Chapter 03 Organizing and Drafting Business Messages

1. The second phase of the 3-x-3 writing process begins with _______.
a. analyzing the audience
b. composing the
message
c. researching the topic
d. organizing the message

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: The second phase of the 3-x-3 writing process begins with researching the topic.
Research is necessary before beginning to write because the information collected
helps shape the message.

2. Before composing a business document, you should gather information that will answer which
of these questions?
a. Will I have enough time to complete thorough research?
b. What is the receiver to do?
c. What information will be the easiest to locate?
d. How will I use this information?

ANSWER: b
RATIONALE: You should ask yourself "What is the receiver to do?" because it focuses on the
audience rather than on the sender.

3. Which of the following would require a formal research method?

a. Routine e-mail messages
b. Business letters
c. Long reports and proposals
d. Oral presentations

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: Long reports and proposals generally require some use of formal research
methods. However, routine tasks such as drafting e-mails, memos, letters,
informational reports, and oral presentations require research that can be collected
informally.

4. All of the following are informal research methods except _______.

 a. interviewing the target audience
b. conducting a scientific
experiment
c. looking in company files
d. brainstorming for ideas

ANSWER: b
RATIONALE: Informal research methods include searching company files, talking with the
boss, interviewing the target audience, conducting an informal survey, or
brainstorming for ideas.

5. When brainstorming to generate ideas, you should _______.

a. critique each idea as it is suggested
b. record ideas without judging them
c. always work alone for greater efficiency
d. allow no more than five ideas to be
discussed

ANSWER: b
RATIONALE: Brainstorming is the process of discussing and recording ideas without judging
them. Evaluations, critiques, voting, and limiting the number of ideas can stifle ideas needed in
brainstorming because brainstorming requires an open mind.

6. Which of the following is a formal research method?

a. Talking with your boss
b. Investigating primary
sources
c. Brainstorming
d. Looking in company files

ANSWER: b
RATIONALE: Investigating primary sources is a formal research method using
questionnaires, interviews, or focus groups.

7. Which of the following research sources will provide you with firsthand information?
a. Internet websites and
articles
b. Reference books
c. Electronic databases
d. Interviews
ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: An interview would be the best form of research to obtain firsthand information.

8. As interns in human resource management, Brad and his team are administering a
professionally developed employee questionnaire to collect information on workplace violence.
This type of research produces data that is considered _______.
a. firsthand information
b. informal documentation
c. supplementary, secondary information
d. scientific experimentation

ANSWER: a
RATIONALE: This questionnaire produces firsthand information because the human resources
team is collecting workplace violence information directly from employees.

9. Quality Building Materials Inc. has developed a new whole-house weather blanket and needs to
determine the price point at which builders would switch to this new product. The best research
method for this is a(n) _______.
a. manual search of other companies' price lists
b. interview with a local builder
c. Internet search of insulation values for weather blankets
d. scientific experiment that presents price choices with controlled variables

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: To find a competitive price for this new product, this company should conduct a
scientific experiment. An interview of a builder, a manual search of price lists, or Internet
searches will not provide the needed information.

10. Ahna is sending a persuasive memo to her staff asking them to participate in the new
wellness program. Which of the following sources of information would be most appropriate to
help Ahna shape an effective persuasive message for her staff?
a. Tightly controlled scientific experimentation
b. Library research
c. Questionnaires and surveys of employees
d. Research in company files

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: Questionnaires and surveys of employees will provide information to shape a
persuasive memo. Scientific experimentation, library research, and company files are unlikely to
provide the needed information.
11. According to communication experts, what is the greatest failing of business writers?
a. Poor spelling
b. Unclear sentence structure
c. Ambiguous wording
d. Poor organization

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: Because communication experts regard poor organization as the greatest failing
of business writers, business writers should use a scratch list or an outline to
organize ideas.

12. The direct strategy would be most appropriate when _______.

a. delivering bad news
b. presenting ideas requiring persuasion
c. expecting the audience to be pleased, mildly interested, or neutral
d. revealing sensitive news

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: When you expect the reader to be pleased, mildly interested, or, at worst,
neutral, use the direct strategy.

13. A scratch list for a message is _______.

a. a list of topics that should not be covered
b. a complex, hierarchical arrangement of your ideas
c. a list of the general topics you wish to include
d. an inventory of illustrations or visuals you plan to
include

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: Some writers make a quick scratch list of the general topics they wish to include
in a message. An outline, in contrast with a scratch list, is more organized.

