FREE CLBA Writing Questions and Answers
Writing an email cover letter:
Which of these phrases can you use to complete this sentence?
'I'm writing ___ the job advertisement for the position of IT consultant.'
Explanation:
*In response to: This phrase indicates that you are writing because of something that has been said or done (in this case, the job advertisement).
*Regarding: This phrase is used to indicate that the content of your message pertains to or concerns something specific (such as the job advertisement).
*With regards to: This phrase is used similarly to ""regarding,"" indicating that your message relates to or concerns something specific.
Each of these phrases can appropriately follow the introductory part of your sentence to express why you are writing the email cover letter in relation to the job advertisement for the position of IT consultant.
Writing an email to request time off:
Which is the best request?
Explanation:
"I would like to take five days of annual leave": This phrasing is polite and respectful. It shows your intention clearly without sounding demanding or entitled.
"I want to take five days of annual leave": While not necessarily rude, this phrasing can come across as more direct and less formal than "I would like."
"I need to take five days of annual leave": This can sound more urgent and might imply that you have a pressing reason for needing time off, which may or may not be appropriate depending on the context.
Therefore, "I would like to take five days of annual leave" is the best request as it maintains a professional tone while clearly stating your intention to take time off.
Writing an email cover letter:
Before writing your name, how can you sign off your email?
Explanation:
*Ciao!: This is informal and more suitable for casual or personal emails, not for professional cover letters.
*Laters,: This is very informal and should not be used in a professional context like a cover letter.
*Bye,: While it is a friendly way to end an email, it is still considered informal for a cover letter. It can be used in personal or less formal business correspondence.
*Best regards: This is a standard and professional way to sign off a formal email or cover letter. It shows respect and is appropriate for business communication.
Therefore, when concluding your email cover letter, Best regards would be the most suitable option from those provided.
Writing a Professional Profile:
I have a proven ability to _____ strong relationships with customers and key stakeholders.
Explanation:
*Meet: This verb typically means to come into the presence or company of someone. While meeting with customers and stakeholders is important, it doesn't necessarily imply the development or establishment of relationships.
*Support: This verb means to give assistance to someone or something. While supporting relationships is important, it doesn't capture the action of initiating or forming relationships.
*Build: This verb means to construct or develop something over time. In the context of relationships, it implies creating, nurturing, and strengthening connections with customers and stakeholders.
Therefore, build is the most appropriate word choice here, emphasizing the proactive action of establishing and maintaining strong relationships in a professional profile.
Writing a Professional Profile:
During this role, I _____ specialist knowledge and skills in the area.
Explanation:
*Developed: This verb implies that you actively acquired, improved, or cultivated specialist knowledge and skills in the specific area during your role. It indicates personal growth and the acquisition of expertise.
*Supported: This verb implies providing assistance or backing to something or someone, which doesn't quite fit the context of acquiring knowledge and skills.
*Made: This verb typically refers to creating or producing something, rather than acquiring knowledge or skills.
*Therefore, "developed" is the most suitable word to convey the idea that you gained and improved your specialist knowledge and skills during your role.
Writing an email cover letter:
Which of these should you NOT use to start a cover letter or email?
Explanation:
*Dear Mr Kelly: This is a formal and respectful way to address a specific person, using their surname with a title (Mr).
*Dear HR Talents: This is acceptable if you are addressing a specific department or team within a company in a formal manner.
*Dear Sir/Madam: This is appropriate when you do not know the name of the recipient and are addressing a generic person or department.
*Hi Stephen: This is too informal for a cover letter or formal email. It's better to use a more professional greeting, especially if you are addressing someone for the first time or in a business context.
Therefore, Hi Stephen is the option you should not use to start a cover letter or email, as it is too casual for professional communication.
Writing an email to request time off:
Which is the best first line?
Explanation:
"I'm writing to request a day of annual leave on Friday 2 May to attend my son's graduation ceremony." This option is clear, and specific, and directly states the reason and date for the requested time off.
Writing an email to request time off:
Which is the best ending?
Explanation:
"Please let me know if you need any additional information. Thank you for your consideration of my request." This option is courteous, and professional, and offers assistance if needed, which is appreciated in business communication.
Writing an email to request time off:
Which is the best way to assure the manager that your work will be covered while you're away?
Explanation:
"Upon your approval, I will leave detailed instructions for the team to cover my work." This shows initiative and readiness to plan for your absence once you receive approval from the manager.
This is the best way to assure the manager that your work will be covered while you're away because it demonstrates responsibility and proactive preparation contingent upon approval.
Writing a Professional Profile:
Over the past 18 months, I have _____ different roles across the telecommunications sector.
Explanation:
*Done: This verb typically implies completing a task or activity rather than holding a position or role.
*Worked: While this is generally correct, ""held"" is more appropriate when referring to roles or positions because it specifically indicates you have occupied or held those roles.
*Held: This verb is commonly used in professional contexts to indicate that someone has been in a particular position or job role.
Therefore, the most appropriate word to use in this context is held, as it accurately describes occupying or being in various roles within the telecommunications sector over the past 18 months.
Writing a Professional Profile:
I _____ project teams from other departments.
Explanation:
*Supported: This implies providing assistance, guidance, or resources to project teams from other departments.
*Worked: This implies collaborating or being a member of project teams from other departments.
*Produced: This implies creating or generating something tangible or an outcome for project teams from other departments.
Given the context of likely describing involvement with project teams from other departments, ""supported"" would be the most appropriate choice