A CV/resume should never exceed one page in length.
A mailing list for e-mail is almost always preferable to sending a separate e-mail to each person.
A professional CV/resume should always include which of the following?
List of references 0%
Weaknesses 0%
Salary history 0%
Political affiliation 0%
None of the above 0%
An important goal of any business writing is to demonstrate expertise or achievements in a memorable way. One effective method of doing that is the PAR method, which stands for:
Problem-action-results 0%
Problem-activity-re-do 0%
Participation-achieves-results 0%
Problems-about-results 0%
As a general rule, all verbs in a particular document should be written in the _________ tense.
Same 0%
Present 0%
Past 0%
Future 0%
Business MEMOS should always include a greeting and be signed by the writer.
Choose the phrase that best completes the following sentence. An effective ______________ must appeal to the recipient's heart and invite him or her to take a specific and immediate action.
letter of complaint 0%
sales letter 0%
press release 0%
fundraising letter 0%
Choose the phrase that best completes the following sentence. If you mail your donation by March 31, _________ will send you a free gift.
Sally and myself 0%
Sally and I 0%
Sally and me 0%
a and b 0%
Choose the phrase that best completes the following sentence. The opening segment of most types of effective business letters should build reader interest, explain the purpose for writing, and ____...
provide a list of recommendations 0%
request a specific action 0%
provide an overview of the document's contents 0%
Choose the phrase that best completes the following sentence. When writing the first of what may become a series of complaint letters to a particular company, it is best to avoid _______________ .
listing supporting details for your claim 0%
conveying a sense of anger and frustration 0%
suggesting how you'd like to be compensated 0%
including contact information 0%
Choose the sentence below that illustrates correct subject-verb agreement.
A select group of seven employees—including Beth, Tom, and Joe—has been assigned to the project. 0%
A select group of seven employees—including Beth, Tom, and Joe—have been assigned to the project. 0%
A select group of seven employees—including Beth, Tom, and Joe—are assigned to the project. 0%
E-mails are considered legal documents and are generally admissible as evidence.
Firing an employee via e-mail is an acceptable business practice.
Fix the comma splice in the example below by choosing the grammatically correct phrase that best completes the sentence. Comma Splice: I finished the weekly report, I have not submitted it to my bo...
report, but I 0%
report I 0%
report; I 0%
a and c 0%
All of the above 0%
Fundraising letters should always include a specific date by which you want the recipient to take action.
How does a memo rank in terms of formality of writing style?
MEMOSare the least formal of all business writing. 0%
MEMOSshould be more formal than a business letter. 0%
MEMOS are less formal than a business letter but more formal than an e-mail. 0%
Identify the main attribute(s) of a user-centered objective for a CV/resume.
It briefly describes what and how the applicant will contribute to the organization. 0%
It specifically names the company and job title. 0%
It briefly summarizes the applicant's work experience. 0%
It is tailored to a specific organization and position. 0%
a, b, and d 0%
b, c, and d 0%
If an e-mail is forwarded around the office and edited or added to by several people, what information should be changed each time it is re-sent?
The subject line 0%
The list of recipients 0%
The content 0%
Nothing—it should remain in its original form 0%
In business writing, it is best to use gender-neutral terms as often as possible.
In the block business letter format, all text is left justified, including your return address information.
In which kind of business letter is it most appropriate to include a catchy headline?
Fundraising letter 0%
Letter of complaint 0%
Sales letter 0%
"Seal a deal" letter 0%
It is a common practice for one person to have several different CVs/resumes, each targeted to a different kind of company or position.
It is always a good idea to introduce a new topic in the closing segment of a business letter.
It is always better to write in your natural voice than to use overly formal language.
It is best to avoid diagrams, charts, or attachments when composing a business memo.
Job objectives on CVs/Resumes are useful for which of the following reasons?