14. Which of the following is an advantage of the direct strategy?

a. Minimizes a negative reaction
b. Respects the feelings of the
reader
c. Saves the reader's time
 d. Encourages a fair hearing

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: The direct strategy saves the reader's time. The direct strategy also sets a
proper frame of mind and prevents frustration.

15. Which of the following business messages would use the indirect strategy?
a. An e-mail message to staff introducing a new employee
b. An oral presentation detailing the specifics of a new company wellness initiative
c. A letter to a coworker congratulating them on a recent promotion
d. A letter to a customer denying their request for credit

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: When you expect the audience to be uninterested, unwilling, displeased, or
perhaps even hostile, the indirect strategy is more appropriate. A letter denying credit to a
customer should be organized indirectly.

16. Which of the following message openings is the most direct opening for an e-mail message
announcing a new telecommuting plan?
a.A number of employees have asked about telecommuting options.
b.Many businesses have been implementing telecommuting programs, and we have studied their programs
extensively.
c.Rising gas prices have led many companies to allow telecommuting, and we think this might be a good idea for
our company.
d.Our new telecommuting program will begin on August 1.

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: Of the options shown, "Our new telecommuting program will begin on August 1"
is the most direct opening. The others are more indirect because they provide
background information.

17. Which of the following is an advantage of the indirect strategy?

a. Saves the reader's time
b. Respects the feelings of the audience
c. Reduces frustration
d. Sets a proper frame of mind

ANSWER: b
RATIONALE: The indirect strategy respects the feelings of the audience. The indirect strategy
also encourages a fair hearing and minimizes a negative reaction.

18. When you expect a reader of your message to be uninterested, unwilling, displeased, or
hostile, you should _______.
a. put the bad news first
b. begin with the main idea
c. explain all background information first
d. send the message via e-mail, text message, or IM

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: When you expect a reader to be uninterested, unwilling, displeased, or hostile, you
should place the main idea later in the message (after the details, explanation, or
evidence). In addition, bad news should not be sent via e-mail, text message, or
IM.

19. The indirect strategy is most appropriate for what kind of messages?
a. Bad-news messages
b. Sensitive messages
c. Persuasive messages
d. The indirect strategy is appropriate for all the answer
choices.

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: The indirect strategy works well with bad-news messages, sensitive
messages, and persuasive messages.

20. Which of the following kinds of business messages typically use the indirect strategy?
a. Nonsensitive memos
b. Routine requests
c. Informational reports
d. Sensitive messages

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: Business messages that refuse requests, reject claims, or deny credit usually
reflect the indirect strategy. Business messages that follow the direct strategy include routine
requests and responses, orders and acknowledgments, nonsensitive memos, e-mail messages,
informational reports, and oral presentations.
21. What kind of sentence contains only one independent clause?
a. Simple sentence
b. Compound sentence
c. Complex sentence
d. Compound-complex sentence

ANSWER: a
RATIONALE: A simple sentence contains one complete thought with a subject and predicate
(verb).

22. What kind of sentence contains two independent clauses?

a. Simple sentence
b. Compound sentence
c. Complex sentence
d. Compound-complex
sentence

ANSWER: b
RATIONALE: Compound sentences contain two complete but related thoughts joined with a
coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or a conjunctive adverb.

23. What kind of sentence contains an independent clause and a dependent clause?
a. Simple sentence
b. Compound sentence
c. Complex sentence
d. Compound-complex
sentence

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: A complex sentence contains one independent and one dependent clause.

24. Which of the following is a complex sentence?

a.Visit our website to learn more about our newest product line.

b.The conference will be held on Monday, but few managers will be able to attend.

c.Employers are now using social media sites to screen applicants; therefore, job
seekers are advised to clean up their digital presence.
 d.Because of rising insurance premiums, many companies are of ering
employee-wellness incentives.

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: "Because of rising insurance premiums, many companies are offering
employee-wellness incentives" is a complex sentence. Complex sentences are
often introduced by words such as "although," "since," "because," "when," and
"if."

