Professional Email Writing Course: Requests, follow-ups and replies

1. Question 1 of 15

   Which request is the most precise?

   • ALet me know about Site 4 sometime.
   • BPlease send the signed safety checklist for Site 4 by Thursday at 3 pm.
   • CCan you look at the checklist stuff?
   • DSend me that thing when you get a chance.
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Please send the signed safety checklist for Site 4 by Thursday at 3 pm.

   A precise request says what is needed and by when.

2. Question 2 of 15

   In an email that asks for something, where should the deadline go?

   • AIn an attachment
   • BNear the top, with the request
   • CNowhere, so the reader doesn't feel pressure
   • DOnly in the very last sentence
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Near the top, with the request

   Don't bury the date at the end; put the request and deadline where the reader sees them first.

3. Question 3 of 15

   Your email asks a supplier three separate questions. Which layout helps them answer all three?

   • AAsk one question now and save the other two for another email
   • BPut the questions in the subject line only
   • CMix the questions into one long paragraph
   • DNumber the questions so the supplier can answer each one
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Number the questions so the supplier can answer each one

   Numbered questions are easy to see and answer one by one.

4. Question 4 of 15

   Which phrase makes a request politely?

   • AI demand that you…
   • BDo this now:
   • CCould you please…
   • DYou must immediately…
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Could you please…

   A polite question form is courteous and respectful.

5. Question 5 of 15

   Why is it helpful to give a short reason with a request?

   • AA reason means you can leave out exactly what you need from them
   • BThe reader understands why it matters and is more likely to act
   • CA reason means you no longer need a deadline
   • DA longer email shows you worked hard
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The reader understands why it matters and is more likely to act

   Brief context helps the reader see why the request matters, which makes action more likely.

6. Question 6 of 15

   In a long email, where are the follow-up actions best placed?

   • AAt the end, in a numbered list
   • BSpread across every paragraph
   • CIn the subject line only
   • DLeft out, to be discussed in person
   Show answer

   Answer: A. At the end, in a numbered list

   Follow-up actions are best grouped at the end in a numbered list rather than in a paragraph.

7. Question 7 of 15

   You asked a coworker for a report by Tuesday. On Thursday you still have no reply. What is the best first step?

   • ASend the same email again with "URGENT!!!" added to the subject line
   • BWait without saying anything until the report arrives
   • CEmail the coworker's manager to complain
   • DSend a polite follow-up in the same thread with a new deadline
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Send a polite follow-up in the same thread with a new deadline

   A polite follow-up in the same thread reminds the reader and makes it easy to act.

8. Question 8 of 15

   Which follow-up sentence has the best tone?

   • ADid you even read my email???
   • BYou ignored my last email.
   • CAs I ALREADY said in my last email, I need it.
   • DI'm following up on my email of March 3 about the April schedule. Could you send your availability by Friday?
   Show answer

   Answer: D. I'm following up on my email of March 3 about the April schedule. Could you send your availability by Friday?

   It is polite, gives context and restates the request and deadline without blaming.

9. Question 9 of 15

   Why should you follow up in the same email thread?

   • AIt hides your first message from the reader
   • BIt marks the message as high importance
   • CIt sends a copy of the thread to everyone in your organization
   • DThe reader can see your first request without searching
   Show answer

   Answer: D. The reader can see your first request without searching

   Keeping the history in one thread gives the reader the context they need.

10. Question 10 of 15

    Before you answer an email, what should you ask yourself first?

    • ACan I change the subject to something else?
    • BHow can I make my reply as long as possible?
    • CDo I need to reply, and who needs my reply?
    • DShould I copy my whole department?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Do I need to reply, and who needs my reply?

    Government of Canada email guidance suggests asking whether you need to reply and making sure the message is relevant to each recipient.

11. Question 11 of 15

    A customer's email asks four questions. What should your reply do?

    • AAnswer all four, ideally in the same order
    • BAnswer only the easiest question
    • CAnswer the first question and ask them to call about the rest
    • DThank them and repeat their questions without answers
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Answer all four, ideally in the same order

    Answering every question in order makes the reply complete and easy to check.

12. Question 12 of 15

    You can't answer a coworker's question until you speak with payroll next week. What should you do now?

    • AGuess the answer so the coworker isn't kept waiting
    • BReply now to say you are checking and when you will answer
    • CForward the question to payroll without telling the coworker
    • DSay nothing until you have the full answer
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Reply now to say you are checking and when you will answer

    A short holding reply tells the person their message arrived and when to expect an answer.

13. Question 13 of 15

    What is missing from Raj's email?

    Subject: Training

    Hello everyone,

    The new fire safety training is ready. It is online and takes about 40 minutes. Some of you have already done it, which is great. Let me know your thoughts when you can.

    Thanks,
    Raj

    • AA clear request with a deadline
    • BA closing
    • CHow long the online training takes to finish
    • DA greeting
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A clear request with a deadline

    The email has a greeting, a closing and the length of the training, but no clear request or due date.

14. Question 14 of 15

    Which sentence would best replace "Let me know your thoughts when you can"?

    Subject: Training

    Hello everyone,

    The new fire safety training is ready. It is online and takes about 40 minutes. Some of you have already done it, which is great. Let me know your thoughts when you can.

    Thanks,
    Raj

    • AThanks again for all your hard work this month!
    • BPlease finish the training by Friday, June 12, and reply when done.
    • CFeel free to do the training sometime this year if you have spare time.
    • DPlease share your thoughts at your earliest convenience.
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Please finish the training by Friday, June 12, and reply when done.

    It states exactly what to do and by when, so readers know the action required.

15. Question 15 of 15

    An email from a coworker makes you angry. What does Government of Canada writing guidance suggest?

    • AReply within five minutes to show you take it seriously
    • BReply all so others can see your side
    • CGive yourself time, up to 24 hours, before you reply
    • DForward it to your friends to ask what they think
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Give yourself time, up to 24 hours, before you reply

    The Language Portal of Canada suggests giving yourself 24 hours when an email upsets you.

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