Chapter 2 Quiz
1. What is the most
frequent mistake in business correspondence?
Answer: incorrect or
inadequate assessment of the receiver
2. Name the two general
purposes in business communication.
Answer: to inform, to
persuade
3. List three situations
when it is better to write a message than to deliver it orally.
Answer: when a record
of the communication is required; when you don’t require an answer; when the
information is complicated or detailed; when it’s difficult to arrange a
meeting or telephone conversation
4. What is the main
benefit of communicating orally?
Answer: instant
reaction from audience
5. What pronoun is the
most important in creating reader-based messages?
Answer: “you”
6. What is the
fundamental rule of business communication?
Answer: to adopt a
courteous tone
7. Which of the
following is not a common reason why people in business communicate with
others?
a. to ask or give
information
b. to advise or
recommend
c. to improve a
company’s image
d. to foster an
atmosphere of deceit
Answer: d
8. Name three things
that help to create a conversational writing style:
Answer: avoidance of
old-fashioned words and legalisms; use of personal pronouns; use of
contractions
9. List three
characteristics of a moderately informal tone.
Answer: sounds
conversational; avoids archaisms; uses individual names; uses personal
pronouns; uses contractions; uses shorter sentences
10. What is the main
problem with slang?
Answer: It is
short-lived.
11. List three
situations when it is better to deliver a message orally.
Answer: you want to encourage discussion; you need a quick
response; you want to foster a personal relationship; you want to build group
rapport; you are dealing with a personal or sensitive matter
12. List three
guidelines that should be followed when using electronic communication.
Answer: consider the
medium; begin by addressing the recipient; maintain email credibility; be clear
13. What are three
advantages to using the most current technological medium?
Answer: ease
communication, reduce cost, increase effectiveness when it comes to
communication
14. Why should you
consider the receiver’s position when writing and sending a correspondence?
Answer: This will allow
you to determine how much detail to include, and the level of formality.
For Questions 15–29
below, rewrite each of the following sentences for maximum clarity,
conciseness, and effectiveness.
Answers will vary.
15. With reference to
your request, an extension to your warranty has been arranged.
16. Development of the
staffing situation is proceeding quite well.
17. I would request
that you finalize this matter as soon as possible.
18. Cleaners who work
nights should use the lockers which are located on the fourth floor.
19. Let’s get on the
stick and get this dump cleared up.
20. It is thought by
the regional managers that this is a line which will be profitable.
21. It was decided by
the committee that a decision on the smoking policy would be postponed
nonetheless.
22. We may have to just
bite the bullet on this bottom line.
23. His attendance
record is an area of concern for management.
24. We were all very
pleased and delighted with your enjoyable and worthwhile presentation.
25. In reply to your
question I would like to state that remuneration for this position is in the
neighbourhood of $40,307.
26. Despite the small
amount of time allowed he received a fair response to our questionnaire.
27. If payment isn’t
received soon there will be some very unpleasant consequences.
28. Don’t let this
matter drag on without getting back to me.
29. Last week’s meeting
was led by Vera Chan.
