Business Writing
Exam Solutions
Course Introduction
Business Writing is designed to equip students with the essential skills needed to communicate effectively in professional settings. The course covers a range of business correspondence, including emails, memos, proposals, reports, and executive summaries, with a focus on clarity, conciseness, and proper tone. Students will learn strategies for organizing information, addressing diverse audiences, and adapting messages for different business purposes. Through practical exercises and real-world scenarios, this course prepares students to produce polished, persuasive, and purposeful written materials that support organizational goals and enhance professional credibility.
Recommended Textbook
Business Communication Today 14th Edition by Courtland L. Bovee
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19 Chapters
2709 Verified Questions
2709 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/548
Page 2
Chapter 1: Understanding the Foundations of Business Communications
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148 Verified Questions
148 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10181
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is one of the benefits of incorporating mobile communication in business?
A)Increased levels of expectations
B)Closer relationships with customers and business partners
C)Integrated technology throughout the organization
D)More people have a say in every business matter
E)Strategic plans and documents can follow a more social model
Answer: B
Q2) Which of the following is one way to increase the chance that your message is received by the audience?
A)Consider the audience's expectations for delivery
B)Always send the message via email so there is a copy available
C)Call the audience to let them know a message is being sent
D)Copy leadership on the message
E)Minimize the use of spam filters
Answer: A
Q3) Data traffic on mobile devices exceeds voice traffic significantly.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
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Chapter 2: Collaboration,Interpersonal
Communication,and Business Etiquette
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158 Verified Questions
158 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10192
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is a good example of business etiquette in a social situation?
A)Don't look guests from other cultures in the eye
B)Only shake hands when someone else extends their hand first
C)Finishing a text message while introducing yourself to someone
D)Briefly describe your role in the company when you introduce yourself
E)A personal comment that includes mild flattery
Answer: D
Q2) When conducting business over a meal,when does the business aspect of the meal begin?
A)After drinks
B)After small talk about religion or politics
C)After the entrée is finished
D)After getting to know your guest by asking about personal matters
E)After relaxing the group by sharing a few jokes
Answer: C
Q3) List at least three general categories of nonverbal communication.
Answer: The general categories of nonverbal communication include (1)facial expression,(2)gesture and posture,(3)vocal characteristics,(4)personal appearance,(5)touch,and (6)use of time and space
Page 4
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Chapter 3: Communication Challenges in a Diverse,Global Marketplace
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155 Verified Questions
155 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10193
Sample Questions
Q1) Because religious beliefs are important to many,what should someone communicating with business partners in other countries know about religion in that country?
A)Which places,objects,actions,and events are sacred
B)How do people react to strangers
C)Is politeness valued more than factual honesty
D)Where is the seat of honor at a table
E)What the generally accepted working hours are
Answer: A
Q2) Which of the following is one way to improve your cultural competency?
A)Become aware of your own biases
B)Be consistent about applying the "Golden Rule"
C)Incorporate the use of industry jargon
D)Use humor often to put others at ease
E)Strive for equality and avoid individualism
Answer: A
Q3) Businesses in the United States value punctuality and the efficient use of time.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
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Chapter 4: Planning Business Messages
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158 Verified Questions
158 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10194
Sample Questions
Q1) How can you help a large audience with diverse interests be more understanding and accepting of your message?
A)Use multiple channels and mediums
B)Focus on one key point only
C)Keep the quality of information consistent
D)Use knowledge management systems to poll the audience on their concerns
E)Help the audience understand points of interest
Q2) How should examples and evidence be incorporated in a message?
A)To create a persuasive message
B)To allow for mind mapping
C)To identify the focus of the message
D)To create topic sentences
E)To confirm or expand the supporting points
Q3) An example of a specific purpose for a business message would be
A)to impart information to the audience.
B)to inform employees about the new vacation policy.
C)to persuade readers to take action.
D)to obtain audience participation and collaboration.
Q4) List at least three helpful questions to ask in evaluating the purpose of a message.
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Chapter 5: Writing Business Messages
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173 Verified Questions
173 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10195
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following can be used to show how ideas are connected to each other?
