Question 1

There are three common types of bias in business communications: gender bias,age bias,and bias related to race,ethnicity,and nationality.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Gender bias, age bias, and bias related to race, ethnicity, and nationality are common types of bias in business communications. It is important to be aware of these biases in order to communicate effectively and respectfully with all individuals.

Question 2

Words or statements suggesting negative attitudes toward an ethnic group are acceptable if no members of that ethnic group are likely to receive the message.

Accepted Answer

Any form of negative attitude or discrimination towards any ethnic group is not acceptable, regardless of who is likely to receive the message. It is important to promote respect and inclusivity for all individuals, regardless of their cultural or ethnic background.

Question 3

Juanita is planning to speak to some new employees in her department.She wants to convey a sense of accountability and establish a tone of trust.Given these goals,Juanita should make extensive use of the active voice in her speech.

Accepted Answer

The active voice is more direct, clear, and can help convey a sense of accountability. Using passive voice can create ambiguity and dilute the message. So, given Juanita's goals, it is advisable for her to make extensive use of the active voice.

Question 4

This statement is an example of bias: "A nurse must ensure that all of her patients are well provided for and are in minimal pain."

Accepted Answer

The statement assumes that all nurses are female and uses the pronoun "her" instead of a gender-neutral term. This is an example of gender bias.

Question 5

An enthusiastic CEO announced to his audience at the shareholders' meeting,"Fifty million dollars worth of services were sold last year!" He could have increased the impact of this statement by using the active voice.

Accepted Answer

By using the active voice, the CEO could have said "We sold fifty million dollars worth of services last year!" which would have made the statement more impactful and highlighted the company's accomplishments.

Question 6

If the audience is likely to respond negatively to a written message,a good strategy is to begin the message with a brief discussion of the rationale for the message before presenting the bottom line.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. By providing a brief discussion of the rationale for the message, the writer can help the audience understand the reasoning behind the message, potentially reducing their negative response. It also shows that the writer has thought through the message carefully, which can make the message seem more credible.

Question 7

An enthusiastic CEO spoke to his audience,"Our employees sold $10 million worth of services last year!" His wording is an example of how to use passive voice to present information.

Accepted Answer

The CEO's statement uses active voice, not passive voice. The subject (employees) is performing the action (selling), rather than receiving the action.

Question 8

One of the most effective ways to improve business communications is to make extensive use of slang to enliven and enrich the message and set it apart from more formal messages.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Using slang in business communications can actually hinder understanding and professionalism. It is important to use clear and concise language to ensure the message is easily understood and received in a professional manner.

Question 9

Addressing the recipient of a message as "Dear Sir" is a common and perfectly acceptable practice,even if you do not know the gender of the recipient.

Accepted Answer

Using "Sir" assumes that the recipient is male, which may not be the case. It is better to use a gender-neutral salutation such as "Dear [First Name] Last Name" or "To whom it may concern."

Question 10

Speakers display bias when they use words and statements to communicate stereotypes and negative attitudes about a specific group's gender,age,ethnicity,or nationality.

Accepted Answer

This is true. Bias in language can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and negative attitudes towards a group. Speakers should use inclusive and respectful language when communicating to avoid perpetuating these biases.

Question 11

Business communication differs from other types of formal communication,such as a wedding invitation,for example,because the use of slang and jargon is widely accepted in business communication.

Accepted Answer

Business communication typically uses formal language and avoids slang and jargon. The use of clear and concise language is important in conveying professional messages. Wedding invitations, on the other hand, may use more decorative or flowery language, but this does not mean that slang or jargon is acceptable in formal settings.

Question 12

Al Ownsby,project manager at the Innovative Technologies Defence Company,is a man of few words.His idea of communication is to "give the recipients the basic idea,but spare them the details." Ownsby's approach is sound,because a basic rule of business communication is that being concise is better than being complete.

Accepted Answer

While conciseness is valued in business communication, being complete is also crucial to ensure that the message is fully understood and all necessary information is conveyed. Ownsby's approach might lead to misunderstandings or lack of clarity.

Question 13

Professor Harold Reeder was very busy when he received an e-mail by a student who wanted to know when an assignment was due.His short response said,"You can find the due date in your syllabus!" The student interpreted this to mean that the professor didn't want to help the student,so the next time he had a question,he asked another classmate.The professor need not be concerned because his response followed a good communication rule: messages should always be short and concise!

Accepted Answer

While messages should be concise, they should also be clear and helpful. The professor's response was not helpful as it did not directly address the student's question or provide guidance, leading to misinterpretation.

Question 14

Business writing should consider how the audience will feel about the information and how it will be applied.

Accepted Answer

Business writing should always consider the audience's perspective and how the information will impact them. It is important to anticipate potential reactions and ensure that the information is presented in a way that is clear, concise, and actionable.

Question 15

When putting together a written message,you should try to anticipate how the reader will respond to the message,even if the best you can do is nothing more than a thoughtful guess.

Accepted Answer

It is important to consider the reader's perspective and potential reaction when crafting a message in order to make it more effective and persuasive.

Question 16

In global communication,the successful communicator assesses the audience's comfort level with the English language.

Accepted Answer

It is important for a successful communicator to assess the audience's comfort level with the English language in order to tailor their message and ensure effective communication.

Question 17

Active voice refers to a sentence structure in which the subject is doing the action described by the verb.

Accepted Answer

Active voice is a sentence structure in which the subject performs the action denoted by the verb.

Question 18

The passive voice tends to be more effective in business communications than the active voice because it is more rational and has less emotional impact.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. The active voice is generally more effective in business communications as it is clearer, more direct, and easier to understand. It also allows the writer to take ownership of their actions and thoughts, which is important in professional communication. The passive voice can sometimes be confusing or ambiguous, and may give the impression of trying to avoid responsibility.

Question 19

In Canadian culture,older people are more likely to experience age bias than younger people.

Accepted Answer

Ageism is a real issue in Canadian society, with older people often experiencing discrimination and bias in various areas such as employment, healthcare, and social interactions. Younger people may also experience age bias, but research has shown that older individuals are more likely to face negative stereotypes and discriminatory attitudes.

Question 20

Slang statements are acceptable in verbal communication,because clarification is immediate.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Slang statements are acceptable in verbal communication,because...

Quiz 2: Business Communication: Creating and Delivering Messages That Matter