tools for proofreading?
Spell-checkers often fail to distinguish between homonyms, leaving errors in a document.
Which of these is NOT a reason to be careful when deciding to use and cite information from a wiki?
Style guides do not provide guidance on citing online sources like wikis.
Which statement best describes the primary challenge of technical communication?
Technical communication can be challenging because it is collaborative.
Which statement best describes what technical communication is?
Technical communication is finding, creating, and delivering specialized information to a specific audience for a certain purpose.
Which sentence is written correctly?
The CEO believes that the only way to build a successful brand is to release more new films than other studios do.
What is the final step you must take before administering a questionnaire?
Test the questionnaire multiple times with a small group of individuals similar to target respondents.
An intern in a company that develops green building products is writing a report to senior management about a product her group is working on. The report begins like this: Intern's Report A carbon nanotube sponge capable of soaking up water contaminants, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals, more than three times more efficiently than previous efforts has been developed by the Water Management Group. Which of the following is the best rewrite of this opening sentence for an audience of senior managers?
The Water Management Group has developed a new product, a carbon nanotube sponge that can soak up water contaminants up to three times faster than current products.
Which of these statements about the abilities needed to be a successful workplace communicator is true?
The ability to perform research well improves your performance as a communicator.
You've found a website that discusses the subject of your report, shale oil. Based on the fact that the author of the website does not provide information about his credentials or his experience, what should you conclude?
The author might not be credible.
Which of the following statements about paragraphs is true?
The average paragraph will contain about five or six sentences.
What organizational problem does this paragraph contain? Although the brake failures on the Atlas mountain bikes result from normal wear and the company is not at fault, we still plan to contact as many customers as possible, directly and through our dealer network. We estimate that approximately 75,000 customers are now affected, and this number will increase by 15,000 each year. The marketing department believes that news of the brake problem will depress sales by about 30 percent this year, resulting in a substantial revenue loss for our division. To maintain good will with customers and help ameliorate the sales reduction, we plan to offer free repairs of worn disk brakes, free brake checks for all Atlas owners, and coupons for a 25-percent discount on new Atlas bicycles.
The bad news is buried in the middle of the paragraph.
Which of the following statements is an example of a responsible emotional appeal?
The chance of a train wreck is increased by the high volatility and low ignition point of the oil from the Bakken patch in Montana and North Dakota, where many freight trains originate.
Choose the sentence that shows correct agreement of a pronoun with its antecedent.
The committee members are proud of the selection they made.
A major truck manufacturer uses the following rules for Simplified English: • Use the active voice. • Use articles wherever possible. • Use simple verb tenses. • Use language consistently. • Avoid lengthy compound words. • Use relatively short sentences. Which of the following sentences follows these rules?
The engineer must check the work.
What formatting error does this list contain? The major improvements to the Perkus XT sports sedan include all of the following: advanced suspension system allowing for more agile cornering. halogen headlights and flashing side running lights for improved visibility. low-rolling-resistance tires to improve fuel efficiency and braking. electronically controlled dual-clutch transmissions for advanced control and fuel economy.
The entries should not end with periods.
Which statement about the factors you must consider in technical communication is correct?
The factors overlap and sometimes require you to make compromises in your document.
Which statement about the factors you must consider in technical communication is correct?
The factors overlap and sometimes require you to make compromises in your documents.
Which sentence makes a comparison clearly?
The film's total cost was far lower than its value.
Which of the following, in a business letter from a person in another country, suggests that the writer belongs to a group-oriented culture?
The letter is signed with the name of the company, not the individual who wrote it.
What organizational error does this paragraph contain? Some dog owners rely exclusively on treats to train their dogs; these individuals will have difficulties controlling their dogs if they ever forget to bring the required treats along. Other dog owners think that discipline is the key, so they issue sharp commands and forcefully correct even the slightest disobedience. These individuals may find their dogs becoming either frightened or aggressive. Still others treat their dogs as fond parents treat their children, petting, praising, and even kissing their pets continuously and ignoring disobedience. Of course these individuals find themselves unable to control their spoiled pets.
The paragraph does not contain a clear topic sentence.
Which of the following statements is NOT based on a logical fallacy?
The results of several recent scientific studies indicate that video games can help children improve their learning skills in several different areas.
Choose the sentence that shows subject-verb agreement.
The smallest of the beakers has broken.
Which sentence uses verb tenses correctly?
