Test Your Business Communication IQ

1. Test Your Business Communication IQ

2. Q1: Which form of communication is most likely to be misinterpreted? Please select an answer below. • A phone call • E-Mail • Face-to-Face

3. Q1: Which form of communication is most likely to be misinterpreted? • A phone call • E-Mail • Face-to-Face Experts tell us that communication is about 60% visual cues and about 30% auditory cues. Less than 10% is based on the actual words we use. So E-mail has a 10% efficiency rating. A phone call (option “A”) adds audio cues, and face-to-face (option “C”) adds visual cues. If e-mail is your preference, choose your words carefully – or get ready to spend the rest of the day writing a string of e-mails clarifying the first one. Click here to continue.

4. Q1: Which form of communication is most likely to be misinterpreted? Experts tell us that communication is about 60% visual cues and about 30% auditory cues. Less than 10% is based on the actual words we use. So E-mail has a 10% efficiency rating. A phone call (option “A”) adds audio cues, and face-to-face (option “C”) adds visual cues. If e-mail is your preference, choose your words carefully – or get ready to spend the rest of the day writing a string of e-mails clarifying the first one. • A phone call • E-Mail • Face-to-Face

5. Q2: What is the best use of the subject line in an e-mail? Please select an answer below. • A “teaser” to pique curiosity • An indication of the importance of the message • A brief summary of the content

6. Q2: What is the best use of the subject line in an e-mail? • A “teaser” to pique curiosity • An indication of the importance of the message • A brief summary of the content The subject line should include enough information to decide whether to read or not. A “teaser” on the subject line (option “A”) can be an invitation to delete without reading. With option “B”, unless the importance indicated is the threat of unemployment, this could also be an invitation to delete or ignore. Click here to continue.

7. Q2: What is the best use of the subject line in an e-mail? The subject line should include enough information to decide whether to read or not. A “teaser” on the subject line (option “A”) can be an invitation to delete without reading. With option “B”, unless the importance indicated is the threat of unemployment, this could also be an invitation to delete or ignore. • A “teaser” to pique curiosity • An indication of the importance of the message • A brief summary of the content

8. Q3: When writing an e-mail, always ask yourself these three questions: Please select an answer below. • What’s the purpose? What’s the story? What’s the response? • What? So what? What now? • Who sends it? Who gets it? Who cares?

9. Q3: When writing an e-mail, always ask yourself these three questions: • What’s the purpose? What’s the story? What’s the response? • What? So what? What now? • Who sends it? Who gets it? Who cares? Answering these three questions in an e-mail assures a complete and succinct message. “B” is the format for debriefing participants in a Ropes course. “C” is just a handy guide for culling junk mail. Click here to continue.

10. Q3: When writing an e-mail, always ask yourself these three questions: Answering these three questions in an e-mail assures a complete and succinct message. “B” is the format for debriefing participants in a Ropes course. “C” is just a handy guide for culling junk mail. • What’s the purpose? What’s the story? What’s the response? • What? So what? What now? • Who sends it? Who gets it? Who cares?

11. Q4: Whom should be included in the “To” field in an e-mail? Please select an answer below. • Everyone who is mentioned in the e-mail • Everyone who must read the e-mail • Everyone who might be interested in the e-mail

12. Q4: Whom should be included in the “To” field in an e-mail? • Everyone who is mentioned in the e-mail • Everyone who must read the e-mail • Everyone who might be interested in the e-mail The “To” field should include everyone who must read the e-mail, because they need to know the content and/or respond to the message. “A” is problematic if the persons mentioned are fictional or dead. “C” is a good description of who should be included in the “cc” field. Click here to continue.