They help Human Resources direct your CV to the appropriate department. 0%
They allow you to highlight your relevant experience and training. 0%
They allow you to indicate which job you are best suited for. 0%
They give you the chance to present yourself as capable, confident, and employable. 0%
Mixing fonts and point sizes is an acceptable practice for sales letters.
Most professional cover letters are at least two pages long.
Periods of unemployment should never be addressed in a CV/resume or cover letter.
Run-on sentences and fragments are acceptable in memos, e-mails, and other internal business communication.
Since e-mails are completely private and encrypted, there is no danger in including sensitive information like credit card numbers and passwords in your messages.
The use of contractions, which add a friendly tone to e-mails, is perfectly acceptable in business e-mails.
What information should be included in the dateline of a press release?
Date of distribution and name of city of the company or individual 0%
Date when press release was written 0%
Date of distribution and name of writer 0%
Date and full name of news outlet the release was sent to 0%
What is it understood to mean when an e-mail is written entirely in capital letters?
The message is urgent. 0%
Nothing—using all caps is a common e-mail practice. 0%
The writer is shouting. 0%
The message may be forwarded to your mailing list. 0%
What is the first thing you should do before beginning any business writing project?
Gather the necessary research 0%
Develop the outline 0%
Define the audience 0%
What is the main reason that e-mails should be sent in text format?
Text format is easier and faster to use. 0%
Text format looks more professional. 0%
Some people dislike html formats. 0%
Different e-mail programs may "read" html-formatted messages differently. 0%
What is the primary goal of a business memo?
To communicate company information or objectives to a select group of employees 0%
To communicate policy changes to clients or suppliers 0%
To communicate sensitive information on a company-wide basis 0%
What is the primary purpose of a cover letter?
To explain why you are leaving your current job 0%
To introduce you and your CV to a potential employer 0%
To demonstrate your grammar and punctuation skills 0%
To list your relevant experience 0%
What should every business e-mail include?
Date 0%
List of recipients 0%
Salutation 0%
Signature 0%
When is it appropriate to send lewd jokes or pictures in a business e-mail?
Such matter should never be sent in a business e-mail. 0%
Such matter may be sent in a business e-mail if one's office atmosphere encourages it. 0%
If you have received such matter via office e-mail from a co-worker, it is acceptable to forward it in a business e-mail. 0%
Such matter may be sent in a business e-mail only if your boss approves. 0%
When it comes to word choice in business writing, which of the following statements is true?
The use of industry-specific jargon and acronyms make documents easier to read and should be used liberally. 0%
The use of phrases like "I feel" and "We believe" inspire confidence in the reader. 0%
Short, simple words should be replaced by longer, more formal words to give the document an air of professionalism. 0%
a and c 0%
None of the above 0%
When sending an e-mail to a group of people on a mailing list, what should you avoid?
Long sentences 0%
Discussion of personal issues 0%
Attachments 0%
Addressing anyone by name 0%
When writing a business report for your company, how should you handle a request to include your opinions or recommendations about the report's contents?
Prepare a separate document to be presented apart from the report. 0%
Include your recommendations in the report after the executive summary. 0%
Leave them out; your opinions don't matter. 0%
When writing and formatting business e-mails, which of the following is best to avoid?
Short paragraphs 0%
Using plain text 0%
Using emoticons 0%
Messages under twenty-five lines long 0%
All of the above 0%
Which list below best represents the types of information potential employers look for or expect to find on a CV/resume?
Educational background, salary requirements, computer literacy 0%
Work experience, disabilities, organizational skills 0%
Communication skills, educational background, phone number 0%
Related experience, references, marital status 0%
Which of the following actions should be performed repeatedly during the business writing process?
Proofreading 0%
Summarising the topic 0%
Researching 0%
Defining the audience 0%
Which of the following activities should be completed before writing a cover letter?
Researching the company or position 0%
Reading the job advertisement carefully 0%
Setting up an interview 0%
a and b 0%
b and c 0%
Which of the following best defines the notion of digital literacy?