A)Unified paragraphs
B)Concrete words and phrases
C)Transitions
D)Topic sentences
E)Abstract words
Q2) ________ sentences express one main thought and one or more subordinate thoughts related to it.
A)Complex
B)Compound
C)Confounded
D)Compound-complex
Q3) In which of the following situations are transitional elements useful?
A)Easing the shift in ideas between paragraphs
B)Connecting related points within a paragraph
C)Linking major sections or chapters in a long report
D)All of the above.
Q4) Why is it important to project the company's image in all communication,rather than your own image or personal brand?
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Chapter 6: Completing Business Messages
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155 Verified Questions
155 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10196
Sample Questions
Q1) Businesspeople who compose messages for mobile devices should
A)keep formats simple.
B)write complex paragraphs.
C)fill in all on-screen white space.
D)assume device compatibility.
Q2) How is the visual balance of a message's design similar to the tone of its writing?
A)Visual balance,like tone,can be too formal,just right,or too informal
B)Visual balance should always contrast the formality of the tone
C)Visual balance is subjective,whereas tone is always objective
D)Visual balance and tone are both objective,measurable qualities
E)Writers and readers rarely agree on formality,in either design or writing
Q3) How do poor design decisions affect the readability and the effectiveness of the message?
A)They act as a barrier to communication
B)They establish the tone of the document
C)They add to the consistency of the message
D)They add balance
E)They encourage subjective understanding of the message
Q4) Identify eight techniques for effective proofreading.
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Chapter 7: Digital Media
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156 Verified Questions
156 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10197
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following complicates the tasks of planning and organizing content for a website?
A)Each audience member has similar informational needs
B)Each audience member is interested in all information on the site
C)Visitors to the site access information from different entry points
D)A specific beginning,middle,and end must be developed
E)Only top-level URLs can be included
Q2) Many companies have formal email policies that include restrictions on sending A)personal messages via corporate email.
B)confidential or proprietary information.
C)material that might be objectionable or offensive to others.
D)all of the above.
Q3) Websites that are easy to use will encourage visitors to come back more often. A)True
B)False
Q4) Multi-page websites are easy for mobile users to navigate.
A)True
B)False
Q5) How can mobile blogs and mobile podcasting be effective tools for use with digital devices?
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Chapter 8: Social Media
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174 Verified Questions
174 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10198
Sample Questions
Q1) How should sales and marketing messages be handled when writing on a blog?
A)They should include compelling headings
B)They should be minimized
C)They should be linked to websites
D)They should add to your credibility as a writer and blogger
E)They should be written as a fake blog,or flog
Q2) What is the word-of-mouth transmission of marketing messages from person to person often referred to as?
A)Voluntary marketing
B)Hub marketing
C)One-on-one communication
D)Viral marketing
E)Community building
Q3) Your online personality should change to match the norms of each social platform you use.
A)True
B)False
Q4) How can businesses use social networking to support collaboration?
Q5) Describe how social media can be used to better understand your target market.
Page 10
Q6) List at least three advantages of using blogs in business.
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Chapter 9: Visual Media
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156 Verified Questions
156 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10199
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following allows a user to control computers with motion,such as moving their eyes?
A)Visual symbolism
B)Connotative ability
C)Haptics
D)Visual literacy
E)Gestural computing
Q2) Bar charts can be used to compare more than one set of data.
A)True
B)False
Q3) A ________ shows the relative frequency of terms in an article,a blog,a website,or another collection of text.
A)data dictionary
B)content display
C)tag cloud
D)word funnel
E)pictogram
Q4) In designing visuals for business reports,what tasks are best suited for bar charts? List at least two.
Q5) Discuss three considerations in verifying the quality of visuals.
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Chapter 10: Writing Routine and Positive Messages
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120 Verified Questions
120 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10182
Sample Questions
Q1) When responding to a request for adjustment when a third party is at fault,the best approach is to
A)refuse the claim and suggest that the customer sue the third party.
B)refuse the claim but forward the paperwork to the third party.
C)avoid placing blame and focus on the solution.
