Writing for the Professions
Exam Answer Key
Course Introduction
Writing for the Professions is designed to equip students with the essential communication skills required in professional environments. The course focuses on practical applications of writing, such as crafting clear emails, persuasive proposals, effective reports, and precise documentation tailored to diverse audiences in fields such as business, healthcare, engineering, and public administration. Emphasis is placed on understanding organizational context, audience analysis, document design, and ethical considerations in workplace communication, enabling students to develop strategies for concise, coherent, and purposeful writing that aligns with professional standards and expectations.
Recommended Textbook
Communicating as Professionals 3rd Edition by Myra Gurney
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13 Chapters
259 Verified Questions
259 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/229
Page 2
Chapter 1: Communication Theory and Professional Practice
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19 Verified Questions
19 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/3478
Sample Questions
Q1) When a receiver decodes a message, he/she is:
A) turning thoughts into symbols.
B) sending his/her thoughts to the source.
C) turning symbols into ideas and feelings.
D) turning thoughts into feelings.
E) turning feelings into thoughts.
Answer: C
Q2) The transactional model of communication is best described as:
A) a model of encoding and decoding messages.
B) a model where the experience of the individual is paramount.
C) a model that focuses on meaning rather than message in communication.
D) Schramm's circular model of communication.
E) a model where the technical transmission of messages is highlighted.
Answer: C
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Chapter 2: Language and Communication Practice
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20 Verified Questions
20 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is NOT an example of a euphemism?
A) 'Pest control is undertaken in the Wellington area. '
B) 'Measures will be taken to ensure that Wellington is free from pest activity.'
C) 'Routine control of pest-infected areas will be carried out on a regular basis.'
D) 'All rats in the Wellington area will be poisoned to death using strong chemicals.'
E) 'Pest control will be undertaken in Wellington to improve the quality of life of our residents.'
Answer: D
Q2) By 'rules of the language game', we mean which three of the following?
A) Using correct grammar in formal reports.
B) Understanding words used by people who lecture to us.
C) Being competent at word puzzles.
D) Having fun with word games.
E) Pronouncing words properly.
Answer: A,B,E
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Chapter 3: Non-Verbal Communication: Meanings Without
Words
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19 Verified Questions
19 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) In an interview, your credibility may be enhanced by:
A) maintaining a high level of eye contact without staring.
B) speaking loudly so that everyone in the room notices you.
C) smiling throughout the interview.
D) wearing your best clothes.
E) trying to minimise your non-verbal communication behaviour in case you convey the wrong impression.
Answer: A
Q2) The idea that you can become a successful sales manager by understanding the secret 'codes' of non-verbal behaviour is an example of which of the following myths?
A) The 'isolation myth'.
B) The 'key to success myth'.
C) The 'single meaning myth'.
D) The 'territoriality myth'.
Answer: B
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Chapter 4: Intercultural Communication
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20 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The dimensions of history and worldview affect us by:
A) reminding us of our past.
B) affecting a culture's outlook on life.
C) helping us to understand ourselves better.
D) giving us a way of identifying ourselves.
E) being the most important intercultural dimension.
Q2) Which of the following is the best definition of 'intercultural communication'?
A) Communication between different people from different countries.
B) Communication between different subcultures in Australia.
C) Communication between groups or individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
D) Communication between people from different linguistic groups.
E) Communication between people from different religious groups.
Q3) Non-verbal communication is:
A) communication that does not include speech.
B) another name for 'body language'.
C) anything that isn't the written word.
D) more than just body language: it includes time, space, furniture and clothing.
E) communication that does not include the use of verbs
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6
Chapter 5: Mediated Communication
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20 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) How many characters does Twitter allow in a tweet?
A) 40
B) 60
C) 100
D) 140
E) 160
Q2) What does the term 'perpetual contact' mean?
A) That meditated communication tools can connect people in an ongoing manner, no matter where they are located or what time of day it is.
B) That meditated communication tools disconnect people from the real world.
C) That meditated communication tools are required for people to have any friends.
D) That meditated communication tools bring greater social awareness to people.
E) That meditated communication tools are shut off when people reach home.
Q3) What is a blog?
A) A newsgroup.
B) A new chat program.
C) A diverse set of online writing and/or commentary.
D) Short for blogger, or 'computer geek'.
E) A new Web browser.
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Page 7
Chapter 6: Professional Communication Research
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Sample Questions
Q1) Fill in the missing word in each of the following sentences.
A) The business report is usually performed on a ________ scale.
B) _______ points are often used to good effect in a business report.
C) A business report may not focus on________ rigour.
D) The layout of a business report is _____ to reflect current practice in the organisation and its industry.
Q2) What is content analysis?
A) A manual process using cards to identify works by relevant categories.
B) A computer program called NUDIST.
C) A library catalogue.
D) A research tool that determines the presence of certain words or concepts within textual communications.
E) A way of understanding case studies.
Q3) What is a meta-search engine?
A) A program that returns the top hits of several single-search engines.
B) A program that retrieves data from the internet.
C) A program that searches many documents at one time.
D) A program that looks for keywords on the internet.
E) The same thing as a browser.
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Page 8
Chapter 7: Concepts and Applications in Interpersonal Communication
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20 Verified Questions
20 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is true about communication technologies such as text messaging and email?
A) They are alienating humans from each other.
B) They are creating dysfunctional organisational cultures.
C) They are used by people who want to escape the emotional discomfort of more traditional methods of communication.
D) They are creating a range of both positive and negative effects in society. These effects are often unintended and surprising.
