LLN Reading and Writing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A form asks you to 'print in block letters'. What does this mean?
- Write in cursive handwriting
- Write in capital letters clearly (Correct answer)
- Type the information
- Use a pen only
Correct answer: Write in capital letters clearly
'Block letters' means writing in clear, separate capital letters, making the text easy to read.
'Block letters' or 'block capitals' refers to writing each letter separately in uppercase (capital letters) rather than in joined or cursive script. Australian government forms and official documents often specify this to ensure legibility for data entry and processing.
Question 2: A form instruction reads: 'Complete all fields marked with an asterisk (*). Leave blank any fields that do not apply.' A required field (*) asks for your employer's name. You are unemployed. What should you do?
- Leave it blank since it does not apply
- Write 'N/A' (Correct answer)
- Fill it in with your previous employer
- Ask someone else to complete the form
Correct answer: Write 'N/A'
Since the field is required (*), writing 'N/A' (Not Applicable) is the most appropriate way to indicate it doesn't apply while acknowledging it is a required field.
When a required field (marked with *) does not apply to you, the convention on Australian official forms is to write 'N/A' (Not Applicable) rather than leaving it blank. This signals to the form processor that you have not accidentally skipped the question. Blank required fields can cause delays in form processing.
Question 3: Which of the following is the correct way to address a formal letter to a company when you don't know the recipient's name?
- Hey Guys,
- To Whom It May Concern, (Correct answer)
- Yo,
- What's up,
Correct answer: To Whom It May Concern,
'To Whom It May Concern,' is the standard formal salutation when the recipient's name is unknown in Australian business correspondence.
'To Whom It May Concern,' is an accepted formal opening in Australian letters when the specific recipient's name is unknown. It is used in letters of complaint, references, and formal inquiries. Alternatives include 'Dear Sir/Madam,' or addressing the role directly ('Dear Hiring Manager,').
Question 4: A sign on a door reads: 'Push to open. Do not hold open. Fire door - keep closed.' What is the main purpose of this sign?
- To welcome visitors
- To advertise the building
- To provide safety instructions (Correct answer)
- To show the emergency exit
Correct answer: To provide safety instructions
The sign gives safety instructions about how to use a fire door — it tells users to keep it closed to prevent fire spread.
Fire doors are a safety feature in Australian buildings required by the Building Code of Australia (BCA). They must be kept closed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke. The sign provides safety instructions: how to open the door and the requirement to keep it closed. Reading safety signage is a core LLN skill.
Question 5: A workplace newsletter contains: 'Staff are encouraged to utilise the new online portal to submit leave requests.' Rewrite this in plainer English.
- Staff should use the new online portal to submit leave requests. (Correct answer)
- Utilisation of the portal is mandatory for leave.
- The portal is there for staff who want to submit leave.
- Staff might want to think about using the portal.
Correct answer: Staff should use the new online portal to submit leave requests.
Option A replaces 'encouraged to utilise' with the simpler 'should use', improving clarity without losing meaning.
Plain English principles recommend using simple, direct language. 'Utilise' can be replaced with 'use', and 'are encouraged to' can be simplified to 'should'. Option A achieves this most effectively. Plain English communication is promoted by Australian government agencies to improve document accessibility.
Question 6: What type of writing is a 'memorandum' (memo)?
- A long formal report
- A short internal business communication (Correct answer)
- A personal diary entry
- A public announcement
Correct answer: A short internal business communication
A memo is a short internal document used to communicate information within an organisation.
A memorandum (memo) is a concise internal document used to communicate information, policies, or reminders within an organisation. Unlike formal reports, memos are brief and direct. Unlike public announcements, they are circulated internally. Memos are commonly used in Australian government agencies and large organisations.
LLN Reading and Writing 2
A form asks you to 'print in block letters'.
What does this mean?