Question 1

Which of the following sentences is gender-neutral?

Accepted Answer

A)  A teacher is responsible for his students' behavior in class. 
B)  He was elected as the chairman of the committee. 
C)  All the freshmen assembled outside the dean's office. 
D)  You can call a policeman when in need. 
E)  Please ask the coordinator for directions. 
A)  A teacher is responsible for his students' behavior in class. 
B)  He was elected as the chairman of the committee. 
C)  All the freshmen assembled outside the dean's office. 
D)  You can call a policeman when in need. 
E)  Please ask the coordinator for directions.

Question 2

The use of rubber stamps in business messages signals that you have quit thinking about the reader's actual situation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Since positive words are the most effective for achieving desired effects, negative words should not be used in business messages.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Which ethical model asks the question "What would a virtuous person do?"

Accepted Answer

A)  Aristotelian 
B)  Kantian 
C)  utilitarian 
D)  coordination 
E)  virtuous 
A)  Aristotelian 
B)  Kantian 
C)  utilitarian 
D)  coordination 
E)  virtuous

Question 5

Explain why it is important to choose the right level of formality for a message, and give examples of a situation when you would use a more formal style and a situation when you would use a less formal style.

Accepted Answer

It is important to choose the right leve

Question 6

Which of the following statements best illustrates the you-viewpoint?

Accepted Answer

A)  I see that your credit is weak, so we can sell to you on a cash-only basis. 
B)  We are delighted to announce our company's financial gain for the last fiscal year. 
C)  Your refund has been approved, and your account will be credited with the amount. 
D)  I am happy to report that your proposal was accepted. 
E)  We are writing to request your assistance. 
A)  I see that your credit is weak, so we can sell to you on a cash-only basis. 
B)  We are delighted to announce our company's financial gain for the last fiscal year. 
C)  Your refund has been approved, and your account will be credited with the amount. 
D)  I am happy to report that your proposal was accepted. 
E)  We are writing to request your assistance.

Question 7

Less important information can best be de-emphasized in a business message by including it

Accepted Answer

A)  in a short sentence. 
B)  as a modifying phrase. 
C)  in a simple sentence. 
D)  as a main clause. 
E)  at the start of a paragraph. 
A)  in a short sentence. 
B)  as a modifying phrase. 
C)  in a simple sentence. 
D)  as a main clause. 
E)  at the start of a paragraph.

Question 8

Which of the followings sentences exhibits the you-viewpoint?

Accepted Answer

A)  Your concerns have been heard, and we will do our best to accommodate you. 
B)  If you don't get your act together, you'll be formally sanctioned. 
C)  We are primarily concerned with how this looks to the board. 
D)  Your idea was ill-conceived and reckless. 
E)  We have received your order and will ship the parts as soon as they are available. 
A)  Your concerns have been heard, and we will do our best to accommodate you. 
B)  If you don't get your act together, you'll be formally sanctioned. 
C)  We are primarily concerned with how this looks to the board. 
D)  Your idea was ill-conceived and reckless. 
E)  We have received your order and will ship the parts as soon as they are available.

Question 9

One good way to avoid blaming the reader is to use "you" frequently in your message.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Which of the following sentences de-emphasizes the negative?

Accepted Answer

A)  I regret to inform you that we have chosen another candidate to fill the position. 
B)  Although we have chosen to go with another candidate, we would be interested in working with you in the future and will keep your information on file. 
C)  I'm sorry to inform you that you were not chosen for the position. 
D)  The position has been filled. 
E)  Unfortunately, you résumé was lacking in a few key areas, so we have gone with a different candidate. 
A)  I regret to inform you that we have chosen another candidate to fill the position. 
B)  Although we have chosen to go with another candidate, we would be interested in working with you in the future and will keep your information on file. 
C)  I'm sorry to inform you that you were not chosen for the position. 
D)  The position has been filled. 
E)  Unfortunately, you résumé was lacking in a few key areas, so we have gone with a different candidate.

Question 11

Kantian ethics fails to account for

Accepted Answer

A)  one's moral duty as a member of society. 
B)  the "What if everybody did it?" test. 
C)  people who are rational. 
D)  extenuating circumstances. 
E)  our duty to act reasonably. 
A)  one's moral duty as a member of society. 
B)  the "What if everybody did it?" test. 
C)  people who are rational. 
D)  extenuating circumstances. 
E)  our duty to act reasonably.

Question 12

Why is the following statement potentially insulting to its recipient? "You will want to take advantage of this exciting opportunity before its too late!"

Accepted Answer

A)  It is excessively cold and stiff. 
B)  It is not formal enough. 
C)  It uses the you-attitude inappropriately. 
D)  It tells the recipient how they should feel. 
E)  It tells the recipient that their time to make a decision is limited. 
A)  It is excessively cold and stiff. 
B)  It is not formal enough. 
C)  It uses the you-attitude inappropriately. 
D)  It tells the recipient how they should feel. 
E)  It tells the recipient that their time to make a decision is limited.

