Question 1

Many communication experts regard ______________ as the greatest failing of business writers.
A)poor organization 
B)bad spelling 
C)limited education 
D)overconfidence

Accepted Answer

Poor organization is often cited as the greatest failing of business writers because it leads to confusion, lack of clarity, and difficulty in understanding the main message of the communication. Writing that is poorly organized can cause the reader to lose interest or become frustrated, leading to misunderstandings and potentially damaging business relationships.

Question 2

Which of the following documents would most likely use an introduction/problem, facts/findings, conclusions, and recommendations organization? 
A)E-mail message 
B)Analytical report 
C)Proposal 
D)Procedural document

Accepted Answer

An analytical report typically involves analyzing data or information and presenting it in a structured way. The introduction/problem section outlines the purpose of the report and the problem that needs to be addressed. Facts/findings present the data or information that has been collected and analyzed. Conclusions summarize the main findings and draw conclusions based on the data or information presented. Recommendations offer suggestions for future action based on the conclusions.

Question 3

Which of the following is done during Phase 2 of the writing process? 
A)Adapting 
B)Proofreading 
C)Analyzing 
D)Organizing

Accepted Answer

Phase 2 of the writing process involves organizing the ideas and information gathered in Phase 1. This includes creating an outline, arranging the information in a logical order, and deciding on the structure of the written piece.

Question 4

Brooke is working on a business proposal for a prospective client. What is the primary question Brooke should ask as she gathers information for her project? 
A)How much money does the client have? 
B)What does the client need to know about this topic? 
C)Does the client have a good reputation in the community? 
D)How can I make myself look good in the eyes of my client?

Accepted Answer

The primary question Brooke should ask is "What does the client need to know about this topic?" This will allow her to gather relevant information and tailor her proposal to meet the specific needs and concerns of the client. Options A, C, and D are not relevant or useful in determining the necessary information for the proposal.

Question 5

Which of the following is an informal research method? 
A)Searching the Web 
B)Looking in the company files for information 
C)Conducting a scientific experiment to gather information under controlled circumstances 
D)Searching for information in public and college libraries

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an informal...

Question 6

Melanie is working on a report and has reached Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process. What should she do first in this second phase? 
A)Write the rough draft of her report.
B)Decide how to organize the report.
C)Analyze her purpose and audience.
D)Gather any necessary information.

Accepted Answer

In the second phase of the 3-x-3 writing process, the writer should gather any necessary information before starting to organize the report or write a rough draft. This will ensure that the report is based on reliable and relevant information.

Question 7

Brandon is preparing a short informational report for his boss and wants to begin his research by conducting informal research. What should he consider doing? 
A)Searching through his company's files for background information and previous correspondence 
B)Talking with his boss to get more information about the type of information his boss would like included in the report 
C)Conducting an informal online survey using a tool like Survey Monkey 
D)Brandon should consider doing all of these.

Accepted Answer

Brandon should consider doing all of these. Searching through his company's files for background information and previous correspondence will provide him with a starting point to build upon. Talking with his boss will ensure that he is meeting his boss's expectations in terms of the report's content. Conducting an informal online survey using a tool like Survey Monkey can provide insights and opinions from target audiences.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of using a formal research method? 
A)Hank talks with his boss to decide what items to include on the meeting agenda.
B)Amy conducts a Web search to find information about a competitor's products.
C)Galen looks in the company files for copies of minutes from previous meetings.
D)Emily calls a few of her colleagues to learn how they feel about carpooling.

Accepted Answer

Conducting a web search to find information is an example of a formal research method, as it involves gathering information systematically and using evidence-based sources. The other options involve informal information gathering methods, such as talking to colleagues or looking in company files.

Question 9

When you expect the reader to be pleased, mildly interested, or neutral the most effective organizational pattern is the 
A)indirect pattern.
B)geographical pattern.
C)chronological pattern.
D)direct pattern.

Accepted Answer

The direct pattern is the most effective organizational pattern when you expect the reader to be pleased, mildly interested, or neutral. This is because the direct pattern starts with the main point of the message and then provides supporting details. It is commonly used for positive news messages or routine inquiries.

Question 10

One of the most important tasks in preparing well-organized messages is 
A)using a direct organizational pattern.
B)creating a well-formatted title page.
C)including ample tables and charts.
D)grouping similar ideas together.

Accepted Answer

Grouping similar ideas together helps in presenting a cohesive and organized message. It also makes it easier for the reader to comprehend the information being presented. While a direct organizational pattern can be useful, it is not the most important factor in preparing well-organized messages. A well-formatted title page and ample tables and charts can enhance the presentation, but they do not necessarily make the message well-organized.

Question 11

Samuel is working on a report and has reached Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process. What question should he ask while collecting information during this second phase? 
A)What does the receiver need to know about the topic? 
B)What is the receiver to do and how is the receiver to do it? 
C)When must the receiver do it? 
D)Samuel should ask all of these questions.

Accepted Answer

During Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process, Samuel should ask all of these questions to collect relevant information for his report. Asking what the receiver needs to know about the topic, what the receiver is to do and how to do it, and when the receiver must do it will provide Samuel with a better understanding of the audience's needs and expectations from the report. Therefore, the best option is to ask all of these questions.

Question 12

You are preparing an outline for your report on Web security in the workplace. Which of the following should be a major category for this outline? 
A)Spam 
B)Web Security Threats 
C)Phishing 
D)Adware and Spyware

Accepted Answer

Web security threats should be a major category for the report as it encompasses a wide range of potential dangers including malware, hacking, and data breaches. While spam, phishing, adware, and spyware are all concerns related to web security, they fall under the larger umbrella of web security threats.