The technical ability to operate digital devices and various software programs 0%
The creative ability to design websites 0%
The cognitive ability to use digital tools to access, manage, and use information delivered via computer, as in the Internet, e-mail, and newsgroups 0%
Which of the following best exemplifies an informative and useful subject line for a business memo?
Third Quarter Cat Calendar Sales Strategies 0%
Third Quarter Calendars 0%
Cat Strategies 0%
Cat-astrophic Calendar Sales 0%
Which of the following best represents a useful e-mail subject line?
Need info by end of week 0%
URGENT: Sales reports due April 4 0%
Question about meeting 0%
RE: URGENT 0%
Which of the following best represents an effective, user-centered objective for a CV/resume?
Hone my teaching skills while expanding my knowledge of English language and literature. 0%
Help ABC School realize its goal of becoming the city's top high school for the humanities by joining the English Department as a specialist in English Literature. 0%
Join the English Department at ABC School to teach literature and writing to high school students. 0%
Seeking a position of English Teacher for a high school where my strong dedication to children's overall development and extensive experience of teaching English Literature to high school students is effectively utilized. 0%
Which of the following elements does not belong in an effective fundraising letter?
A postscript (P.S.) at the end of the letter 0%
A direct request for money 0%
A discussion of benefits to the letter recipient 0%
Neutral, unemotional language 0%
Which of the following fall under the category of "business communication"?
Elevator speeches 0%
Advertising 0%
Product testimonials 0%
CVs and cover letters 0%
All of the above 0%
b and c 0%
Which of the following formatting devices should not be used in a business memo?
Block-style paragraphs 0%
Section headings 0%
Double spacing 0%
Bulleted lists 0%
Which of the following guidelines should you consider when sending attachments via e-mail?
Whenever possible, resize large files before sending. 0%
Inform the reader in the body of the e-mail that you have included an attachment. 0%
Ensure that all attachments have been converted to PDF format. 0%
a and b 0%
All of the above 0%
Which of the following information is least essential for a strong CV/resume?
Objective 0%
Contact information 0%
Honours and awards 0%
Dates of employment 0%
Which of the following information should not be included in the closing section of a cover letter?
Your signature 0%
Highlights of your CV 0%
A reminder of why you are a good match for the company 0%
A request for an interview 0%
Which of the following information should not be included in the opening paragraph of a business memo?
Details about key findings or recommendations 0%
An overview of the problem the memo addresses 0%
The purpose of the memo 0%
A mention of the action taken or requested 0%
Which of the following is a good example of eliminating wordiness in business writing?
For the simple reason that = because 0%
In the event that employees are unable to utilise = If employees cannot use 0%
Within a relatively short period of time = soon 0%
At this juncture in time = currently 0%
All of the above are good examples of eliminating wordiness. 0%
None of the above—it is imperative that business documents utilise verbose terminology. 0%
Which of the following is considered plagiarism?
You receive an interesting idea or lead from a colleague via e-mail, then forward it to everyone on your address list. 0%
You appropriate passages, ideas, or information from another source for use in your own writing without citing the source. 0%
You write a report specifically for your company's use, then later publish it under your own name outside the organization and without permission. 0%
You use the general ideas of another author without quoting verbatim, but you do cite the author. 0%
Which of the following is not a complete sentence?
He ran. 0%
Sold one case of plastic straws today. 0%
They decided yesterday. 0%
I am. 0%
Which of the following is not typically included in the work experience section of a CV/resume?
Names of the companies you worked for 0%
Positions you held 0%
Reasons you left a position 0%
Duties you performed 0%
Which of the following phrases best represents concise business writing?
The question as to whether he will succeed is 0%
The fact that he had not succeeded is 0%
His failure is 0%
That he is a man who failed is 0%
Which of the following phrases would "establish a context" for a business letter?