25. Which of the following is a simple sentence?

a.If health insurance costs continue to rise, employee copays may increase.

b.Having healthy employees decreases the cost of monthly premiums; therefore, we

will be implementing a wellness program.
c.HMO and PPO insurance plans offer additional cost savings.

d.Because we will be reducing employee health insurance benefits, some employees

may be unhappy; however, we must make sure that they understand the reason for the
change.

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: Only the sentence "HMO and PPO insurance plans offer additional cost savings" is
a simple sentence. The sentence beginning with "If" is a complex sentence. The sentence with the
conjunctive adverb "therefore" is a compound sentence. The sentence using "Because" and
"however" is a compound-complex sentence.

26. What is a sentence fragment?

a. Two independent clauses connected without punctuation or a conjunction
b. Two independent clauses connected by a comma without a conjunction c.
A broken-off part of a sentence
d. The part of a sentence containing the verb

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: A fragment is usually a broken-off part of a sentence. A run on occurs when two
independent clauses are run together without punctuation or a conjunction, and a comma splice is
created when two independent clauses are joined by a comma without a conjunction. The part of
a sentence containing the verb is the predicate.

27. What is a comma splice?

a. Two independent clauses run together without punctuation or a conjunction
b. Two independent clauses joined by a comma without a conjunction
 c. A broken-off part of a sentence
d. Two dependent clauses

ANSWER: b
RATIONALE: A comma splice is the joining of two independent clauses with only a comma. A
run-on occurs when two independent clauses are run together without punctuation
or a conjunction, and a fragment is usually a broken-off part of a complex
sentence.

28. What is a run-on sentence?

a. Two independent clauses run together without punctuation or a conjunction
b. Two independent clauses joined by a comma without a conjunction
c. A broken-off part of a sentence
d. An independent clause containing two dependent clauses

ANSWER: a
RATIONALE: A run-on or fused sentence results when two independent clauses are run together
without punctuation or a conjunction. A comma splice is the joining of two
independent clauses with only a comma, and a fragment is usually a broken-off
part of a complex sentence.

29. Technology has changed the working environments of employees, that is why employees are
telecommuting more than ever is an example of a _______.
a. complete sentence
b. fragment
c. fused or run-on
sentence
d. comma splice

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: This group of words represents a comma splice, a sentence fault in which a
comma is used to splice together two independent clauses. One way to remedy this fault is to
change the comma to a semicolon.

30. What is the recommended maximum number of words for a sentence?

a. 10
b. 20
c. 25
d. 30

ANSWER: b
RATIONALE: Because length can influence the readability of a sentence and a reader's
comprehension, you should limit your sentences to about 20 or fewer words.

31. Placing an idea in italic or bold font is an example of achieving emphasis through _______.
a. style
b. structure
c. mechanics
d. syntax

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: You can emphasize ideas through mechanics by using underlining, italics,
boldface, font changes, all caps, dashes, and tabulation.

32. Which of the following sentences emphasizes an idea through style?

a.Consider adding a statement of qualifications section on your résumé; but, most
important, include specific and relevant previous employment information.
b.Add a statement of qualifications section on your résumé, but also include specific
and relevant previous employment information.
c.A résumé should include a statement of qualifications section and specific and relevant
previous employment information.
d.You should include a statement of qualifications section and specific and relevant
previous employment information on your résumé.

ANSWER: a
RATIONALE: To emphasize an idea through style, you can label an idea if it is significant to the
reader. The only sentence that labels an idea is "Consider adding a statement of
qualifications section on your résumé; but, most important, include specific and
relevant previous employment information" because it uses the words "most
important."

33. Which of the following sentences is most effective in de-emphasizing the bad news?
a. Although cash refunds are not offered, you can exchange resaleable merchandise.

b. Although you can exchange returned merchandise, cash refunds are not available.

c. Because we only exchange merchandise, it is impossible for you to receive a cash

refund.
d. Because of our exchange policy, you may not receive a cash refund.
ANSWER: a
RATIONALE: "Although cash refunds are not offered, you can exchange resalable merchandise"
puts the bad news in a dependent clause and the good news in an independent clause where it
receives emphasis. Other options emphasize the bad news or business policy, which may anger
customers.

34. Although most business writing should be in the active voice, passive voice is useful to
_______.
a. stress the performer of the action
b. be more concise
c. make the message more direct
d. de-emphasize negative news

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: Passive voice sentences are useful to emphasize an action rather than a person, to
de-emphasize negative news, and to conceal the doer of an action.

