Question 1

which approach is best when writing for multiple audiences?
A) a linear approach
B) an experiential approach
C) a modular approach
D) an attitudinal approach

Accepted Answer

A modular approach allows for the information to be easily adapted to different audiences by separating it into distinct modules or sections that can be rearranged or omitted as needed. This approach is more flexible than a linear approach, which presents the information in a fixed sequence, and more efficient than an experiential approach, which focuses on the reader's personal experience rather than the content itself. An attitudinal approach, which is based on assumptions about the reader's attitudes or beliefs, can be limiting and potentially divisive.

Question 2

Which of the factors listed below did the writer of the following memo fail to take into account?
TO: University Faculty Advisers
FROM: David Gates, Ph.D., Department of Psychology
SUBJECT: New course offered-PSYC 499, Self-Fulfillment in a Global Society
Enclosed is a flyer briefly describing PSYC 499. After you read through the flyer, post it in a conspicuous place, e.g., on your door. Or, better yet, make copies and hand it out in your class. The course will explore how our society can maintain a sense of self in these increasingly uncertain times. So tell students in your courses and your advisees about this new timely course.
A) reader's attitude toward the writer
B) reader's attitude toward the subject
C) reader's expectations about the subject
D) reader's expectations about the document
E) All responses are correct.

Accepted Answer

E

Question 3

Which of the following mistakes did McDonald's make when it printed takeout bags decorated with flags from around the world?
A) The bags showed a pair of hands holding a flag in a way that customers in some cultures would interpret as an obscene gesture.
B) The bags showed a Saudi flag, which depicts holy scripture from the Koran. The Saudis were offended because these bags would be thrown out.
C) The writing on the bags was in English, which offended numerous nonnative speakers.
D) All responses are correct.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 4

Which of these is an example of a workplace document?
A) a podcast about Internet servers
B) an oral presentation about selecting appropriate insurance coverage
C) a video describing how a piece of equipment works
D) All responses are correct.

Accepted Answer

All of the options given can be examples of workplace documents, as they communicate information within the context of a professional setting. A podcast or video might be used to train employees or share information about company policies, whereas an oral presentation could be used to pitch a new product or proposal to coworkers or supervisors.

Question 5

Which phrase best defines the purpose of a workplace document?
A) what you want to accomplish with the document you are producing
B) what you propose to do when you receive permission
C) what you want to display in words or images
D) what you want to document for clarity

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a workplace document is essentially what you aim to achieve with the document you are creating, which involves communicating specific information, instructions, or requests to achieve a particular outcome or action.

Question 6

Which of these is NOT a cultural variable "beneath the surface"?
A) distance between ranks
B) need to spell out details
C) prevalence of technology
D) distance between business and private life

Accepted Answer

The prevalence of technology is not a cultural variable "beneath the surface", as it is a visible and measurable aspect of culture. The other choices represent cultural variables that are not immediately observable and require deeper understanding and analysis to identify.

Question 7

Chapter 4 identifies seven categories of cultural variables "on the surface." One category is political. Which of these is NOT a category of cultural variables that lie on the surface?
A) economic
B) social
C) religious
D) philosophical
E) technological

Accepted Answer

The seven categories of cultural variables that lie on the surface are political, economic, social, religious, technological, linguistic, and artistic. Philosophical is not one of the categories mentioned in chapter 4.

Question 8

You work for a semiconductor manufacturer. You are writing a quarterly report on the activities within your section of the company. One of the people who will read your report is Lila Waltman, divisional vice president. You search online for information about her. Which piece of information is most likely to help you as you write the report?
A) Lila is an active member of the local chapter of IEEE, a professional society for the electronics industry.
B) Lila is an active member of the local chapter of her university's alumni association.
C) Lila is an active member of the community board for a local animal shelter.
D) Lila is an active member of a distance-running group.

Accepted Answer

Since Lila is a divisional vice president, it is likely that she would be interested in the technical aspects of the report. The fact that she is an active member of a professional society for the electronics industry suggests that she has a strong interest in this field and may have a good understanding of the technical details in the report.

