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Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs
True/False Questions
1. Because long sentences are hard to understand, the business writer should make no sentence longer than 25 words.
Answer: False Page: 49 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: Long sentences can be clear and can be used with reason. They should be used sparingly.Learning Objective: 2 AACSB Standard: 1
2. In adapting sentences, you should aim a little above the level of your readers.
Answer: False Page: 47 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: You should aim a little below their level.Learning Objective: 1 AACSB Standard: 1
3. Some degree of simplification is best for all readers.
Answer: True Page: 47 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: This point is discussed in the chapter.Learning Objective: 1 AACSB Standard: 1
4. What is readable is related to the communication ability of the reader.
Answer: True Page: 47 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: The readability studies support this statement.Learning Objective: 1 AACSB Standard: 1
5. An ideal average sentence length in writing for the middle-level adult reader is 8 to 10 words.
Answer: False Page: 49 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: The readability studies suggest 16 to 18 words.Learning Objective: 2 AACSB Standard: 1
6. The shorter sentences are especially useful for subordinating information.
Answer: False Page: 49 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: This is true of long sentences, not short ones.Learning Objective: 2 AACSB Standard: 1
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Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs
7. Short sentences receive less emphasis than long sentences.
Answer: False Page: 48-49 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: The opposite is true. The short one stands out.Learning Objective: 2 AACSB Standard: 1
8. A sentence covering two items of information gives more emphasis to each item than does a sentence covering three items.
Answer: True Page: 48-49 Difficulty: Hard Rationale: The shorter the sentence, the more emphasis it receives.Learning Objective: 2 AACSB Standard: 1
9. Even though short sentences generally are desirable, a long succession of them produces a bad effect.
Answer: True Page: 49 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: Overusing short sentences can produce a choppy, primer effect.Learning Objective: 2 AACSB Standard: 1
10. As a rule, the shorter ways of saying things communicate better.
Answer: True Page: 48 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: This observation is discussed supported by readability studies.Learning Objective: 2 AACSB Standard: 1
11. For the best communication results, repetition in business writing should be eliminated.
Answer: False Page: 54 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: Sometimes repetition serves a purpose, as when used for emphasis or effect.Learning Objective: 2 AACSB Standard: 1
12. Repetition of words is quite acceptable when it is done for special effect or emphasis.
Answer: True Page: 54 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: These are legitimate uses of repetition.Learning Objective: 2 AACSB Standard: 1
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Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs
13. Unrelated ideas should not be placed together in a sentence.
Answer: True Page: 57 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: All in a sentence should have a logical relationship reason for being placed together.Learning Objective: 3 AACSB Standard: 1
14. As unity of paragraphing is clearly defined, paragraph content can be determined easily.
Answer: False Page: 57 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: Unity can exist at various levels and is not always viewed in the same way by any two writers.Learning Objective: 4 AACSB Standard: 1
15. It would be illogical to present all the findings in a report with equal emphasis.
Answer: True Page: 55 Difficulty: Hard Rationale: Some are more important than others. Each item of information should receive the emphasis it deserves.Learning Objective: 3 AACSB Standard: 1
16. For reasons of economy, items not related in thought may be placed in the same sentence.
Answer: False Page: 57 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: Such placement would both be illogical and violate the unity rule of sentence construction.Learning Objective: 4 AACSB Standard: 1
17. A paragraph should never consist of only one line..
Answer: False Page: 61 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: Although not common, one-line paragraphs are correct and useful.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
18. Unfortunately, the rules for correctness in writing are based on arbitrary decisions made by grammarians and have little relation to the need for clarity.
Answer: False Page: 59 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: Most of the rules are based on the need for clarity in communication.Learning Objective: 4 AACSB Standard: 1
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Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs
19. If the content of a paragraph can be reduced to one topic statement, one can be reasonably sure that the paragraph has unity.
Answer: True Page: 60 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: Unity in writing means oneness of subject; and if all that is in a paragraph falls into this one statement, there must be unity.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
20. One major weakness of the paragraph plan with topic sentences within the paragraph is that the topic sentence receives little emphasis in this position.
