Question 1
Which of the following statements about revising a written communication is true?
A. The first draft will never include incomplete thoughts.
B. The first draft rarely contains awkward sentences.
C. Written communication provides the opportunity to revise your message as you are communicating it based on immediate feedback.
D. By the time you get to the end of your first draft you may have discovered new ideas about what to say.
Question 2
Which of the following statements is true about memos?
A. Memos and emails are both typically sent only to internal audiences.
B. Memos are often longer than the recommended length for emails.
C. Unlike emails, memos should address multiple topics.
D. Like emails, memos should include complimentary closings and signatures.
Question 3
In which of the following cases is the direct organization method most appropriate?
A. asking your boss for an extension on an assignment
B. recommending a controversial change in departmental procedure to your boss
C. requesting a day off during your company's busy season
D. sending a status report indicating that you are on schedule for an assignment
Question 4
If the purpose of your message is to ask local businesses to sponsor your event, your desired outcome would most likely be __________.
A. to inform them about your event
B. to promote understanding about your event's goal
C. to propose ways in which they could help
D. for the businesses to provide finances for your event
Question 5
If the purpose of your message is to inform parents about the new dismissal procedure designed to alleviate problems with the current process at your school, which of the following best represents the desired outcome of your message?
A. that parents will analyze the situation themselves
B. that parents will be willing to help
C. that parents will want to improve their children's experiences
D. that parents will follow the new process you are implementing
Question 6
Which of the following is done in the first step of ACE?
A. analyzing the purpose
B. organizing content
C. revising the content
D. formatting conventions
Question 7
Which of the following does composing involve?
A. proofreading
B. revising
C. organizing content
D. determining the purpose of the message
Question 8
You receive a flyer in the mail telling you about the new and improved cleaning power of Brite laundry detergent. Which of the following is most likely to be the purpose of this message?
A. document the scientific advances in the manufacturing of laundry detergent
B. describe the technology that led to the new formula for Brite
C. congratulate Brite's research department on its achievements
D. persuade customers to buy Brite
Question 9
In most situations, the main idea of your message __________.
A. is best placed near the end of your communication
B. should never be stated at the beginning of your message
C. should be stated before the supporting details in most communications
D. should always be included near the end of your message so as not to be overshadowed by the supporting details
Question 10
The final step of the ACE process, evaluating, includes __________.
A. drafting your message
B. analyzing your audience
C. selecting the best medium
D. considering feedback
Question 11
When you stare at a blank page or a blank computer monitor without a clue of how to begin a composition, you are __________.
A. engaging in free writing
B. suffering from writer's block
C. struggling with the perfectionist syndrome
D. thinking aloud
Question 12
Which of the following is a consistent design principle that applies to all medium options?
A. start with a purpose-driven introduction
B. break the message into big chunks
C. avoid the use of words that signal shifts in content
D. do not use parallel bullet lists
Question 13
You want to ask your supervisor about working flexible hours. You think that her first concern will be whether you will still be able to accomplish all your necessary tasks, but you have found some research showing that flex-time employees are generally more productive than standard schedule workers. You think an email would probably be the best way to open the discussion so that she can have time to go through the information and consider your proposal. You are currently engaged in which step of the ACE process?
A. adapting
B. analyzing
C. considering
D. composing
Question 14
Reviewing your message and considering feedback __________.
A. generally leads to less successful proposals
B. may lead you to reconsider the decisions concerning content, audience, and medium
C. is part of composing, the second step of the ACE process
D. will be time-consuming and unnecessary
Question 15
Which of the following is recommended as part of the revision process?
A. change your message into passive voice
B. eliminate abstract wording
C. replace simple words with more impressive vocabulary
D. add slang to your message to make it more lively
Question 16
When conducting the audience analysis for a persuasive message, which of the following is one of the recommended questions to consider?
A. How should you organize the persuasive message?
B. What information does the audience need to know and why?
C. How should I design the format and delivery?
D. Does the content ensure complete information?
Question 17
A letter would be appropriate for which of the following situations?
A. sending a list of the year's public holidays to all employees
B. alerting employees that a flex-time schedule is going into effect
C. communicating news to a client
D. sending the project schedule to a team
Question 18
Business emails __________.
A. should focus on only one topic
B. should contain only one paragraph
C. should not contain bullet points
D. should use generic headings
Question 19
The first draft of a message focuses on __________.
A. analyzing your audience
B. getting your thoughts on paper
C. evaluating your word choices
D. perfecting your grammar
Question 20
Which of the following key decisions is involved in composing?
A. What must be the purpose of the message?
B. Which mode of communication must be used?
C. How can the content be revised effectively?
D. How can the format be designed for the best effect?