Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs

True/False Questions 1. Because long sentences are hard to understand, the business writer should make no sentence longer than 25 words. Answer: False Page: 49 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: %ong sentences can be clear and can be used with reason. &he" should be used s'aringl". %earning (b)ecti*e: 2 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 2. -n ada'ting sentences, "ou should aim a little abo*e the le*el o! "our readers. Answer: False Page: 4. i!!icult": /edium $ationale: 0ou should aim a little below their le*el. %earning (b)ecti*e: 1 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 1. ,ome degree o! sim'li!ication is best !or all readers. Answer: &rue Page: 4. i!!icult": #as" $ationale: &his 'oint is discussed in the cha'ter. %earning (b)ecti*e: 1 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 4. 2hat is readable is related to the communication abilit" o! the reader. Answer: &rue Page: 4. i!!icult": #as" $ationale: &he readabilit" studies su''ort this statement. %earning (b)ecti*e: 1 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 5. An ideal a*erage sentence length in writing !or the middle3le*el adult reader is 4 to 15 words. Answer: False Page: 49 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: &he readabilit" studies suggest 16 to 14 words. %earning (b)ecti*e: 2 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 6. &he shorter sentences are es'eciall" use!ul !or subordinating in!ormation. Answer: False Page: 49 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: &his is true o! long sentences, not short ones. %earning (b)ecti*e: 2 AA+,B ,tandard: 1

18

Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs

.. ,hort sentences recei*e less em'hasis than long sentences. Answer: False Page: 44349 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: &he o''osite is true. &he short one stands out. %earning (b)ecti*e: 2 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 4. A sentence co*ering two items o! in!ormation gi*es more em'hasis to each item than does a sentence co*ering three items. Answer: &rue Page: 44349 i!!icult": 7ard $ationale: &he shorter the sentence, the more em'hasis it recei*es. %earning (b)ecti*e: 2 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 9. #*en though short sentences generall" are desirable, a long succession o! them 'roduces a bad e!!ect. Answer: &rue Page: 49 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: (*erusing short sentences can 'roduce a cho''", 'rimer e!!ect. %earning (b)ecti*e: 2 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 15. As a rule, the shorter wa"s o! sa"ing things communicate better. Answer: &rue Page: 44 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: &his obser*ation is discussed su''orted b" readabilit" studies. %earning (b)ecti*e: 2 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 11. For the best communication results, re'etition in business writing should be eliminated. Answer: False Page: 54 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: ,ometimes re'etition ser*es a 'ur'ose, as when used !or em'hasis or e!!ect. %earning (b)ecti*e: 2 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 12. $e'etition o! words is 8uite acce'table when it is done !or s'ecial e!!ect or em'hasis. Answer: &rue Page: 54 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: &hese are legitimate uses o! re'etition. %earning (b)ecti*e: 2 AA+,B ,tandard: 1

19

Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs

11. 9nrelated ideas should not be 'laced together in a sentence. Answer: &rue Page: 5. i!!icult": /edium $ationale: All in a sentence should ha*e a logical relationshi' reason !or being 'laced together. %earning (b)ecti*e: 1 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 14. As unit" o! 'aragra'hing is clearl" de!ined, 'aragra'h content can be determined easil". Answer: False Page: 5. i!!icult": /edium $ationale: 9nit" can e:ist at *arious le*els and is not alwa"s *iewed in the same wa" b" an" two writers. %earning (b)ecti*e: 4 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 15. -t would be illogical to 'resent all the !indings in a re'ort with e8ual em'hasis. Answer: &rue Page: 55 i!!icult": 7ard $ationale: ,ome are more im'ortant than others. #ach item o! in!ormation should recei*e the em'hasis it deser*es. %earning (b)ecti*e: 1 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 16. For reasons o! econom", items not related in thought ma" be 'laced in the same sentence. Answer: False Page: 5. i!!icult": /edium $ationale: ,uch 'lacement would both be illogical and *iolate the unit" rule o! sentence construction. %earning (b)ecti*e: 4 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 1.. A 'aragra'h should ne*er consist o! onl" one line.. Answer: False Page: 61 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: Although not common, one3line 'aragra'hs are correct and use!ul. %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 14. 9n!ortunatel", the rules !or correctness in writing are based on arbitrar" decisions made b" grammarians and ha*e little relation to the need !or clarit". Answer: False Page: 59 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: /ost o! the rules are based on the need !or clarit" in communication. %earning (b)ecti*e: 4 AA+,B ,tandard: 1