D)advise the customer never to do business with that third party again.
E)ignore the claim.
Q2) When should the direct approach be used if responding to a request for information or action?
A)When you want to include resale information
B)When you need to deny a request
C)When follow-up will be needed
D)When you want the reader to feel favorably about doing business with you
E)When the expected answer is yes,or otherwise straightforward
Q3) When you're responding to a complaint from a customer
A)deflect the blame up the supply chain.
B)maintain a professional demeanor.
C)counter the complaint with logical arguments.
D)imply that the customer is at fault.
E)ensure the problem will not happen again.
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Chapter 11: Writing Negative Messages
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130 Verified Questions
130 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10183
Sample Questions
Q1) What is your primary communication challenge when you are unable to comply with a routine request?
A)Minimizing time spent on the working relationship
B)Turning the request into an unsolicited request
C)Fully and carefully explaining reasons
D)Giving a clear negative response without generating negative feelings
E)Offering alternatives,if available
Q2) When terminating an employee,which of the following should be included in the message?
A)Clear reasons for the action
B)A statement of what could have been done to avoid the action
C)Contact information if the employee needs to discuss the action further
D)An indication of what can be done to be reinstated
E)A clear expression of thanks for the employee's dedication and service
Q3) If you have to compose a negative message,keep in mind that your audience will be indifferent to what you have to say.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Define and discuss performance reviews.
Q5) Discuss the purpose of performance reviews.
Page 13
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Chapter 12: Writing Persuasive Messages
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124 Verified Questions
124 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10184
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following will help to encourage a positive response to a persuasive message?
A)Using polite but blunt language
B)Understanding and respecting cultural differences
C)Ignoring organizational culture and focusing on individual needs
D)Assuming the audience understands your authority and credibility
E)Showing the audience how their past choices have been poor decisions
Q2) Why is it especially important in marketing and sales messages to avoid implying offers or promises you cannot fulfill?
Q3) How do businesspeople influence audience members?
A)By showing the "you" attitude
B)By acting as an ethical and honest force
C)By providing information and aiding understanding
D)By determining their best interest,and getting the audience to agree
E)By maintaining the highest standards of business ethics
Q4) Persuasive messages often follow a specialized four-phase format called the A)PDQ plan.
B)AIDA model.
C)ASAP model.
D)DEFF approach.
Page 14
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Chapter 13: Finding,Evaluating,and Processing Information
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120 Verified Questions
120 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10185
Sample Questions
Q1) To paraphrase effectively
A)avoid using any business language or jargon.
B)check your version against the original to make sure that you didn't alter the meaning.
C)make sure your version is the same length as or longer than the original.
D)use quotation marks.
E)use only the source material that supports your premise.
Q2) A problem statement
A)outlines all the potential drawbacks of your research.
B)defines the purpose of your research.
C)is an unsupportable claim or assertion.
D)should be long and complex.
E)identifies your conclusions and recommendations.
Q3) Primary research refers to
A)new research done specifically for your current project.
B)the evidence that stands out in your report.
C)the research you conduct first.
D)research that is fairly easy to conduct.
E)research that is conducted in a consistent manner every time.
Q4) Briefly explain the difference between primary research and secondary research.
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Chapter 14: Planning Reports and Proposals
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125 Verified Questions
125 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10186
Sample Questions
Q1) When you're outlining your report,using ________ requires you to really think through the content,whereas using ________ simply requires you to identify topic areas.
A)prescriptive headings; parallel headings
B)effective headings; ineffective headings
C)informative headings; descriptive headings
D)multilateral headings; unilateral headings
E)parallel headings; descriptive headings
Q2) Which of the following steps will help ensure nothing is overlooked when determining a schedule for the production of a report or proposal?
A)Identify the information the audience will be most interested in
B)Know the goal of the report or proposal
C)Determine the timeframe and scope of the project
D)Create a work plan
E)Gather all relevant data before beginning
Q3) Proposals are classified in two ways: internal versus external,and solicited versus unsolicited.
A)True
B)False
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Page 16
Chapter 15: Writing and Completing Reports and Proposals
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133 Verified Questions
133 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10187
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is a mini version of a report?