35. Which of the following uses only active voice in a complete sentence?

a. The company's rigid return policy was criticized by a few unhappy customers.
b.Because a few unhappy customers criticized the company's rigid return policy.
c. Managers were told about the unhappy customers who criticized the company's rigid
return policy.
d.A few unhappy customers criticized the company's rigid return policy.

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: The only option that includes an active-voice verb (criticized) in a complete
sentence is "A few unhappy customers criticized the company's rigid return
policy." The sentence beginning with "Because" is a fragment, and the other two
sentences are in the passive voice.

36. When should passive voice be used in business writing?

a. When you want to de-emphasize the action or the recipient of the action
b. When you want to emphasize the bad news
c. When you want to conceal the doer of the action
d. Never

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: You can use the passive voice to emphasize an action or the recipient of an
action, to conceal the doer of an action, or to de-emphasize bad news.

37. The use of similar structures to express similar ideas is known as ________ construction.
a. parallel
b. grammatical
c. mechanical
d. dependent

ANSWER: a
RATIONALE: Parallelism (or parallel construction) is a skillful writing technique that involves
balanced writing by using similar structures to express similar ideas.

38. Which of the following uses parallel structure?

a.Our new paralegal must be smart, efficient, and have flexibility.

b.The accident shattered her pelvis, dislocated her foot, and her spinal column was
broken in three places.
c.Big business demands superior forecasting, reporting, and analyzing.

d.A good financial planner must be certified, competent, and must possess ethical
standards.

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: Only "Big business demands superior forecasting, reporting, and analyzing" uses
parallel structure. Other choices fail to use similar grammatical structures to
express similar ideas.

39. A(n) ________ modifier occurs when the word or phrase it describes is not close in the
sentence enough to be clear.
a. parallel
b. misplaced
c. distant
d. run-on

ANSWER: b
RATIONALE: A misplaced modifier occurs when the word or phrase it describes is not close
enough in the sentence to be clear.
 Copyright Cengage Learning. Powered by Cognero. Page 26
40. To avoid dangling modifiers, you can ask which of the following questions after writing an
introductory phrase?
a. Why?
b. Who or What?
c. When?
d. How many?

ANSWER: b
RATIONALE: A trick for detecting and fixing many dangling modifiers is to
ask Who? or What? after an introductory phrase.

41. The sentence that expresses a paragraph's main idea is called the _______.
a. blueprint
b. preview
c. supporting content
d. topic sentence

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: The topic sentence expresses a paragraph's main idea.

42. How many main ideas should be developed in a paragraph?

a. Two
b. Three to five
c. One
d. As many as needed to convey effective meaning

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: Good business writers develop well-organized paragraphs by focusing on a single
main idea.

43. In effective business writing, where in a paragraph does a topic sentence usually appear?
a. At the beginning, to let readers know what to expect
b. Midway through, to keep readers focused
c. At the end, to summarize what has been discussed
 d. Topic sentences are unnecessary in business writing.

ANSWER: a
RATIONALE: Business writers generally place the topic sentence first in a paragraph to help
readers understand the paragraph's central thought immediately.

44. A topic sentence _______.

a. provides specific details, explanations, and evidence that support the main idea of a
paragraph
b. links sentences within a paragraph

c. is unnecessary in a paragraph
d. states the main idea of the paragraph

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: A topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It tells readers what to
expect and helps them understand the paragraph's central thought immediately.

45. The primary purpose of a paragraph’s supporting sentences is to _______.

a.state the main idea of the paragraph

b.repeat the topic sentence
c. introduce the main idea of the previous paragraph
d.illustrate and strengthen the topic sentence by providing specific details, explanations,
and evidence

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: Supporting sentences illustrate and strengthen the topic sentence by providing
specific details, explanations, and evidence.

46. Paragraphs lack coherence when _______.

a. all sentences are written in the active voice

b. each sentence includes dependent and independent
clauses
c. ideas are organized randomly and illogically
d. all sentences are compound sentences

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: Paragraph coherence occurs when ideas are linked. For example, the writer can
use transitional phrases, key words, and pronouns to show how one idea leads
logically to the next.
47. To build paragraph coherence, a writer should _______.
a. sustain a key idea by repeating the same expression or a similar
one
b. avoid using transitional expressions
c. use nouns instead of pronouns
d. exclusively use active voice

ANSWER: a
RATIONALE: To build paragraph coherence, writers can sustain a key idea by repeating the same
expression or a similar one, dovetail one idea into the next, use pronouns to refer to previous
nouns, and show connections with transitional expressions.

