Question 1

Which of the following is a simple sentence?

Accepted Answer

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 conjunction "therefore" is a compound sentence. The sentence containing the conjunctions "Because" and "however" is a compound-complex sentence.

Question 2

You will create messages that are clear and easy to read if you

Accepted Answer

Your messages will be clear and easy to read if you group similar items together and emphasize important ideas. These techniques help readers see relationships and follow your arguments. Free-form messages are confusing.

Question 3

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)

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

How should the following be classified? ReliaCare Health increased insurance premiums by 28 percent for our next fiscal year, that is why we are seeking new insurance bids.

Accepted Answer

This group of words represents a comma splice. A comma is used to splice together two independent clauses. To remedy this fault, change the comma to a semicolon.

Question 5

As interns in human resource management, Brad and his team are using a professionally developed questionnaire that will be administered to all employees to collect information on workplace violence. This type of research produces data that is considered

Accepted Answer

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

Question 6

Organizing your ideas into an outline is especially important when you are

Accepted Answer

You need to organize your ideas into an outline when developing a complex project. Generally, you do not need to make an outline before writing a routine memo or e-mail message. When collecting research, you are not ready to outline your ideas.

Question 7

Which of the following is an advantage of the direct pattern?

Accepted Answer

The direct pattern saves the reader time. The direct pattern also sets a proper frame of mind and prevents frustration. The other items listed are advantages of the indirect pattern.

Question 8

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?

Accepted Answer

Questionnaires and surveys of employees will provide information to shape a persuasive memo. Scientific experimentation, library research, and looking in company files are unlikely to provide the needed information.

Question 9

Stephanie is preparing a market analysis for her business plan. For firsthand information, she should

Accepted Answer

For firsthand information, Stephanie should conduct interviews, surveys, or focus groups. Library sources, Internet sites, and scientific experiments by others provide secondary information.

Question 10

Ryan is collecting information about trends in corporate blogging for a report he is writing for his supervisor. This process of collecting information is called

Accepted Answer

The process of gathering information is called research. Ryan must complete his research before organizing and composing his report on corporate blogging.

Question 11

Many routine writing tasks, such as composing e-mail messages or informational reports, require that you collect information informally by

Accepted Answer

Gathering information for routine writing tasks may involve looking in the files, talking with your boss, interviewing the target audience, conducting an informal survey, or brainstorming for ideas. Other options listed are more formal forms of research.

Question 12

Yosevin began his memo with background information and explanations before announcing a reduction in health insurance coverage. The pattern Yosevin used is called

Accepted Answer

Yosevin has used an indirect pattern for his bad news memo. The direct approach, also known as frontloading, would place the main idea of health insurance coverage reduction first in the memo.

Question 13

Organizing data includes two processes. These processes are

Accepted Answer

Organizing involves grouping similar ideas together and creating a pattern that helps the reader understand relationships. Brainstorming and researching occur in the previous step of writing. Drafting and editing occur later.

Question 14

When you expect a reader of your message to be uninterested, unwilling, displeased, or hostile, you should

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

Which of the following message openings is the most direct opening for an e-mail message announcing a new telecommuting plan?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 16

Formal research methods are generally required for what type(s) of business document(s)?

Accepted Answer

Long reports and complex business problems generally require some use of formal research methods.

Question 17

How should the following be classified? Liana called ReliaCare she also requested a new bid for health insurance premiums.

Accepted Answer

This group of words represents a fused or run-on sentence. Two independent clauses have been neither separated by punctuation nor joined by a conjunction. To remedy this fault, separate the two clauses be placing a semicolon or period after "called."

Question 18

Which of the following contains no sentence faults?

Accepted Answer

Only "Health Net's coverage is extensive, and it rates are fair" is a complete sentence. It is grammatically complete and makes sense standing alone. The sentence beginning with "Which" is a fragment. The sentence beginning with "Review" contains a comma splice. The sentence beginning with "Having" is a run-on.

Question 19

When collecting information before composing a business document, you should gather information that will answer which of these questions?

Accepted Answer

The information you collect should answer all three of these questions. It should also answer the question "How is the receiver to do what you're asking and when?"

Question 20

When brainstorming to generate ideas, you should

Accepted Answer

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. Small groups are especially fruitful in brainstorming because people spin ideas off one another.

Quiz 3: Composing Business Messages