Question 13

Michelle is preparing an outline to help her write a report about her recent attendance at a technology symposium. What advice would you give her? 
A)Divide the main topic into at least ten major components.
B)Break each major component into subpoints, realizing that it's okay if a major component has just one subpoint.
C)Define the main topic in the outline title.
D)Don't worry if some of the components overlap in content.

Accepted Answer

Defining the main topic in the outline title helps provide clarity and focus for the report, ensuring that the content remains relevant and organized.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about formal and informal research is least accurate? 
A)Long reports and complex business problems generally require some use of formal research.
B)When you work on a business report, avoid using the Web for research because much of what is available on the Web isn't credible.
C)Most routine writing tasks require data that you can collect informally.
D)Some routine writing tasks will require no research at all.

Accepted Answer

This statement is not entirely accurate because while it is true that some sources on the web are not credible, there are also many reputable sources available online. It is important to carefully evaluate sources, whether in print or online, and use good judgement when selecting information for a business report.

Question 15

Angelica has been asked to learn how many pedestrians walk by a specific location that her company is considering for a new sporting goods retail shop. Probably the most useful way to research this information would be by 
A)manually searching resources in her public library.
B)searching the Web.
C)investigating primary sources.
D)conducting a scientific experiment with controlled variables.

Accepted Answer

Investigating primary sources, such as traffic studies, local business reports, or conducting her own pedestrian counts, would provide Angelica with the most direct and relevant information regarding how many pedestrians walk by the specific location in question. This method allows for the collection of specific data related to her needs.

Question 16

Chuck is part of a team identifying ideas to cut expenses. The team has decided to hold a brainstorming session. What is the best strategy the team can do during this session? 
A)Discourage wild thinking; all ideas generated should be rational and feasible.
B)Critique and evaluate each idea as it is presented during the brainstorming session.
C)Set an established time limit.
D)To encourage the maximum number of ideas, avoid defining the problem at the beginning of a brainstorming session.

Accepted Answer

Setting an established time limit helps keep the session focused and encourages participants to generate as many ideas as possible within the timeframe.

Question 17

An organizational pattern that presents the main idea followed by details, explanation, and evidence is the 
A)indirect organizational pattern.
B)direct organizational pattern.
C)geographical organizational pattern.
D)chronological organizational pattern.

Accepted Answer

The direct organizational pattern typically presents the main idea first, followed by supporting details, explanation, and evidence.

Question 18

Which of the following documents would most likely use an introduction, a proposed solution, staffing, a schedule and/or costs, and authorization organization? 
A)E-mail message 
B)Analytical report 
C)Proposal 
D)Informational report

Accepted Answer

The use of an introduction, proposed solution, staffing, schedule and/or costs, and authorization organization is typically found in a proposal, which is a formal document that outlines a plan for solving a problem or completing a project. E-mail messages and informational reports are typically more informal and do not require the same level of detail and organization as a proposal. Analytical reports may have some similar elements, but they are focused on analyzing data and presenting findings rather than proposing a solution.

Question 19

Which of the following scenarios would most likely require a scientific experiment? 
A)A research firm wants to find out how many parents plan to send their children to private schools.
B)A company wants to measure reactions to the price of a new flavored vitamin water product to learn how much consumers would be willing to pay.
C)A student wants to find out how a business leader got his start in the industry.
D)A development team has to decide which of four possible locations would be best for a new fast-food restaurant.

Accepted Answer

Measuring reactions to the price of a new product is a scientific experiment because it involves manipulating an independent variable (the price) and measuring the effects on a dependent variable (consumer willingness to pay). The other scenarios involve surveys or interviews, which are not considered scientific experiments.

Question 20

An organizational pattern that presents the main idea after the details, explanation, and evidence is the 
A)indirect organizational pattern.
B)direct organizational pattern.
C)geographical organizational pattern.
D)chronological organizational pattern.

Accepted Answer

The indirect organizational pattern presents supporting details and evidence first before revealing the main idea, which is usually stated towards the end of the passage.

Quiz 5: Organizing and Drafting Business Messages

Many communication experts regard ______________ as the greatest failing of business writers.

Which of the following documents would most likely use an introduction/problem, facts/findings, conclusions, and recommendations organization?

Which of the following is done during Phase 2 of the writing process?

Brooke is working on a business proposal for a prospective client. What is the primary question Brooke should ask as she gathers information for her project?

Which of the following is an informal research method?

Melanie is working on a report and has reached Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process. What should she do first in this second phase?

Brandon is preparing a short informational report for his boss and wants to begin his research by conducting informal research. What should he consider doing?

Which of the following is an example of using a formal research method?

When you expect the reader to be pleased, mildly interested, or neutral the most effective organizational pattern is the

One of the most important tasks in preparing well-organized messages is

Samuel is working on a report and has reached Phase 2 of the 3-x-3 writing process. What question should he ask while collecting information during this second phase?

You are preparing an outline for your report on Web security in the workplace. Which of the following should be a major category for this outline?

Michelle is preparing an outline to help her write a report about her recent attendance at a technology symposium. What advice would you give her?

Which of the following statements about formal and informal research is least accurate?

Angelica has been asked to learn how many pedestrians walk by a specific location that her company is considering for a new sporting goods retail shop. Probably the most useful way to research this information would be by

Chuck is part of a team identifying ideas to cut expenses. The team has decided to hold a brainstorming session. What is the best strategy the team can do during this session?

An organizational pattern that presents the main idea followed by details, explanation, and evidence is the

Which of the following documents would most likely use an introduction, a proposed solution, staffing, a schedule and/or costs, and authorization organization?

Which of the following scenarios would most likely require a scientific experiment?

An organizational pattern that presents the main idea after the details, explanation, and evidence is the