Question 9

which of these is a question you should ask to learn about the primary reader of a document you are writing?
A) What are the reader's political views?
B) What are the reader's cultural characteristics?
C) How many times will the reader read your document?
D) What is the reader's attitude toward the subject?

Accepted Answer

The answer of which of these is a question you...

Question 10

Which of these is a cultural variable "on the surface"?
A) tolerance of uncertainty
B) distance between ranks
C) distance between business and private life
D) prevalence of religion

Accepted Answer

The prevalence of religion is something that can be easily observed or measured, making it a cultural variable "on the surface." The other options involve more complex cultural values and norms that may not be immediately visible.

Question 11

One way to learn about the primary reader of your document is to interview people who know him or her. Which of these questions is NOT likely to help you learn useful information about your primary reader?
A) Does this person prefer to read hard-copy documents or electronic documents?
B) Does this person prefer to read detailed information or a summary that provides a big picture?
C) Does this person tend to review the sources listed in a bibliography after reading a report?
D) Does this person attend chapter meetings of professional associations?

Accepted Answer

This question does not give any insight into the reading preferences or habits of the primary reader, and is therefore less likely to provide useful information for tailoring the document to their needs.

Question 12

You are writing a report about new regulations that affect your company. Your primary audience of company executives is very busy and will read your report quickly, but the secondary and tertiary audiences are likely to read more slowly and carefully. Which of the following options is most appropriate for your situation?
A) Include detailed footnotes on each page.
B) To save time, omit the executive summary and put more details in the body of your report.
C) Follow the patterns of writing that were successful for you in college English and history classes.
D) Break your report into modules and put highly detailed information in an appendix.

Accepted Answer

Breaking the report into modules with detailed information in an appendix allows busy executives to quickly grasp the main points, while secondary and tertiary audiences can delve into the details if needed.

Question 13

Chapter 4 suggests that you consider five other individual characteristics of readers in addition to education. Which two of the following characteristics does the chapter suggest you consider?
A) the reader's professional experience
B) the reader's gender
C) the reader's temperament
D) the reader's job responsibility
E) None of the above responses are correct.

Accepted Answer

The chapter suggests considering the reader's professional experience and job responsibility as important individual characteristics in addition to education.

Question 14

Which terms below are used in Chapter 4 to describe types of audiences?
A) supplemental
B) primary
C) secondary
D) fundamental

Accepted Answer

In Chapter 4, the terms primary and secondary are used to describe different types of audiences. There is no mention of supplemental or fundamental audiences.

Question 15

Which of these statements about communicating across cultures is NOT true?
A) Cultures that are group oriented tend to see a smaller distance between business life and private life.
B) The format for writing out and abbreviating dates used in the United States is different from that used in most other cultures.
C) Business customs vary from culture to culture.
D) People who speak the same language share the same cultural values.

Accepted Answer

People who speak the same language can have different cultural values based on the region they come from or their personal upbringing. Language is just one aspect of a person's culture and doesn't necessarily determine all of their cultural beliefs and behaviors.

Question 16

Chapter 4 discusses certain variables that lead to differences among cultures. Which of these statements about cultural variables is true?
A) Different organizations within the same culture can vary greatly.
B) Cultural variables line up in clear, predictable patterns.
C) Each variable represents a small number of attitudes.
D) An organization's cultural attitudes tend to be static over time.

Accepted Answer

Different organizations within the same culture can have their own unique set of values, beliefs, and practices. Therefore, there can be significant variation between organizations within the same culture.

Answer: B 
 Cultural variables do not always line up in clear or predictable patterns. There can be variations within a culture and between cultures.

Answer: C 
 Each cultural variable can represent a wide range of attitudes, beliefs, and practices. For example, the variable of "individualism vs. collectivism" can encompass numerous different attitudes and behaviors within a culture.

Answer: D 
 An organization's cultural attitudes can change over time due to a variety of factors, such as changes in leadership, shifts in the external environment, and evolving societal norms.

