Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani

Marks: 30

ID:

I Sem 2016-17
Assignment 1 (Open Book) Regular
Time: 30 Min

Section No:

Date: 8.9.16

Name:

Tick the relevant option in the following questions.

1. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a good report?
(1M)
a) Factual account
b) Specific purpose
c) Writers subjective views/ intangible product
d) Analysis & interpretation
2. When writing effectively, the writer should avoid
(1M)
a) Use of concrete words
b) Use of lengthy and unfamiliar words
c) Use of Active voice
d) Action verbs
3. Which one of the following is false with regard to oral communication?
(1M)
a) oral communication enjoys legal status
b) oral communication is more flexible to immediate needs of situation in terms of time/cost
c) oral communication offers immediate feedback
d) oral communication is relatively informal
4. Which of the following is incorrect about a typical technical report?
(1M)
a) Precise
b) Factual
c) Relevant
d) Subjective
5. Fish out of water is an example of
(1M)
a) Circumlocution
b) Cliche
c) Jargon
d) Camouflaged verb
6. If a sentence uses more number of words, unnecessary phrases and information to convey a
message, which effective writing guideline it violates:
(1M)
a) Redundancy
b) Ambiguity
c) Circumlocution
d) Abstractness
Read the following statements and specify whether they are True or False.
7. Expressions like I didnt mean it, Did you mean to say this? reflect a semantic gap in the
message sent and message received.
True
(1M)
8. Informal communication serves as a barometer of public opinion. True
(1M)
9. Lower level employees cannot instruct their superiors in hierarchy. True
(1M)
10. We cannot afford not to communicate. True
(1M)

11. Reports are essential for the growth of an organization. True

12. Reports are not always demanded in the professional world. False

(1M)
(1M)

Fill in the blanks with the right options.

13. Using 90% attendance instead of good attendance is an example of the use
of ________________ words. (Ans: concrete)
(1M)
14. When the sender observes the response or the reaction of the receiver against his message, it is
called __________________________. Feedback
(1M)
15. HiTech Cycles Ltd launched its newly designed cycle with three gears at a special discount to
students at the beginning of their academic session in universities and colleges. As the Sales
Manager of HiTech Cycles Ltd you were asked to write a report. Mention the four features that
you would try to maintain while writing the report.
(2M)
a) Factual
b) Relevant
c) Reader-oriented
d) Objective and accurate
16. What is Jargon?
A: Jargon is a technical term specific to a particular discipline/profession.

Identify the type of error and rewrite the following sentence.

17. We are in the process of identification of the right candidates for the job.
(Ans: We are identifying the right candidates for the job--camouflaged verb)

(2M)

(2M)

Rewrite the following sentence to make them concise, precise and effective.
18. I purchased many items from Akshay today.
A: I purchased a book, a geometry box, two pens, and a chips packet from Akshay today.

(2M)

19. The students met the principal along with their teacher and narrated the whole incident. (2M)
A: The students along with their teacher met the principal and narrated the whole incident.
20. Taking feedback from employees helps the management in the removal of the unnecessary
cobwebs arising out of the ills of hierarchy and to achieve a commonality of purpose of any given
assignment within an organization.
(3M)
Answer: Employees feedback helps the management remove confusions arising out of hierarchy
and achieve the purpose of assignments in an organization.
21. The task of laying off employees is a daunting and formidable one and needs subtleties of
expressions to be employed deftly and strategically in order to keep the right-minded-employees
hooked to the goals of the organization.
(3M)
Answer: Laying off employees in an organization is a difficult task, therefore in order to
retain right people one needs to engage them strategically/ skillfully.