Answer: True Page: 62 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: The beginnings and ends of the paragraphs carry more emphasis than do the internal positions.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
21. Even if they are the same as to words and punctuation marks, a page broken by five or six paragraphs is more inviting to the reader than a page covered by one or two long paragraphs.
Answer: True Page: 60 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: Paragraphing gives a visual impression of organization and easy reading.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
22. A report with its paragraphs averaging eight lines in length would meet requirements for ideal paragraph length.
Answer: True Page: 60 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: This average is suggested in the chapter.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
23. It is not good writing practice to construct paragraphs longer than 12 lines.
Answer: False Page: 61 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: Occasionally longer paragraphs are necessary.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
24. Not every good paragraph must have a topic sentence.
Answer: True Page: 61 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: Paragraphs without topic sentences can serve to introduce ideas, relate succeeding items, or present an assortment of facts.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
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Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs
25. The most common paragraph arrangement ends with the topic sentence.
Answer: False Page: 61 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: Topic sentence at the beginning is the most common.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
26. It is acceptable to place the topic sentence within the paragraph.
Answer: True Page: 62 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: Although usually not the best order, this arrangement is acceptable.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
27. The most common paragraph design places the topic sentence at the beginning.
Answer: True Page: 61 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: This is by far the most common design.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
Multiple Choice Questions
28. The average sentence length found in the readability studies to be best for communicating with the middle level of adult readers is about: A) 6 to 8 words. B) 8 to 11 words. C) 11 to 13 words. D) 16 to 18 words. E) 20 to 24 words.
Answer: D Page: 49 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: The average length is supported by the readability studies.Learning Objective: 2 AACSB Standard: 1
29. The sentence form that gives most emphasis to its contents is the: A) simple sentence. B) compound sentence. C) compound-complex sentence. D) complex sentence. E) All of these give equal emphasis.
Answer: A Page: 50 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: The simple sentence stands out.Learning Objective: 2 AACSB Standard: 1
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Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs
30. In a paragraph containing five items of information, you want to make one stand out. You should: A) present each in separate, simple sentences. B) present the one item in a separate, simple sentence and the others in compound
sentences. C) present all in compound sentences, placing the one item in a dependent clause. D) present all in compound sentences, placing the one item in an independent clause. E) present minor items in simple sentences and the one to be emphasized in a
compound sentence.
Answer: B Page: 50 Difficulty: Hard Rationale: The short, simple sentence gives emphasis to its contents.Learning Objective: 2 AACSB Standard: 1
31. Choose the sentence that does not contain a cluttering phrase. A) At the present time we are using the old model. B) We made payment in the amount of $751. C) You will get your money in the near future. D) This revised plan cut our production costs 12 percent. E) In the event that you fail, we will help you.
Answer: D Page: 51 Difficulty: Hard Rationale: All except this one have a phrase from the list in the text.Learning Objective: 3 AACSB Standard: 1
32. Which of the following sentences covers its contents in the most roundabout way? A) It is the president's belief that a recession is near. B) The president believes a recession is near. C) The president thinks a recession is near. D) A recession is near, believes the president. E) The president thinks a recession is coming.
Answer: A Page: 53 Difficulty: Hard Rationale: This sentence is a roundabout way of presenting the message.Learning Objective: 4 AACSB Standard: 1
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Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs
33. Which of these sentences best meets the requirements of good business writing? A) Lee's payment in January was in the amount of $300. B) Lee paid $300 in January. C) Lee's January payment was for $300. D) Three hundred dollars was paid by Lee in January. E) The $300 January payment was made by Lee.
Answer: B Page: 51-53 Difficulty: Hard Rationale: Only this one is not roundabout and without cluttering phrases.Learning Objective: 3 AACSB Standard: 1
34. Mark the sentence that best meets the requirements of good business writing. A) With regard to the parking problem, corrective action is being taken. B) With reference to the parking problem, the administration is taking corrective
action. C) concerning the parking problem, corrective action is being taken by the
administration. D) The administration is taking corrective action on the parking problem. E) The administration is correcting the parking problem.
