Question 1

Diversity has become widely recognized in business; therefore, the use of unbiased language is no longer an essential consideration in the composition of business messages.

Accepted Answer

Although diversity is recognized and valued in business, the use of unbiased language is still important to avoid any unintentional offense or discrimination towards any group of people. Using inclusive language can also enhance the effectiveness of the message by reaching a wider audience.

Question 2

Repeating key words in sentences is a way of giving emphasis to the ideas represented by those words.

Accepted Answer

Repeating key words in sentences can help to emphasize those ideas and make them stand out to the reader or listener.

Question 3

There is no place in business messages for weak words.

Accepted Answer

Using strong, confident language is generally preferred in business communication, but there are situations where softer or more tentative language might be appropriate, such as when giving feedback, showing empathy, or in situations requiring diplomacy.

Question 4

The primary criterion for an understandable word choice for a message is to choose a word that the sender understands.

Accepted Answer

The primary criterion for an understandable word choice for a message is to choose a word that the RECEIVER understands, not the sender. It is important to consider the knowledge, vocabulary, and cultural background of the audience when selecting words for a message.

Question 5

Obsolete words sound formal and, therefore, are appropriate in formal but not informal business communication.

Accepted Answer

Obsolete words are outdated and may not be understood by all readers, making them inappropriate for both formal and informal business communication where clarity is essential.

Question 6

Generally, the direct plan of paragraph organization is recommended for good news or neutral news.

Accepted Answer

The direct plan of paragraph organization, also known as the "good news plan," is recommended for conveying positive or neutral news to the reader. This structure involves starting with the main idea or message in the opening sentence and providing supporting details and explanations afterward. It is straightforward and allows the reader to quickly understand the purpose of the communication.

Question 7

Vague or abstract words are indefinite words, but they have a specific meaning that is the same for each receiver of the message.

Accepted Answer

Vague or abstract words are indefinite and lack a precise meaning that can vary from one receiver of the message to another.

Question 8

An obsolete word is one that is overused in normal conversation or messages and has lost its effectiveness.

Accepted Answer

An obsolete word is actually a word that is no longer used or has been replaced by another word or phrase. It may still be understood in certain contexts, but it is not commonly used in modern language.

Question 9

Sentence unity comes from limiting content to one main idea.

Accepted Answer

Sentence unity means that a sentence should focus on one main idea, so limiting the content to one main idea is key to achieving sentence unity.

Question 10

When using sentence structure to give ideas emphasis, place the most important ideas in the dependent clauses.

Accepted Answer

When using sentence structure to give ideas emphasis, the most important ideas should be placed in the main clause, not the dependent clause.

Question 11

A specialized dictionary is one that shows special symbols for word pronunciation.

Accepted Answer

A specialized dictionary focuses on a specific subject area or field of study, rather than showing special symbols for word pronunciation.

Question 12

Technical words are terms with a special meaning in a particular field.

Accepted Answer

Technical words are specific to a particular field and have a unique meaning within that field.

Question 13

Long sentences are more effective than short sentences because you can cover more thoughts in one sentence.

Accepted Answer

Short sentences are usually more clear and easier to understand than long sentences. Breaking up thoughts into shorter sentences can also help with organization and clarity in writing.

Question 14

The two most valuable resources for the business communicator are a dictionary and a thesaurus.

Accepted Answer

A dictionary and a thesaurus are indeed valuable resources for business communicators as they aid in selecting the appropriate words and in ensuring correct usage, spelling, and grammar.

Question 15

Short sentences are understandable, so your writing should only use sentences with no more than 20 words.

Accepted Answer

While short sentences can improve readability, there are many instances where longer sentences are necessary for conveying complex ideas or providing necessary details. The key is to balance sentence length for maximum clarity and impact.

Question 16

In some situations negative words can be used for emphasis.

Accepted Answer

In certain situations, negative words can be used to add emphasis and convey a stronger message. For example, saying "I didn't just like the movie, I absolutely hated it" conveys a stronger negative feeling than simply saying "I didn't like the movie."

Question 17

Passive voice is preferred in business messages because they avoid use of first-person pronouns.

Accepted Answer

Passive voice is not universally preferred in business messages; active voice is often recommended for its clarity and directness, though passive voice can be used to focus on the action or to depersonalize the message.

Question 18

A strong word will be either an adjective or adverb because both are descriptive words.

Accepted Answer

Adjectives and adverbs are both descriptive, but "strong" can also be a noun, as in "strength" or a verb, as in "to strengthen."

Question 19

One way to emphasize an idea is to tell the receiver what is important.

Accepted Answer

By telling the receiver what is important, we can highlight and emphasize the key idea or message we want to convey.

Question 20

A long sentence in a business letter is 30 words or longer.

Accepted Answer

A long sentence in a business letter is defined as 30 words or longer.

Quiz 4: Principles of Business Communication