Question 13

Which of the following statements about positive words is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Because positive words work better, negative words should not be used in business communication. 
B)  Positive wording helps put readers in a receptive frame of mind. 
C)  Positive words are a form of exaggeration. 
D)  Positive words often cause readers to doubt the truthfulness of your message. 
E)  Being positive means simply stating the facts. 
A)  Because positive words work better, negative words should not be used in business communication. 
B)  Positive wording helps put readers in a receptive frame of mind. 
C)  Positive words are a form of exaggeration. 
D)  Positive words often cause readers to doubt the truthfulness of your message. 
E)  Being positive means simply stating the facts.

Question 14

When delivering negative news, you should

Accepted Answer

A)  use little space on stating the negative point and a lot of space helping the reader receive it as positively as possible. 
B)  keep the message as brief as possible. 
C)  not mention the negative information and instead focus on positive news using explanatory, cushioning words. 
D)  spend a full paragraph delivering the negative news. 
E)  focus primarily on conveying the negative information as clearly as possible. 
A)  use little space on stating the negative point and a lot of space helping the reader receive it as positively as possible. 
B)  keep the message as brief as possible. 
C)  not mention the negative information and instead focus on positive news using explanatory, cushioning words. 
D)  spend a full paragraph delivering the negative news. 
E)  focus primarily on conveying the negative information as clearly as possible.

Question 15

Which approach to ethics is focused on achieving the greatest good for the largest number of people?

Accepted Answer

A)  Aristotelian ethics 
B)  Kantian ethics 
C)  utilitarian ethics 
D)  humanitarian ethics 
E)  coordinating ethics 
A)  Aristotelian ethics 
B)  Kantian ethics 
C)  utilitarian ethics 
D)  humanitarian ethics 
E)  coordinating ethics

Question 16

Anatoly dislikes his job and finds it very boring. Each day when he goes to work, he gets only the most necessary tasks done, then spends the rest of his day reading articles and interacting on social media. Which unethical practice is Anatoly guilty of?

Accepted Answer

A)  undermining his employer 
B)  playing political games 
C)  taking advantage of others 
D)  wasting others' time 
E)  discrimination 
A)  undermining his employer 
B)  playing political games 
C)  taking advantage of others 
D)  wasting others' time 
E)  discrimination

Question 17

Alonso, an event planner for a conference center, receives an email from a potential customer who wants to book the conference center's largest space to host a real estate seminar. Since the space is booked on the date specified by the customer, Alonso needs to turn down the customer's request. Which of the following delivers this message in the most positive manner?

Accepted Answer

A)  This is in reply to your request for one of our conference rooms. I regret to inform you that our largest conference room is booked for your specified date. Would you be interested in booking a space for a different date? 
B)  I have received your request for our largest conference room. As this is the peak exhibition season, we cannot comply with your request as the room is booked for the date specified. We sincerely hope to be contacted at a later time. 
C)  I am sorry to inform you that the largest room at the conference center is booked. I have instead sent you a list of the other rooms that are available. 
D)  Thank you for choosing us. I'm sorry to inform you that the largest conference room is unavailable for the date that you have mentioned. You can still choose from several other dates. 
E)  Although our largest conference center is booked for the specified date, some slightly smaller spaces are still available. I have attached a document with the specifications and price listings for those rooms. 
A)  This is in reply to your request for one of our conference rooms. I regret to inform you that our largest conference room is booked for your specified date. Would you be interested in booking a space for a different date? 
B)  I have received your request for our largest conference room. As this is the peak exhibition season, we cannot comply with your request as the room is booked for the date specified. We sincerely hope to be contacted at a later time. 
C)  I am sorry to inform you that the largest room at the conference center is booked. I have instead sent you a list of the other rooms that are available. 
D)  Thank you for choosing us. I'm sorry to inform you that the largest conference room is unavailable for the date that you have mentioned. You can still choose from several other dates. 
E)  Although our largest conference center is booked for the specified date, some slightly smaller spaces are still available. I have attached a document with the specifications and price listings for those rooms.

Question 18

Margaret does landscaping design for businesses. Because of her experience, she always has a general idea of how much something will cost and will share that number with potential clients, but she has an assistant price everything out just to be sure. She has just received her assistant's price quote for an extremely important project, and it is much higher than the amount she told the client. However, she knows that if she introduces the increased price gradually over the course of the project by saying things like "The rental fee on the backhoe was higher than expected" and "That load of rock cost an additional $500 because...," the client will pay for it. When the client asks if her original estimate was accurate, Margaret says yes. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  a lie of omission. 
B)  a lie of commission. 
C)  an ethical lie. 
D)  ethically de-emphasizing the negative. 
E)  following Aristotelian ethics. 
A)  a lie of omission. 
B)  a lie of commission. 
C)  an ethical lie. 
D)  ethically de-emphasizing the negative. 
E)  following Aristotelian ethics.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about restraint is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Restraint means being true to your ethical principles in all situations. 
B)  Restraint means looking the other way when someone does something, even if your ethics mean you disagree. 
C)  Restraint means figuring out how to steer people in the direction you want them to go. 
D)  Restraint means taking the time to think before you act. 
E)  Restraint means omitting details, even if they are important, if you think they could harm your position. 
A)  Restraint means being true to your ethical principles in all situations. 
B)  Restraint means looking the other way when someone does something, even if your ethics mean you disagree. 
C)  Restraint means figuring out how to steer people in the direction you want them to go. 
D)  Restraint means taking the time to think before you act. 
E)  Restraint means omitting details, even if they are important, if you think they could harm your position.

