Writing for Communication Flashcards

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to join two related independent clauses?

Answer: She finished the report on time; her manager was very pleased.

A semicolon joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction; adding 'and' after it is incorrect.

When responding to a job posting, which document format is most appropriate for listing your work history?

Answer: A chronological résumé listing positions from most recent to oldest

A chronological résumé is the standard format expected by Canadian employers and organizes experience clearly.

Which sentence avoids gender-biased language?

Answer: Each employee should submit their timesheet by Friday.

Using the singular 'their' is now widely accepted as a gender-neutral pronoun and avoids excluding anyone.

You need to write a short note to a colleague asking them to cover your shift. Which tone is most appropriate?

Answer: Friendly but clear, explaining the reason and expressing appreciation

A message to a colleague should be warm and considerate while still being clear about the request and showing appreciation.

Which of the following is an example of a compound sentence?

Answer: I applied for the job, and I got an interview.

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction such as 'and.'

In an email with a formal tone, which subject line is most appropriate for requesting a meeting?

Answer: Meeting Request: Q3 Budget Review – August 20

An effective subject line is specific, identifies the purpose and relevant details, and avoids vague or alarmist language.

Which sentence is an example of parallel structure?

Answer: She likes reading, writing, and editing documents.

Parallel structure requires that items in a list use the same grammatical form; here, all three are gerunds (-ing form).