Deck 4: Revising Business Messages

Question 1

It is important to avoid long lead-ins because they

A) are grammatically incorrect.
B) contain misplaced modifiers.
C) prevent the reader from reaching the meaning of the sentence.
D) result in faulty parallelism.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Effective communicators avoid the flabby expression in addition to the above by using the word(s)

A) in addition.
B) also.
C) as well as the previously mentioned.
D) along with the aforementioned.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Which statement is most accurate?

A) Proofreading involves using only a spell checker.
B) Revision should always occur after you have completed writing.
C) Business messages must be clear, concise, and readable.
D) Revising and proofreading involve the same steps.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Microblogging

A) is illegal in businesses today.
B) involves adding website links to a blog to encourage feedback from others.
C) consists of short messages exchanged on social media networks.
D) is performed by only corporate officials who write comments about their companies.

Question 5

All of the following sentences contain unnecessary fillers except

A) There are three important issues to discuss at today's meeting.
B) There is only one job opening available.
C) It was our office manager who won the raffle.
D) Three candidates are running for the board.

Question 6

Which sentence avoids redundant expressions?

A) It is absolutely essential that our accounting records are accurate.
B) Let's not repeat our competitor's mistakes.
C) Please refer back to the June financial statements.
D) I want to thank each and every stockholder.

Question 7

Katelyn is writing a letter to thank a potential employer for her job interview. Which of these sentences contains modern expressions Katelyn should use?

A) Thank you in advance for considering me for your available position.
B) You will note that my coursework has thoroughly prepared me for your medical technician position.
C) Enclosed herein please find the salary history you requested during the interview.
D) Pursuant to your request, I will return for a second interview on May 28.

Question 8

There is a new software company that will be hiring employees is an example of a sentence with

A) concise wording.
B) a wordy prepositional phrase.
C) a filler.
D) faulty parallelism.

Question 9

Which of the following sentences is most effective?

A) This is to inform you that your account is now up-to-date.
B) At this point in time, your account is up-to-date.
C) Due to the fact that we have just received your check, your account is up-to-date.
D) Your account is now up-to-date.

Question 10

Monica lost a promotion due to poor writing skills. Which phase of the writing process should she most focus on to demonstrate better writing skills?

A) Improving content and research
B) Revising and proofreading
C) Formatting and documenting
D) Identifying her purpose and her audience

Question 11

All of the following are tips you should follow when microblogging except

A) ignore spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
B) include only the main ideas.
C) personalize your message if possible.
D) choose descriptive but short words.

Question 12

Which of the following best avoids flabby expressions?

A) In very few cases do job applicants perform adequate research about a company.
B) The CEO is of the opinion that stock prices will increase next quarter.
C) Although many employees have requested training, we can't afford the extra expense.
D) We do not expect any pay raises at this point in time.

Question 13

Which of the following expressions is most modern?

A) Separately
B) Every effort will be made
C) In receipt of
D) In accordance with your wishes

Question 14

Which of the following about writing and revising business documents is most accurate?

A) Rarely is the first version satisfactory, but usually the second version is excellent.
B) Experts say only amateurs expect writing perfection on the first try.
C) Revision is not necessary for informal documents such as internal memos or e-mail messages.
D) The real work of revision should happen in the writing stage as you select words and form sentences.

Question 15

Concise writing

A) should be used only in informal business documents such as e-mail messages.
B) is easier to read and comprehend.
C) is necessary for only formal business documents such as a proposal to a customer.
D) should be avoided because it can come across as being abrupt and rude.

Question 16

Clichés are

A) words originating from the French language.
B) overused expressions.
C) descriptive expressions used in business writing.
D) informal words with arbitrary and extravagantly changed meanings.

Question 17

Long sentence lead-ins

A) are unnecessary introductory words.
B) introduce the "meat" of the message.
C) avoid reader confusion.
D) demonstrate effective language usage.

Question 18

Which of the following best avoids a long lead-in?

A) Yes, we will send the information you requested.
B) This is to advise you that we will send the information you requested.
C) You may be interested to learn that we will send the information you requested.
D) I am writing this letter to inform you that we will send the information you requested.

Question 19

One way to improve the clarity of your writing is to apply the KISS formula. KISS stands for

A) Key Ideas Succinctly and Swiftly.
B) Keep It Short and Simple.
C) Knowledge Is Supported and Summarized.
D) Know Intentions, Strategies, and Solutions.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about revision is most accurate?

A) You must compose first drafts quickly (sprint writing) and return later for editing.
B) Careful writers always revise as they write.
C) Revision is required for only long and complex business documents.
D) Some business writers prefer to compose first drafts quickly and revise later; others prefer to revise as they go.

Question 21

Dylan is designing his document to enhance readability and comprehension. What is the best advice you can give Dylan?

A) Justify the left and right margins so they are both even.
B) Create white space by using headings, bulleted or numbered lists, short paragraphs, and effective margins.
C) Use multiple typefaces within the document.
D) Use ALL CAPS anywhere in a document to emphasize key points.

