Question 1

Good technical communication has all of the following qualities EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  It uses visuals, if necessary, to help readers understand ideas or data. 
B)  It can only be read and understood by subject matter experts. 
C)  It enables people who need to use the writing to perform a task to do so. 
D)  It shows a plan that reveals the purpose and value of the document 
The rest of this test will be based on the following scenario: Samantha has just been hired as the IT Manager at Monopoly National Bank. Though her job title sounds impressive, she is the only employee in the IT Department.
The very first day on the job, Samantha is handed a two-inch thick packet of specifications and sales brochures on six desktop computers that was put together by the previous IT manager, who recently resigned to start her own social network company. The VP of Operations asks Samantha to review the dossier thoroughly, then write a recommendation report and have it on her desk by Friday. As the new IT Manager, Samantha needs to write a report that explains which computer would best suit the needs of the Business Loan Department.
The bank rotates purchasing computers for each department on a two year basis, and they need to replace the six desktop computers in the Business Loan Department by the end of the month or lose the line item for this budget year.
Not only is this Samantha's first day on the job, this is her first job after graduating from college-so she is a little hesitant about how she will accomplish this task. She takes the packet to her office and begins sorting through technical specifications and sales brochures. Eventually, she decides which computer she will recommend and why. Once she has made his decision, she writes a three page, single-spaced essay that has an intriguing introduction, discusses the importance of good IT to production, compares the qualities of each computer in detail, and concludes with the praises of the computer she recommends. Before she sends the essay off to the VP of Operations, she decides to review the textbook for the technical writing class she took her junior year, The Essentials of Technical Communication.

Question 2

Surveys show that organizations rank which attribute of good technical writing as the most important?

Accepted Answer

A)  over 20 employees. 
B)  extensive use of technology. 
C)  strict security to protect intellectual property. 
D)  Both b and c.

Question 3

How many stages does writing effective documents require?

Accepted Answer

A)  Nine 
B)  Six 
C)  Three 
D)  Five

Question 4

Writing at work requires effective communication, which can be accomplished by…

Accepted Answer

A)  Being ambiguous. 
B)  Including "catchy" headings. 
C)  Sending all email as "urgent." 
D)  Making your message clear, easy to read, and interesting, but relevant.

Question 5

What do many organizations do before they hire a new employee?

Accepted Answer

A)  Check the applicant's social media sites. 
B)  Send the applicant to get a physical. 
C)  Do a criminal background check on the applicant. 
D)  Call the applicant's parents to discuss the applicant's qualifications.

Question 6

Why is it important that you always write effective documentation at work?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is it important that you always...

Question 7

Which of the following statements is true of technical writing?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is usually intended for a single reader. 
B)  It includes only print materials. 
C)  It includes a variety of written documents, including emails, news releases, and speeches. 
D)  It includes essays written for an academic assignment.

Question 8

Even good technical writing may include:

Accepted Answer

A)  a few grammatical errors. 
B)  some inaccurate information. 
C)  a few typographical errors. 
D)  None of the above.

Question 9

What are three ways to avoid potential security breaches at work?

Accepted Answer

A)  Because your colleagues get paid to read your writing. 
B)  Because you get paid to write long documents. 
C)  Because it supports productivity in the workplace. 
D)  Because it affords reading material in the breakroom.

Question 10

Your textbook says, "Many organizations, before they hire new employees, will check social media to see what potential employees have said about themselves." Describe what potential employers might discover if they checked your personal social networking sites today, and what do you think it reflects about you and your work ethic? How do you think they would interpret the messages you post on your social media?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your textbook says, "Many organizations, before they...

Question 11

After finishing revising and proofreading the document, Samantha realized that she had saved the Microsoft word document on her desktop computer. What should have Samantha done prior to even beginning the document?

Accepted Answer

A)  Both the second and fourth answers are correct 
B)  Asked the VP of Operations about the company's security policy and how their intellectual property (such as the document she wrote) is stored. 
C)  Left the office to buy a flash drive so she can save the document and work on it at home. 
D)  Asked the VP of Operations for a copy of the company's security policy so she could reference it to ensure she was abiding by their information storage and intellectual property policies.

Question 12

You should never access your personal email, blog, or social media sites from your…

Accepted Answer

A)  smartphone 
B)  personal computer 
C)  employer's computer 
D)  Both the first and second answers are correct

Question 13

Why is it important that you avoid potential security breaches at work?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why is it important that you avoid...

Question 14

When you sign your name to a report or letter, you are…

Accepted Answer

A)  responsible for the contents. 
B)  not responsible for the contents (the company is responsible). 
C)  responsible for the contents only if you are a supervisor. 
D)  responsible for the contents only if you have plagiarized.

Question 15

After reading the sections in Chapter 1 on how workplace writing differs from academic writing, Samantha realizes she has gone into too much detail about technical information on computers, and will streamline that information by putting it in a chart for all of the following reasons EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)  Readers have less knowledge about computers than she does and may skip reading the document entirely if she does not keep the technical information clear and concise. 
B)  Readers need to know how the new computers will affect their job goals, not be given a lesson in computer technology. 
C)  She needs to keep the information to show that she is very intelligent because she wants a promotion. 
D)  Some readers will only want to survey this section of the document in order to find the main points and ideas quickly.

Question 16

Writing at work and academic writing both require…

Accepted Answer

A)  effective paragraph development and correct sentence structure. 
B)  use of graphics and video. 
C)  effective paragraph development and several grammatical errors. 
D)  knowledge of exactly who is reading your writing.

Question 17

One of the tips your textbook gives suggests you play a mind game on yourself: "Always write as if someone you do not know might be reading over your shoulder." In a memo written to your fellow students, explain why this is a good strategy for writing in the workplace.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One of the tips your textbook gives...

Question 18

Your textbook says that, "Electronic communication has become a blessing and a curse." In a memo for your classmates, explain the benefits and pitfalls of electronic communication in the workplace. When possible give specific and concrete examples of both benefits and problems associated with electronic communication.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your textbook says that, "Electronic communication has...

Question 19

In the workplace, most of your readers will not read all of what you write…

Accepted Answer

A)  because they are not interested. 
B)  unless you write an intriguing introduction that entertains them. 
C)  but will read what they need to read to do their job. 
D)  because it will be archived indefinitely.

Exam 1: Characteristics of Writing at Work