Business Writing Strategies

Question 1

routine inquiry (noun phrase - np)

Answer 1

A piece of writing that seeks answers to direct questions

Question 2

persuasive message (np)

Answer 2

A type of message whose purpose is to convince someone of something

Question 3

illustrate (v)

Answer 3

to show the meaning or truth of something more clearly, especially by giving examples:

The lecturer illustrated his point with a diagram on the blackboard.

Question 4

predictable (a)

Answer 4

Something that is predictable happens in a way or at a time that you know about before it happens:

Comets appear at predictable times.

Question 5

straightforward (a)

Answer 5

easy to understand or simple:

Just follow the signs to Bradford - it’s very straightforward.

Question 6

grumble (v/n)

Answer 6

(v) to complain about someone or something in an annoyed way:

She spent the evening grumbling to me about her job.

(n) a complaint:

When the teacher assigned extra homework, she heard a few grumbles from the kids.

Question 7

anticipate (v)

Answer 7

to imagine or expect that something will happen:

We don’t anticipate any trouble.

Question 8

(tree) trimming (n) 
to trim (a tree) (v)

Answer 8

(n) an act of making something, especially someone’s hair, tidier or more level by cutting a small amount off it:

I asked the hairdresser for a trim.

(v) to make something tidier or more level by cutting a small amount off it:

My hair needs trimming.

Question 9

to haul away (v)

Answer 9

to take something or someone somewhere, especially by force:

FBI agents hauled away boxes of records.

Question 10

buffer (n)

Answer 10

someone or something that provides protection against difficult situations, problems, angry people, etc.:

A special committee was formed to serve as a buffer against customer complaints.