Level 1 exam — Professional communication

Exam — fresh questions

12 fresh questions to validate level 1: email structure, subject lines, tone/netiquette and instant messaging.
Answer everything, then click Check: your score and explanations will appear.

1.1 · Recall

1. What is the "inverted pyramid" applied to email?

The request first, context after A type of page layout An automatic signature Context first, request at the end

The inverted pyramid puts the key message and request up front, before context details, for a busy reader.

1.1 · Application

2. An email covers three unrelated requests. Which principle is violated?

One email = one topic The inverted pyramid Scannability Channel choice

Mixing several unrelated topics in one email dilutes each request and complicates the reply and follow-up.

1.1 · Application

3. What is the difference between "To" and "Cc"?

"Cc" is more important than "To" No difference "To" = those who must act, "Cc" = those to inform "To" is for external, "Cc" for internal

"To" gathers recipients expected to act, "Cc" those simply informed with no action expected.

1.2 · Recall

4. Why is a vague subject like "Info" a problem?

It's in all caps It's too long It says nothing about the content and makes the email hard to open or find later It contains a typo

A vague or empty subject is the leading cause of emails that never get opened or found again later.

1.2 · Application

5. Which subject is most effective for an urgent approval request?

"Hi" "Follow-up" "Question" "[ACTION] Approve quote X — reply by Thursday"

An actionable subject states the topic, the expected action and the deadline: it eases opening and filing.

1.2 · Arbitration

6. What should you do if a thread completely changes topic?

Update the subject or start a new email Delete the thread Ignore the change Keep the same subject no matter what

A subject that no longer matches the actual content makes the thread confusing and hard to find; better to update it.

1.3 · Recall

7. When should you use "Reply all"?

Never Only to say thanks Systematically Only if every recipient is genuinely concerned

Overusing "Reply all" clutters the inboxes of people not concerned by the reply.

1.3 · Application

8. For a group send to an external list that doesn't know each other, what's best?

Put them all in Cc Put them in Bcc to protect their addresses Put them all in To Send one email per person with no copy

Bcc hides recipient addresses from each other, protecting confidentiality on an external group send.

1.3 · Arbitration

9. A professional message is written entirely in capital letters. How will it be perceived?

As particularly polite As shouting, even without aggressive intent Neutrally As clearer

All-caps text reads as shouting in writing, regardless of the sender's actual intent.

1.4 · Application

10. For which type of exchange is instant messaging best suited?

A major group decision An official document A long, complex topic requiring a formal record A short, fast exchange

Messaging excels at short, fast exchanges; email or meetings suit long, formal or group topics better.

1.4 · Application

11. Which instant message is most effective?

"got a minute?" A self-contained message with context and question in one send Five successive messages with no context No message, wait for a meeting

A self-contained message (context + question) sent at once avoids fragmentation and allows an immediate reply.

1.4 · Arbitration

12. Which is NOT a good instant-messaging reflex?

Respecting others' presence status Writing one message = one idea Demanding an instant reply at all hours Switching to a call if the topic drags on

Asynchronous doesn't require immediacy; demanding an instant reply at all times is counterproductive.

What's next?

Score ≥ 80%: move on to Level 2 — V3 professional writing: clarity, minutes, memos, letters and spelling.
Score < 80%: reread the explanations above — each one re-explains the concept (inverted pyramid, subject, netiquette, channel) — then redo the 48h challenges of the 4 sections.