Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Test Bank:
https://testbankpack.com/p/test-bank-for-business-communication-in-
person-in-print-online-10th-edition-by-newman-ober-isbn-1305500644-
9781305500648/
TRUEFALSE
1. When you use the direct organizational plan for a neutral message, you present the details before
the primary idea.
False
Answer : (B)
2. Neutral messages can be appropriate for readers inside and outside the organization.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
3. When you believe that the reader will not need persuasion to do what you ask, you can use a
neutral message.
False
Answer : (A)
4. A polite request phrased as a question out of courtesy does not need to end with a question mark.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
5. You can begin a request with a direct question, a statement, or a polite explanation.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
6. The reader is less likely to omit a response to one question if you number all your questions in a
message.
(A) True (B)
False
Answer : (A)
7. A request letter does not need to contain background information for the reader.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (B)
8. Discussing reader benefits encourages the reader to comply with your request.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
9. Put yourself in the reader's position to think about what information you should include in a
request so the reader can respond appropriately.
False
Answer : (A)
10. In the closing of a neutral message, write in a friendly, positive tone, and express appreciation
for the assistance you are requesting.
False
Answer : (A)
11. A request typically begins by stating and justifying the requested deadline.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (B)
12. A reply that grants the reader's request should follow the indirect organizational pattern.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (B)
13. Research shows that many customers expect a response to a request within 24 hours.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
14. The first paragraph of a positive reply should build goodwill by approaching the topic in an
indirect manner.
False
Answer : (B)
15. In a reply, avoid answering a reader's question if the answer is not what the reader wants to
know.
False
Answer : (B)
16. When writing a reply, use objective, clear language to answer the reader's implied and stated
questions.
False
Answer : (A)
17. When writing a reply, you can build goodwill for your company or product by including extensive
sales promotion details.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (B)
18. Instant messaging is a good choice for simple, neutral messages that require quick responses.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
19. Because IMs are personalized, you may want to use them in ways that reflect your own
personality rather than the norms of business communication in your specific organization.
False
Answer : (B)
20. IMs are quick, short, and once sent are gone forever.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (B)
21. Write a friendly, personalized closing to every reply, rather than relying on clichés.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
22. Follow your company's IM policy, and be aware of viruses and security risks.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
23. Using IM allows you to avoid the hassle of following grammar and punctuation standards.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (B)
24. When using IM, avoid abbreviations, such as "u" and "r" unless the recipient has used them first.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
25. Whether you use email or IMs, you should avoid opening attachments unless you trust the
source.
False
Answer : (A)
26. Customers may expect a response to their online requests within an hour or two.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
27. Before announcing the "good news" in your response to a request, you need to write a sentence
or two to provide context and acknowledge that you received the request.
False
Answer : (B)
28. To save time on responses, create a form letter that begins "Dear Sir or Madam" that can be
used for a variety of situations.
False
Answer : (B)
29. A simple request should be treated as an opportunity to conduct extensive sales and promotion
activities.
(A) True (B)
False
Answer : (B)
30. When initiating an IM, follow the grammar, punctuation, and capitalization standards within the
organization.
False
Answer : (A)
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
33. Recognition notes are typically sent to an employee's supervisor, who may decide not to show
the employee mentioned in the note.
False
Answer : (B)
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (B)
35. Smart companies monitor all social media posts about the company, but they might not
necessarily respond to each one.
False
Answer : (A)
36. Companies typically respond to critical online customer feedback, but they ignore highly positive
posts because the customer is already well satisfied.
False
Answer : (B)
37. Companies should respond quickly to any social media post that is degrading or insulting.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (B)
38. An appropriate company response to a social media post that contains factual errors is to
provide the facts that have been misrepresented.
False
Answer : (A)
39. "No Response" (ignoring) is a valid option for companies finding positive comments online.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
40. Aggregators scan the web for comments about a company, and then analyze what they find.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
42. Because it requires no extra effort for the sender or receiver, a phone call is a more thoughtful
way to convey a goodwill message than a written note.