48. Which of the following transitions would help to clarify an idea?

a. Next
b. As a result
c. For example
d. Instead

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: Transitions helpful in clarifying information include for example, for
instance, in other words, and that is.

49. Transitional expressions such as next, first, and finally are useful to show _______.
a. cause and effect
b. illustration
c. comparison and
contrast
d. time association

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: "Next," "first," and "finally" are useful transitions to show time association.
Effective business writers select transitional expressions suited to the organization of the
paragraph to achieve coherence between ideas.

50. Which of the following is true about paragraph length?

a. Shorter paragraphs are generally considered more readable.

b. Longer paragraphs make the writer appear more knowledgeable.
c. Paragraph breaks should be avoided because they may cause the reader to lose
 interest.
d. Paragraphs should contain multiple main ideas to save space.

ANSWER: a
RATIONALE: Although no rule regulates the length of paragraphs, business writers recognize the
value of short paragraphs. Paragraphs with eight or fewer printed lines look
inviting and readable. In addition, a paragraph should focus on only one idea and
repeat key words to build coherence.
51. The prevalence of digital communication has de-emphasized writing skills in the workplace.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: Business, technical, and professional people are exchanging more messages than
ever. As a result, writing skills are key across industries.

52. Research is key to helping a writer shape a business message.

a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: Research is an important step in the writing process to help writers shape
effective messages.

53. One question writers should attempt to answer before drafting a message is What will
happen if the receiver doesn't complete the requested action?
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: Asking this and other key questions will help writers avoid frustration and
inaccurate messages.

54. Amrit is researching the financial impact of a job-sharing benefit for employees. Talking with
his boss about the possible effects of offering this benefit to employees is an effective method of
formal research.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: Amrit needs to conduct formal research on financial impacts; talking with his
boss may be helpful, but this is an informal research method.
55. Conducting scientific experiments is a method to gather formal research.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: Formal research may include searching libraries and electronic databases or
investigating primary sources (interviews, surveys, and experiments).

56. Most routine business messages require formal research.

a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: Most routine tasks such as composing e-mail messages, memos, letters,
informational reports, and oral presentations require data that you can collect
informally.

57. Looking in company files for information is considered formal research.

a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: Looking in company files is considered informal research.

58. Brainstorming is an ineffective research technique.

a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: You should use brainstorming to generate ideas and collect research; however,
don't evaluate ideas during the brainstorming process.

59. Many communication experts regard poor organization as the greatest failing of business
writers.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: Because unorganized messages fail to emphasize important points, readers can't
see how the pieces fit together, and they become frustrated and irritated. Therefore, many
communication experts regard poor organization as the greatest failing of business writers.

60. A scratch list is a detailed, hierarchical plan for organizing ideas and information.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: A scratch list is a non-hierarchical list of general topics you wish to include in a
message; an outline is a more structured, hierarchical plan.

61. When you expect the reader to be pleased, mildly interested, or neutral, use the indirect
pattern of organization.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: Use the direct strategy of organization when you expect your reader to be pleased,
mildly interested, or neutral. When you expect the audience to be uninterested,
unwilling, displeased, or perhaps even hostile, the indirect strategy is more
appropriate.

62. When you develop a major component on an outline into subpoints, you must have at least
two subpoints.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: Major components on an outline should be developed with subpoints, but do not
put a single subpoint under a major component. If you have only one subpoint, integrate it with
the main item above it or reorganize your ideas.

63. Another name for the direct strategy is frontloading.

a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: The direct strategy is also called frontloading because the main idea is
expressed immediately.
64. One advantage of the direct strategy is that it saves the reader time.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: The direct strategy has three advantages: saves the reader's time, sets a proper
frame of mind, and prevents frustration.

65. The indirect strategy works well with three kinds of messages: (a) bad news, (b) ideas that
require persuasion, and (c) sensitive news.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: The indirect pattern should be used for messages that contain (a) bad news, (b)
ideas that require persuasion, or (c) sensitive news.

66. One advantage of the indirect strategy is that it respects the feelings of the audience.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: The indirect strategy begins with an explanation and evidence and then presents
the main idea. As a result, this organizational technique respects the feelings of
the audience. Other advantages to the indirect strategy include encouraging a fair
hearing and minimizing a negative reaction.

