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

1. Vraag 1 van 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.
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: 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. Vraag 2 van 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
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: 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. Vraag 3 van 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
   Toon antwoord

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

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

4. Vraag 4 van 15

   Which phrase makes a request politely?

   • AI demand that you…
   • BDo this now:
   • CCould you please…
   • DYou must immediately…
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: C. Could you please…

   A polite question form is courteous and respectful.

5. Vraag 5 van 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
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: 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. Vraag 6 van 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
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: 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. Vraag 7 van 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
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: 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. Vraag 8 van 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?
   Toon antwoord

   Antwoord: 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. Vraag 9 van 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
   Toon antwoord

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

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

10. Vraag 10 van 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?
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 11 van 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
    Toon antwoord

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

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

12. Vraag 12 van 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
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 13 van 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
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 14 van 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.
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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. Vraag 15 van 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
    Toon antwoord

    Antwoord: 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.

Toetsenbord: 1–4 om te antwoorden, Enter voor de volgende vraag.