False
Answer : (B)
43. Companies should respond to highly positive online comments with a formal official company
response.
False
Answer : (B)
44. The direct approach is recommended for goodwill messages, even those conveying sympathy.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
45. You should send congratulatory notes for major business achievements to suppliers and
customers, but not to coworkers.
False
Answer : (B)
46. Handwritten thank-you notes appear more personalized and sincere than typed thank-you notes.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
47. When writing about an emotional event such as someone's serious illness, use strong, formal
language and avoid referring to the person or event in direct terms.
False
Answer : (B)
48. When writing a sympathy note, share your memories of the person who died.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
MULTICHOICE
Answer : (C)
(C) gets to the point quickly by stating the main idea first.
(A) believe that the reader will object to granting your request.
(C) think the reader will appreciate the opportunity to comply with your request.
(E) put a direct question or polite request in the first sentence or two.
Answer : (A)
(A) gives reasons up front to prepare the reader for negative news.
Answer : (B)
Answer : (B)
(A) Would you please provide information about your new digital camera.
(B) You need to send me more information about your digital camera product line.
(C) When will you mail the requested information about the digital camera?
(D) Your digital camera may be what our desktop publishing department needs.
Answer : (A)
(D) A direct question is the topic sentence of a routine request's closing paragraph.
Answer : (B)
56. When asking several specific questions in a direct request message, do not
Answer : (D)
(B) explain how the reader will benefit by doing what you ask.
(E) mention the name of a reference before or after making the request.
Answer : (B)
Answer : (C)
59. Which of the following is the most effective closing statement for a request message?
(A) Thank you in advance for answering all my questions about your training workshops.
(B) I would appreciate receiving your price list by November 3 so I can plan for a purchase in my
December budget.
(C) Please send me background information about your new product line.
(D) I trust that, if you want me to order merchandise from your company, you will respond by June
30.
(E) I am in the process of planning a wedding reception and need some assistance.
Answer : (B)
Answer : (A)
62. If you wait to respond to a request that you are granting, you
(A) may lose the goodwill of the person making the request.
Answer : (A)
63. Which of the following is the most effective opening sentence for a reply?
(B) We are happy to enclose the information you requested about the ClearSpeak phone.
(C) Although we normally do not comply with requests such as yours, we are making an exception
this time.
(E) You will be pleased to know that we have received your letter today.
Answer : (B)
(E) convince the reader that the product or service inquired about is superior to all others.
Answer : (C)
65. Which of the following statements about neutral or positive messages is incorrect?
Answer : (E)
(B) We have reviewed your request and found that a response is justified.
(D) We are pleased that you would like more information about our service.
Answer : (B)
(A) If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call me.
(E) Please place your order right away to avoid losing out on this special offer.
Answer : (B)
(C) a complaint
Answer : (C)
(C) when the matter is simple and your colleague is next door.
Answer : (B)
(B) you expect the reader will do as you ask without having to be persuaded.
(C) you are asking a company to accept a product return that is two weeks past the stated date in
the return policy.
(E) you hope to convince the reader to accommodate your unique requirements.
Answer : (B)
71. Which of the following is not good advice for making a request?
(C) Show how others benefit from your receiving the requested information.
Answer : (B)
(E) You know that your supervisor appreciates a quick update using IM.
Answer : (B)
73. Which of the following is NOT a guideline for using IM at work?
(A) Follow the communication custom within your organization when initiating an IM.
(C) Follow grammar, punctuation, and capitalization standards within the organization.
Answer : (D)
(A) (1) apology, (2) good news, (3) explanation, (4) courteous closing.
(B) (1) explanation, (2) questions answered, (3) good news, (4) courteous closing.
(D) (1) good news, (2) questions answered, (3) subtle company promotion, if appropriate, (4)
courteous closing.
(E) (1) good news, (2) questions answered, (3) explanation, (4) good news reiterated in the closing.