E) They are enhancing personal and social confidence of teenagers.
Q2) What is deindividuation?
A) A state where a person does not have enough liquid in their body.
B) A state akin to a mob.
C) A state after being a victim of online identity theft.
D) A state where a person is seen as a member of a group rather than as a unique person.
E) A state where group behaviour clashes with accepted social norms.
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9
Chapter 8: Communicating in Groups and Teams To
Achieve Professional Goals
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20 Verified Questions
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Sample Questions
Q1) What defines a maintenance role in team-building?
A) Roles that build the team atmosphere and constructive relationships between team members.
B) Roles that make sure the job gets done.
C) Roles that determine sources of difficulties and analyse blocks.
D) Roles that suggest ideas, propose goals and define problems.
E) Roles that undertake all administration and paperwork related to team building activities.
Q2) What is the role of the chairperson in a meeting?
A) To act as a type of 'bouncer' or security guard.
B) To guide the discussion from problem to solution.
C) To take the minutes.
D) To video-record the proceedings.
E) To both take and circulate the minutes.
Q3) Which is not an effective criterion for decision-making?
A) Determining applicability
B) Determining practicality
C) Determining risk
D) Determining desirability
E) Determining complete unanimity
Page 10
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Chapter 9: Interviewing and Negotiating
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Sample Questions
Q1) As an applicant, which of the following should you do in preparation for your interview?
A) Be prepared to show your critical powers and independence by making notes on the weaknesses of management practice in your previous position.
B) Overspend on expensive clothes and accessories, as appearance is the most critical factor in winning a job.
C) Ring your referees and pressure them to give you a good appraisal if called upon by the employer.
D) Make sure your mind is full of detailed arguments supporting your application and try to talk about them as much as possible in the interview.
E) Prepare some points that anticipate criticisms of your age, your experience or your employment record.
Q2) Which of the following is not a strategy that could break a deadlock?
A) Going 'off the record'.
B) Introducing new information.
C) Redefining the issue.
D) Suggesting a neutral mediator or arbitrator.
E) Forcing the negotiation into the next stage of progress.
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Chapter 10: Oral Reports and Presentations
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20 Verified Questions
20 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) One goal of your conclusion is to:
A) put yourself at ease.
B) leave your audience with a memorable idea or suggestion.
C) make the structure of the speech obvious.
D) suggest to the audience that you have more to say.
E) stop the audience fidgeting.
Q2) Which one of the following statements does the textbook support?
A) A speech should never be written out in full.
B) An address must be long and full of statistics.
C) An oral report should be a personal narrative containing jokes.
D) A talk is shorter and more informal than a speech or address.
E) A lecture must be formal and serious.
Q3) Varying your pitch in a speech means:
A) talking faster at times, and slower at others.
B) talking louder at times, and softer at others.
C) talking higher at times, and lower at others.
D) talking gently at times, and harshly at others.
E) talking persuasively at times, and defensively at others.
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Chapter 11: Writing Professionally: Process and Style
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following sentences contain tautologies?
A) Jim travelled to China yesterday.
B) Although the address was limited to only one controversial topic, the discussion that subsequently followed was based on mutual agreement.
C) Six people attended the committee meeting.
D) An interview was scheduled with the office manager.
E) Economic conditions are deteriorating.
Q2) Which of the following is generally true about emphasis?
A) If you put the main idea at the beginning of a sentence, readers will find it harder to remember.
B) If you put the main idea at the beginning of a sentence, readers will find it easier to remember.
C) If you put the main idea at the beginning of a sentence, you will attract immediate attention.
D) If you put the main idea at the beginning of a sentence, readers will find the sentence more coherent.
E) If you put the main idea at the beginning of a sentence, readers will find the sentence more concise.
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Chapter 12: Writing for the Workplace: Content and Genre
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Sample Questions
Q1) What is 'chunking' in the layout of a report?
A) A bordered or shaded section.
B) A large graphic.
C) Bolded text.
D) Tables broken up over several pages.
E) Large pieces of data that are placed in the report rather than the appendix.
Q2) Which of the following statements is true about workplace manuals?
A) Computer manuals are the least common manual in the workplace.
B) Manuals are meant to be read cover to cover.
C) People prefer to read manuals than work things out for themselves.
D) People only read manuals before they use equipment.
E) Manuals help people understand a proper and efficient way to work.
Q3) Which of the following is NOT a quality of an effective report?
A) An effective report is accurate.
B) An effective report is clear.
C) An effective report is objective.
D) An effective report is in written format.
E) An effective report is goal-oriented.
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Chapter 13: Academic Writing
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20 Verified Questions
20 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Of the following citations from a bibliography, only one conforms to the author-date system of referencing.Which one is it?
A) Wardhaugh, R. 1985, How conversation works, Basil Blackwell, New York.
B) West, C. 'Routine complications: troubles between doctors and patients'. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1984
C) Thomas Kochman, 1981. Black and White Styles in Conflict (Chicago: University of Chicago Press)
D) Ong, Walter. Orality and literacy, 1982
E) Bryant, Pauline. Regional Variation in the Australian English Lexicon, 'Australian Journal of Linguistics', vol 5, pp. 55-66, 1989.
Q2) What is the foremost reason case studies are employed in academic learning?
A) To provide examiners with additional material to test student knowledge.
B) To appeal to students who have a practical rather than theoretical nature.
C) To alleviate the boredom of learning theory.
D) To help students see how theories operate in practice.
E) To make learning more interesting.
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