Answer: E Page: 52-53 Difficulty: Hard Rationale: Only this sentence is active, without cluttering phrases, and concise.Learning Objective: 4 AACSB Standard: 1
35. Which of these sentences best meets the requirement of good business writing? A) The worker must report losses daily. B) It is essential that the worker report losses daily. C) It is essential that losses be reported daily by the worker. D) Losses must be reported daily by the worker. E) The worker's losses must be reported daily.
Answer: A Page: 52-53 Difficulty: Hard Rationale: Only this one is in the active voice, concise, and without cluttering phrases.Learning Objective: 4 AACSB Standard: 1
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Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs
36. Which of these sentences best meets the requirements of clear and interesting writing? A) In the near future prices will be cut. B) Ford will cut prices soon. C) Prices will be cut by Ford in the near future. D) Ford will cut prices February 1. E) Prices will be cut February 1.
Answer: D Page: 31, 33, 51 Difficulty: Hard Rationale: The main problems here are a cluttering phrase (in the near future), passive voice (will be cut), and concreteness (soon, near future, February). Only this one does a good job on all three.Learning Objective: 4 AACSB Standard: 1
37. Repetition of words or thoughts is best justified for reasons of: A) rhythm. B) concreteness. C) emphasis. D) organization. E) personal preference.
Answer: C Page: 54-55 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: Repetition may be used to emphasize the words or thoughts repeated.Learning Objective: 3 AACSB Standard: 1
38. Long sentences of about 30 words or more may: A) be used to emphasize contents. B) never be used. C) be used sparingly to subordinate the less important information. D) be used freely to impress certain readers. E) be used when one wishes to economize on the words used.
Answer: C Page: 49 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: This usage is appropriate and logical.Learning Objective: 2 AACSB Standard: 1
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Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs
39. If any of the four following statements does not help justify short paragraphs, mark it. If all are appropriate, mark e. A) They help the reader see beginnings and ends, thereby giving the effect of
organization. B) They give added emphasis to the facts covered. C) They have good eye appeal. D) They show frequent breaking points, which is appealing to the reader. E) All are appropriate.
Answer: E Page: 60-61 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: All justify short paragraphs.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
40. A paragraph arranged in the most widely used plan: A) begins with its topic sentence. B) ends with its topic sentence. C) has its topic sentence within. D) has both beginning and ending topic sentences. E) has all topic sentences.
Answer: A Page: 61 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: The topic-sentence-first arrangement is the most commonly used one.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
41. Which of the following placements would give greatest emphasis to a fact? A) A short sentence in the middle of a long paragraph B) A short sentence at the end of a paragraph C) A long sentence that makes up the entire paragraph D) A short sentence in a one-sentence paragraph E) A long sentence at the end of a paragraph
Answer: D Page: 60-61 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: A short, one-sentence paragraph calls attention to its contents, thereby giving it emphasis.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
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Chapter 3 Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs
42. Your reader will comprehend sentences most easily that are written at a level: A) challenging to the reader. B) impressive to the reader. C) appropriate to the technical expertise of the writer. D) above the reader. E) a little below the level of the reader.
Answer: E Page: 47-48 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: Readability research supports this statement.Learning Objective: 1 AACSB Standard: 1
43. A paragraph should: A) consist of at least three sentences. B) build around a single topic or idea. C) include several different ideas or topics. D) have both simple and complex sentences. E) never be longer than eight lines.
Answer: B Page: 60 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: The paragraph must have unity.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
44. One-line paragraphs: A) should never be used. B) can be used to emphasize a major point. C) should be used frequently. D) are good for subordinating contents. E) give the writing sophistication.
Answer: B Page: 61 Difficulty: Easy Rationale: This is one justification of the one-line paragraph.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
45. The topic sentence of a paragraph: A) should always come first in the paragraph. B) should be in the middle of the paragraph. C) should be last to summarize the paragraph. D) may vary in placement according to the purpose of the paragraph. E) should be preceded by an independent clause.
Answer: D Page: 61-62 Difficulty: Medium Rationale: Topic sentences may vary in placement.Learning Objective: 5 AACSB Standard: 1
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