Answer : (D)
(A) Because your satisfaction is important to us, we will send you the information you expect.
(B) Our service technician carefully examined the list of questions you submitted.
(C) Reading the owner's manual or checking our easy-to-use website will provide the answers you
seek.
(E) We have decided to provide the information you seek, due to your long association with our
organization.
Answer : (D)
(C) specify what the person did and how it benefited the organization.
(D) are worthwhile additions to the sender's career portfolio.
Answer : (C)
77. Which of the following would not be an appropriate reason to send a thank-you note?
Answer : (D)
78. Which of the following statements about online customer communication is not correct?
(A) It includes public comments on review sites, blogs, and social networks.
(D) It allows companies to respond to, but not anticipate, customer concerns.
Answer : (D)
(B) Write promptly so the event is still fresh in the reader's mind.
Answer : (D)
(D) a complaint message that includes positive comments about the company
Answer : (D)
Answer : (C)
Answer : (B)
83. The reader will appreciate a thank-you note even more when it
Answer : (A)
84. A sympathy note to a colleague whose spouse has just died should
Answer : (A)
(A) Geolocators
(B) Scanners
(C) Interns
(D) Aggregators
(E) Dementors
Answer : (D)
Answer : (C)
87. What is an appropriate company response to a degrading post that leaves the writer with little
or no credibility?
(D) No response.
(E) No response, but monitor for activity.
Answer : (E)
88. Which of the following is not an appropriate way to create an authentic, informal response to
positive online feedback?
(B) Mention the writer's name and thank him or her by name.
Answer : (A)
89. Sites such as may allow companies to anticipate customer needs online.
(A) Craigslist
(B) Hotmail
(C) Twitter
(D) Amazon
(E) Wynn
Answer : (C)
Answer : (B)
91. Which of the following is not good advice for writing effective goodwill messages?
(A) Be direct: state the main idea in the first sentence or two.
(B) Be enthusiastic: use strong words to demonstrate your sincerity.
(C) Be prompt: send a goodwill message while the reason is still fresh in the reader's mind.
Answer : (B)
Answer : (C)
93. To which of the following type of social media posts would a "no response" reaction be most
appropriate?
(A) Misguided
(B) Unhappy
(D) Neutral
Answer : (D)
(B) Email
Answer : (B)
ESSAY
95. Describe at least four guidelines to remember when asking questions in a request.
Graders Info :
96. List and briefly describe the three major sections of a request letter.
Graders Info :
97. Why is promptness one of the most important considerations when writing a reply?
Graders Info :
If the information arrives after the customer needs to make a decision, the time you took to respond
will have been wasted. Furthermore, delay in responding will send a message that the reader's
request is not important to you or that you do not want to comply with the request.
Graders Info :
Graders Info :
Answer promptly to be sure the information arrives before the purchase decision
1.
is made.
2. Respond courteously.
3. Use a direct organizational plan: grant the request early in the message.
4. Answer all questions asked or implied.
5. If appropriate, use a subtle sales promotion.
100. What are the risks and potential benefits of online customer communication?
Graders Info :
The stakes are high whenever customer comments--and company responses--may be viewed by
hundreds, thousands, and maybe millions of people online. Companies can strengthen relationships
with customers, win new customers, and build a positive reputation online. However, slow or poorly
written responses can lose customers and damage a company's image in a very public way.
101. What should smart companies do about the constant stream of social media posts?
Graders Info :
Successful businesses are learning to monitor what goes on online and to judge how their online
reputation is built or damaged. Large companies may use aggregators to scan the web for relevant
comments and analyze online comments. Staff members at smaller companies may use tools such as
Google Alerts to search the web for conversations about their company. After a company has
identified and classified relevant comments, managers can decide how to respond.
102. Discuss appropriate responses for common types of social media posts.
Graders Info :
In general, companies will want to consider the influence of the site and poster.
