Question 1

What do most writers use as the first sentence in a paragraph?

Accepted Answer

A)   Supporting sentence
B)   Transitional sentence
C)   Topic sentence
D)   Pivoting sentenceE) A) and D)
F) All of the above

Question 2

Experts recommend that business writers avoid freewriting, which is similar to cramming for final exams and likely to produce similarly poor results.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

The following sentence contains a dangling or misplaced modifier: Working all night, the brief was filed with the court on time.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A)   conducting extensive Web research.
B)   conducting a scientific experiment.
C)   looking in the files.
D)   searching a variety of books, journals, or magazines.E) C) and D)
F) A) and D)

Question 5

A dangling _________ results when the word or phrase the modifier describes is missing from its sentence.

Accepted Answer

modifier
Explanation:When the ...

Question 6

A ________________ sentence contains an independent clause (a complete thought) and a dependent clause (a thought that cannot stand by itself).

Accepted Answer

complex
Explanation:A complex ...

Question 7

In the _____________ pattern of organization, the main idea comes first, followed by details, an explanation, or evidence.

Accepted Answer

direct
Explanation:In the dire...

Question 8

The most compelling and effective messages contain one repeated sentence pattern rather than a variety of sentences.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Good writers should avoid repetition of words or key ideas because it shows lack of creativity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

When you fail to collect all needed research before beginning to organize and write your business document, you may end up starting over and reorganizing.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Which of the following uses parallel structure?

Accepted Answer

A)   Our new paralegal must be smart, efficient, and have flexibility.
B)   The accident shattered her pelvis, dislocated her foot, and her spinal column was broken in three places.
C)   Big business demands superior forecasting, reporting, and analyzing.
D)   A good financial planner must be certified, competent, and must possess ethical standards.E) B) and C)
F) A) and B)

Question 12

To emphasize an idea through style, place it

Accepted Answer

A)   in a simple sentence.
B)   in a dependent clause.
C)   in the middle of a sentence.
D)   Any of the above techniques would emphasize the idea.E) None of the above
F) C) and D)

Question 13

Which of the following uses active voice in a complete sentence?

Accepted Answer

A)   The company's rigid return policy was criticized by a few unhappy customers.
B)   Because a few unhappy customers criticized the company's rigid return policy.
C)   Managers were told about the unhappy customers who criticized the company's rigid return policy.
D)   A few unhappy customers criticized the company's rigid return policy.E) B) and D)
F) None of the above D

Question 14

Before and meanwhile are examples of transitional expressions that show ____________ association.

Accepted Answer

time
Explanation:Time association is ind...

Question 15

When you expect the reader to be pleased, mildly interested, or neutral, use the indirect pattern of organization.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

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

A)   scientific experimentation.
B)   information processing.
C)   research.
D)   data analysis.E) None of the above
F) B) and D) C

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

A)   proceed free form from one idea to the next for maximum creative effect.
B)   avoid emphasizing important ideas so that readers may judge for themselves.
C)   group similar items together and emphasize important ideas.
D)   do not follow any pattern that might restrict the free flow of your ideas.E) A) and B)
F) B) and C)

Question 18

Communicators who have not completed their preparatory work may suffer from writer's block as they sit staring at their computer screens waiting for inspiration.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Looking in the files and talking with your boss are methods of _____________ research.

Accepted Answer

informal
Explanation:Looking in the file...

Question 20

Careful writers avoid labeling main ideas because they know that readers prefer to identify main ideas for themselves.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 3: Composing Business Messages

What do most writers use as the first sentence in a paragraph?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Experts recommend that business writers avoid freewriting, which is similar to cramming for final exams and likely to produce similarly poor results.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The following sentence contains a dangling or misplaced modifier: Working all night, the brief was filed with the court on time.

Correct AnswerverifiedTrue

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A dangling _________ results when the word or phrase the modifier describes is missing from its sentence.

Correct AnswerverifiedmodifierExplanation:When the ...View AnswerShow Answer

A ________________ sentence contains an independent clause (a complete thought) and a dependent clause (a thought that cannot stand by itself).

Correct AnswerverifiedcomplexExplanation:A complex ...View AnswerShow Answer

In the _____________ pattern of organization, the main idea comes first, followed by details, an explanation, or evidence.

Correct AnswerverifieddirectExplanation:In the dire...View AnswerShow Answer

The most compelling and effective messages contain one repeated sentence pattern rather than a variety of sentences.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Good writers should avoid repetition of words or key ideas because it shows lack of creativity.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When you fail to collect all needed research before beginning to organize and write your business document, you may end up starting over and reorganizing.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following uses parallel structure?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

To emphasize an idea through style, place it

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following uses active voice in a complete sentence?

Correct AnswerverifiedD

Before and meanwhile are examples of transitional expressions that show ____________ association.

Correct AnswerverifiedtimeExplanation:Time association is ind...View AnswerShow Answer

When you expect the reader to be pleased, mildly interested, or neutral, use the indirect pattern of organization.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedC

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Communicators who have not completed their preparatory work may suffer from writer's block as they sit staring at their computer screens waiting for inspiration.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Looking in the files and talking with your boss are methods of _____________ research.

Correct AnswerverifiedinformalExplanation:Looking in the file...View AnswerShow Answer

Careful writers avoid labeling main ideas because they know that readers prefer to identify main ideas for themselves.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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True

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modifier
Explanation:When the ...
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complex
Explanation:A complex ...
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direct
Explanation:In the dire...
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D

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time
Explanation:Time association is ind...
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C

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informal
Explanation:Looking in the file...
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