As we discussed at the conference last week... 0%
Ms Wetherby of XTZ Exteriors suggested I contact you... 0%
After evaluating the software you sent us... 0%
a and c 0%
All of the above 0%
Which of the following practices is not acceptable when writing and formatting a CV/resume?
Use of short, concise sentences 0%
Use of bulleted lists 0%
Use of parallel verbs 0%
Use of columns 0%
All of the above are acceptable practices. 0%
Which of the following practices will provide your audience with adequate context for your e-mails?
Using meaningful subject lines 0%
Identifying yourself or your reason for writing 0%
Referring to or quoting the e-mail to which you are responding 0%
All of the above 0%
Which of the following salutations is the least acceptable to use when the name or gender of the recipient is unknown?
Dear Recruiter, 0%
Dear Sales Department, 0%
To Whom It May Concern, 0%
Dear Sir or Madam, 0%
Which of the following sentences uses parallel sentence structure?
My education, my management experience, and my ability to motivate staff make me an excellent candidate for the position. 0%
My goals are to improve my value to the company, work my way up the corporate ladder, and to retire early. 0%
My job duties included processing service orders, maintenance of field reports, and inventory control. 0%
Which of the following should be included at the beginning of a long memo?
A table of contents 0%
A title page 0%
A summary paragraph 0%
An apology 0%
Which of the following should not be included in the heading segment of a memo?
Subject line 0%
Recipient's full name and title 0%
Summary of action required 0%
Full date 0%
Which of the following statements about business MEMOS is true?
Effective MEMOS use a factual tone and common language. 0%
The structure should be simple and coherent, with one idea per paragraph. 0%
It is essential to consider the audience before writing a memo. 0%
The main information or call to action should be addressed in the opening sentences. 0%
All of the above 0%
None of the above 0%
Which of the following statements about cover letters is false?
Phrases like "Enclosed please find my CV" should be avoided. 0%
Cover letters should be addressed to a named individual whenever possible. 0%
The body of a cover letter should highlight qualifications related to the position. 0%
Name-dropping is acceptable if the named connection is relevant to the potential employer. 0%
Cover letters should be tailored to each job application. 0%
None of the above 0%
Which of the following statements about press releases is false?
Press releases are an excellent way to sell a product or announce a sale. 0%
Including quotes adds interest and credibility to a press release. 0%
Press releases can be used to alert the media about any newsworthy event. 0%
Effective press releases should be written from the perspective of a journalist. 0%
Which of the following statements about replying to business e-mails is true?
It is good practice to respond to e-mails within a reasonable time frame. 0%
In the case of ongoing or established correspondence, it may be acceptable to omit the salutation. 0%
It is acceptable to delete older messages from the bottom of your e-mails in order to control message size and to keep your messages looking clean. 0%
It is acceptable to embed your response in the sender's message, as long as you alert the sender at the top of the e-mail. 0%
All of the above 0%
None of the above 0%
Which of the following statements about the executive summary of a business report is false?
The executive summary should be written in non-technical language. 0%
The executive summary provides an overview of findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 0%
The executive summary includes new information not presented in the report. 0%
The executive summary is written after the report has been completed. 0%
Which of the following statements regarding e-mail subject lines is false?
Subject lines should be brief. 0%
Subject lines should pertain to the body of the e-mail. 0%
Subject lines should be complete sentences. 0%
Subject lines should give a clue as to the contents of the message. 0%
Which sentence below is written in active voice?
The graphic designer was hired by the marketing department. 0%
The research has been completed by the committee. 0%
Mr Werner implemented the new sales strategy. 0%
The bylaws were decided upon by the board members yesterday. 0%
Why is it so important to use action verbs in all types of business writing?
Action verbs help make sentences more concise. 0%
Action verbs make the writing easier for readers to understand. 0%
Action verbs are more convincing and make the writing more persuasive. 0%
All of the above 0%
You should read your finished writing project aloud at least once before publishing or distributing it.