Test Your Business Communication IQ

Test Your Business Communication IQ

Q1: Which form of communication is most likely to be misinterpreted?

A. A phone callB. E-MailC. Face-to-Face

Please select an answer below.



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.

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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.

Q2: What is the best use of the subject line in an e-mail?

A. A “teaser” to pique curiosityB. An

indication of the importance of the message

C. A brief summary of the content



A. A “teaser” to pique curiosityB. An indication of the importance of the

messageC. 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.



A. A “teaser” to pique curiosityB. An indication of the importance of the

messageC. 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.

Q3: When writing an e-mail, always ask yourself these three questions:

A. What’s the purpose? What’s the story? What’s the response?

B. What? So what? What now?C. 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.





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.

Q4: Whom should be included in the “To” field in an e-mail?

A. Everyone who is mentioned in the e-mailB. Everyone who must read the e-mailC. Everyone who might be interested in the

e-mail




e-mailThe “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.




e-mailThe “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.

Q5: When is it time to edit a string of e-mails?

A. When the subject has changedB. You would know if you understood string

theoryC. Start reading it and delete all messages

after your first yawn





after your first yawnAn 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.





after your first yawnAn 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.

What’s Next? Select an Option below.

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Please note: Click the Exit button located in the upper right-hand corner of the screen to exit the quiz.

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Q1: Which of the following writing habits will make you easier to understand?

A. Use short, simple sentencesB. Choose the passive voiceC. 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.




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.

Q2: The best way to start a writing communication is:

A. Come up with a really clever opening statement

B. Plan and organize what you’re going to say

C. 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.






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

Q3: Which of these punctuation rules is incorrect?

A. Use periods to end a single thoughtB. Use commas to separate items in a listC. Use an apostrophe and “s” to form the pl

ural



A. Use periods to end a single thoughtB. Use commas to separate items in a listC. 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”).



A. Use periods to end a single thoughtB. Use commas to separate items in a listC. 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”).

Q4: Before you submit your document, what’s a good final step?

A. Ask yourself if this will help your careerB. Read what you’ve written out loudC. 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.




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.

Q5: The best way to use a run-on sentence is:

A. To announce the results of a track meetB. To make sure you’re absolutely, positivel

y clear about the point you’re makingC. Not to use it



A. To announce the results of a track meetB. To make sure you’re absolutely,

positively clear about the point you’re making

C. Not to use itEach 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.



A. To announce the results of a track meetB. To make sure you’re absolutely,

positively clear about the point you’re making

C. Not to use itEach 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.

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Q1: What is an effective way to reduce anxiety about giving a presentation?

A. Schedule at least four rewrites for a "lean and mean" text

B. Allow for adequate preparation and practice time

C. 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.






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.

Q2: One strategy for managing an attack of nerves during a presentation is to:

A. Use the nervous energy to pace back and forth in front of your audience

B. Keep your hands in your pockets if they’re shaking

C. 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.






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.

Q3: What is a good device for grabbing the attention of an audience when you start a presentation?

A. Point out where the bathrooms are located

B. Use a “hook” to engage their curiosityC. Identify all the important people in the ro

om




B. Use a “hook” to engage their curiosity

C. Identify all the important people in the roomThe “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.




B. Use a “hook” to engage their curiosity

C. Identify all the important people in the roomThe “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.

Q4: Which of the following is not a pitfall when using PowerPoint?

A. Including lots of photos and graphicsB. Including the full text of your speech so y

ou can use it for your notesC. Including minutely detailed drawings of a

nything too complicated to explain



A. Including lots of photos and graphicsB. Including the full text of your speech so

you can use it for your notesC. Including minutely detailed drawings of

anything too complicated to explainAn 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.



A. Including lots of photos and graphicsB. Including the full text of your speech so

you can use it for your notesC. Including minutely detailed drawings of

anything too complicated to explainAn 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.

Q5: What is essential when ending a presentation?

A. A “thank you” to all the little people who made your presentation possible

B. A brief summation of your main pointsC. A reminder of why you are considered an

authority




B. A brief summation of your main points

C. 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.




B. A brief summation of your main points

C. 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.

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Test Your Business Communication IQ

Documents

subject line option

option b

exit button

best use

messagea brief summary

upper righthand corner

curiosityan indication

following writing habits