WorkKeys Business Writing 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses 'their', 'there', or 'they're'?
- They're going to review their proposal over there. (Correct answer)
- There going to review they're proposal over their.
- Their going to review there proposal over they're.
- They're going to review there proposal over their.
Correct answer: They're going to review their proposal over there.
"They're" means they are, "their" shows possession, and "there" indicates place.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a summary at the start of a long report?
- To give readers the key points before details (Correct answer)
- To make the report longer
- To hide the conclusion
- To repeat the title several times
Correct answer: To give readers the key points before details
An executive summary lets readers grasp the main findings quickly.
Question 3: Which sentence avoids a sentence fragment?
- The shipment arrived this morning. (Correct answer)
- Arriving this morning.
- Because the shipment this morning.
- Which arrived this morning.
Correct answer: The shipment arrived this morning.
A complete sentence needs a subject and a verb expressing a full thought.
Question 4: When writing to an international colleague, what should you avoid?
- Local slang and idioms that may not translate (Correct answer)
- Clear and simple language
- A polite greeting
- A specific deadline
Correct answer: Local slang and idioms that may not translate
Slang and idioms can confuse readers from other cultures or language backgrounds.
Question 5: Which sentence is most professional for declining a request?
- Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate this request at this time. (Correct answer)
- No way, that's not happening.
- Nope.
- Why would we even do that?
Correct answer: Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate this request at this time.
A courteous, clear refusal preserves the professional relationship.
Question 6: What does proofreading for tone help ensure?
- The message comes across as intended and respectful (Correct answer)
- The message is as long as possible
- The reader is confused
- The email has more typos
Correct answer: The message comes across as intended and respectful
Checking tone prevents a message from sounding harsh or unclear.
Question 7: Which is the best way to organize step-by-step instructions?
- In a numbered list in sequential order (Correct answer)
- In one long paragraph with no breaks
- In random order
- Backwards from the last step
Correct answer: In a numbered list in sequential order
Numbered steps in order make instructions easy to follow.
WorkKeys Business Writing 5
Which sentence correctly uses 'their', 'there', or 'they're'?