67. The most compelling and effective messages contain one repeated sentence pattern rather than
a variety of sentences.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: The most compelling and effective messages contain a variety of sentences rather
than just one repeated pattern. Messages that repeat the same sentence pattern become boring.
Effective messages also avoid common sentence faults and achieve emphasis and parallelism
with special sentence-writing techniques.
68. The new software system will be installed on Monday; therefore, our intranet will be
unavailable to employees is an example of a complex sentence.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: This sentence is a compound sentence because it contains two independent
clauses.

69. Words such as although, if, because, and since often introduce dependent clauses.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: Words such as "although," "if," "because," and "since" often introduce dependent
clauses, which cannot stand alone because they are fragments.

70. When introductory dependent clauses precede independent clauses, they are always followed
by a comma.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: When an introductory dependent clause precedes an independent clause, it is
always followed by a comma.

71. A compound-complex sentence contains two complete but related thoughts.

a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: A compound sentence contains two complete but related thoughts. A
compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and one
dependent clause.

72. “Employers want employees who can write messages appropriately they also want
employees who can speak effectively with others” is an example of a well-written sentence.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: This sentence is a run-on sentence, which results when writers fuse two
independent clauses. You can correct a run-on sentence by placing a comma and a coordinating
conjunction between the two clauses, by adding a semicolon between the two clauses, or by
separating the clauses into two sentences.

73. A run-on sentence results when a writer joins two independent clauses with a comma.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: A comma splice results when a writer joins two independent clauses with a
comma.

74. Business writers should strive for a balance of shorter and longer sentences within paragraphs
to avoid monotony.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: A balance of shorter and longer sentences can help writers avoid monotony and
increase readability.

75. Although mechanical means are occasionally appropriate to create emphasis, more often a
writer achieves emphasis stylistically.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: Although mechanical means are occasionally appropriate, more often a writer
achieves emphasis stylistically by choosing words carefully and constructing
sentences skillfully to emphasize main ideas and de-emphasize minor or negative
ideas.

76. Careful writers avoid labeling main ideas because they know that readers prefer to identify
main ideas for themselves.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: If an idea is important, tell the reader. Using words such as "most importantly" or
"primary reason" gains the reader's attention and helps the reader focus on what's
important.

77. The following sentence effectively uses a stylistic device to de-emphasize the bad news:
Although we don't have any available positions at this time, we were pleased to receive your
application and will keep it on file for six months.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: This sentence effectively de-emphasizes the bad news by placing it in the
dependent clause. The good news is in the independent clause, which receives the
major emphasis of the sentence.

78. In the active voice, the subject is acted upon. In the passive voice, the subject is the doer of
the action.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: In the active voice, the subject is the doer of the action (The supervisor scheduled a
meeting). In the passive voice, the subject is acted upon (The meeting was
scheduled by the supervisor).

79. Passive voice should never be used in business writing.

a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: Although active voice is more direct, clear, and concise, passive voice is useful in
certain instances such as de-emphasizing an action or the recipient of the action, de-emphasizing
negative news, and concealing the doer of the action.

80. The following sentence demonstrates parallel structure: Maggie was organized, punctual, and
she was always positive.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: The ideas in this sentence lack parallelism. The sentence should be revised:
Maggie was organized, punctual, and positive.

81. Modifiers must be close to the words they describe or limit.

a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: For clarity modifiers must be close to the words they describe or limit. Writers
dangle a modifier when the word or phrase the modifier describes is missing from
the sentence, and they misplace a modifier when the modifier is not close enough
to the word it describes.

82. The following sentence contains a dangling or misplaced modifier: Working all night, the
brief was filed with the court on time.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: This sentence contains a dangling modifier. This revision fixes the error: Working
all night, we filed the brief with the court on time.

83. A paragraph is unified when it develops at least three ideas.

a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: A paragraph is unified when it develops a single main idea.

84. The topic sentence should relate the main idea of a paragraph.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: The topic sentence should reveal the main idea of a paragraph. It tells readers
what to expect and helps them understand the paragraph's central thought
immediately.
85. Business writers generally place the topic sentence near the end of a paragraph to serve as a
summary.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: Business writers generally place the topic sentence first in a paragraph. It tells
readers what to expect and helps them understand the central thought immediately.

