English for the Canadian Workplace Course: Emails, messages and notices

1. Question 1 of 16

   Which email subject line is best?

   • AQuestion
   • BURGENT!!! READ NOW
   • CRequest: Day off on Friday, May 8
   • DHi
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Request: Day off on Friday, May 8

   The Language Portal of Canada advises a brief, specific subject line that clearly matches the message.

2. Question 2 of 16

   Where should you state the purpose of a work email?

   • AOnly in the subject line, so the email stays short
   • BAt the very end
   • CNear the start, after a short context sentence
   • DIn an attached file
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Near the start, after a short context sentence

   State why you are writing and any action needed early in the email, so the reader sees the point quickly.

3. Question 3 of 16

   Why should you avoid writing work emails in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS?

   • ASpell check cannot read it
   • BIt is against the law
   • CIt can look like shouting
   • DIt makes the email longer
   Show answer

   Answer: C. It can look like shouting

   All capital letters can read as shouting. Use normal capitals, and limit bold and exclamation marks.

4. Question 4 of 16

   You do not know who will read your email. Which greeting is suitable?

   • ADear Sir,
   • BYo,
   • CHello,
   • DHey buddy,
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Hello,

   The Language Portal of Canada says "Hello," is a suitable greeting for emails. "Dear Sir" assumes the reader is a man.

5. Question 5 of 16

   Which closing fits most work emails?

   • AXOXO,
   • BLove,
   • CBye bye!!
   • DBest regards,
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Best regards,

   "Best regards," and "Thanks," are common, polite closings for work emails.

6. Question 6 of 16

   As a general guide, how long should a work email be?

   • AAs long as it takes to explain every detail
   • BAt least two full pages
   • CAlways one sentence
   • DAbout one screen, or around 250 words
   Show answer

   Answer: D. About one screen, or around 250 words

   The Language Portal of Canada suggests aiming for one screen: about 25 lines or 250 words.

7. Question 7 of 16

   An email from a coworker made you angry. What is the best advice?

   • AForward it to the whole company so everyone can see
   • BReply with many exclamation marks
   • CReply right away in capital letters
   • DWait before you reply, for example 24 hours
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Wait before you reply, for example 24 hours

   Give yourself time, such as 24 hours, before you answer an email that upset you.

8. Question 8 of 16

   You must give a coworker bad news about their request. What does the Language Portal of Canada suggest?

   • ACopy the whole team on an email
   • BSend it by email and mark it as high importance
   • CSend a short text with an emoji
   • DTalk by phone or in person, not by email
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Talk by phone or in person, not by email

   For sensitive conversations or bad news, a phone call or meeting is better than an email.

9. Question 9 of 16

   Which sentence uses plain language?

   • AForm prior Friday send please.
   • BPlease send the form before Friday.
   • CKindly ensure the form's submission is effected prior to Friday.
   • DIt is requested that the form be sent by you in advance of Friday.
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Please send the form before Friday.

   Plain language uses short sentences, common words such as "before" instead of "prior to", and the active voice.

10. Question 10 of 16

    Read the email. Why will the parking lot be closed?

    Subject: Staff parking lot closed Thursday

    Hi everyone,

    The staff parking lot will be closed this Thursday, June 12, from 6 am to 2 pm for line painting. Please park on Elm Street or take transit that day. Parking on Elm Street is free before 9 am.

    Thanks for your patience,
    Marcus
    Facilities Coordinator

    • AFor line painting
    • BFor snow removal
    • CFor a staff event
    • DFor repairs on Elm Street
    Show answer

    Answer: A. For line painting

    Marcus writes that the lot will be closed from 6 am to 2 pm for line painting.

11. Question 11 of 16

    Read the email. You drive to work on Thursday and arrive at 7:30 am. What is the best choice?

    Subject: Staff parking lot closed Thursday

    Hi everyone,

    The staff parking lot will be closed this Thursday, June 12, from 6 am to 2 pm for line painting. Please park on Elm Street or take transit that day. Parking on Elm Street is free before 9 am.

    Thanks for your patience,
    Marcus
    Facilities Coordinator

    • APay to park on Elm Street
    • BWait in your car until 2 pm
    • CPark in the staff lot as usual
    • DPark on Elm Street for free
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Park on Elm Street for free

    The lot is closed until 2 pm, and Elm Street parking is free before 9 am, so 7:30 am is free.

12. Question 12 of 16

    Read the email. What does Owen want Rosa to do?

    Subject: Please confirm your training date

    Hi Rosa,

    Welcome to the team! All new staff must complete WHMIS training in their first month. There are two sessions left: Tuesday, May 5 or Thursday, May 14. Both run from 1 pm to 4 pm.

    Could you reply by Friday with the date that works for you?

    Thanks,
    Owen Park
    HR Assistant | 587-555-0164

    • AReply by Friday with the date she prefers
    • BAttend both training sessions
    • CFinish the WHMIS training online by the end of Friday
    • DCall him at 1 pm on Tuesday
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Reply by Friday with the date she prefers

    The action Owen asks for is in one clear sentence: reply by Friday with the date that works.

13. Question 13 of 16

    Read the email. How long is each training session?

    Subject: Please confirm your training date

    Hi Rosa,

    Welcome to the team! All new staff must complete WHMIS training in their first month. There are two sessions left: Tuesday, May 5 or Thursday, May 14. Both run from 1 pm to 4 pm.

    Could you reply by Friday with the date that works for you?

    Thanks,
    Owen Park
    HR Assistant | 587-555-0164

    • AOne hour
    • BThree hours
    • CFive hours
    • DFour hours
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Three hours

    Each session runs from 1 pm to 4 pm, which is three hours.

14. Question 14 of 16

    Listen. What advice does Ivan give?

    Play audioListen, then answer. The transcript is shown after you answer.

    No sound? Read the text instead

    Ivan: Did you see the email about the potluck?
    Aisha: Yes, and twenty people replied to all with "Sounds good!"
    Ivan: I know. My inbox is full. If your answer is only for the organizer, just reply to her.
    Aisha: Good point. I'll do that next time.

    • ADelete emails without reading them
    • BReply only to the organizer if the message is for her
    • CAlways reply to all so everyone knows
    • DNever answer emails about events
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Reply only to the organizer if the message is for her

    Ivan suggests replying only to the organizer. Before you send, check that everyone on the list needs your message.

    Transcript

    Ivan: Did you see the email about the potluck?
    Aisha: Yes, and twenty people replied to all with "Sounds good!"
    Ivan: I know. My inbox is full. If your answer is only for the organizer, just reply to her.
    Aisha: Good point. I'll do that next time.

15. Question 15 of 16

    Your coworker's courtesy title is Mx. Which greeting is right for a formal email?

    • AHey Tremblay,
    • BDear Mx. Tremblay,
    • CDear Sir or Madam,
    • DDear Mr. Tremblay,
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Dear Mx. Tremblay,

    Use the courtesy title the person uses. The Language Portal of Canada gives "Mx." as an example.

16. Question 16 of 16

    You are sick and must tell your supervisor by text. Which message is best?

    • Asick
    • BNot coming. Sorry.
    • CHi Dana, it's Arjun. I'm sick and can't come in today. I'll update you tomorrow.
    • DHey, can't work, bye
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Hi Dana, it's Arjun. I'm sick and can't come in today. I'll update you tomorrow.

    Even a short text should say who you are, what the problem is and what happens next. Send it before your shift starts.

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