Question 1

"I have negotiated an agreement that gives you a 10% discount for any domestic flight charged on our company credit card." Indicate the option that both correctly evaluates the sentence and correctly explains the reason for the evaluation.

Accepted Answer

The sentence lacks you-attitude because it emphasizes the writer's actions rather than focusing on the benefits or interests of the reader.

Question 2

"I was sorry to hear about your mother's death." Indicate the option that both correctly evaluates the sentence and correctly explains the reason for the evaluation.

Accepted Answer

This sentence shows good you-attitude because it offers sympathy to the person who has lost their mother.

Question 3

"We" is MOST likely to include the reader in a:

Accepted Answer

"We" is most likely to include the reader in a memo to members of your own department, as the pronoun is being used to refer to colleagues or co-workers that the reader is a part of. The other options either involve a specific group (hourly workers or job candidates) that the reader may not be a part of or a customer who is not a part of the company.

Question 4

At a staff meeting, Jill Joyce, your department head, tells you that the CEO has asked each department to submit suggestions for improving company-wide productivity.Jill asks each staff member to write a memo outlining his or her suggestions.Each department head is to pass on no more than 5 suggestions and there are 16 employees in your department, so Jill will have to screen them.The CEO will decide herself whether she will implement any of the suggestions.Before writing your memo you think about your audience.What type of audience is Jill?

Accepted Answer

Jill is both the initial audience, as she is the one receiving the memo, and the gatekeeper, as she will be screening the suggestions before passing them on to the CEO. Therefore, it is important to consider her perspective and tailor the memo accordingly.

Question 5

Who is the initial audience for a message?

Accepted Answer

The initial audience for a message refers to the readers who are the first ones to receive or get your message. They may not be the ultimate decision-makers, but they are the first ones who will read and interpret the message. It is important to consider their needs, preferences, and perspectives when crafting the message, as they can influence the success and impact of your communication.

Question 6

You are sending a large factory 2,500 widgets that have been on back order.This factory buys from your supply house several times a month.In your letter that tells when the widgets will arrive, the BEST way to refer to the widgets would be

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are sending a large factory 2,500...

Question 7

When you know your audience does not like your organization, your position, or you personally, which of the following should you NOT do?

Accepted Answer

Emphasizing common ground can help build rapport and reduce hostility, so it should not be avoided.

Question 8

Which of the following words is LEAST negative?

Accepted Answer

While all the options have negative connotations, being cautious is often viewed as a positive trait as it involves being careful and thoughtful before taking actions. While unsure, delay, and wait all imply a lack of decisiveness or action, cautiousness suggests a deliberate approach. Therefore, A) Cautious is the least negative among the given options.

Question 9

"This estimate makes no allowance for inflation." The sentence is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The sentence is written in a factual, objective manner without stating any subjective opinion or emotion. This is a characteristic of an impersonal expression.

Question 10

Which of the following options is the MOST compelling reason to avoid relying ONLY on extrinsic motivators?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following options is the...

Question 11

"We are happy to inform you that you have been chosen to receive a Platinum VISA." Does this sentence have good you-attitude?

Accepted Answer

The sentence focuses on the writer's feelings ("We are happy") rather than the reader's benefits or interests, which is not aligned with a good you-attitude.

Question 12

"Your order was shipped today." Indicate the option that both correctly evaluates the sentence and correctly explains the reason for the evaluation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of "Your order was shipped today." Indicate the...

Question 13

"You will be sorry to hear that you can't receive a Home Beautiful credit card until you are 18 years old." Indicate the option that both correctly evaluates the sentence and correctly explains the reason for the evaluation.

Accepted Answer

The sentence assumes how the reader will feel ("sorry to hear"), which can be perceived as presumptuous or dismissive of the reader's actual feelings or perspective, thus lacking you-attitude.

Question 14

Reader benefits are advantages that the reader gets by:

Accepted Answer

Reader benefits are advantages that the reader gains by following the policies, as these benefits are typically outlined in the policies themselves.

Question 15

You have to write to the workers' union in your capacity as a manager to attempt to persuade the union members to accept a wage freeze so that the company can save money.You know that the union members dislike the management and that the current union leader you have to write to especially dislikes you.Which technique is LEAST likely to persuade your audience?

Accepted Answer

Using a direct "no-nonsense" tone might come across as confrontational and might aggravate the already existing tension between the management and the workers' union. It may not be the most effective technique to persuade union members to accept a wage freeze. Instead, using a more diplomatic and persuasive tone would be more appropriate. Therefore, option C is least likely to persuade the audience.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a psychographic characteristic?

Accepted Answer

Psychographic characteristics are related to personality, lifestyle, values, attitudes, interests, and behavior. Of the options given, only lifestyle falls under this category. Income level, race, and religion are considered demographic characteristics.

Question 17

Where in a message should good news appear?

Accepted Answer

Good news should be emphasized and showcased at the beginning of the message so that the reader's attention is immediately grabbed and they are more receptive to the rest of the information being presented.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a criterion for good reader benefits?

Accepted Answer

Reader benefits should not solely rely on extrinsic motivators, which are external incentives such as rewards or recognition. Instead, good reader benefits should also focus on intrinsic motivators, such as personal growth or satisfaction.

Question 19

Rocco Stebila, a university professor who specializes in business communications, teaches undergraduate classes, supervises graduate students' independent research, helps out each year with orientation for new business students and their families, and occasionally speaks at the local Chamber of Commerce.How many discourse communities Professor Stebila likely participates in?

Accepted Answer

BDiscourse communities are defined not just by activities but by shared goals, communication practices, and meanings. Without knowing how these groups communicate, share meanings, or see themselves, it's impossible to accurately determine the number of discourse communities involved.

Question 20

A gym is advertising with the following statement: "Sign up today for a happier tomorrow!" Which option correctly evaluates this statement?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A gym is advertising with the following...

Quiz 2: Adapting to Audiences