86. All support sentences in a paragraph must relate to the topic

sentence.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: Support sentences illustrate, explain, or strengthen the topic sentence. One of the
hardest principles for beginning writers to remember is that all support sentences
in the paragraph must relate to the topic sentence.

87. “Instead” would be an effective transition to show contradiction.

a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: Transitions often used to show contradiction include actually, instead,
however, and rather.

88. Good writers should avoid repetition of words or key ideas because it shows lack of
creativity.

a. True
b. False

ANSWER: False
RATIONALE: Repetition of key words and key ideas is an effective writing technique that
skilled writers use to build coherent paragraphs.

89. Writers can use words and phrases such as on the other hand, as opposed to, and conversely to
show contrast in business messages.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: These transitional expressions improve business messages and build paragraph
coherence by identifying contrasting ideas.

90. Business writers should strive for paragraphs with eight or fewer printed lines.
a. True
b. False

ANSWER: True
RATIONALE: Although no rule regulates the length of paragraphs, business writers recognize
the value of short paragraphs. Paragraphs with eight or fewer printed lines look
inviting and readable.

91. Interviewing the target audience is what type of research method?

a. Formal
b. Informal
c. Ad hoc
d. Secondary

ANSWER: b
RATIONALE: Interviewing your target audience is considered an informal research method.

92. What type of research is generally recommended for long reports and proposals?
a. Formal
b. Informal
c. Primary
d. Observational

ANSWER: a
RATIONALE: Information for long reports and proposals may be obtained through formal
research using primary or secondary sources.

93. The organizational writing technique that involves placing the main idea first and following it
with details, an explanation, or evidence is called _______.
a. indirect strategy
 b. outlining
c. drafting
d. frontloading

ANSWER: d
RATIONALE: Frontloading is a direct organizational technique that places the main idea first,
followed by details, explanation, or evidence.

94. Which strategy should be used for messages that contain bad news or ideas that require
persuasion?
a. Direct
b. Indirect
c. Frontloading
d. Outlining

ANSWER: b
RATIONALE: The indirect strategy works well for three kinds of messages: (a) bad news, (b)
ideas that require persuasion, and (c) sensitive news. By starting with the explanation and
background, the writer prepares the audience for the main idea to follow.

95. What type of sentence contains two independent clauses and one dependent clause?
a. Compound
b. Complex
c. Compound-Complex
d. Simple

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE: A compound-complex sentence contains two independent clauses and one dependent clause.

96. Joining two independent clauses with a comma results in a _______.

a. run-on sentence
b. comma splice
c. fragment
d. dangling
modifier

ANSWER: b
RATIONALE:
When a writer joins two independent clauses with a comma, a comma splice is
created. To correct a comma splice, use a coordinating conjunction after the
comma, replace the comma with a semicolon, or add a semicolon and a
conjunctive adverb before the comma.
97. Which of the following is an example of the passive voice?
a. The new organizational chart was presented by our recently hired CEO.
b. Camdyn wrote the annual report.
c. The committee interviewed three candidates.
d. Management encouraged the employees to work from home.

ANSWER: a
RATIONALE:
The sentence The new organizational chart was presented by our recently hired
CEO uses the passive voice. Because the doer of the action (CEO) comes after
the verb (presented), you can identify the verb as being in the passive voice.

98. What type of error results when the word or phrase a modifier describes is missing from its
sentence?
a. Dangling modifier
b. Run-on sentence
c. Comma splice
d. Misplaced modifier

ANSWER: a
RATIONALE:
Modifiers must be close to the words they describe or limit. A dangling modifier
occurs when the word or phrase a modifier describes is missing from its sentence.

99. What is the effect when a paragraph employs techniques such as strategic repetition and
transitional expressions?
a. Strong coherence
b. Frontloading
c. Direct strategy
d. Indirect strategy

ANSWER: a
RATIONALE: Well-written paragraphs build coherence through the use of techniques such as strategic repetition and
transitional expressions.

100. Which of the following are examples of transitional expressions that show time association?
a. “As a result” and “therefore”
 b. “But” and “however”
c. “Before” and “meanwhile”
d. “As opposed to” and “on the other
hand”

ANSWER: c
RATIONALE:
Words such as "before" and "meanwhile" show time association. Other typical
time transitions include "next" and "finally."