The team had discovered the error right before customers began to complain.
Which of the following indicates that a writer belongs to an individualistic culture?
The writer provides very specific details about the subject matter. The writer signs the letter with her own name, not the name of her company. The letter contains no information about the writer's personal life. ***All the options are correct!!!
Which sentence is written correctly?
There are seven competent sales representatives in this division, but two of them clearly outperform the others.
Which statement best summarizes an important challenge of conducting secondary research?
There is no shortage of information available, but it is difficult to find information that is trustworthy and relevant to your needs.
Which of the following statements about U.S. government documents is true?
They are classified according to the Dewey Decimal System. They are classified according to the Library of Congress System. ***They are classified according to the Superintendent of Documents system. They are classified according to the Federal Informatics Management system.
What makes RSS feeds a particularly useful tool?
They notify you of new or changed content on sites of interest to you.
Which statement best demonstrates moderation?
This is a serious problem, and I believe we can solve it within the parameters given to us, but if it is not solved, the organization will still go on.
Which of the following is the best example of a clearly written heading in a report for readers who are knowledgeable about its subject matter?
Three Techniques for Strategic Analysis: Advantages and Disadvantages
How does triangulating your research methods benefit your research process?
Triangulation shows you when information is consistent and trustworthy across several sources.
Which of the following countries does NOT use the metric system for weights and measurements?
United States
Which of the following is the best technique to use when writing for multiple audiences?
Use a modular format so that audience members can read as much as they need.
Which of the following best describes what you should do in preparing written material for an audience of programmers and coding experts?
Use technical language, explain concepts in detail, and include minimal graphics.
Which statement best demonstrates fair-mindedness?
We have investigated both candidates fully and find both to be excellent possibilities for our department.
Which of the following sentences uses a pronoun clearly?
We plan to participate in the exchange program, which is scheduled to last for a minimum of six months.
Which of the following statements is an example of a hasty generalization?
We sometimes clean the filter only every two months, and the equipment is working very well.
You are writing to the head of a company in a country whose culture focuses on groups rather than individuals. Which sentence would be the best way to introduce a sales pitch?
We would like to propose a relationship between our two companies that would be of great benefit to both.
Which of the following is the best example of a clearly written heading in a report for knowledgeable readers?
Wear Patterns on Atlas Disk Brakes: A Five-Year Study
Which of these questions will best help you to plan your research?
What do I want my audience to do after they read my report?
You are studying environmental science this semester. Which of the questions below is the best example of an effective academic research question in your field?
What happens to trout populations if phosphorus levels in streams and rivers increase by 10 percent?
The answer to which question will best help you decide the form that your document should take?
What will readers expect.
Which sentence uses parallel structure?
When I attend a convention, I try to arrive a day early, take some time to relax each day, and see at least a little of the host city.
Which sentence emphasizes important contextual or qualifying information?
When subjected to temperatures above 120° C, the resin is likely to fail.
Which sentence uses parallel structure?
When writing in-house memos, use formal language and a serious tone.
Why is acknowledging the assistance of others on a document project an ethical issue?
When you fail to acknowledge people who helped you, you create a misleading impression about the work you did.
You are writing a press release about a new product, a nutritional supplement intended for pregnant women. Which statement primarily appeals to the audience's need for growth?
Women who take NutriTot during their pregnancies will be able to rise to the challenges of new motherhood with strength and energy.
What is a significant difference between writing you do at school and writing you do in the workplace?
Workplace writing requires understanding and responding to different audiences.
You work for a bakery. Which of the questions below is the best example of a research question you might need to answer as part of your job?
Would an investment in a wood-fired oven be wise for us?
Which of the following is an example of a legal constraint?
You are asked to rate male job candidates more favorably than female candidates.
Which statement about a research plan is true?
You are likely to find that your research plan changes as you conduct your research.
In which of the following situations would you primarily be concerned with informational constraints?
You are writing a marketing brochure about a new product, but the engineering group has not yet released the results of its feasibility studies.
Which of these online behaviors is NOT ethically sound?
You blog about the performance of a new running shoe without disclosing that you own shares of the company's stock.
Which of the following statements is an example of an argument from ignorance?
You can't prove that you will not recoup your costs in the form of energy savings within two years.
Which of the following is an example of an informational constraint on a project?
You cannot find unbiased opinions about the equipment you are recommending
In which of the following situations would it be best to present the claim of an argument after presenting the evidence and reasoning?
