Title: Writing in Business
Course: Question Banks

Q: Krista manages ten employees. She calls all ten employees together so she can tell them about a new policy she wants to implement. Which of the following relationships best describes Krista’s communication to her employees?
- upward communication
- horizontal communication
- vertical communication
- downward communication
A: downward communication

Q: Haya wants to ask her boss for a raise. Which of the following relationship best describes Haya’s communication with her boss?
- downward communication
- horizontal communication
- vertical communication
- upward communication
A: upward communication

Q: Jamal wants to leave early on Friday so he can pick his brother up from the airport. The Friday before his brother arrives, Jamal goes to his supervisor’s office and says, “Hey, just to let you know, I’m going to take off early on Friday to pick my brother up from the airport.” Which of the following BEST describes how well Jamal handled the situation?
- Jamal used too formal a tone. He should have said, “I’m going to leave early on Friday.”
- Jamal said exactly the right thing with the right tone.
- Jamal used too casual a tone. He should have said, “Is it okay if I leave a little early on Friday to pick my brother up from the airport?”
A: Jamal used too casual a tone. He should have said, “Is it okay if I leave a little early on Friday to pick my brother up from the airport?”

Q: You receive an email from your supervisor with this message: “Our Gladstone project’s deadline was just moved up. I know everyone’s busy with other projects, but I need all employees to drop what they’re doing and focus on getting the Gladstone project done as soon as possible.” Which of the following BEST describes your supervisor’s message?
- It has too many irrelevant details.
- The message is good as-is and needs no further changes.
- It does not have enough details.
A: It does not have enough details.

Q: Which of the following is most likely to result from a message that contains too many irrelevant details?
- The message might require a lot of follow-up emails to ask for more information.
- The message might not have the right tone for its audience.
- The message might be too long and might be overlooked by others.
A: The message might be too long and might be overlooked by others.

Q: You send an email to your team about a project’s deadline being moved up. Ten minutes later, you receive an email from one of your employees with the following message: “Can you tell us what the new deadline for the project is? No one on the team knows for sure.” Which of the following is the most likely problem in your last email to your team?
- The message had too many irrelevant details.
- Everyone on your team misread your original message.
- The message did not have enough details.
A: The message did not have enough details.

Q: Burt sends Imari an email to tell her that the reimbursements she asked for next week will not be provided. Which of the following best describes this message?
- positive
- persuasive
- negative
A: negative

Q: Grace forwards her team members a message containing details of their flights to attend a conference next week. Which of the following best describes this message?
- negative
- persuasive
- positive
A: positive

Q: Wesley needs to tell a client that the product the client ordered will be two days late. Which of the following best describes his message?
- positive
- persuasive
- negative
A: negative

Q: Which of the following statements best represents the “you-view”?
- “I found the address you wanted in our directory.”
- “After much searching, we found your package.”
- “Your registration is complete, and you will receive your badge shortly.”
A: “Your registration is complete, and you will receive your badge shortly.”

Q: Which of the following examples is the most receiver-focused?
- a grayscale diagram with directions to assemble a product printed on a small pamphlet
- a single postcard-sized sheet with two paragraphs of disclaimers followed by one paragraph of assembly instructions
- a pamphlet with step-by-step assembly instructions, including large diagrams for each step
A: a pamphlet with step-by-step assembly instructions, including large diagrams for each step

Q: Reed is helping a customer who says her order was not delivered. Reed spends an hour calling several different people until he locates the package. Which of the following is the BEST way for Reed to update the customer on the situation?
- “I found your package, and I’m having it sent to you by no later than tomorrow.”
- “My coworker says your package is in his truck and he’ll have it to you by tomorrow.”
- “Your package has been located, and it will be delivered to the address you provided by tomorrow.”
A: “Your package has been located, and it will be delivered to the address you provided by tomorrow.”

Q: Which of the following statements is the BEST example of clear writing that avoids language confusing to readers?
- We need to broaden our horizons.
- Our newest promotion is gaining traction.
- Our sales are increasing thanks to our new strategy.
A: Our sales are increasing thanks to our new strategy.