A)A descriptive synopsis
B)An executive summary
C)An indirect report
D)An abstract
E)A table of content
Q2) When writing business reports for outsiders (such as customers or suppliers),it is best to
A)use a more formal tone than you would for an internal audience.
B)use a less formal tone than you would for an internal audience.
C)avoid the use of headings,transitions,previews,and reviews.
D)sprinkle your writing with idioms,acronyms,and jargon.
E)start the report by explaining why they need your help.
Q3) Which section of a report is used to support conclusions and recommendations?
A)Transition
B)Review
C)Close
D)Body
E)Introduction
Q4) What is a synopsis? How does it differ from an executive summary?
Page 17
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Chapter 16: Developing Presentations in a Social Media Environment
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133 Verified Questions
133 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10188
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following would be the most help in defining the main idea of a presentation?
A)Determine the seating arrangement of the presentation based on advantages
B)Limit the scope of the message to three key ideas
C)Determine how much time is available compared to the amount of material
D)Identify the essential message points that are important to the presenter
E)Write a one-sentence summary that links to the audience's frame of reference
Q2) If a presenter wants to incorporate small groups and breakout sessions during the presentation,what type of seating arrangement would be most effective?
A)Classroom
B)Theater
C)Conference tables
D)Horseshoe
E)Café
Q3) Briefly explain how nervousness can actually improve the quality of your presentation.
Q4) Time constraints always reduce the effectiveness of a presentation.
A)True
B)False
18
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Chapter 17: Enhancing Presentations with Slides and Other
Visuals
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128 Verified Questions
128 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10189
Sample Questions
Q1) Because they contain more textual information than structured slides,free-form slides require less preparation and practice on the part of the speaker.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Chalkboards and whiteboards are particularly useful for
A)small-group sessions.
B)making presentations for large audiences.
C)formal situations.
D)delivering media-rich presentations.
E)showing complex relationships
Q3) When creating text or graphics slides,it is important to keep content and graphics as simple and readable as possible.
A)True
B)False
Q4) As a presenter,what could you do to use mobile devices to enhance your presentations not only for yourself but also for your audience?
Q5) Identify and discuss the eight factors you should consider when completing slides and other visuals.
19
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Chapter 18: Building Careers and Writing Résumés
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135 Verified Questions
135 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10190
Sample Questions
Q1) When you're selecting keywords to include your résumé,you should
A)never use more than three of them at one time.
B)incorporate them into your introductory statement and other sections.
C)place all of them in a keyword summary at the end of the résumé.
D)choose strong verbs and colorful adjectives.
E)use industry jargon and buzzwords.
Q2) Your résumé should list past jobs in chronological order,with the first job first and the current job last.
A)True
B)False
Q3) How should your résumé primarily be organized?
A)Based on your strengths
B)Based on your education
C)Based on your skills
D)Based on your previous experience
E)Based on your interests
Q4) List and describe the three methods for organizing a résumé along with the advantages and disadvantages of each one.
Q5) Discuss the appropriate writing style when composing a résumé.
Q6) Discuss considerations when choosing a design strategy for your résumé.
Page 20
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Chapter 19: Applying and Interviewing for Employment
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128 Verified Questions
128 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/10191
Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is an advantage for the candidate when using email or instant messaging during the screening interview?
A)It is easier to maintain a professional style
B)A more casual,relaxed response is expected
C)There is a greater opportunity to send nonverbal signals
D)Short,direct responses are expected
E)Each response can be reviewed and edited before it is sent
Q2) Which of the following is revealed based on a candidate's clothing and grooming during the interview?
A)The candidate's willingness to change their personality based on the job
B)The candidate's maturity level
C)The candidate's promotional potential
D)The candidate's ability to sense unspoken rules of a situation
E)The candidate's ability to be unique and creative
Q3) During a behavioral interview,you'll be asked to
A)answer a specific sequence of questions.
B)deal with questions that are intended to upset you.
C)relate specific incidents or experiences from your past.
D)perform a number of work-related tasks.
E)talk about postings on your social media sites.
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