Oral & Written Communication Flashcards

Which sentence demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement?

Answer: Neither the coach nor the players were informed.

When 'neither...nor' connects subjects, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it — 'players' is plural, so 'were' is correct.

A speaker uses the phrase 'in other words' during a presentation. This transitional phrase signals that the speaker is about to:

Answer: Clarify or restate a point

'In other words' is a transitional phrase used to restate or clarify a previous statement in simpler terms.

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

Answer: Although it was raining, they continued the game.

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause; 'Although it was raining' is the dependent clause.

When giving an oral presentation, maintaining eye contact with the audience primarily helps the speaker:

Answer: Build credibility and engagement

Eye contact establishes a connection with the audience, enhances the speaker's credibility, and keeps listeners engaged.

Which revision best corrects the dangling modifier in this sentence? 'Running to catch the bus, the bag was dropped.'

Answer: Running to catch the bus, she dropped the bag.

A dangling modifier is fixed by ensuring the subject of the sentence is the one performing the action in the modifier phrase.

A student writes: 'The committee have reached their decision.' This sentence reflects:

Answer: British English usage of collective nouns

In British English, collective nouns like 'committee' are often treated as plural and take plural verbs, unlike standard American English usage.

Which element is most important when adapting a written message for a specific audience?

Answer: Matching vocabulary and tone to the audience's knowledge level

Effective communication requires tailoring vocabulary, tone, and complexity to match what the audience can understand and relate to.