20

Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs

19. -! the content o! a 'aragra'h can be reduced to one to'ic statement, one can be reasonabl" sure that the 'aragra'h has unit". Answer: &rue Page: 65 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: 9nit" in writing means oneness o! sub)ect; and i! all that is in a 'aragra'h !alls into this one statement, there must be unit". %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 25. (ne ma)or weakness o! the 'aragra'h 'lan with to'ic sentences within the 'aragra'h is that the to'ic sentence recei*es little em'hasis in this 'osition. Answer: &rue Page: 62 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: &he beginnings and ends o! the 'aragra'hs carr" more em'hasis than do the internal 'ositions. %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 21. #*en i! the" are the same as to words and 'unctuation marks, a 'age broken b" !i*e or si: 'aragra'hs is more in*iting to the reader than a 'age co*ered b" one or two long 'aragra'hs. Answer: &rue Page: 65 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: Paragra'hing gi*es a *isual im'ression o! organi<ation and eas" reading. %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 22. A re'ort with its 'aragra'hs a*eraging eight lines in length would meet re8uirements !or ideal 'aragra'h length. Answer: &rue Page: 65 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: &his a*erage is suggested in the cha'ter. %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 21. -t is not good writing 'ractice to construct 'aragra'hs longer than 12 lines. Answer: False Page: 61 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: (ccasionall" longer 'aragra'hs are necessar". %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 24. =ot e*er" good 'aragra'h must ha*e a to'ic sentence. Answer: &rue Page: 61 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: Paragra'hs without to'ic sentences can ser*e to introduce ideas, relate succeeding items, or 'resent an assortment o! !acts. %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1

21

Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs

25. &he most common 'aragra'h arrangement ends with the to'ic sentence. Answer: False Page: 61 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: &o'ic sentence at the beginning is the most common. %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 26. -t is acce'table to 'lace the to'ic sentence within the 'aragra'h. Answer: &rue Page: 62 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: Although usuall" not the best order, this arrangement is acce'table. %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 2.. &he most common 'aragra'h design 'laces the to'ic sentence at the beginning. Answer: &rue Page: 61 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: &his is b" !ar the most common design. %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 Multiple Choice Questions 24. &he a*erage sentence length !ound in the readabilit" studies to be best !or communicating with the middle le*el o! adult readers is about: A> 6 to 4 words. B> 4 to 11 words. +> 11 to 11 words. > 16 to 14 words. #> 25 to 24 words. Answer: Page: 49 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: &he a*erage length is su''orted b" the readabilit" studies. %earning (b)ecti*e: 2 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 29. &he sentence !orm that gi*es most em'hasis to its contents is the: A> sim'le sentence. B> com'ound sentence. +> com'ound3com'le: sentence. > com'le: sentence. #> All o! these gi*e e8ual em'hasis. Answer: A Page: 55 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: &he sim'le sentence stands out. %earning (b)ecti*e: 2 AA+,B ,tandard: 1

22

Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs

15. -n a 'aragra'h containing !i*e items o! in!ormation, "ou want to make one stand out. 0ou should: A> 'resent each in se'arate, sim'le sentences. B> 'resent the one item in a se'arate, sim'le sentence and the others in com'ound sentences. +> 'resent all in com'ound sentences, 'lacing the one item in a de'endent clause. > 'resent all in com'ound sentences, 'lacing the one item in an inde'endent clause. #> 'resent minor items in sim'le sentences and the one to be em'hasi<ed in a com'ound sentence. Answer: B Page: 55 i!!icult": 7ard $ationale: &he short, sim'le sentence gi*es em'hasis to its contents. %earning (b)ecti*e: 2 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 11. +hoose the sentence that does not contain a cluttering 'hrase. A> At the 'resent time we are using the old model. B> 2e made 'a"ment in the amount o! ?.51. +> 0ou will get "our mone" in the near !uture. > &his re*ised 'lan cut our 'roduction costs 12 'ercent. #> -n the e*ent that "ou !ail, we will hel' "ou. Answer: Page: 51 i!!icult": 7ard $ationale: All e:ce't this one ha*e a 'hrase !rom the list in the te:t. %earning (b)ecti*e: 1 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 12. 2hich o! the !ollowing sentences co*ers its contents in the most roundabout wa"@ A> -t is the 'residentAs belie! that a recession is near. B> &he 'resident belie*es a recession is near. +> &he 'resident thinks a recession is near. > A recession is near, belie*es the 'resident. #> &he 'resident thinks a recession is coming. Answer: A Page: 51 i!!icult": 7ard $ationale: &his sentence is a roundabout wa" o! 'resenting the message. %earning (b)ecti*e: 4 AA+,B ,tandard: 1

23

Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs

11. 2hich o! these sentences best meets the re8uirements o! good business writing@ A> %eeAs 'a"ment in Banuar" was in the amount o! ?155. B> %ee 'aid ?155 in Banuar". +> %eeAs Banuar" 'a"ment was !or ?155. > &hree hundred dollars was 'aid b" %ee in Banuar". #> &he ?155 Banuar" 'a"ment was made b" %ee. Answer: B Page: 51351 i!!icult": 7ard $ationale: (nl" this one is not roundabout and without cluttering 'hrases. %earning (b)ecti*e: 1 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 14. /ark the sentence that best meets the re8uirements o! good business writing. A> 2ith regard to the 'arking 'roblem, correcti*e action is being taken. B> 2ith re!erence to the 'arking 'roblem, the administration is taking correcti*e action. +> concerning the 'arking 'roblem, correcti*e action is being taken b" the administration. > &he administration is taking correcti*e action on the 'arking 'roblem. #> &he administration is correcting the 'arking 'roblem. Answer: # Page: 52351 i!!icult": 7ard $ationale: (nl" this sentence is acti*e, without cluttering 'hrases, and concise. %earning (b)ecti*e: 4 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 15. 2hich o! these sentences best meets the re8uirement o! good business writing@ A> &he worker must re'ort losses dail". B> -t is essential that the worker re'ort losses dail". +> -t is essential that losses be re'orted dail" b" the worker. > %osses must be re'orted dail" b" the worker. #> &he workerAs losses must be re'orted dail". Answer: A Page: 52351 i!!icult": 7ard $ationale: (nl" this one is in the acti*e *oice, concise, and without cluttering 'hrases. %earning (b)ecti*e: 4 AA+,B ,tandard: 1

