Vigorous writing is concise.

Concise means that the writing:

a
. contains no flabby phrases.
b
. is free of errors in grammar and punctuation.
c
. has been revised to include examples and research.
d
. avoids zigzag writing.
correct: a

Which of the following is true about writing and revising business documents?
a Rarely is the first version satisfactory, but the second version is usually
. excellent.
2

b
. Experts say only amateurs expect writing perfection on the first try.
c If the second version has no errors in spelling and punctuation, it is
. satisfactory.
d The real work of revision should happen in the writing stage as you
. select words and form sentences.

correct: b

3 Brandon has completed the first and second phases of the writing process
and has a rough draft of his quarterly report completed. He is ready for the
third phase of the writing process, which is:
a
. revision.
b
. publication.
c
. second drafting.

d
. sprint writing.
correct: a

Words such as definitely, quite, extremely, rather, and actually are:

a
. adjectives that add a welcome degree of emotion to your writing.
4

b
. adjectives that may be omitted because they are imprecise.
c
. adverbs that may be eliminated to strengthen business writing.
d
. adverbs that streamline your writing.

correct: c

Flabby phrases (a writing fault) include:

a
. phrases that can be reduced to a single word.
5

b
. paragraphs that combine two transitional styles.
c
. prepositional phrases that function as adverbs.
d
. zigzag sentences and faulty parallelism.

correct: a

Which of the following phrases avoids outdated expressions and uses more
modern phrasing?
a
. Enclosed please find
6

b
. Thanking you in advance
c
. I trust that
d
. At your request

correct: d

Which of the following is accurate about long lead-ins?

a You should use long lead-ins to make the tone of your message more
. businesslike.
7

b Long lead-ins can be used to clarify your message by making it more

. concrete.
c Avoid long lead-ins because they delay the reader from reaching the
. meaning of the sentence.
d Eliminate long lead-ins because they are unnecessary intensifiers that
. create redundant expressions.

correct: c

8 It was our business manager who gave us information about the loss of
franchise outlets along the Gulf Coast after the hurricane is an example of a
sentence with:
a
. concise wording.
b
. fillers.
c needless adverbs.

.
d
. outdated expressions.
correct: b

Which of the following sentences contains a redundant expression?

a Your participation in the survey assists in creating products that meet
. your needs.
9

b This brief survey asks you only about your use of the product, and we
. keep no personal information on respondents.
c Honest responses from consumers who regularly buy and use the
. product provide the most reliable information.
d
. Your opinions are absolutely essential to product development.

correct: d

Which of the following is true about the use of jargon in business writing?
a Jargon is the specialized terminology of a specific profession and can be
. used if you are writing for that profession.
1
0

b Jargon, another name for outdated expressions, must be avoided in

. business writing.
c Adding jargon to your business document will improve the precision and
. clarity of most messages.
d
. Creating up-to-date, fresh images is made simpler by the use of jargon.

correct: a

Clichs should be avoided in business writing because they:

a
. are dull and sometimes ambiguous.
1
1

b
. have become exhausted by overuse.
c
. may cause comprehension problems for people new to our culture.
d
. all choices are reasons to avoid the use of clichs.

correct: d

Which of the following is most concrete?

a Of the survey replies received, 38 percent were from two-parent
. households.
1
2

b
. The shipping department has to move a lot of inventory.
c
. A motor vehicle in our parking lot has its lights on.
d
. You will appreciate the many fine features on our new product.

correct: a

Which of the following is the best tip for proofreading documents?

a
. Run your computer's grammar checker to eliminate all grammar errors.
1
3

b
. Proofread each section as you complete it.
c
. Proofread your document once it is in its final form.
d Proofread for spelling using your spell checker, but don't waste time on
. small concerns such as the difference between affect and effect.

correct: c

For complex documents, it's best to proofread:

a
. from a printed copy only.
1
4

b
. on the computer screen only.
c
. as you compose the document.
d either on the screen or from a printed copy using the method you
. prefer.

correct: a

Business writers who need to improve their writing skills should pay most
attention to:
a
. collecting adequate information for the profiled audience.
1
5

b
. revising and proofreading their messages.
c
. developing documents that have businesslike layouts and formatting.
d
. refining their ability to empathize with the audience.

correct: b

1 One reason concise messages are essential in business is that they save
6 money by saving time.
True

False
correct: true

This message is to let you know that should probably be eliminated from a
sentence because it represents a long lead-in.
1
7

True
False

correct: true

Definitely is an example of a vivid adjective.

1
8

True
False

correct: false

It is better to use the phrase in a careful manner than the single

word carefully when you need to explain how an action is to be completed.
1
9

True
False

correct: false

2 One way to improve the vigor and readability of a message is to avoid the
0 monotony of repetitious use of words by substituting appropriate synonyms
and pronouns.

True
False
correct: true

Although scientists and the medical field use jargon, most other fields do not
have terminology specific to the field.
2
1

True
False

correct: false

Converting a verb into a noun creates stronger, more professional business

writing (e.g. made a decision instead of decided).
2
2

True
False

correct: false

2
3

Most sophisticated word processing software includes technology to identify

significant problems including spelling errors, typographical mistakes, word
use problems, and punctuation problems.
True
False

correct: true

2 When writers check their business reports for page balance, they are
engaged in verifying the format, which is part of the revising phase of the

writing process.
4

True
False

correct: true

You are likely to become a stronger proofreader of complex documents if you

criticize yourself each time you find an error.
2
5

True
False

correct: false