Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Business communication requires a more professional tone and etiquette, and the use of slang is generally not acceptable.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

This statement is incorrect. Active voice is generally considered more effective in business communications as it is clear, concise, and direct, which can enhance the message's impact. Passive voice can come across as unclear or evasive, and may even weaken the message's impact in certain contexts.

Question 3

Larry Brighton needs a quick response from his colleague Ralph about the prospect of changing vendors on the Harris project. He leaves Ralph a lengthy voice mail on the subject even if Ralph picks up voice mail messages only once each day. If Larry is asked by his boss today about the vendor problem, he is covered because he sent Ralph a message about it.

Accepted Answer

Leaving a lengthy voice mail on a vendor change prospect does not guarantee a quick response from Ralph. Therefore, Larry is not covered if his boss asks about the vendor problem today.

Question 4

The key to finding the best communication channel is to evaluate the needs and expectations of your audience.

Accepted Answer

Evaluating the needs and expectations of your audience is crucial in determining the most effective communication channel to use. Different audiences have different preferences when it comes to communication, so it is important to choose a channel that will be most appropriate and effective for that particular group.

Question 5

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 that suggest negative attitudes toward an ethnic group are never acceptable. It is important to be mindful of the impact our words and actions have on others, regardless of whether or not they are likely to receive our message. Discrimination and prejudice have no place in a just and equitable society.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

This is generally true, as older people may face discrimination in employment, healthcare, and other areas based on their age.

Question 7

You should always select a communication channel that you are comfortable using. If it works for you, it's good for the audience.

Accepted Answer

The communication channel should be selected based on the audience's preferences and needs, not just personal comfort, to ensure effective communication.

Question 8

Al Ownsby, project manager at the Innovative Technologies Defense 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 important in business communication, it should not come at the expense of completeness. Effective communication requires providing enough detail to ensure understanding and clarity.

Question 9

You can make your presentation or speech more concise and powerful by using active voice.

Accepted Answer

Active voice is more concise and direct than passive voice, and it can help to make your message more powerful and clear to your audience. Using active voice can also help you to take more ownership of your ideas and avoid vague or weak language.

Question 10

Bias is a preconception about members of a particular group.

Accepted Answer

Bias refers to having preconceptions or prejudices about a particular group of individuals based on certain characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.

Question 11

Videoconferencing is a good channel for communicating complex information to many people in geographically distant locations.

Accepted Answer

Videoconferencing allows for real-time communication and visual aids, making it ideal for delivering complex information to a large audience in different locations.

Question 12

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 recipient is male, which may not be appropriate if the gender is unknown. It's better to use gender-neutral language like "Dear [Name]" or "To whom it may concern."

Question 13

The common types of bias in business communications include gender bias, age bias, and bias related to race, ethnicity, and nationality.

Accepted Answer

These are some common types of bias that can occur in business communications. Other types of bias may also exist.

Question 14

Jim has posted an employment advertisement for a greeter at his store. The advertisement reads "only elderly individuals need apply." Jim has not exhibited any type of a bias, because there are not enough positions for the elderly in the job market.

Accepted Answer

The advertisement violates age discrimination laws and exhibit bias against younger individuals. Age should not be a factor in determining qualifications for the job.

Question 15

An enthusiastic CEO announced to his audience at the stockholders' 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 would have increased the impact of the statement, as it would have emphasized who sold the services and highlighted the company's agency in the achievement.

Question 16

Professor Harold Reeder was very busy when he received an email from a student who wanted to know when an assignment was due. He responded, "On Friday." The professor's response followed a good communication rule: messages should always be short and concise.

Accepted Answer

The professor's response is short and concise, which is a good communication rule as it is clear and easy to understand.

Question 17

One of the most effective ways to improve business communication is to make extensive use of slang to enliven and enrich the message.

Accepted Answer

Extensive use of slang in business communication can create misunderstanding and confusion. It is important to use clear and professional language to convey the intended message clearly and effectively.

Question 18

The first step in choosing the correct wording for a message is to consider the expectations of the audience to whom the message will be directed.

Accepted Answer

It is important to understand the audience's expectations in order to effectively communicate with them.

Question 19

Active voice refers to a sentence structure in which the subject performs the action expressed by the verb.

Accepted Answer

This is the definition of active voice. In contrast, in passive voice, the subject receives the action expressed by the verb.

Question 20

In order to make sure that the audience is receiving your message, it is critical that you understand expectations, level of education, and profession of the audience.

Accepted Answer

Understanding the audience's expectations, level of education, and profession can help tailor the message to their interests and ensure that it is comprehensible to them.

Quiz 5: Business Communication: Creating Delivering Messages That Matter