Question 17

You are writing a proposal to restructure your department's organizational chart. Your manager was a member of the committee that originally set up the department's current structure. Which purpose statement would be best for a proposal to your manager?
A) The purpose of this proposal is to show how we can reorganize our department to improve our efficiency while keeping intact the values that have allowed us to succeed to this point.
B) The purpose of this proposal is to show how to solve all of our productivity problems and remove all the barriers to effective communication.
C) The purpose of this proposal is to show why it's time for "out with the old and in with the new."
D) The purpose of this proposal is to explain why we have no choice but to scrap our ineffective organizational structure.

Accepted Answer

Option A focuses on improving efficiency while staying true to the values of the department, which is likely to be more persuasive to a manager who was involved in the original organizational structure. Options B, C, and D are overly negative and do not offer productive solutions.

Question 18

Why should you use an audience profile sheet for a writing project?
A) It prompts you to ask questions about your target audience.
B) It helps you remember what you've learned about your target audience.
C) It helps you realize when you need to learn more about your target audience.
D) All responses are correct.

Accepted Answer

All responses are correct. Using an audience profile sheet prompts you to ask questions about your target audience, helps you remember what you've learned about your target audience, and helps you realize when you need to learn more about your target audience. This can lead to clearer and more effective communication with your target audience in your writing project.

Question 19

Your company has completed an audience analysis for the manual you are writing for users of a new accounting system. The manual will be given to the 750 employees in the company's accounting department. Some members of the audience are experienced accountants and others are not; some have MBA degrees and others have bachelor's or associate's degrees; some were recently hired and some are long-term employees; some are managers and some are bookkeepers. How might you best accommodate your audiences?
A) Include different sections for the different audiences.
B) Write the manual to the lowest level of the audience.
C) Write the manual to the highest level of the audience.
D) Prepare an audience profile sheet.

Accepted Answer

Including different sections for the different audiences allows you to cater to the varying levels of expertise and experience among the audience. This approach ensures that everyone can understand the manual without being overwhelmed or bored by content that is either too basic or too advanced for their level of understanding.

Question 20

You are writing a report advocating that your company increase its use of social media. Your manager has said several times that she does not like to mix social media and business. She has pointed out several social-media problems that other companies have created for themselves. Which purpose statement would be best for a report to your manager?
A) The purpose of this report is to show how the coolest social-media apps can deliver content to a hip, urban audience.
B) The purpose of this report is to prove that social-media disasters rarely happen and that social media are the wave of the future.
C) The purpose of this report is to demonstrate how the speed and flexibility of social media can help our company reach a growing audience of young adults with controlled, targeted messaging.
D) The purpose of this report is to show how our company can get on the social-media bandwagon before it is too late.

Accepted Answer

This purpose statement acknowledges the concerns raised by the manager about social-media problems and argues instead that social media can be used effectively to reach a growing audience with controlled, targeted messaging. It focuses on the specific benefits for the company rather than general trends or coolness factors.

Quiz 4: Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose

which approach is best when writing for multiple audiences?

Which of the following mistakes did McDonald's make when it printed takeout bags decorated with flags from around the world?

Which of these is an example of a workplace document?

Which phrase best defines the purpose of a workplace document?

Which of these is NOT a cultural variable "beneath the surface"?

Chapter 4 identifies seven categories of cultural variables "on the surface." One category is political. Which of these is NOT a category of cultural variables that lie on the surface?

which of these is a question you should ask to learn about the primary reader of a document you are writing?

Which of these is a cultural variable "on the surface"?

One way to learn about the primary reader of your document is to interview people who know him or her. Which of these questions is NOT likely to help you learn useful information about your primary reader?

Chapter 4 suggests that you consider five other individual characteristics of readers in addition to education. Which two of the following characteristics does the chapter suggest you consider?

Which terms below are used in Chapter 4 to describe types of audiences?

Which of these statements about communicating across cultures is NOT true?

Chapter 4 discusses certain variables that lead to differences among cultures. Which of these statements about cultural variables is true?

You are writing a proposal to restructure your department's organizational chart. Your manager was a member of the committee that originally set up the department's current structure. Which purpose statement would be best for a proposal to your manager?

Why should you use an audience profile sheet for a writing project?