Question 1

Slang statements are acceptable in verbal communication, because clarification is immediate.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Slang statements are acceptable in verbal communication,...

Question 2

Addressing the recipient of a message as "Dear Sir" is a common and perfectly acceptable practice, even if you do not know the gender of the recipient.

Accepted Answer

Using "Dear Sir" assumes the gender of the recipient, which can be incorrect and is not inclusive. It's better to use gender-neutral language like "Dear [Name]" if known, or "Dear Sir/Madam," "To Whom It May Concern," or simply "Dear [Title/Position]" if the recipient's name and gender are unknown.

Question 3

Business communication differs from other types of formal communication, such as a wedding invitation, for example, because the use of slang and jargon is widely accepted in business communication.

Accepted Answer

The statement is false. The use of slang and jargon is generally not accepted in formal business communication. Business communication is expected to follow professional language norms and be clear, concise, and culturally appropriate.

Question 4

An enthusiastic CEO spoke to his audience, "Our employees sold $10 million worth of services last year!" His wording is an example of how to use passive voice to present information.

Accepted Answer

The sentence is in the active voice, not passive.

Question 5

In Canadian culture, older people are more likely to experience age bias than younger people.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that ageism is present in Canadian society and older people are more likely to experience it, whether it be in the workplace, healthcare settings, or everyday interactions.

Question 6

One of the most effective ways to improve business communications is to make extensive use of slang to enliven and enrich the message and set it apart from more formal messages.

Accepted Answer

Using slang in business communications can often be seen as unprofessional and can lead to misinterpretation or misunderstandings. It is better to use clear and concise language that can be easily understood by all parties involved.

Question 7

The successful communicator avoids gender bias.

Accepted Answer

The successful communicator should avoid gender bias and ensure equal representation and treatment of all genders.

Question 8

Juanita is planning to speak to some new employees in her department. She wants to convey a sense of accountability and establish a tone of trust. Given these goals, Juanita should make extensive use of the active voice in her speech.

Accepted Answer

The active voice is more direct and places responsibility on the subject of the sentence, which can help convey a sense of accountability. Using the passive voice can sometimes obscure responsibility and create ambiguity, which could undermine trust. Therefore, using the active voice can be an effective way for Juanita to achieve her goals.

Question 9

Business writing should consider how the audience will feel about the information and how it will be applied.

Accepted Answer

Business writing should always consider the audience's perspective and how they will react to the information provided. Additionally, it's important to consider how the information will be applied and if it's relevant and actionable for the intended audience. Ignoring these factors can result in ineffective communication and failure to achieve the desired outcome.

Question 10

The needs of the audience are a priority in business writing, regardless of the tool used to deliver the message.

Accepted Answer

The focus of business writing should be on meeting the needs of the audience, whether the message is delivered through email, memos, reports, or any other tool. Failing to consider the needs of the audience can lead to ineffective communication and misunderstandings.

Question 11

This statement is an example of bias: "A nurse must ensure that all of her patients are well provided for and are in minimal pain."

Accepted Answer

The statement is biased towards assuming that nurses are all female, which is not accurate or fair. The statement should be revised to be more gender-neutral or inclusive.

Question 12

Al Ownsby, project manager at the Innovative Technologies Defence Company, is a man of few words. His idea of communication is to "give the recipients the basic idea, but spare them the details." Ownsby's approach is sound, because a basic rule of business communication is that being concise is better than being complete.

Accepted Answer

While conciseness is valued in business communication, being complete is also crucial to ensure that the message is fully understood and all necessary information is conveyed. Ownsby's approach might lead to misunderstandings or lack of clarity.

Question 13

Words or statements suggesting negative attitudes toward an ethnic group are acceptable if no members of that ethnic group are likely to receive the message.

Accepted Answer

Words or statements suggesting negative attitudes toward any ethnic group are never acceptable, regardless of who receives the message. It goes against the principles of inclusivity and equality.

Question 14

Speakers should tailor their message to the expectations, educational levels, and backgrounds of their audiences.

Accepted Answer

Speakers must take into account the diversity of their audience and tailor their message to ensure that it is understood and well-received by everyone in the room. This requires considering the background, education level, and expectations of the audience members.

Question 15

There are three common types of bias in business communications: gender bias, age bias, and bias related to race, ethnicity, and nationality.

Accepted Answer

Gender bias, age bias, and bias related to race, ethnicity, and nationality are three common types of bias in business communications.

Question 16

The passive voice tends to be more effective in business communications than the active voice because it is more rational and has less emotional impact.

Accepted Answer

This statement is incorrect. The active voice is often preferred in business communications because it is more direct, clear, and forceful. The passive voice can be ambiguous and indirect, which is not always effective in business writing. Additionally, avoiding emotional impact is not always the goal in business communications - sometimes it is necessary to convey passion or urgency to motivate action or convey a message effectively.

Question 17

An enthusiastic CEO announced to his audience at the shareholders' meeting, "Fifty million dollars worth of services were sold last year!" He could have increased the impact of this statement by using the active voice.

Accepted Answer

Using the active voice, such as "We sold fifty million dollars worth of services last year!" makes the statement more direct and impactful, emphasizing the company's active role in achieving the sales.

Question 18

Speakers display bias when they use words and statements to communicate stereotypes and negative attitudes about a specific group's gender, age, ethnicity, or nationality.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Speakers can display bias through their language and communication, which can perpetuate stereotypes and negative attitudes towards certain groups. It is important to be aware of this and strive to use inclusive language that does not perpetuate harmful biases.

Question 19

Professor Armand Dupont was very busy when he received an e-mail by a student who wanted to know when an assignment was due. His short response said, "You can find the due date in your syllabus!" The student interpreted this to mean that the professor didn't want to help the student, so the next time he had a question, he asked another classmate. The professor need not be concerned because his response followed a good communication rule: messages should always be short and concise!

Accepted Answer

While brevity is important in communication, ensuring clarity and tone are also crucial, especially in written forms like email, to prevent misunderstandings and to maintain positive relationships. The professor's response, while concise, could be perceived as dismissive or unhelpful, affecting the student's perception and willingness to seek help in the future.

Question 20

Active voice refers to a sentence structure in which the subject is doing the action described by the verb.

Accepted Answer

In active voice, the subject is the one who performs the action, while in passive voice, the subject is acted upon. For example, "Sarah hit the ball" is in active voice because Sarah is the one performing the action of hitting the ball.

Quiz 17: Business Communication: Creating and Delivering Messages That Matter