Chapter 4 Test

1.

1 point

In general, traditional business messages rely

primarily on graphical elements (such as charts and diagrams) and less on text.

entirely on graphical elements, with no text to slow the audience down.

primarily on text, with occasional support from graphical elements. (such as charts and diagrams).

entirely on text, with no graphical elements to distract the audience.

2.

1 point

When your message is complex and includes a large amount of information,

a variety of techniques (such as brainstorming) can help determine your main idea.

audiences will not expect you to have only one main idea.

it is not necessary to determine a single main idea, as long as you are clear about your topic.

effective communicators realize that trying to find a single main idea is a waste of time.

3.

1 point

In general, audiences are likely to

ignore poor organization if the message is important.

fully understand most messages, even those that are poorly organized.

form inaccurate conclusions from poorly organized messages.

feel more comfortable with free-flowing, disorganized messages than with those that are rigidly structured.

4.

1 point

Poorly organized messages are unlikely to be effective, regardless of their content.

True

False

5.

1 point

A key advantage of oral communication is

the opportunity to get immediate feedback.

not having to worry about unconsciously conveying undesirable messages.

the opportunity to meet an audience's information needs.

the ability to plan and control the message.

6.

1 point

Inexperienced communicators may be tempted to

dive directly into writing the message without taking sufficient time to plan.

seek excessive input from colleagues when creating messages.

overestimate the time it takes to complete business messages.

waste too much time revising and editing messages.

7.

1 point

When analyzing your audience, you should ignore everyone except the key decision makers.

True

False

8.

1 point

Using oral media for business communication

should always be your first choice, regardless of the situation.

is increasingly necessary, due to the declining reliance on email.

can lead to awkward conversations, but also help you earn a reputation as an honest, caring manager.

can be unwise when you don't want a lot of questions or interaction.

9.

1 point

Form letters in business

are still common, but only for negative messages.

are now linked by statistics to reduced profits and loss of customers.

are rarely used, since companies now realize how much customers dislike impersonal messages.

can be helpful when communicating about routine matters.

10.

1 point

Choosing the right medium for your message

is important only when communicating with managers and supervisors

is vital for external communication, but not important for internal communication.

is not important as long as the content of your message is accurate.

is an important communication skill.

11.

1 point

If your audience will be skeptical of or resistant to your message,

state your main idea and then present your evidence.

present your conclusions first to arouse the audience's interest in your message.

open with a humorous anecdote to establish rapport with the audience.

start with the evidence and build your case before presenting your main idea.

12.

1 point

Which of the following media would be best for sending a brief internal message (requiring no response from your audience) about an upcoming software update?

Email

Formal Letter

Videoconference

Blog

13.

1 point

When gathering information for a business message, keep in mind that audiences respond best to information that

has been filtered and prioritized according to their needs.

has not been categorized or grouped in any way.

approximates the findings from their own research efforts.

they could have found by doing their own research.

14.

1 point

As it applies to business communication, writing in a well-organized manner

encourages your readers to accept the message.

allows your readers to save time.

enhances your reputation in the workplace.

all of the above

15.

1 point

A potential downside to the use of electronic media in business communication involves

maintaining employee productivity.

delivering messages quickly.

reaching geographically dispersed audiences.

promoting audience interaction.