Question 1

You want to visually compare a part to the whole.Which of the following visuals is the best one for this task?

Accepted Answer

A pie chart is the best choice for visually comparing a part to the whole as it displays the parts of a whole as proportional slices of a circle. This allows for an easy comparison of the relative size of each part to the whole.

Question 2

Which of the following strategies will help you create a successful PowerPoint presentation?

Accepted Answer

Using clear and concise language is crucial for creating a successful PowerPoint presentation. This helps to keep the audience engaged and prevents them from feeling overwhelmed with too much information. Using complete sentences may be too wordy and cause audience members to become disengaged. Using a dark background is helpful when the lights will be off, but it is not necessary for creating a successful presentation. Using animation can be engaging, but it should be used sparingly and only when necessary for communicating important information.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a good strategy for document design?

Accepted Answer

Saving lists and headings for the editing stage is not a good strategy as it is important to plan the document structure and organization from the start. All other choices (A, C, and D) are good strategies for document design. It is important to consider the audience, get feedback, and use visuals to enhance the effectiveness of the document.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a good strategy for creating a successful bar chart?

Accepted Answer

Using different colors for different bars without a specific reason can make a chart confusing and detract from its ability to communicate information clearly. Colors should be used purposefully, for example, to group categories or highlight significant data points. The other options (B, C, D) are generally considered good practices for creating clear and informative bar charts.

Question 5

You are planning a flier for distribution in Canada that will include a reply coupon.In which quadrant would it be MOST effective?

Accepted Answer

Placing the reply coupon in the lower right-hand corner is the best choice because it is where the reader's eye will naturally be drawn to after reading the main message on the flier. This is because most people read from left to right and from top to bottom. Placing it in the lower left-hand corner may lead to it being overlooked, while placing it in the upper corners may conflict with important information or graphics.

Question 6

You need your readers to focus on specific numbers.Which of the following visuals is the best one for this task?

Accepted Answer

A table is the best choice for focusing on specific numbers because it allows for precise data presentation and easy comparison of exact values.

Question 7

In which of the following circumstances would it be appropriate to use functional headings (rather than informative headings)?

Accepted Answer

Functional headings are useful for defusing emotions on sensitive issues because they focus on the function or purpose of the section rather than the content itself, which can help to neutralize potentially charged language or topics.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT an appropriate audience for a truncated graph?

Accepted Answer

Truncated graphs are typically used for audiences who are knowledgeable in the field and can infer missing information. General readers may not have the necessary background knowledge to interpret a truncated graph accurately.

Question 9

You want to facilitate easy reading in the body of your document.Which of the following statements best describes the font choice you should make, and why you should make it?

Accepted Answer

A serif font is appropriate for easy reading because the serifs help readers' eyes move from letter to letter, making it easier to read large blocks of text. However, the specific serif font chosen should also be legible and have a comfortable size and spacing.

Question 10

Which parts of the page carry the most visual weight for readers in Western cultures?

Accepted Answer

In Western cultures, the top left quadrant carries the most visual weight because this is where people are accustomed to starting their reading and scanning. The bottom right quadrant is the second most important because it is where the eye naturally lands after scanning across the page. This pattern is known as the "F-shaped pattern" and has been identified through eye-tracking studies.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a situation in which you should use ragged right margins?

Accepted Answer

Ragged right margins are typically not used in professionally produced magazines, which often favor justified text to create a clean, uniform appearance across columns and pages.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a good strategy for using color?

Accepted Answer

Using color can enhance reading comprehension rather than detract from it, making avoidance of color in such situations not a good strategy. Proper use of color can help in highlighting, organizing information, and drawing attention to key areas, thereby aiding in comprehension.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a good strategy for creating a brochure?

Accepted Answer

Reducing the size of text to make it fit the available paper may compromise the readability and effectiveness of the brochure. It is important to maintain a suitable font size for the target audience to read the content easily.

Question 14

Our short-term memory can only hold about seven bits of information at a time.This means that you should:

Accepted Answer

Breaking down large amounts of information into three to seven chunks helps our brains to process and remember the information more effectively, as we are able to retain around seven pieces of information at a time. This means that organizing information in a way that doesn't overwhelm our short-term memory is key to effective communication.

Question 15

Which of the following is a good strategy for using color and decoration in visuals?

Accepted Answer

Considering corporate and professional associations for particular colors is a good strategy for ensuring that your visuals align with your brand or message. Cultural associations can vary and may not be universally understood, so focusing solely on visual impact can result in confusion or misinterpretation. Including clip art or trying to make visuals overly artistic may distract from the main message and appear unprofessional.

Question 16

Which of the following is not a good strategy for creating a successful website?

Accepted Answer

Providing users with too many options can be overwhelming and decrease the likelihood of them completing any task on the site. It is better to have a smaller number of distinct tasks that are clear and easy to complete.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of visual rhetoric?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Conventional uses of it stifle innovation" is not a characteristic of visual rhetoric. The other options are all characteristics of visual rhetoric.

Question 18

You want to compare items over time.Which of the following visuals is the best one for this task?

Accepted Answer

The best visual for comparing items over time is a line graph. A line graph shows changes in data over time, making it easier to spot trends and patterns. Therefore, a line graph would be the best choice for this task.

Question 19

Ideally, test a document for usability with at least five users.Who among the following is NOT one of those ideal test users?

Accepted Answer

Experts in the document's field might not represent the typical user or audience for the document, especially if it's intended for a general or less specialized audience. Their advanced knowledge can skew the usability testing results because they might not face the same challenges or have the same questions as less knowledgeable users.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of headings?

Accepted Answer

Headings do not make a document shorter, they just make it easier to navigate and understand the organization of the content.

Quiz 4: Designing Documents, Slides, and Screens