Question 1

In effective business writing, where in a paragraph does a topic sentence usually appear?

Accepted Answer

A)  At the beginning, to let readers know what to expect
B)  Midway through, to keep readers focused
C)  At the end, to summarize what has been discussed
D)  Topic sentences are unnecessary in business writing. A

Question 2

One question writers should attempt to answer before drafting a message is What will happen if the receiver doesn't complete the requested action?

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

A ____________________ sentence contains two independent clauses and one dependent clause.

Accepted Answer

compound-complex

Question 4

Which of the following transitions would help to clarify an idea?

Accepted Answer

A)  Next
B)  As a result
C)  For example
D)  Instead

Question 5

Business writers generally place the topic sentence near the end of a paragraph to serve as a summary.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

In the active voice, the subject is acted upon. In the passive voice, the subject is the doer of the action.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

The following sentence contains a dangling or misplaced modifier: Working all night, the brief was filed with the court on time.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Which of the following message openings is the most direct opening for an e-mail message announcing a new telecommuting plan?

Accepted Answer

A)  A number of employees have asked about telecommuting options.
B)  Many businesses have been implementing telecommuting programs, and we have studied their programs extensively.
C)  Rising gas prices have led many companies to allow telecommuting, and we think this might be a good idea for our company.
D)  Our new telecommuting program will begin on August 1.

Question 9

To build paragraph coherence, a writer should

Accepted Answer

A)  repeat a key idea by using the same expression or a similar one.
B)  use pronouns to refer to previous nouns.
C)  show connections with transitional expressions.
D)  All answer choices can build paragraph coherence.

Question 10

A scratch list is a detailed, hierarchical plan for organizing ideas and information.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Which of the following business messages would not use the direct strategy?

Accepted Answer

A)  An e-mail message to a staff introducing a new employee
B)  An oral presentation detailing the specifics of a new company wellness initiative
C)  A letter to a coworker congratulating him or her on a recent promotion
D)  A letter to a customer denying his or her request for credit

Question 12

Which of the following kinds of business messages typically use the indirect strategy?

Accepted Answer

A)  Nonsensitive memos
B)  Routine requests
C)  Informational reports
D)  Sensitive messages

Question 13

Before composing a business document, you should gather information that will answer which of these questions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Will I have enough time to complete thorough research?
B)  What is the receiver to do?
C)  What information will be the easiest to locate?
D)  How will I use this information?

Question 14

Before and meanwhile are examples of transitional expressions that show ____________________ association.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Before and meanwhile are examples of transitional...

Question 15

____________________ is an organizational writing technique that involves placing the main idea first and following the main idea with details, an explanation, or evidence.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ____________________ is an organizational writing technique that...

Question 16

When introductory dependent clauses precede independent clauses, they are always followed by a comma.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Jonathan is researching the financial impact of a job-sharing benefit for employees. Talking with his boss about the possible effects of offering this benefit to employees is an effective method of formal research.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Looking in company files for information is considered formal research.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

The following sentence effectively uses a stylistic device to de-emphasize the bad news: Although we don't have any available positions at this time, we were pleased to receive your application and will keep it on file for six months.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

The new organizational chart was presented by our recently hired CEO is an example of a sentence using the ___________________ voice.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The new organizational chart was presented by...

Exam 3: Organizing and Drafting Business Messages

In effective business writing, where in a paragraph does a topic sentence usually appear?

One question writers should attempt to answer before drafting a message is What will happen if the receiver doesn't complete the requested action?

A ____________________ sentence contains two independent clauses and one dependent clause.

Which of the following transitions would help to clarify an idea?

Business writers generally place the topic sentence near the end of a paragraph to serve as a summary.

In the active voice, the subject is acted upon. In the passive voice, the subject is the doer of the action.

The following sentence contains a dangling or misplaced modifier: Working all night, the brief was filed with the court on time.

Which of the following message openings is the most direct opening for an e-mail message announcing a new telecommuting plan?

To build paragraph coherence, a writer should

A scratch list is a detailed, hierarchical plan for organizing ideas and information.

Which of the following business messages would not use the direct strategy?

Which of the following kinds of business messages typically use the indirect strategy?

Before composing a business document, you should gather information that will answer which of these questions?

Before and meanwhile are examples of transitional expressions that show ____________________ association.

____________________ is an organizational writing technique that involves placing the main idea first and following the main idea with details, an explanation, or evidence.

When introductory dependent clauses precede independent clauses, they are always followed by a comma.

Jonathan is researching the financial impact of a job-sharing benefit for employees. Talking with his boss about the possible effects of offering this benefit to employees is an effective method of formal research.

Looking in company files for information is considered formal research.

The following sentence effectively uses a stylistic device to de-emphasize the bad news: Although we don't have any available positions at this time, we were pleased to receive your application and will keep it on file for six months.

The new organizational chart was presented by our recently hired CEO is an example of a sentence using the ___________________ voice.