You expect most of your readers to disagree with your argument.
Which is an effective way of showing persistence when your research project stops progressing?
You post a question about your research on your social-media accounts or your microblog. You send a question about your research to a librarian. You post a question about your research to a discussion board. ***All responses are correct!!
You wrote an assignment for a communication class in which you analyzed the logos of four companies that make athletic shoes. Which action would most likely NOT be acceptable under the fair-use doctrine?
You posted the four company logos on your website, which you also use to attract freelance work
You work in the human resources department of JJB, a regional chain of sporting-goods stores. Your department wants to implement an employee-wellness program, both to improve employees' health and to lower JJB's insurance costs. You are writing a description of the wellness plan that the CEO must approve before the plan can start. The CEO has expressed reservations about the program based on his libertarian belief that people are responsible for their own choices and that authorities should not meddle in people's lives. Knowing this about the CEO, what should you do in your report?
You should list some libertarian objections to wellness programs and provide responses to those objections.
You are writing the marketing materials for a new home-automation system. Which of the following is an example of a format constraint?
You want to create an online ad for the product, but company policy allows for only a print brochure.
In which situation would it be appropriate to ask permission from your respondent?
You want to make an audio recording of your conversation. You want to make a video recording of your conversation. You want to quote your respondent by name in your report. ***All responses are correct!!
Why might your company be interested in analysis of social-media data?
Your company wants to know more about the demographics of people who follow the company online.
You work for Adams Technologies, which designs and builds electronics. You have been asked to give a presentation about manufacturing to the local chapter of a professional organization for electrical engineers. One potential topic to discuss is a new component assembler built by SimCo, which is owned by your spouse's parents. Which statement reflects the ethical situation here?
Your relationship with the owners of SimCo creates a conflict of interest.
Which is NOT a type of question used frequently in questionnaires?
a semantically inferential question
What is the strongest type of evidence that you might see in an experiment?
a causal relationship between factors
What is a low-context culture?
a culture in which all details must be carefully spelled out
You are a manager at a retail store. Your professional association, Retail Managers of America, launched a certification program about two years ago. The program provides training leading to a CRMS, or Certified Retail Management Specialist, credential. You are wondering whether this credential adds value to a manager's career. Which source of information is most likely to help you make a decision about pursuing this credential?
a discussion board for professionals in retail
An electronics company posted the following statement on its website: Corporate Vision Statement Guided by our corporate vision of the continual pursuit of innovation, we work jointly with our customers to support their success and shape a prosperous tomorrow for all of society through technological innovation. What type of culture does this statement represent?
a group-oriented culture
Which of the following is an example of a secondary-audience member for a report on the financial impact of switching to energy-efficient lighting at your company's headquarters?
a manager in the manufacturing division at another location
Which of these sources is least likely to provide information on theories related to climate science?
a questionnaire about climate science
You are writing a report for web developers and programmers about new procedures to be followed in replacing code. Which of the following documents will best meet your audience's needs?
a report that uses specialized language, plain typography, and simple graphics such as flowcharts
Which type of document would most likely use photos or eye-catching graphics to capture the reader's attention?
a sales brochure for customers
You are a shift leader at Flingers Family Restaurant, a local establishment. Your boss has asked you to develop a new training session about depositing checks electronically. You will give this training session once every month to ten or more people, and everyone needs to be trained the same way. It will take 30-45 minutes per session to cover the necessary material. You will need to deliver the presentation in the restaurant, which has very limited access to presentation technology. Considering these factors, what is the MOST PRACTICAL presentation method?
a session in which you speak extemporaneously with a set of notes
What word describes a group of discussion-board posts on the same topic?
a thread
Which of these traits is NOT a quality that successful workplace communicators typically possess?
advanced quantitative skills
Which of the following research tools provides a brief technical summary of each article it includes?
abstract service
You are writing website copy describing an innovative home-automation system. You know that most of your readers would love to purchase such a system but believe they cannot afford it. Therefore, your claim will be that a home-automation system pays for itself in energy savings within two years. Where in your argument should you present your claim?
after the evidence and reasoning
Which document is intended to motivate its audience to take action?
an account of how a planned zoning-board decision might harm your company
For which of the following topics would a problem-methods-solution pattern of organization be most appropriate?
an analysis of how market conditions have changed and what your company can do to improve sales
Which of these is NOT a type of misleading statement?