Q: Which of the following statements is the BEST example of clear writing that avoids language confusing to readers?
- Ping me when you’re done herding cats.
- Shoot me an email with your take on this when you have a chance.
- Contact me when you’re done giving instructions to your employees.
A: Contact me when you’re done giving instructions to your employees.

Q: Which of the following statements is the BEST example of clear writing that avoids language confusing to readers?
- I have too much on my plate to deal with that.
- I don’t have the bandwidth to do that.
- I’m too busy to work on that right now.
A: I’m too busy to work on that right now.

Q: Which of the following statements is the BEST example of bias-free writing?
- Every employee will receive a bonus based on his performance.
- Every employee will receive a bonus based on her performance.
- Every employee will receive a bonus based on his or her performance.
A: Every employee will receive a bonus based on his or her performance.

Q: Which of the following statements is the BEST example of bias-free writing?
- The money raised will go to help AIDS victims.
- The charity helps epileptics find the care they need.
- The company prohibits denying service to people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
A: The company prohibits denying service to people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Q: Which of the following statements is the BEST example of bias-free writing?
- The chairman asked us all to be seated.
- The executive asked each person for his name.
- The manager asked everyone to put away his or her chair.
A: The manager asked everyone to put away his or her chair.

Q: Which of the following is the BEST example of concise writing?
- The fact is that the customer doesn’t have the files yet.
- The files have not been received by the customer as of yet.
- The customer does not yet have the files.
A: The customer does not yet have the files.

Q: Which of the following strategies would best improve this sentence?

Because Sophie worked so hard on the presentation, the demo was a showcase of ingenuity.
- use verbs
- avoid repetition
- reduce the number of prepositions
A: reduce the number of prepositions

Q: Which of the following strategies would best improve this sentence?

The presentation was greatly improved by Miguel.
- use verbs
- reduce the number of prepositions
- use active voice
A: use active voice

Q: Which of the following strategies would best improve the clarity of this paragraph:

To assemble the product, first line up the holes on part A with the holes on part B. Insert one of the included screws in each hole. Using a #2 Phillips screwdriver, tighten the screws.
- precision
- plain words
- lists
A: lists

Q: Select which of the following strategies would best improve the clarity of this sentence:

It would be advantageous for us to remain cognizant of the problem until the prescribed solution is promulgated to the rest of the staff.
- precision
- lists
- plain words
A: plain words

Q: Select which of the following strategies would best improve the clarity of this sentence:

Some of our products have not been performing well lately.
- plain words
- lists
- precision
A: precision

Q: Which of the following sentences contains the best example of parallel structure?
- Shelley organized the team, is bolstering morale, and planned the project.
- Norman is setting up the meeting, giving the presentation, and took notes.
- Mike set up the accounts, changed the passwords, and sent the information to each customer.
A: Mike set up the accounts, changed the passwords, and sent the information to each customer.

Q: What would be the best way to make this list parallel?

The team’s priorities for the month include the following:

- Make updates to the project tracker
- Alice and Lowell will send satisfaction surveys to new customers
- Editing the new owner’s manual
- Thursday meetings
- shorten them all to approximately the same number of words
- Include the name of the person responsible in each one
- start them all with present-tense verbs
A: start them all with present-tense verbs

Q: Which of the following statements contains the best example of parallel structure?
- Audrey made calls, filed paperwork, and eating lunch.
- James has Friday off, so he’s going to hike, to mow his lawn, and catch up on TV.
- Derek found the item number, Casey located the product, and Maria contacted the customer.
A: Derek found the item number, Casey located the product, and Maria contacted the customer.