Question 22

Well-designed documents enhance readability and comprehension and

A) make readers think the writer is a well-organized and intelligent person.
B) guarantee reader acceptance.
C) increase the intelligence level of the reader.
D) avoid the use of white space.

Question 23

Which of the following sentences avoids buzzwords and slang?

A) Our stock prices tanked last quarter.
B) All companies must follow the guidelines outlined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
C) The architects blew the budget for the design of the new energy center.
D) The company decided a new paradigm shift was needed to increase sales.

Question 24

What is the most common serif typeface?

A) Arial
B) Times New Roman
C) Univers
D) Calibri

Question 25

Words such as definitely, quite, actually, extremely, and totally are

A) adjectives that add a welcome degree of emotion to your writing.
B) adjectives that may be omitted because they are imprecise.
C) adverbs that should be used only sparingly in business writing.
D) adverbs that should be used as often as possible in business writing to show excitement and enthusiasm.

Question 26

Empty space on a page

A) should be avoided on any business document.
B) can be achieved by creating paragraphs of ten or more printed lines.
C) makes it appear as if the writer has nothing to say.
D) is called white space.

Question 27

Which of the following statements regarding bulleted or numbered lists is most accurate?

A) Lists decrease a reader's comprehension of the main ideas.
B) Lists allow readers to review main ideas quickly.
C) Lists confuse readers because they are visually distracting.
D) Lists decrease the readability level of a document.

Question 28

Which of the following sentences demonstrates clear writing?

A) A supervisor asked everyone to work an extra day.
B) A supervisor asked production employees to work an extra day.
C) A supervisor asked everyone to work on Saturday.
D) Lindsey Goulet asked production employees to work on Saturday.

Question 29

Slang

A) is composed of informal words with arbitrary and extravagantly changed meanings.
B) is acceptable to use in business messages.
C) involves the use of technical expressions that have become fashionable and are often meant to impress rather than express.
D) All answer choices are correct.

Question 30

How many typefaces should you use in a business document?

A) No more than two
B) At least three
C) Up to five
D) At least ten

Question 31

To improve readability and comprehension through white space,

A) use approximately 20 or fewer words per sentence.
B) construct paragraphs consisting of 12-15 printed lines.
C) develop long paragraphs.
D) avoid the use of topic sentences on shorter paragraphs.

Question 32

Which of the following sentences uses the most precise language?

A) The board approved a substantial budget increase.
B) The board approved a 34 percent budget increase.
C) The board approved a large budget increase.
D) The board approved a sizeable budget increase.

Question 33

Which statement regarding type sizes and fonts is most accurate?

A) Font styles are a stylistic means of adding emphasis to your words.
B) Readers are generally most comfortable with 8- to 10-point type for body text.
C) Fonts include caps, boldfacing, italics, underlining, outlining, and shadowing.
D) Writers should always use all caps to emphasize their ideas.

Question 34

When creating a bulleted or numbered list,

A) use a bulleted list to represent a sequence.
B) never use end punctuation.
C) do not capitalize the initial word of each line.
D) express all ideas similarly.

Question 35

Which of the following sentences contains the best use of vivid adjectives without overkill?

A) The resort offered luxurious suites with Jacuzzi tubs and saunas.
B) The all-inclusive, top-notch resort offered luxurious, totally marvelous suites with incredible extras.
C) The resort had nice rooms.
D) All sentences use vivid adjectives effectively.

Question 36

Converting verbs into noun expressions

A) decreases sentence length.
B) reduces verb strength.
C) increases the reader's ability to process the information.
D) All answer choices are correct.

Question 37

The dangers of using slang in business writing include

A) obscuring meaning.
B) using language that is too informal.
C) using words that quickly go out of fashion.
D) All answer choices are correct.

Question 38

Which statement about margins and text alignment is true?

A) Margins define the reading area and provide important visual relief.
B) Nearly all text in Western cultures is aligned at the right.
C) Business letters and memos usually have side margins of 2 inches.
D) Ragged right margins decrease white space and readability.

Question 39

Which of the following sentences avoids clichés?

A) We can prove the benefits of exercise for stress reduction beyond a shadow of a doubt.
B) Employees who engage in a regular fitness program are likely to pass the physical exam with flying colors.
C) Please encourage your department members to join the health club.
D) Last but not least, you, too, should join the fitness program.

Question 40

Which of the following sentences avoids noun conversion?

A) Your supervisor will give consideration to all capital budget requests.
B) The committee worked on the establishment of a fund for scholarships.
C) The benefits committee will be responsible for the acquisition of an endowment.
D) The scholarship committee approved the plan.

Question 41

Concise messages are easy to read and comprehend.

Question 42

Tyler used a bulleted list on his résumé to describe his previous job duties. Which of the following items from his list does not demonstrate parallel structure?

