Question 1

Well-designed documents increase readability and audience comprehension.

Accepted Answer

Well-designed documents improve overall readability and increase audience comprehension, making them easier to understand and assimilate. This is because the effective use of typography, layout, and graphics reduces cognitive load and makes it easier for readers to navigate and process information.

Question 2

Most people are good listeners.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that most people are not good listeners, with research indicating that people typically retain only 25% to 50% of what they hear. This is due to various factors, such as distractions, preconceived notions, and the tendency to focus on one's own thoughts and opinions rather than truly listening to others.

Question 3

Please give consideration to our latest offer is an effectively written sentence for a business message.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 4

Skilled business communicators use an abundance of first-person pronouns such as I, we, and our to connect with an audience.

Accepted Answer

Skilled business communicators often focus on the audience by using second-person pronouns like "you" to engage and connect, rather than overusing first-person pronouns.

Question 5

Ethnocentrism is inherent in all cultures.

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as superior to others. This tendency exists in all cultures, as individuals naturally identify with and take pride in their own cultural heritage. However, it is important to recognize and challenge ethnocentric attitudes in order to promote understanding and respect for other cultures.

Question 6

Many routine tasks, such as drafting e-mails, memos, letters, informational reports, and oral presentations, require the writer to collect formal research.

Accepted Answer

Routine tasks like drafting emails, memos, letters, informational reports, and oral presentations often rely on the writer's existing knowledge and experience rather than requiring formal research.

Question 7

The central objective of communication is the transmission of meaning.

Accepted Answer

The main purpose of communication is to convey a message from a sender to a receiver and ensure that the meaning of the message is understood accurately.

Question 8

Communicators in high-context cultures (such as those in China, Japan, and Arab countries) tend to be intuitive, contemplative, and group oriented.

Accepted Answer

This is true as high-context cultures rely heavily on nonverbal cues, implicit communication, and shared cultural understanding. Communication is often indirect and requires reading between the lines, which requires intuition and contemplation. Furthermore, in these cultures, the group is often prioritized over the individual, which reinforces a more collective-oriented communication style.

Question 9

Highly developed technical or "hard" skills are the most sought-after employment skills demanded by employers.

Accepted Answer

Employers often seek a balance between technical ("hard") skills and soft skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving, as these are crucial for long-term success and adaptability in most roles.

Question 10

Good writers spend most of their time on the revising phase of the 3-x-3 writing process.

Accepted Answer

Good writers understand that the revision phase is crucial to improving the clarity, coherence, and overall effectiveness of their writing. They often spend more time revising and editing their work than they do on the drafting phase.

Question 11

Active-voice verbs are preferred in business writing.

Accepted Answer

Active-voice verbs are preferred in business writing because they are more direct and concise than passive-voice verbs. Passive voice can make writing sound vague and impersonal.

Question 12

The best way to judge the success of your communication is through feedback.

Accepted Answer

Feedback allows you to see how your message was received by the audience and whether it achieved the intended result. It helps you to identify areas for improvement and to adjust your communication accordingly to ensure effectiveness.

Question 13

You should strive to write paragraphs with eight or fewer printed lines.

Accepted Answer

Writing paragraphs with eight or fewer printed lines helps to make the text more readable and less overwhelming for the reader. It is also commonly recommended by writing and formatting guidelines.

Question 14

Although writing a résumé is part of the job-search process, you should begin the process by analyzing your interests and goals and evaluating your qualifications is an example of a compound sentence.

Accepted Answer

The sentence is a complex sentence because it contains an independent clause ("you should begin the process by analyzing your interests and goals and evaluating your qualifications") and a dependent clause ("Although writing a résumé is part of the job-search process"), rather than two independent clauses joined by a conjunction, which would make it a compound sentence.

Question 15

Every mechanic must submit his timesheet by Friday is a well-written sentence.

Accepted Answer

The sentence uses "his," which assumes the mechanic is male. A more inclusive version would use "their" to avoid gender assumptions.

Question 16

I am sending this message to let you know that Tuesday's meeting has been cancelled is a concise and direct message.

Accepted Answer

The answer of I am sending this message to let...

Question 17

The richest communication channel is e-mail.

Accepted Answer

The richest communication channel is considered to be face-to-face communication, as it allows for the full range of verbal and nonverbal cues to be perceived and understood.

Question 18

Use the indirect strategy when your audience may be uninterested, unwilling, hostile, or displeased.

Accepted Answer

The indirect strategy is designed to effectively communicate with an audience who may be uninterested, unwilling, hostile, or displeased. It involves presenting information in a way that is persuasive and non-confrontational, often beginning with a neutral statement or acknowledging potential concerns before presenting the main message. This approach can help build rapport and increase the likelihood of the audience being open to the message.

Question 19

To save time, you should thoroughly proofread a document as you write it.

Accepted Answer

Thoroughly proofreading a document as you write it can interrupt the flow of writing and slow down the writing process. It is better to complete the writing first and then proofread it afterward to ensure accuracy and clarity.

Question 20

Nonverbal communication includes only those behaviors that are intended.

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal communication includes both intentional and unintentional behaviors, such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice.

Quiz 15: Correction Symbols and Proofreading Marks