Q: Select the emphasis strategy that will best improve the following sentence: Watson Models apologizes for the late arrival of your order.
- use simple language
- avoid showing personal enthusiasm
- avoid apologizing on behalf of the company
A: avoid apologizing on behalf of the company

Q: Select the emphasis strategy that will best improve the following sentence: We are pleased you received your package on time!!!
- use bold or italics for emphasis
- avoid bringing the company blame
- avoid giving a company an emotional response
A: avoid giving a company an emotional response

Q: Select the emphasis strategy that will best improve the following sentence: Your product will be delivered FIVE TO SIX DAYS after ordering.
- avoid giving a company an emotional response
- avoid showing personal enthusiasm
- avoid using capital letters for emphasis
A: avoid using capital letters for emphasis

Q: Which of the following statements best represents the “you-view”?
- writing news the way you would want to hear it
- being accountable and reliable to others
- focusing on what the reader is likely to feel in his or her situation
A: focusing on what the reader is likely to feel in his or her situation

Q: Which of the following is the first step to planning your message?
- getting a fresh sheet of paper or opening a new document to begin writing on
- coming up with a creative and thoughtful buffer
- determining whether the receiver will feel positive, negative, or neutral about the message
A: determining whether the receiver will feel positive, negative, or neutral about the message

Q: Which of the following best describes the importance of pre-writing?
- Creating an outline leaves a legal paper trail.
- Preparing yourself for writing before you write anything impresses your boss and others higher up in the company.
- Creating an outline beforehand helps you formulate a topic and solidify ideas.
A: Creating an outline beforehand helps you formulate a topic and solidify ideas.

Q: Which of the following is the most appropriate subject line for an email?
- Need a volunteer
- We have a problem
- Please confirm shipping date
A: Please confirm shipping date

Q: Justin is in charge of logistics at a conference. He gets an email from a coworker that she needs Conference Room B for a meeting at 2 o’clock. He replies, “Conference Room B is available from 10 to 1:30 or 3:30 to 5.” Which of the following best describes the business writing strategy Justin used?
- persuasive message
- appropriate subject line
- implied no
A: implied no

Q: Which of the following is the best placement for the main part of the message (news) in a negative message?
- at the beginning of the message
- after a statement of goodwill
- after a buffer statement and reasons for the news
A: after a buffer statement and reasons for the news

Q: Which of the following are two main components of the revision process?
- adding white space and rereading the paper
- adding lists and headings
- evaluating the content of the message and proofreading
A: evaluating the content of the message and proofreading

Q: Chela was reading through an email she had had her assistant, Jeffery, write up. As she went through the letter, she found several errors in grammar, syntax, and style. Which step of the writing process might she suggest Jeffery spend more time on?
- planning the message
- writing the message
- revising the message
A: revising the message

Q: Which of the following should you be sure to eliminate in the proofreading step?
- white space
- lists
- run-on sentences
A: run-on sentences

Q: Which of the following is a common guideline for business letters, memos, and emails?
- justified right margins
- centered paragraphs
- ragged right margins
A: ragged right margins

Q: Which of the following is a common guideline for business letters, memos, and emails?
- two spaces after a period
- no headings
- no double-spacing
A: no double-spacing

Q: Which of the following best distinguishes a business memo from a business letter?
- memos have salutations; letters do not
- memos and letters are interchangeable
- memos have subject lines; letters do not
A: memos have subject lines; letters do not

Q: Which of the following is the best place to put the page number in Word?
- heading
- body paragraph
- header
A: header

Q: Which of the following best represents single-spaced line option in Word?
- 2.0 line spacing
- Tight paragraph spacing
- No Paragraph Spacing
A: No Paragraph Spacing

Q: Where can you find the option to edit the header in Word?
- the Header tab
- the Home tab
- the Insert tab
A: the Insert tab

Q: Which of the following options are NOT available in Google Docs?
- using double line spacing
- checking sentence length
- adding different headers and footers to every page
A: adding different headers and footers to every page

Q: Which of the following is where you can access the option to change the line spacing in Google Docs?
- File > Line Spacing
- Font Size > 2
- Format > Line Spacing
A: Format > Line Spacing

Q: Which of the following is where you can access the option to edit the header in Google Docs?
- Headings > Header > Insert Head
- Tools > Header/Footer > Header
- Insert > Header & page number > Header
A: Insert > Header & page number > Header