13. Q4: Whom should be included in the “To” field in an e-mail? The “To” field should include everyone who must read the e-mail, because they need to know the content and/or respond to the message. “A” is problematic if the persons mentioned are fictional or dead. “C” is a good description of who should be included in the “cc” field. • Everyone who is mentioned in the e-mail • Everyone who must read the e-mail • Everyone who might be interested in the e-mail

14. Q5: When is it time to edit a string of e-mails? Please select an answer below. • When the subject has changed • You would know if you understood string theory • Start reading it and delete all messages after your first yawn

15. Q5: When is it time to edit a string of e-mails? • When the subject has changed • You would know if you understood string theory • Start reading it and delete all messages after your first yawn An unedited string implies that the discussion topic is unchanged and everyone included is still impacted. If the topic changes, edit the string. “B” refers to a mind-boggling physics concept, not a mind-boggling e-mail string. “C” is an impractical (though often appealing) solution. Click here to continue.

16. Q5: When is it time to edit a string of e-mails? An unedited string implies that the discussion topic is unchanged and everyone included is still impacted. If the topic changes, edit the string. “B” refers to a mind-boggling physics concept, not a mind-boggling e-mail string. “C” is an impractical (though often appealing) solution. • When the subject has changed • You would know if you understood string theory • Start reading it and delete all messages after your first yawn

17. What’s Next? Select an Option below. • Learn about our Fat-Free E-Mail Workshop • Take another quiz Please note: Click the Exit button located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen to exit the quiz.

18. Q1: Which of the following writing habits will make you easier to understand? Please select an answer below. • Use short, simple sentences • Choose the passive voice • Use lots of adjectives and adverbs

19. Q1: Which of the following writing habits will make you easier to understand? • Use short, simple sentences • Choose the passive voice • Use lots of adjectives and adverbs Use short, simple sentences. Long, flowery sentences are useful chiefly to disguise the fact that you have no point. The passive voice (option “B”) hardly ever adds clarity to a statement; use the active voice. And lots of adjectives and adverbs (option “C”) generally add nothing but bulk to your message. Click here to continue.

20. Q1: Which of the following writing habits will make you easier to understand? Use short, simple sentences. Long, flowery sentences are useful chiefly to disguise the fact that you have no point. The passive voice (option “B”) hardly ever adds clarity to a statement; use the active voice. And lots of adjectives and adverbs (option “C”) generally add nothing but bulk to your message. • Use short, simple sentences • Choose the passive voice • Use lots of adjectives and adverbs

21. Q2: The best way to start a writing communication is: Please select an answer below. • Come up with a really clever opening statement • Plan and organize what you’re going to say • Have a cup of coffee and a nutritious snack

22. Q2: The best way to start a writing communication is: • Come up with a really clever opening statement • Plan and organize what you’re going to say • Have a cup of coffee and a nutritious snack You may get a kick out of your own devilish cleverness (option “A”). You may find value in getting an extra dose of caffeine (option “C”). But nothing will help you communicate more quickly and clearly than a good plan before you write. Click here to continue.

23. Q2: The best way to start a writing communication is: You may get a kick out of your own devilish cleverness (option “A”). You may find value in getting an extra dose of caffeine (option “C”). But nothing will help you communicate more quickly and clearly than a good plan before you write • Come up with a really clever opening statement • Plan and organize what you’re going to say • Have a cup of coffee and a nutritious snack

24. Q3: Which of these punctuation rules is incorrect? Please select an answer below. • Use periods to end a single thought • Use commas to separate items in a list • Use an apostrophe and “s” to form the plural

25. Q3: Which of these punctuation rules is incorrect? • Use periods to end a single thought • Use commas to separate items in a list • Use an apostrophe and “s” to form the plural Despite what you might read on mailboxes throughout the rural South, it’s almost never appropriate to use an apostrophe to form a plural. It is correct to use the one-thought, one-sentence rule (option “A”), and to use commas to separate every item in a list (option “B”). Click here to continue.