Question 20

Devonee has been tasked with writing a product review, and is required to discuss both the positive and negative features of the product. In order to emphasize the pros and de-emphasize the cons of the product, she should

Accepted Answer

A)  discuss positive points at the beginning and middle of the review, and include negative points at the end. 
B)  start off with neutral statements and end with negative points. 
C)  start and end her review with positive points and place the negative points in the middle. 
D)  start with the negative points and end with the positive points. 
E)  distribute her coverage of positive and negative points throughout the review. 
A)  discuss positive points at the beginning and middle of the review, and include negative points at the end. 
B)  start off with neutral statements and end with negative points. 
C)  start and end her review with positive points and place the negative points in the middle. 
D)  start with the negative points and end with the positive points. 
E)  distribute her coverage of positive and negative points throughout the review.

Which of the following sentences is gender-neutral?

The use of rubber stamps in business messages signals that you have quit thinking about the reader's actual situation.

Since positive words are the most effective for achieving desired effects, negative words should not be used in business messages.

Which ethical model asks the question "What would a virtuous person do?"

Explain why it is important to choose the right level of formality for a message, and give examples of a situation when you would use a more formal style and a situation when you would use a less formal style.

Which of the following statements best illustrates the you-viewpoint?

Less important information can best be de-emphasized in a business message by including it

Which of the followings sentences exhibits the you-viewpoint?

One good way to avoid blaming the reader is to use "you" frequently in your message.

Which of the following sentences de-emphasizes the negative?

Kantian ethics fails to account for

Why is the following statement potentially insulting to its recipient? "You will want to take advantage of this exciting opportunity before its too late!"

Which of the following statements about positive words is true?

When delivering negative news, you should

Which approach to ethics is focused on achieving the greatest good for the largest number of people?

Anatoly dislikes his job and finds it very boring. Each day when he goes to work, he gets only the most necessary tasks done, then spends the rest of his day reading articles and interacting on social media. Which unethical practice is Anatoly guilty of?

Which of the following statements about restraint is true?

Devonee has been tasked with writing a product review, and is required to discuss both the positive and negative features of the product. In order to emphasize the pros and de-emphasize the cons of the product, she should

Communicating in the Workplace

Writing Effectively for Your Audience, Purpose, and Medium

Designing Documents With Visual Appeal

Communicating With Visuals

Crafting Effective Sentences and Paragraphs

Communicating Across Cultures

Writing Good-News and Neutral Messages

Writing Bad-News Messages

Writing Persuasive Messages and Proposals

Researching Writing Reports

Creating the Right Type of Report

Delivering Business Presentations and Speeches

Putting Interpersonal Communication Skills to Work in Conversations and Meetings

Communicating in the Job Search

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Exam 6: Building Positive Relationships Through Communication

Which of the following sentences is gender-neutral?

The use of rubber stamps in business messages signals that you have quit thinking about the reader's actual situation.

Since positive words are the most effective for achieving desired effects, negative words should not be used in business messages.

Which ethical model asks the question "What would a virtuous person do?"

Explain why it is important to choose the right level of formality for a message, and give examples of a situation when you would use a more formal style and a situation when you would use a less formal style.

Which of the following statements best illustrates the you-viewpoint?

Less important information can best be de-emphasized in a business message by including it

Which of the followings sentences exhibits the you-viewpoint?

One good way to avoid blaming the reader is to use "you" frequently in your message.

Which of the following sentences de-emphasizes the negative?

Kantian ethics fails to account for

Why is the following statement potentially insulting to its recipient? "You will want to take advantage of this exciting opportunity before its too late!"

Which of the following statements about positive words is true?

When delivering negative news, you should

Which approach to ethics is focused on achieving the greatest good for the largest number of people?

Anatoly dislikes his job and finds it very boring. Each day when he goes to work, he gets only the most necessary tasks done, then spends the rest of his day reading articles and interacting on social media. Which unethical practice is Anatoly guilty of?

Which of the following statements about restraint is true?

Devonee has been tasked with writing a product review, and is required to discuss both the positive and negative features of the product. In order to emphasize the pros and de-emphasize the cons of the product, she should

Communicating in the Workplace

Writing Effectively for Your Audience, Purpose, and Medium

Designing Documents With Visual Appeal

Communicating With Visuals

Crafting Effective Sentences and Paragraphs

Communicating Across Cultures

Writing Good-News and Neutral Messages

Writing Bad-News Messages

Writing Persuasive Messages and Proposals

Researching Writing Reports

Creating the Right Type of Report

Delivering Business Presentations and Speeches

Putting Interpersonal Communication Skills to Work in Conversations and Meetings

Communicating in the Job Search

Filters