Positive or neutral comments may be often safely ignored, but companies may
1.
want to engage with highly positive posters.
Degrading posts need to be monitored for future activity, while factually incorrect
2.
posts prompt a correction of the errors.
If a customer describes an unhappy experience, a wise company will attempt to fix
3.
the problem and restore the relationship.
103. When is it appropriate to use instant messaging in the workplace?
Graders Info :
Instant messaging is a good choice for simple, neutral messages that require a quick response. If
you need to convey information in a hurry or need a fast response from someone, sending an IM may
be effective. Be sure to follow the cultural norms within your organization: consider how your peers
and supervisors use IM.
104. How important is it to avoid abbreviations and use correct punctuation and capitalization when
using IM?
Graders Info :
If in doubt, use good writing principles and no shortcuts. In general, however, you should follow the
cultural norms in your organization, with special attention to the ways your manager uses the
medium. Avoid using abbreviations unless the recipient has used them first. Your messages should
be reasonably error-free. Also, use emoticons sparingly, and avoid elaborate fonts and colors.
Graders Info :
You should avoid using IM for personal or confidential business information. Instant messages, like
email, can be automatically saved on a computer or server. Viruses and security risks may be an
issue; avoid opening attachments unless you trust the source. Also, as with any communication or
entertainment technology, avoid overuse, which may hurt your productivity and damage your
credibility.
Graders Info :
The primary types of goodwill messages discussed in the textbook are recognition notes,
congratulatory messages, thank-you notes, and sympathy notes.
107. What are the five general guidelines for writing goodwill messages?
Graders Info :
a. Be prompt. The message must be sent soon after the situation occurs.
b. Be direct. The major idea should be stated in the first few sentences.
c. Be sincere. The language should be conversational but not flowery.
Be specific. The specific incident should be stated to avoid sounding like a form
d.
letter.
Be brief. A short personal card is usually more appropriate than a full-length
e.
letter.
Graders Info :
Neutral or positive messages might include the following: a business owner asks for information
from suppliers, a manager at a large corporation sends an email about a minor policy change, a
customer calls a store for product information, a manager compliments an employee, or a customer
writes positive comments about a company online. Answers may vary, but recognize that these
communications might be internal or external and may be presented in any communication medium.
109. What are some common mistakes people make when writing requests?
Graders Info :
110. What are typical elements of an appropriate sympathy note after someone has passed away?
Graders Info :
Short, handwritten notes are the most appropriate. They should not avoid mentioning the death, but
neither should they dwell on it. Begin with an expression of sympathy, mention some specific quality
or personal reminiscence about the deceased, and then close with an expression of comfort and
affection. A genuine offer to help is often appreciated.
Congratulatory notes mark major business achievements or personal milestones. They may be
written both to employees within the company and to customers, suppliers, and others outside your
company. They might be sent when someone receives a promotion, wins new business, receives an
award, announces a retirement, or celebrates an anniversary with the company. Personal milestones
include engagements, weddings, births, graduations, and other occasions.
SHORTANSWER
112. Name four guidelines for using IM at work.Answer : Students should name four of the
following:
Answer : 1. Follow the communication custom within your organization when initiating an IM.
Answer : 2. Keep instant messages short and focused.
Answer : 3. Follow grammar, punctuation, and capitalization standards within the organization.
Answer : 4. Avoid using abbreviations unless the recipient has used them first.
Answer : 5. Save important IMs into a separate document.
Answer : 6. Follow your company's IM policy, and be aware of viruses and security risks.
MULTICHOICE
(A) Be sincere.
(B) Be prompt.
(C) Be direct.
(D) Be vague.
(E) Be brief.
Answer : (D)
TRUEFALSE
114. Most employees believe they don't receive enough positive feedback at work.
(A) True
(B) False
Answer : (A)
MULTICHOICE
115. Which of the following is not part of the social media response guidelines?
(A) React
(B) Discover
(C) Evaluate
(D) Respond
Answer : (A)