26. Q3: Which of these punctuation rules is incorrect? Despite what you might read on mailboxes throughout the rural South, it’s almost never appropriate to use an apostrophe to form a plural. It is correct to use the one-thought, one-sentence rule (option “A”), and to use commas to separate every item in a list (option “B”). • Use periods to end a single thought • Use commas to separate items in a list • Use an apostrophe and “s” to form the plural

27. Q4: Before you submit your document, what’s a good final step? Please select an answer below. • Ask yourself if this will help your career • Read what you’ve written out loud • Sit on it for 24 hours

28. Q4: Before you submit your document, what’s a good final step? • Ask yourself if this will help your career • Read what you’ve written out loud • Sit on it for 24 hours If you read what you’ve written out loud, you’ll more easily notice what needs revision – for meaning, clarity, brevity, or elimination. Many documents you write are necessary (option “A”), even if they have nothing to do with your career. “Sitting on it” (option “C”) may be problematic – as well as uncomfortable. Many situations require an immediate response. Click here to continue.

29. Q4: Before you submit your document, what’s a good final step? If you read what you’ve written out loud, you’ll more easily notice what needs revision – for meaning, clarity, brevity, or elimination. Many documents you write are necessary (option “A”), even if they have nothing to do with your career. “Sitting on it” (option “C”) may be problematic – as well as uncomfortable. Many situations require an immediate response. • Ask yourself if this will help your career • Read what you’ve written out loud • Sit on it for 24 hours

30. Q5: The best way to use a run-on sentence is: Please select an answer below. • To announce the results of a track meet • To make sure you’re absolutely, positively clear about the point you’re making • Not to use it

31. Q5: The best way to use a run-on sentence is: • To announce the results of a track meet • To make sure you’re absolutely, positively clear about the point you’re making • Not to use it Each sentence should contain a single thought. If you have two thoughts, make two sentences. Run-on sentences (option “B”) will never add clarity to a statement. If you ever do get to report on a track meet (option “A”), speedy comprehension will be as critical as a speedy finish. Click here to continue.

32. Q5: The best way to use a run-on sentence is: Each sentence should contain a single thought. If you have two thoughts, make two sentences. Run-on sentences (option “B”) will never add clarity to a statement. If you ever do get to report on a track meet (option “A”), speedy comprehension will be as critical as a speedy finish. • To announce the results of a track meet • To make sure you’re absolutely, positively clear about the point you’re making • Not to use it

33. What’s Next? Select an Option below. • Learn about our Fat-Free Business Writing Workshop • Take another quiz Please note: Click the Exit button located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen to exit the quiz.

34. Q1: What is an effective way to reduce anxiety about giving a presentation? Please select an answer below. • Schedule at least four rewrites for a "lean and mean" text • Allow for adequate preparation and practice time • Visualize all the ways you could possibly fail so you are prepared for the worst

35. Q1: What is an effective way to reduce anxiety about giving a presentation? • Schedule at least four rewrites for a "lean and mean" text • Allow for adequate preparation and practice time • Visualize all the ways you could possibly fail so you are prepared for the worst A lack of practice and preparation will undermine your confidence and increase your anxiety. “A” may give you a better text, but without preparation and practice your anxiety level will still be high. “C” is a negative pill. It's doubtful that an awareness of the many ways you can fail will increase your confidence. Click here to continue.

36. Q1: What is an effective way to reduce anxiety about giving a presentation? A lack of practice and preparation will undermine your confidence and increase your anxiety. “A” may give you a better text, but without preparation and practice your anxiety level will still be high. “C” is a negative pill. It's doubtful that an awareness of the many ways you can fail will increase your confidence. • Schedule at least four rewrites for a "lean and mean" text • Allow for adequate preparation and practice time • Visualize all the ways you could possibly fail so you are prepared for the worst

37. Q2: One strategy for managing an attack of nerves during a presentation is to: Please select an answer below. • Use the nervous energy to pace back and forth in front of your audience • Keep your hands in your pockets if they’re shaking • Breathe in and out in a regular pattern

38. Q2: One strategy for managing an attack of nerves during a presentation is to: • Use the nervous energy to pace back and forth in front of your audience • Keep your hands in your pockets if they’re shaking • Breathe in and out in a regular pattern One of the symptoms of nervousness is shallow breathing, which can affect your voice quality, and maybe your consciousness. Choices “A” and “B” are obvious signs that you are nervous, and you’re not fooling anyone. Click here to continue.