24

Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs

16. 2hich o! these sentences best meets the re8uirements o! clear and interesting writing@ A> -n the near !uture 'rices will be cut. B> Ford will cut 'rices soon. +> Prices will be cut b" Ford in the near !uture. > Ford will cut 'rices Februar" 1. #> Prices will be cut Februar" 1. Answer: Page: 11, 11, 51 i!!icult": 7ard $ationale: &he main 'roblems here are a cluttering 'hrase Cin the near !uture>, 'assi*e *oice Cwill be cut>, and concreteness Csoon, near !uture, Februar">. (nl" this one does a good )ob on all three. %earning (b)ecti*e: 4 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 1.. $e'etition o! words or thoughts is best )usti!ied !or reasons o!: A> rh"thm. B> concreteness. +> em'hasis. > organi<ation. #> 'ersonal 're!erence. Answer: + Page: 54355 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: $e'etition ma" be used to em'hasi<e the words or thoughts re'eated. %earning (b)ecti*e: 1 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 14. %ong sentences o! about 15 words or more ma": A> be used to em'hasi<e contents. B> ne*er be used. +> be used s'aringl" to subordinate the less im'ortant in!ormation. > be used !reel" to im'ress certain readers. #> be used when one wishes to economi<e on the words used. Answer: + Page: 49 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: &his usage is a''ro'riate and logical. %earning (b)ecti*e: 2 AA+,B ,tandard: 1

25

Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs

19. -! an" o! the !our !ollowing statements does not hel' )usti!" short 'aragra'hs, mark it. -! all are a''ro'riate, mark e. A> &he" hel' the reader see beginnings and ends, thereb" gi*ing the e!!ect o! organi<ation. B> &he" gi*e added em'hasis to the !acts co*ered. +> &he" ha*e good e"e a''eal. > &he" show !re8uent breaking 'oints, which is a''ealing to the reader. #> All are a''ro'riate. Answer: # Page: 65361 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: All )usti!" short 'aragra'hs. %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 45. A 'aragra'h arranged in the most widel" used 'lan: A> begins with its to'ic sentence. B> ends with its to'ic sentence. +> has its to'ic sentence within. > has both beginning and ending to'ic sentences. #> has all to'ic sentences. Answer: A Page: 61 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: &he to'ic3sentence3!irst arrangement is the most commonl" used one. %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 41. 2hich o! the !ollowing 'lacements would gi*e greatest em'hasis to a !act@ A> A short sentence in the middle o! a long 'aragra'h B> A short sentence at the end o! a 'aragra'h +> A long sentence that makes u' the entire 'aragra'h > A short sentence in a one3sentence 'aragra'h #> A long sentence at the end o! a 'aragra'h Answer: Page: 65361 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: A short, one3sentence 'aragra'h calls attention to its contents, thereb" gi*ing it em'hasis. %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1

26

Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs

42. 0our reader will com'rehend sentences most easil" that are written at a le*el: A> challenging to the reader. B> im'ressi*e to the reader. +> a''ro'riate to the technical e:'ertise o! the writer. > abo*e the reader. #> a little below the le*el o! the reader. Answer: # Page: 4.344 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: $eadabilit" research su''orts this statement. %earning (b)ecti*e: 1 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 41. A 'aragra'h should: A> consist o! at least three sentences. B> build around a single to'ic or idea. +> include se*eral di!!erent ideas or to'ics. > ha*e both sim'le and com'le: sentences. #> ne*er be longer than eight lines. Answer: B Page: 65 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: &he 'aragra'h must ha*e unit". %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 44. (ne3line 'aragra'hs: A> should ne*er be used. B> can be used to em'hasi<e a ma)or 'oint. +> should be used !re8uentl". > are good !or subordinating contents. #> gi*e the writing so'histication. Answer: B Page: 61 i!!icult": #as" $ationale: &his is one )usti!ication o! the one3line 'aragra'h. %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1 45. &he to'ic sentence o! a 'aragra'h: A> should alwa"s come !irst in the 'aragra'h. B> should be in the middle o! the 'aragra'h. +> should be last to summari<e the 'aragra'h. > ma" *ar" in 'lacement according to the 'ur'ose o! the 'aragra'h. #> should be 'receded b" an inde'endent clause. Answer: Page: 61362 i!!icult": /edium $ationale: &o'ic sentences ma" *ar" in 'lacement. %earning (b)ecti*e: 5 AA+,B ,tandard: 1

27