an executive summary
For which of the following topics would a spatial organizational pattern be most appropriate?
an explanation of where each department will be located in a new office facility
Which of these resources could you use for both secondary research and primary research?
an online discussion board
Which part of a modular report contains detailed information on a related topic that is not of interest to many of the intended readers?
appendix
Your company is communicating with potential partners in developing countries in Africa and Asia. Which of the following errors is based on a technological difference between cultures?
assuming that your correspondent has a computer attached to a printer or some other way to share your writing with colleagues
You are an engineering intern in a company that develops low-energy lighting systems. You are assigned to write a press release for your company's website about a new high-efficiency light bulb your group has developed. What is the most appropriate focus for the content?
benefits of the product for the consumer
You are writing a report on soil erosion in part of the state where you live. Assuming they relate to your topic, which sources would provide the best triangulation and most authority?
books, journal articles, and government documents
Which organizational pattern is used in this paragraph? Several causes are responsible for the very high level of pests and diseases we are currently seeing on lawns and in shrubs, but the most significant by far is climate change. Because winters no longer get as cold, fewer insects and disease-causing organisms are killed off each year. Compared with past years, this year we are seeing 30 to 60 percent more grubs in the lawn. Woolly adelgids on hemlock trees, spruce bud borers, and pine bark beetles have all increased dramatically in number. All used to be killed off in this area by the occasional winter in which temperatures dropped to below zero. This has not happened in over twenty years.
cause and effect
You are writing a memo to explain the reasons behind a recent increase in sales. Which organizational pattern would be most appropriate?
cause and effect
You are writing a press release that encourages parents to vaccinate their children against childhood diseases. You will be emphasizing the serious consequences of failing to protect children against diseases. Which organizational pattern would be most appropriate?
cause and effect
Which of the following shows the best order for the main parts of most arguments?
claim, evidence, reasoning
Which organizational pattern is used in this paragraph? The two logos are similar in style, but they differ greatly in how effectively they convey our company's message. Logo A is visually striking and colorful, but it conveys little specific information. It simply represents a clean, modern look. Although modernity is a quality we wish to convey, we also want our logo to represent greenness, freshness, and energy efficiency. Logo B, which uses a stylized leaf-and-sun motif, does a better job of communicating these ideas. With a few small changes, it will be a good choice for our company.
comparison and contrast
Technical communication can be challenging. Some measures of excellence in technical documents might seem to be at odds with others. Which two measures of excellence below could potentially conflict with each other?
comprehensiveness and conciseness
You are writing a memo to your fellow employees to encourage them to take part in volunteer projects that your company is sponsoring in the local community. Which goal is most important to focus on?
connectedness
Which of these research methods is least likely to help you decide which home lawnmower is best?
consulting a handbook
Which of these is NOT a step in the writing process?
delivering
You are an engineering intern in a company that develops environmentally safe cleaning products. You are assigned to write a short description of a new detergent your group has developed. The primary audience consists of the other product-development groups in your company. What is the most appropriate focus for this report?
detailed information about the development process
You are writing a memo describing two possible sites for a new retail outlet. You decide to use a comparison-and-contrast organizational plan. What is the first step in comparing and contrasting the two sites?
determining the criteria you will use to use to compare the sites
Which of the following is NOT an acceptable way to meet your reader's needs in preparing a document?
downplaying bad news in an attempt to satisfy your readers
Which of the following is the first phase in conducting an experiment as primary research?
establishing a hypothesis
Which part of a modular report contains a brief abstract of all the content, intended for readers who do not have time to read the entire report?
executive summary
The opening sentence of a report appears below. Which word in the sentence best indicates the purpose of the report? In this memo, we will forecast the changes we believe will occur in the market for our products over the next three years.
forecast
You are a salaried employee in Missouri. You have worked your expected hours for the day and your co-workers have gone home, but you stay on the phone with a company client in California until the client's questions have been answered. What quality are you most showing to your employer by continuing the call?
generosity
You are the manager of a convenience store, and you want to conduct observations to understand the main traffic patterns inside your store. Which of the tasks below is NOT part of an observation?
giving out questionnaires with a coupon attached
You are writing a memo to employees to explain a new performance-review procedure that will make the criteria for raises and promotions more rigorous but also more transparent. Which goal is most important to focus on in this situation?
growth
Your software company is launching a new educational game for children. The marketing materials you are writing are aimed at parents. What goal should you emphasize?