A) Performed inspections of plant equipment, including boilers, condensers, and chillers
B) Troubleshooting of plant's chemical equipment
C) Performed load calculations for plant equipment
D) Wrote analytical reports detailing system performance

Question 43

What is the best advice for proofreading a complex document?

A) Be prepared to find errors.
B) Increase your reading speed.
C) Read the message only once.
D) Proofread the message immediately after it has been fully written.

Question 44

Taylor is enrolled in a business communications course at her local community college. She just received a paper back from her professor who noted that Taylor should review the principles for comma usage. How should Taylor handle this criticism?

A) Report her teacher to the president of the college for abuse.
B) Argue with her teacher about comma rules.
C) Withdraw from the class.
D) Accept the feedback and use it constructively to improve her future writing assignments.

Question 45

What is the best way to judge the success of your writing?

A) Receiving a raise or promotion
B) Using a spell-checker
C) Receiving feedback from your receiver
D) Organizing your message using the direct organizational strategy

Question 46

You will be interested to learn that is a recommended and professional way to begin a business document.

Question 47

Trina has just completed researching, writing, and proofreading a long, complex business proposal for a customer. What should she do next?

A) Sit back and relax.
B) Evaluate its effectiveness by soliciting feedback from her receiver.
C) Tell her boss that she has successfully completed the proposal.
D) Reward herself by purchasing a new business suit.

Question 48

Proofreading includes which of the following tasks?

A) Improving content and tone
B) Fine tuning sentence and paragraph structure
C) Correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation, names and numbers, and format
D) Determining whether the message should be written using the direct or indirect organizational pattern

Question 49

Redundant words or phrases convey a meaning more than once.

Question 50

You can often reduce flabby expressions to single words.

Question 51

Which statement about proofreading is most accurate?

A) Good business writers wait at least 24 hours or longer to proofread a document.
B) Only important messages or documents need to be proofread.
C) Documents with errors do not affect a person's credibility because readers understand that everyone makes mistakes.
D) Proofreading should occur while the document is being written.

Question 52

Branch managers of First Federated Savings and Loan received this e-mail message: Please inform all personal that management retains the right to check personal belongings of employees before employees leave the bank. What error did the writer make?

A) A grammatical mistake
B) A proofreading error
C) A failure to use spell check
D) No error was made. The sentence is correct as written.

Question 53

Each and every student will be required to participate in one group writing project contains a redundant expression.

Question 54

The terms editing, proofreading, and evaluating are synonymous in meaning.

Question 55

Soon is more concise than in the near future.

Question 56

Professional writers develop a system of writing and revising that works for them; they may revise at any point in the process.

Question 57

There are many account representatives who can help you with your order. This sentence is clear and concise.

Question 58

Microblogging consists of short messages exchanged on social media sites.

Question 59

Which of the following is the best advice to follow when you proofread a routine document?

A) If proofreading on screen, display the entire document at once.
B) Proofread the document using a printed copy.
C) Proofread your document as you compose your ideas.
D) Rely solely on a spell-checker to catch any errors.

Question 60

Which statement regarding headings is most accurate?

A) Headings provide visual distraction for readers; thus they should be avoided.
B) Headings appear most often in business letters.
C) Headings highlight information and improve readability.
D) Headings should be avoided in all business documents.

Question 61

In any business document, use at least three typefaces to add emphasis and contrast.

Question 62

When right margins are not aligned or justified, they provide more white space and improve readability.

Question 63

Nearly all text in Western cultures is aligned at the left and reads from left to right.

Question 64

Using expressions such as pursuant to your request and thank you in advance adds a level of professionalism to business writing.

Question 65

Only main ideas should be included in a microblog.

Question 66

Converting a verb into a noun creates stronger, more professional business writing (e.g., made a decision instead of decided).

Question 67

To sound current, fresh, and trendy, effective business communicators make ample use of slang when writing and speaking.

Question 68

Business writers should consider document design during the revision process because well-designed documents improve readability and comprehension.

Question 69

Your goal as a business writer is to impress your reader.

Question 70

In describing sexual harassment in the workplace, Julia explains that Supervisors are getting burned in harassment lawsuits. Julia is using slang in this statement.

Question 71

Smart business communicators use clichés such as think outside the box to show that they are familiar with current business terminology.

Question 72

You can streamline your writing and make it more emphatic by using vivid adverbs such as very, extremely, and actually as often as possible.

Question 73

Use bulleted lists to represent a sequence of ideas or a numbered order.

Question 74

As you revise, make your writing clear by using specific verbs, concrete nouns, and vivid adjectives.

Question 75

When designing documents, you should place as much text as possible on a page to save paper and printer toner.

Question 76

The following sentence demonstrates effective business writing: Our purchasing department will give consideration to the RFP submitted by Powertex.

Question 77

The following sentence contains clear and precise wording: In some businesses they won't let you accumulate sick leave.

Question 78

To emphasize an important sentence within a business document, type the entire sentence in capital letters.

Question 79

The following sentence demonstrates effective writing: Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any questions.

Question 80

Conciseness is critical when microblogging.