Question 1

________ headings identify a topic but are not self-contained, i.e., readers cannot skim just the headings and subheadings to understand the document; they need to read the rest of the document, as well.

Accepted Answer

Descriptive headings identify a topic but do not provide comprehensive information on their own, requiring readers to engage with the full text for understanding.

Question 2

To lengthen sentences, ________.

Accepted Answer

Looking for ways to combine a mixture of sentences is the best way to lengthen sentences because it not only adds length but also improves the flow and cohesion of the writing. Using passive voice and avoiding commas may also lengthen sentences, but they can also make writing unclear or awkward.

Question 3

"Miss Simms had been drenched with rain, bombarded with telephone calls, and her boss shouted at her." This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

The sentence lacks parallelism because the actions described ("had been drenched," "bombarded," and "shouted at") do not follow the same grammatical structure.

Question 4

Robert is writing an instruction manual for a line of power tools. Though the manual is in English, it will be used by people from many different countries. What should Robert do to improve the readability of the document?

Accepted Answer

Using primarily short sentences will improve readability for non-native English speakers. However, varying sentence length can prevent the manual from becoming monotonous or boring. Therefore, choice D - primarily using short sentences but varying sentence length as required - is the best option.

Question 5

"Walking to the office, a red sports car passed her." This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

This sentence contains a modifier that is not clearly connected to the subject it is intended to modify. It is unclear whether the red sports car is the one walking to the office. This is a classic example of a dangling modifier.

Question 6

Graphical elements that precede each item in a list are known as ________.

Accepted Answer

Bullets are graphical elements that precede each item in a list. Call-outs are graphical elements used to draw attention to a particular point in a design, while slugs are used for production information in printing. Buttons are interactive graphical elements that users can click on to perform an action.

Question 7

In any document, headings in a series should always be ________.

Accepted Answer

Headings in a series should be grammatically parallel, meaning they should follow the same grammatical structure. This makes it easier for readers to understand and follow the document's organization. The other options are important considerations for headings but are not specific to headings in a series.

Question 8

Clare has been asked to edit and revise a document written by her colleague Megan. Which of the following should Clare do?

Accepted Answer

When editing and revising someone else's work, it is important to respect their style and intention while also ensuring clarity and readability. Option A, rewriting the document according to Clare's own impression, ignores Megan's intent and direction. Option B, focusing on style over readability, may result in a well-written but confusing or ineffective document. Option C, rewriting to Clare's own style, similarly ignores Megan's voice and vision. The best approach is to stick to Megan's style as much as possible, only making changes or clarifications as necessary while seeking clarification from Megan about any ambiguities or uncertainties.

Question 9

Which of the following includes a dangling modifier?

Accepted Answer

Choice D includes a dangling modifier because the phrase "situated in the break room" modifies "employees" instead of a noun or pronoun that follows it in the sentence. This creates confusion about what is situated in the break room - the employees or the vending machines?

Question 10

In a list, bullets are preferred over numbers unless ________.

Accepted Answer

Bullets should be used when the list items do not have a specific order or hierarchy. However, if specific list items will be referred to later or the list is supposed to have a specific order, numbers should be used instead.

Question 11

What are descriptive headings?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are descriptive headings?
...

Question 12

When revising a document, ________.

Accepted Answer

When revising a document, it is important to first read through it quickly to evaluate the overall effectiveness. This will give an idea of the document's flow and cohesion. It is also recommended to look for grammatical errors, but this should not be the first or only focus. Spelling can be checked later on, and the document should be read multiple times to ensure all errors are caught.

Question 13

When revising for clarity, it is important to ________.

Accepted Answer

Keeping subject and predicate as close as possible helps to make the sentence clear and easy to understand. Using active voice can also help clarify the meaning of a sentence, but it is not always necessary. Writing in the third person is not always appropriate for every piece of writing.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of a hedging sentence?

Accepted Answer

Hedging involves using language that is cautious or non-committal. The word "seems" in option B indicates uncertainty, making it a hedging sentence.

Question 15

The main tasks in completing a business message consist of all the following EXCEPT ________.

Accepted Answer

Forecasting is not a task in completing a business message. The other options, revising, proofreading, and producing, are all important steps in ensuring a quality message.

Question 16

When trying to make a message more concise, ________.

Accepted Answer

To make a message more concise, both options A and C are necessary. Removing unnecessary adverbs that do not add meaning can simplify the message, as can examining each word to ensure that only essential words are used. Additionally, using shorter words can also help to make the message more concise.

Question 17

A conclusion should ________.

Accepted Answer

A conclusion should summarize the main points covered in the message and leave a positive impression on the reader or listener. Bringing up any additional point that you forgot to include may be appropriate in some cases, but it is not a necessary component of a conclusion.

Question 18

________ headings are self-contained, which means that readers can skim through just the headings and subheadings and understand them without reading the rest of the document.

Accepted Answer

Informative headings are designed to be self-contained so that readers can understand the gist of the content by just reading the headings and subheadings, facilitating quick skimming and comprehension without needing to delve into the full text.

Question 19

When revising for clarity, it is important to do all of the following EXCEPT ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When revising for clarity, it is important...

Question 20

Which of the following does NOT have parallel construction?

Accepted Answer

The list in option D does not have parallel construction. The first two items in the list are actions in past tense form ("opened" and "checked"), while the last item is in present continuous tense form ("was turning"). The list should have parallel structure, so the last item should also be in past tense form ("turned on").

Quiz 5: Completing Business Messages