39. Q2: One strategy for managing an attack of nerves during a presentation is to: One of the symptoms of nervousness is shallow breathing, which can affect your voice quality, and maybe your consciousness. Choices “A” and “B” are obvious signs that you are nervous, and you’re not fooling anyone. • Use the nervous energy to pace back and forth in front of your audience • Keep your hands in your pockets if they’re shaking • Breathe in and out in a regular pattern

40. Q3: What is a good device for grabbing the attention of an audience when you start a presentation? Please select an answer below. • Point out where the bathrooms are located • Use a “hook” to engage their curiosity • Identify all the important people in the room

41. Q3: What is a good device for grabbing the attention of an audience when you start a presentation? • Point out where the bathrooms are located • Use a “hook” to engage their curiosity • Identify all the important people in the room The “hook” can be any device to start your presentation in an unusual way. Examples include a relevant story, a little known fact, some compromising Facebook pictures, etc. Choices “A” and “C” may have some interest for your audience, but that interest might be in leaving. Click here to continue.

42. Q3: What is a good device for grabbing the attention of an audience when you start a presentation? The “hook” can be any device to start your presentation in an unusual way. Examples include a relevant story, a little known fact, some compromising Facebook pictures, etc. Choices “A” and “C” may have some interest for your audience, but that interest might be in leaving. • Point out where the bathrooms are located • Use a “hook” to engage their curiosity • Identify all the important people in the room

43. Q4: Which of the following is not a pitfall when using PowerPoint? Please select an answer below. • Including lots of photos and graphics • Including the full text of your speech so you can use it for your notes • Including minutely detailed drawings of anything too complicated to explain

44. Q4: Which of the following is not a pitfall when using PowerPoint? • Including lots of photos and graphics • Including the full text of your speech so you can use it for your notes • Including minutely detailed drawings of anything too complicated to explain An audience needs variety in the PowerPoint visuals to keep their attention. “B” is definitely the wrong answer. If you’re reading your text off the screen, your back will be to the audience – making it impossible to know when the audience has left. Choice “C” would require audience members to either move closer to the screen – or turn their attention to their smart phones. Click here to continue.

45. Q4: Which of the following is not a pitfall when using PowerPoint? An audience needs variety in the PowerPoint visuals to keep their attention. “B” is definitely the wrong answer. If you’re reading your text off the screen, your back will be to the audience – making it impossible to know when the audience has left. Choice “C” would require audience members to either move closer to the screen – or turn their attention to their smart phones. • Including lots of photos and graphics • Including the full text of your speech so you can use it for your notes • Including minutely detailed drawings of anything too complicated to explain

46. Q5: What is essential when ending a presentation? Please select an answer below. • A “thank you” to all the little people who made your presentation possible • A brief summation of your main points • A reminder of why you are considered an authority

47. Q5: What is essential when ending a presentation? • A “thank you” to all the little people who made your presentation possible • A brief summation of your main points • A reminder of why you are considered an authority Briefly summarizing your talk helps the audience remember the content. “A” is sure to suck the energy out of the room. “C” is so wrong. If you have to remind the audience that you know what you are talking about – you don't. Click here to continue.

48. Q5: What is essential when ending a presentation? Briefly summarizing your talk helps the audience remember the content. “A” is sure to suck the energy out of the room. “C” is so wrong. If you have to remind the audience that you know what you are talking about – you don't. • A “thank you” to all the little people who made your presentation possible • A brief summation of your main points • A reminder of why you are considered an authority

49. What’s Next? Select an Option below. • Learn about our Fat-Free Presentations Workshop • Take another quiz Please note: Click the Exit button located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen to exit the quiz.