This set of English Grammar Exercises (MCQs) focuses on “Letter Writing – Business Letters”.
1. What is the tone of business letters?
a) Long and descriptive
b) Incoherent
c) Friendly
d) Clear and to the point
View Answer
Explanation: Business letters should be terse, clear, and to the point. Businessmen are busy men, and have no time to read long, rambling and confused letters.
2. Which of the following is an expression in business letters?
a) Wishing you a very happy birthday.
b) I am very eager to meet you.
c) Please reply at your earliest convenience.
d) I am looking forward to our vacation.
View Answer
Explanation: Business letters are naturally much more formal in style than friendly letters. Certain forms of polite expression are used such as “Please reply at your earliest convenience”.
3. What is another point to be kept in mind while writing business letters?
a) Keep it descriptive
b) Do not use polite language
c) Avoid abbreviations
d) Avoid use of I or we
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Explanation: Business letters must be written in a formal tone. Abbreviations such as advt. for advertisement and exam for examination must be avoided.
4. Which of the following must not be followed in business letters ordering goods?
a) Brief and very short
b) Clear and exact description
c) An itemized list
d) Quality and quantity required
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Explanation: In business letters ordering goods, care should be taken to give clear and exact descriptions of the articles wanted. An itemized list of the goods wanted should be supplied, with the quality and quantity required.
5. State true or false.
For business letters ordering goods, directions of forwarding should be given.
a) False
b) True
View Answer
Explanation: In formal or business letters ordering goods, directions for forwarding should be given (by rail, post, etc.). The manner in which payment will be made must also be clearly indicated.
6. What is the difference between the forms of friendly and business letters?
a) Date
b) Address of writer
c) Address of receiver
d) Heading
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Explanation: The form of business letters is formal in nature. The address of the receiver is an addition in a business letter.
7. Where should the address of the receiver be written?
a) On the first page
b) On the last page
c) On the envelope only
d) In the body of the letter
View Answer
Explanation: The address of the business or firm the letter is addressed to must be included in a business letter. This should be included on the first page, lower than the heading and to the left of the page.
8. Which is the correct mode of address to a firm?
a) Dear sir
b) My dearest K.C. Das
c) Dear Mathew
d) Dear sirs
View Answer
Explanation: When writing to a firm the mode of address varies from that of a tradesman. You must begin with Dear Sirs and conclude with Yours faithfully.
9. Which of the following is not a business letter?
a) Ordering books
b) Ordering a journal
c) Letter to a newspaper
d) Requesting a service
View Answer
Explanation: Letters to newspaper are a different category of letters. Business letters may include order of goods, requests, etc.
10. Which of the following are not required for a letter of application for employment?
a) Statement of age, education and experience
b) Stating hobbies and interests
c) A short introduction
d) A conclusion giving references
View Answer
Explanation: A letter applying for employment should contain – (a) A short introduction stating whether the writer is answering an advertisement or is applying on his own responsibility, (b) A statement of his age, education and experience, (c) A conclusion giving references, testimonials, or an expression of the applicant’s earnestness of purpose.
11. State true or false.
Letter of application should be in the form of friendly letters.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: Letters of application must be in the form of normal business letters. It should follow the same format and must be kept crisp and to the point.
12. Which of the following is not an official letter?
a) Letter to your nephew
b) Request to postmaster
c) Application for employment
d) Letter of enquiry to an institution
View Answer
Explanation: Official letters consist of a large range of letters. Some of them are – Letters to postmaster, letter of application for employment, letter of enquiry, etc.
13. To whom should letter to newspaper be addressed?
a) The writer
b) The printer
c) The editor
d) The owner
View Answer
Explanation: Letters to newspapers must always be addressed to “The Editor”. They usually begin with Sir or Dear Sir and end with Yours faithfully.
14. Which of the following must not be used if the writer does not wish to publish his/her name?
a) Interested
b) Pen name
c) Anxious
d) One who knows
View Answer
Explanation: If the writer does not wish his name to be published, he can sign his letter with a non-de- plume such as “Interested”, “Anxious”, “One who knows”, etc. However, the name and address must be given in the covering letter to the Editor.
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