Which of the following methods is used when you want to use similarities or

differences to develop the main idea in a paragraph?

a.
classification
b.
illustration

c.
comparison or contrast
d.
repetition
e.
cause and effect

In a paragraph, the support sentences ________.

a.
are usually the first sentence of the paragraph

b.
introduce the topic to be covered

c.
are less specific than the topic sentence

d.
need not be connected to the topic sentence

e.
provide examples or evidence for the topic

Which of the following statements about improving readability is true?

Select one:
1.
Grammatically parallel headings and bullets reduce readability and should not be used.
2.
The greater the complexity of a document, the fewer headings and subheadings it
should have.
3.
Long sentences are the best way to convey complex ideas or list a number of related
points.
4.
One-sentence paragraphs are easy to understand and should be used widely in
business writing.
5.
Bulleted lists should only be used when items are ranked; numbered lists are
preferred.

Identify the faulty construction in the following sentence: Walking down the
street, the trees were breath-taking.
Select one:
1.
dangling modifier
2.
hedging
3.
parallelism
4.
camouflaged verb
5.
too many nouns

Topic sentences are generally more specific than support sentences.

Select one:
True
False

Which of the following sentences uses abstract words?

a.
The organization acquired three other companies in April.
b.
The organization values honesty and integrity.

c.
The employees have requested a new coffee machine.

d.
The new software has helped employees save time.

e.
The company database has personal information about all employees.

Using dangling modifiers is one way to improve the clarity of your messages.
Select one:
True
False

Which of the following statements about the elements of a paragraph is true?

a.
A topic sentence need not be related to the general idea of the paragraph.
b.
The topic sentence provides examples, evidence, and clarification of the general idea.

c.
A support sentence need not be related to the general idea of the paragraph, but must
be more specific than the topic sentence.

d.
Transitions tie together related points and ease the shift from one distinct thought to
another.

e.
A transition provides examples, evidence, and clarification of the general idea.

The passive voice creates more direct, shorter sentences and makes your
writing easier to understand.
Select one:
True
False

Which of the following sentences does NOT make use of transitional

elements to show how one thought is related to another?

a.
If they move out immediately, they will have trouble finding a new place.

b.
Hannah and Chloe went shopping yesterday.
c.
He was very tired that day, yet he volunteered to help out.

d.
The house is dilapidated, hence no one will buy it.

e.
Although the Greens are the stronger team, the Blues have the home advantage.

For an older person, he knows a lot about computers." This statement is an

example of ________ bias.
a.
gender
b.
racial

c.
ethnic
d.
disability

e.
age
A(n) ________ is a statement on your behalf by someone who is accepted by
your audience as an expert.
a.
buzzword
b.
qualification

c.
credential
d.
euphemism

e.
endorsement

Ben needs to send an email to his superior describing the progress of a

project. Which of the following styles should Ben use to communicate in a
businesslike tone?

a.
use plain language to make messages simpler
b.
use acronyms to communicate quickly and efficiently
c.
share personal details to create rapport

d.
use a laid-back, informal tone to reflect friendliness
e.
use humor to create a receptive state of mind

Daniel is the page designer for a business magazine. He decides to opt for a
flush-left, ragged-right alignment. Which of the following is the best criticism
for this choice?
Select one:
1.
It will produce a denser, more formal look, which will not be suited to the magazine.
2.
It will increase hyphenation at the ends of lines and will be difficult to format.
3.
It creates a more open appearance on the page, accommodating less text than a
justified alignment.
4.
The spacing between words will vary, making it difficult for readers to skim through the
text.
5.
The line lengths decrease the amount of white space along the right margin.

Words or phrases that connect ideas by showing how one thought is related
to another are called ________.

a.
jargon

b.
slang
c.
clichés

d.
transitions

e.
buzzwords

Centered type should be avoided for business documents but can be used in
________.
Select one:
1.
long blocks of text
2.
headings
3.
the appendix
4.
formal messages
5.
business magazines

________ tend to address the overall look and feel of the page or screen,
including color palettes and background images.
a.
Style sets

b.
Themes

c.
Boilerplates

d.
Style sheets
e.
Illustrations

________ are milder synonyms that are sometimes used in place of strong
words to convey meaning without carrying negative connotations.

a.
Transitions

b.
Hyperboles
c.
Euphemisms
d.
Metaphors

e.
Rhetorics
Using the "you" attitude means putting the sender's priorities first.

Select one:
True
False

Which of the following suggestions will NOT make your message more
concise?
Select one:
1.
Use short words and phrases.
2.
Eliminate redundancies.
3.
Use double modifiers.
4.
Delete unnecessary words.
5.
Avoid dangling modifiers.

A sentence that has one independent and one dependent clause is known as
a ________ sentence.

a.
complex

b.
simple-complex
c.
simple
d.
compound
e.
compound-complex
________ sentences, usually the first one in the paragraph, give readers a
summary of the general idea that will be covered in the rest of the
paragraph.

a.
Cause-and-effect

b.
Support

c.
Summary

d.
Topic
e.
Transition

Kate has to write an article explaining why a particular candidate for

president is, in her opinion, better than another. Which of the following
transitional methods is the best option for her to structure the article?
a.
condition
b.
contrast

c.
additional detail

d.
a cause-and-effect relationship
e.
repetition

Which of the following is an example of concrete words?

a.
database and software
b.
truth and beauty

c.
profits and motivation

d.
honesty and integrity

e.
practicality and convenience

Which of the following sentences is in the active voice?

a.
The mayor, who is very popular in the area, has implemented a number of educational
policies.

b.
Despite initial reluctance from schools, the school lunch program was undertaken by
the mayor.

c.
The school lunch program in the city was spearheaded by the mayor, who is very
popular.
d.
The program to make school lunches healthier was undertaken by the mayor.

e.
An acknowledged success, the program to improve attendance was first implemented
by the mayor.

Which of the following sentences is the most concise?

Select one:
1.
Authorities are in agreement about public transport as the solution to the problem of
traffic.
2.
If the traffic situation is to be improved, widespread adoption of public transport is the
best option.
3.
At present, public transport is the best solution to the traffic problem.
4.
At this point in time, public transport is emerging as the best solution to the problem of
traffic.
5.
Public transport is a good solution.

Elena is the director of a retirement home. She is writing a material that will
be included in the brochure promoting the home. When referring to the
residents of the home, she is careful to use "senior citizens" instead of "old
people," to avoid the unpleasant connotations of the word. This is an
example of the use of ________.
a.
euphemisms
b.
metaphors

c.
comparison

d.
transitions

e.
similes

Which of the following will identify a hedging sentence?

Select one:
1.
"yes" and "no"
2.
"may" and "seems"
3.
"yesterday" and "today"
4.
"absolutely" and "sincerely"
5.
"confident" and "doubtful"