growth
In which of the following situations should you use the most formal tone in your writing?
in a report to senior managers to describe a completed project
You are writing a report for an audience of senior managers, most of whom are from the engineering division, as well as a few members of the financial team. Where is the best place to put the detailed financial information?
in an appendix
Your boss has asked you to organize and participate in a video conference with staff at the company's site halfway across the country. You have never conducted a video conference and are nervous about the experience. Which of the following is NOT an important detail to consider as you prepare for the videoconference?
making sure that there are copies of the documents to be reviewed in the conference for every participant
You are writing a modular report about a new project. During the planning stage, your group analyzed website data to determine customer preferences. Which group of readers is the primary audience for an appendix that provides a detailed breakdown of this information?
marketing managers who must sell the project to customers
Which organizational pattern is used in this paragraph? Three factors led to the decision to launch SpaceKids Odyssey earlier than originally planned. The most significant was the change in schedule of our chief rival, Osborne Gaming, which was developing a competing game and decided to launch it in September instead of November. Another factor was higher-than-projected revenues from SpaceKids BlastOff. This put added pressure on our division for another hit and allowed us to increase our engineering staff. A final factor was the company's decision to switch servers, which made all computing operations more efficient.
more important to less important
You are writing a memo that describes the factors involved in setting a price for a new product. Which organizational pattern would be most appropriate?
more important to less important
You are writing a press release whose purpose is to describe the changes in the newest model of the Perkus XT sports sedan. Which organizational pattern would be most appropriate?
more important to less important
A document intended for an audience of senior managers in the accounting and finance departments should use which of the following?
nontechnical language, simple graphics, and formal sentence structure
The opening sentence of a report appears below. Which word in the sentence best indicates the purpose of the report? This memo outlines the advantages of leasing versus purchasing new computers for the engineering group.
outlines
You are writing a press release to educate the general public about the benefits of LED lighting. Which of the following best describes the tone you should use for this press release?
positive and encouraging
Which word best describes the issues addressed by workplace research?
practical
Which organizational pattern is used in this paragraph? Our first response to the brake problem, which we learned of last April, was to halt manufacturing on the Atlas model XZ mountain bike until our engineers could examine the bicycles then being produced. This evaluation revealed no problems or imperfections with the Atlas disc braking system. Therefore, the next step was to address the individual instances of brake failure that had been brought to our attention. We found that in all cases the brakes failed because of worn brake pads and that all the bicycles with problem brakes were at least 5 years old. We therefore issued an advisory to all Atlas dealers to contact customers who had bought bicycles before April 20XX and followed up with direct emails to customers for whom we had contact information.
problem-methods-solution
Your company has developed and marketed a new software application. You are writing a completion report about a project intended to fix a problem users have experienced with the software. Which of the following organizational patterns would be most appropriate?
problem-methods-solution
You are writing a report, and your audience is the senior managers in your organization. Which of the following is the most efficient way to determine their particular interests and experience?
read the managers' profiles on your company's internal social network
You are writing a brochure about a home-automation system. Your main audience consists of affluent young adults. These "techies" are enthralled by being able to control their home's electrical and audiovisual systems remotely and they care about maintaining a cutting-edge image. Which goal should you emphasize in the marketing material?
recognition: being perceived as having the latest in technological devices
Your engineering group bid on a large contract but lost the job to your main competitor. You are writing a memo to the group to explain why your company did not win the bid. Which of the following is the best way to encourage your co-workers and make them feel better?
recognize and praise the efforts of those who worked on preparing the bid
The opening sentence of a report appears below. Which word in the sentence best indicates the purpose of the report? In this document, the Engineering Group recommends a solution to the leakage problems that have been occurring during colder months.
recommends
You are writing a memo that will appear on your company's website and be distributed through print and broadcast media to the general public. Its purpose is to introduce a plan to transport natural gas through local communities by train. Which goal is most important to focus on in this situation?
security
You are writing a memo to employees to explain a change in the way your company funds employee retirement accounts. Which goal is most important to focus on?
security
You are writing a modular report about a new project. Which group of readers is the primary audience for an appendix that includes a detailed budget breakdown?
senior managers who must approve funding for the project
You are writing to the head of a company in a country with large distances between people of different ranks. Which of the following would NOT be appropriate?
signing your letter with your first name only
Your company makes WellWatcher, a device that people wear to monitor their fitness. Your company found a problem with WellWatcher 2.0, and it issued a recall for all 2.0 models yesterday. Which research method is most likely to help you understand how consumers feel about this news?
