Excellence in Business Communication, 12e (Thill/Bovee)
Chapter 1 Professional Communication in a Digital, Social, Mobile World
1) Which of the following best describes the communication process?
A) transferring information and meaning
B) listening actively
C) writing messages
D) speaking to others
E) providing data that benefits the speaker
Answer: A
Explanation: A) Communication is the process of transferring information and meaning between senders and receivers, using one or more written, oral, visual, or electronic media. The other answers are only part of the communication process.
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the companies where you will work.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
2) Which of the following results in additional pressure on communication skills?
A) having great ideas
B) rising higher within the organization
C) connecting with decision-makers outside of your area of expertise
D) established company networks
E) the changing nature of employment
Answer: E
Explanation: E) Ambition and great ideas aren't enough. You'll need to communicate with a wide variety of people if you want to succeed in business. The changing nature of employment is putting new pressure on communication skills, too. Many companies now supplement their permanent workforces with independent contractors who are brought on for a short period or even just a single project.
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the companies where you will work.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Easy
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
3) Which of the following is most affected by effective communication by a company?
A) the nation
B) the suppliers
C) the competitors
D) the world
E) the stakeholders
Answer: E
Explanation: E) Stakeholders are those groups of people affected in some way by the company's actions—like customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, neighbors, the community, the nation, and even the world. The other groups of people are only one subset of all stakeholders.
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the companies where you will work.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
4) Which of the following is not a characteristic of effective business messages?
A) They provide practical information.
B) They present the writer's opinions as facts.
C) They state precise audience responsibilities.
D) They highlight and summarize essential information.
E) They are short.
Answer: B
Explanation: B) Opinions should be presented as opinions. If opinions are called for, give compelling evidence to support your opinion or conclusion. All the other answers are characteristics of effective business messages.
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the companies where you will work.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
5) All of the following except ________ will make your business messages more effective.
A) providing practical information
B) clarifying expectations and responsibilities
C) presenting information concisely and efficiently
D) discussing personal issues and complaining about problems
E) showing readers how they will benefit by responding the way you want them to
Answer: D
Explanation: D) To make your communication efforts as effective as possible, focus on making them practical, factual, concise, clear, and persuasive.
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the companies where you will work.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
6) How do executives in established firms spend the majority of their time?
A) budgeting
B) traveling
C) communicating
D) plying their trade
Chapter 1 Professional Communication in a Digital, Social, Mobile World
1) Which of the following best describes the communication process?
A) transferring information and meaning
B) listening actively
C) writing messages
D) speaking to others
E) providing data that benefits the speaker
Answer: A
Explanation: A) Communication is the process of transferring information and meaning between senders and receivers, using one or more written, oral, visual, or electronic media. The other answers are only part of the communication process.
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the companies where you will work.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
2) Which of the following results in additional pressure on communication skills?
A) having great ideas
B) rising higher within the organization
C) connecting with decision-makers outside of your area of expertise
D) established company networks
E) the changing nature of employment
Answer: E
Explanation: E) Ambition and great ideas aren't enough. You'll need to communicate with a wide variety of people if you want to succeed in business. The changing nature of employment is putting new pressure on communication skills, too. Many companies now supplement their permanent workforces with independent contractors who are brought on for a short period or even just a single project.
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the companies where you will work.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Easy
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
3) Which of the following is most affected by effective communication by a company?
A) the nation
B) the suppliers
C) the competitors
D) the world
E) the stakeholders
Answer: E
Explanation: E) Stakeholders are those groups of people affected in some way by the company's actions—like customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, neighbors, the community, the nation, and even the world. The other groups of people are only one subset of all stakeholders.
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the companies where you will work.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
4) Which of the following is not a characteristic of effective business messages?
A) They provide practical information.
B) They present the writer's opinions as facts.
C) They state precise audience responsibilities.
D) They highlight and summarize essential information.
E) They are short.
Answer: B
Explanation: B) Opinions should be presented as opinions. If opinions are called for, give compelling evidence to support your opinion or conclusion. All the other answers are characteristics of effective business messages.
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the companies where you will work.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
5) All of the following except ________ will make your business messages more effective.
A) providing practical information
B) clarifying expectations and responsibilities
C) presenting information concisely and efficiently
D) discussing personal issues and complaining about problems
E) showing readers how they will benefit by responding the way you want them to
Answer: D
Explanation: D) To make your communication efforts as effective as possible, focus on making them practical, factual, concise, clear, and persuasive.
LO: 1.1: Explain the importance of effective communication to your career and to the companies where you will work.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Discuss the challenges and importance of business communication
6) How do executives in established firms spend the majority of their time?
A) budgeting
B) traveling
C) communicating
D) plying their trade