Question 1

Which of the following uses only active voice in a complete sentence?

Accepted Answer

A)  The company's rigid return policy was criticized by a few unhappy customers. 
B)  Because a few unhappy customers criticized the company's rigid return policy. 
C)  Managers were told about the unhappy customers who criticized the company's rigid return policy. 
D)  A few unhappy customers criticized the company's rigid return policy.

Question 2

Which of the following sentences is most effective in de-emphasizing the bad news?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although cash refunds are not offered, you can exchange resalable merchandise. 
B)  Although you can exchange returned merchandise, cash refunds are not available. 
C)  Because we only exchange merchandise, it is impossible for you to receive a cash refund. 
D)  Because of our exchange policy, you may not receive a cash refund.

Question 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

A run-on-sentence results when a writer joins two independent clauses with a comma.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

When you fail to collect all needed research before beginning to organize and write your business document, you may end up starting over and reorganizing.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

A supporting sentence

Accepted Answer

A)  must relate to the topic sentence. 
B)  reveals the main idea of a paragraph. 
C)  is usually the first sentence of a paragraph. 
D)  is usually the last sentence of a paragraph.

Question 9

Active-voice sentences

Accepted Answer

A)  direct the action of the verb toward the subject. 
B)  place the subject of the sentence as the doer of the action. 
C)  generally use a to be helping verb. 
D)  should always be avoided.

Question 10

Quality Building Materials Inc. has developed a new whole-house weather blanket and needs to determine the price point at which builders would switch to this new product. The best research method for this is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  manual search of other companies' price lists. 
B)  interview with a local builder. 
C)  Internet search of insulation values for weather blankets. 
D)  scientific experiment that presents price choices with controlled variables.

Question 11

What is a comma splice?

Accepted Answer

A)  Two independent clauses run together without punctuation or a conjunction 
B)  Two independent clauses joined by a comma without a conjunction 
C)  A broken-off part of a sentence 
D)  Two dependent clauses

Question 12

Many communication experts regard poor organization as the greatest failing of business writers.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Writers can use words and phrases such as on the other hand, as opposed to, and conversely to show contrast in business messages.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Which of the following is a simple sentence?

Accepted Answer

A)  If health insurance costs continue to rise, employee copays may increase. 
B)  Having healthy employees decreases the cost of monthly premiums; therefore, we will be implementing a wellness program. 
C)  HMO and PPO insurance plans offer additional cost savings. 
D)  Because we will be reducing employee health insurance benefits, some employees may be unhappy; however, we must make sure that they understand the reason for the change.

Question 15

Conducting scientific experiments is a method to gather formal research.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

What do most business writers use as the first sentence in a paragraph?

Accepted Answer

A)  Supporting sentence 
B)  Transitional sentence 
C)  Topic sentence 
D)  Pivoting sentence

Question 17

Which of the following is an advantage of the direct strategy?

Accepted Answer

A)  Minimizes a negative reaction 
B)  Respects the feelings of the reader 
C)  Saves the reader's time 
D)  Encourages a fair hearing

Question 18

Words such as although, if, because, and since often introduce dependent clauses.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Which of the following sentences uses modifiers correctly?

Accepted Answer

A)  Competent in computer graphics, our website was designed by Gloria. 
B)  To take advantage of the discounted pricing, place your order immediately. 
C)  To meet customers' orders, production must be increased. 
D)  Placing the proposal on the desk, the office was left by John.

Question 20

Paragraphs should

Accepted Answer

A)  focus on at least three ideas. 
B)  avoid the repetition of key or similar words. 
C)  contain long, solid chunks of print. 
D)  contain eight or fewer printed lines.

Exam 3: Organizing and Drafting Business Messages

Which of the following uses only active voice in a complete sentence?

Which of the following sentences is most effective in de-emphasizing the bad news?

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.

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

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.

A run-on-sentence results when a writer joins two independent clauses with a comma.

When you fail to collect all needed research before beginning to organize and write your business document, you may end up starting over and reorganizing.

A supporting sentence

Active-voice sentences

Quality Building Materials Inc. has developed a new whole-house weather blanket and needs to determine the price point at which builders would switch to this new product. The best research method for this is a(n)

What is a comma splice?

Many communication experts regard poor organization as the greatest failing of business writers.

Writers can use words and phrases such as on the other hand, as opposed to, and conversely to show contrast in business messages.

Which of the following is a simple sentence?

Conducting scientific experiments is a method to gather formal research.

What do most business writers use as the first sentence in a paragraph?

Which of the following is an advantage of the direct strategy?

Words such as although, if, because, and since often introduce dependent clauses.

Which of the following sentences uses modifiers correctly?

Paragraphs should