Question 1

You should strive to write paragraphs with eight or fewer printed lines.

Accepted Answer

Shorter paragraphs are easier to read and understand, making the text more accessible and engaging for the reader.

Question 2

Highly developed technical or "hard" skills are the most sought-after employment skills demanded by employers.

Accepted Answer

Employers often seek a balance between technical ("hard") skills and soft skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving, as these are crucial for long-term success and adaptability in most roles.

Question 3

To save time, you should thoroughly proofread a document as you draft it.

Accepted Answer

Proofreading as you draft can disrupt your writing flow and productivity; it's more efficient to focus on writing first and proofread thoroughly after completing the draft.

Question 4

Nonverbal communication includes only those behaviors that are intended.

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal communication includes both intentional and unintentional behaviors, encompassing any form of communication that does not involve words, such as facial expressions, body language, and gestures.

Question 5

The richest communication channel is e-mail.​

Accepted Answer

Face-to-face communication is considered the richest communication channel because it allows for immediate feedback, nonverbal cues, and personal interaction, which e-mail lacks.

Question 6

The best way to judge the success of your communication is through feedback.

Accepted Answer

Feedback allows you to gather information about how your message was received and to make adjustments if necessary. It is an important tool for evaluating the success of your communication.

Question 7

The central objective of communication is the transmission of meaning.

Accepted Answer

The central objective of communication is indeed the transmission of meaning, as it involves conveying thoughts, ideas, and information from one entity or group to another through the use of mutually understood signs, symbols, and semiotic rules.

Question 8

Although writing a résumé is part of the job-search process, you should begin the process by analyzing your interests and goals and evaluating your qualifications is an example of a compound sentence.

Accepted Answer

The sentence is a complex sentence because it contains an independent clause ("you should begin the process by analyzing your interests and goals and evaluating your qualifications") and a dependent clause ("Although writing a résumé is part of the job-search process"), rather than two independent clauses joined by a conjunction, which would make it a compound sentence.

Question 9

Ethnocentrism is inherent in all cultures.

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism, the belief in the inherent superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture, is a common aspect across all cultures. It arises naturally as individuals tend to view their own culture as the norm or standard, often leading to the evaluation of other cultures from the perspective of their own.

Question 10

Communicators in high-context cultures (such as those in China, Japan, and Arab countries)tend to be intuitive, contemplative, and group oriented.

Accepted Answer

In high-context cultures, communication is often indirect and relies heavily on non-verbal cues, context, and the relationship between the communicators, leading to a more intuitive, contemplative, and group-oriented approach.

Question 11

Well-designed documents increase readability and audience comprehension.

Accepted Answer

Well-designed documents use elements like headings, bullet points, and appropriate fonts to organize information, making it easier for readers to understand and retain the content.

Question 12

Please give consideration to our latest offer contains a buried verb.

Accepted Answer

"Give consideration to" is a phrase that can be simplified to "consider," indicating a buried verb.

Question 13

Active-voice verbs are preferred in business writing.

Accepted Answer

Active voice is preferred in business writing because it is more direct and clear, making the communication more effective.

Question 14

To optimize the connection with your audience, you should use first-person pronouns such as I, we , and our  liberally in written messages.

Accepted Answer

Using first-person pronouns excessively can make the message seem self-centered rather than audience-focused, which may not optimize the connection with the audience.

Question 15

Most people are good listeners.

Accepted Answer

Most people think they are good listeners, but effective listening is a skill that requires practice and most people do not actively practice or develop their listening skills, leading to common issues such as interrupting, misunderstanding, or missing key information during conversations.

Question 16

Many routine tasks, such as drafting e-mails, memos, letters, informational reports, and oral presentations, require the writer to collect formal research.

Accepted Answer

Routine tasks like drafting emails, memos, letters, informational reports, and oral presentations often rely on the writer's existing knowledge and experience rather than requiring formal research.

Question 17

Every mechanic must submit his timesheet by Friday is grammatically correct and bias free.

Accepted Answer

The sentence is not bias-free because it uses the pronoun "his," implying that all mechanics are male, which is not inclusive of all genders.

Question 18

Skilled business writers spend most of their time on the revising phase of the 3-x-3 writing process .

Accepted Answer

Skilled business writers understand that revising is crucial for clarity, tone, and effectiveness, thus they spend a significant portion of their time in the revising phase to ensure their message is communicated as intended.

Question 19

Use the indirect strategy when your audience may be uninterested, unwilling, hostile, or displeased.

Accepted Answer

The indirect strategy is effective in such situations because it prepares the audience by providing explanations and rationale before presenting the main point, which can help in reducing resistance and facilitating a more receptive response.

Question 20

I am sending this message to let you know that Tuesday's meeting has been cancelled is ineffective because it contains a long lead-in.

Accepted Answer

A long lead-in is an introductory phrase that delays the main point of the message. In this case, the main point is that the meeting is cancelled, and the lead-in unnecessarily delays this information.

Quiz 15: Essentials of Electrocardiography