Chapter 3 Quiz | Organizing & Drafting Business Messages

1. Collecting information before composing a message is important primarily because doing so __________.

• a. guarantees unified sentences and coherent paragraphs
• b. eliminates the need for any revision
• c. helps shape the message
• d. determines the format and layout

2. Most routine writing tasks, such as composing e-mail messages or informational reports, require information that you can collect __________.

• a. formally
• b. supernaturally
• c. scientifically
• d. informally

3. Brittany is preparing a market analysis for her business plan and knows she will have to conduct formal research to gather the information she needs. To conduct formal research, she should __________.

• a. look in her company's files
• b. talk with her boss
• c. conduct interviews and surveys or organize a focus group
• d. brainstorm for ideas

4. According to experts, what is the greatest failing of business writers?

• a. Poor editing and proofreading skills
• b. Unclear sentence structure
• c. Poor organization
• d. Limited vocabulary

5. Which of the following is not an advantage of frontloading?

• a. Eliminates the need for researching
• b. Saves the reader's time
• c. Reduces frustration
• d. Sets a proper frame of mind

6. Business Manager HeatherGuite expects her employees to be displeased or even hostile when she announces a new work schedule that will become effective next month. An effective organizational strategy for Heather is to __________.

• a. begin with the main idea
• b. put the bad news first
• c. get to the main idea quickly by frontloading
• d. explain all background information first

7. Which of the following is a compound sentence?

• a. If you want to attend the conference, register by October 15.
• b. Although the deadline is October 15, there is still time to register; however, you must do so online.
• c. We know that you'll want to receive the early-bird pricing; therefore, please register for the conference by October 15.
• d. Register for the conference by October 15 so that you can receive a special discount.

8. Gina will graduate from Tulane University in July, her brother will graduate from Arizona State University in December is an example of a __________.

• a. complete sentence
• b. fragmented sentence
• c. comma splice
• d. run-on sentence

9. Many job applicants post their résumés on company websites some post on social networking sites such as LinkedIn is an example of a __________

• a. run-on sentence
• b. comma splice
• c. fragmented sentence
• d. complete sentence

10. Which of the following sentences de-emphasizes the bad news?

• a. Although the company cannot reimburse you for tuition costs, you may attend class during work hours.
• b. Because of our educational benefits policy, you may not receive funds for tuition costs.
• c. Because we pay only for in-house classes and workshops, you will not receive company funds for tuition costs.
• d. Although you can attend class during work hours, the company cannot reimburse you for tuition costs.