Chapter 6 Quiz #2

The following sentence uses abstract language: “A sizeable portion of our revenue comes from one product.”

• true

• false

Answer explanation

“Sizeable” is a vague, abstract word. In contrast, a phrase such as “60 percent” would be concrete and specific.

The word “continually” refers to an uninterrupted action.

• true

• false

Answer explanation

Continually refers to an isolated action that happens repeatedly, whereas continuously refers to an uninterrupted action.

When the verb describing the action in a sentence takes the form of a noun, the verb is called a camouflaged verb.

• true

• false

Answer explanation

When the verb that describes the action in a sentence takes the form of a noun, it is a camouflaged verb. For example, “have a discussion” uses a camouflaged verb that should be replaced with “discuss.”

Which of the following is a concrete word?

• graph

• loyalty

• consider

• truth

• interest

Answer explanation

Concrete words stand for things that people can see, feel, taste, smell, or count. The word “bonus” fits these criteria.

Which of the following sentences provides the best example of the use of specific words?

• Whitney’s sales last quarter were poor.

• Whitney’s sales numbers last quarter were not very good.

• Whitney’s sales last quarter were fairly disastrous.

• Whitney’s sales were abysmal last quarter.

• Whitney sold only 20 percent of her quota last quarter.

Answer explanation

The sentence “Whitney sold only 20 percent of her quota last quarter” uses specific words. While general words are vague, specific words are precise.

Which of the following sentences provides the best example of the use of vague words?

• His office is on the fifth floor.

• A significant portion of the time, she is able to close the deal without a hitch.

• Her building project will be approved if she reduces her budget by $10,000.

• Tomorrow’s meeting is on Thursday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

• It takes her an hour to get to work every morning.

Answer explanation

The sentence “A significant portion of the time, she is able to close the deal without a hitch” uses the most abstract wording of these options. Abstract words are vague, and it is difficult to visualize exactly what these words stand for.

Which of the following sentences provides the best example of the use of specific words?

• She is a better fit for the new role.

• She works for a great organization.

• Please call me back soon.

• Our product is better than that of our competitors.

• Please meet me in the boardroom at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow.

Answer explanation

The sentence “Please meet me in the boardroom at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow” uses specific words that name a time and place. Closely related to concrete wording is being specific. Even if you are talking about something intangible, you can still make your wording as precise as possible.

In which of the following pairs do both words have the same denotation (meaning)?

• report; data

• characteristic; feature

• computer; tablet

• pamphlet, memo

• prepare; record

Answer explanation

“Characteristic” and “feature” have the same denotation, or meaning.

A word may have several______, or social and emotional associations.

(a)  

• connotations
• denotations
• acronyms
• idioms
• dummy subjects

Answer explanation

Words may have many connotations, which are their social or emotional associations.

Which of the following sentences uses all words appropriately?

• The company’s decision to pass him over for a promotion deeply effected him.

• Please advice me on this matter.

• This issue needs farther deliberation.

• The management’s decision had a far-reaching effect.

• The company has less customers this year than it did the previous year.

Answer explanation

All of the words in “The management’s decision had a far-reaching effect” are used correctly.

a) affected not effected

b) advise not advice

c) further not farther

e) fewer not less