social-media data analysis
Which of the following is the best organizational pattern for a description of a proposed site for a rain garden?
spatial
Which organizational pattern is used in this paragraph? As visitors enter, the first room they encounter in the exhibit will contain examples of French and English landscape painting of the 18th century, pulled from our own collection as well as from British and French sources. The next room will be a thematic interlude about the origins of Romanticism in landscape, focusing on the development of Turner's oeuvre. Next will come a series of rooms hung with the work of Romantic artists who epitomize the highly personal, subjective style associated with Romanticism.
spatial
You are writing a report that gives a detailed description of the site for a new facility your company is building. Which of the following organizational patterns would be most appropriate?
spatial
The opening sentence of a report appears below. Which word in the sentence best indicates the purpose of the report? This document summarizes the three conflicting proposals for financing much-needed filtration equipment at the East River plant.
summarizes
You are writing a modular report about a new project. Which group of readers is the primary audience for the section of the report covering the implementation schedule?
technicians who must carry out the project
You are writing a report for senior managers. Your purpose is to propose that your company switch to a new cloud-based storage system. Which of the following characteristics of your audience should you find out about?
tendency to agree with your proposal writing style and organizational preferences degree of technical knowledge ***All the options are correct!!!!
When you are editing your document to ensure that the tone is appropriate, what are you focusing on most closely?
the diction of your document
You have been asked to write a feature on the news page of your company's website that will introduce a new line of organic food products. Which of the following is the primary audience for this document?
the general public
You work in the drafting department of an architectural engineering firm. You write a recommendation report intended to persuade your company to authorize the purchase of an expensive CAD workstation for your department. Which of the following individuals would be a member of a secondary audience for this report?
the supervisor of the marketing department
Your engineering group has developed a new active-pixel sensor for use in your company's digital cameras. Your group needs funding to test and produce the new device and bring it to the market. You are assigned to write a report about this innovation for senior management, who will decide whether to fund it. Given the audience, what is most likely to be the purpose of your report?
to demonstrate the profit potential of the innovation
You are writing a report for senior management about a hardscape your company is building to regrade a stream that has been polluting a reservoir. Many environmental groups were involved in the planning stages, and the client is the local municipal government. The project has been large and complicated and is now nearing completion. Which of the following is likely to be a purpose of this report?
to explain the environmental impact of the project to provide updated financial details about the project ***All the options are correct!!! to explain how the work meets the client's needs and expectations
You are writing a report about a water treatment project your company is proposing. The intended audience is local government officials who are considering funding the project. Which of the following is most likely to be the purpose of the report?
to explain the project's costs and benefits
Which purpose is NOT a likely reason to write a technical document?
to express your opinion on a current event in the world
You have been asked to rewrite an engineering report about a new and innovative product as a press release. The Communications Department plans to send the release to local media and to post it on your company's website. What is your major purpose for the press release?
to inform the general public of the new product in order to receive favorable publicity
You are an engineer working for a contracting company. You are helping to prepare a report to the city planning board about a housing development your company is proposing to build. What is the purpose of the report?
to motivate the planning board to approve the project
What is the main purpose of an audience profile sheet?
to prompt you to consider audience characteristics as you plan
You are an engineer assigned to write a feature for the community page of your company's website, targeted at the general public, about an advanced type of railway brakes your group has developed. Based on the publication location of the feature, which of the following would NOT be a purpose of the report?
to provide in-depth technical details about the brakes
Which of the following is an important step in displaying your organizational plan prominently in a document?
using topic sentences at the beginnings of paragraphs using headings liberally creating a detailed table of contents ***All the options given are correct!!
If there is a serious ethical issue in your company and you are thinking of blowing the whistle about it, which of the four moral standards should you consider most thoroughly?
utility
You are weighing the short-term effects of firing an underperforming employee against the long-term effects. What moral standard are you using to analyze the situation?
utility
Which of the following is NOT an accepted foundation for ethical standards?
what the people around you do
In which of the following situations would it be most useful to examine your company's public web pages to obtain information about your audience?
when you are writing a report for senior managers
You are writing a progress report on a new insulation product that your team is developing. Which of the following will comprise the primary audience for this report?
your boss and the team's senior management
Which of these media is least likely to be a helpful tool for secondary research on a technical topic?
your local television station's evening newscast