LLN Writing Skills & Expression 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the best subject line for a professional email about a delayed order?
- URGENT!!!! Where is my order????
- Delay
- Update: Delay to Order #4521 - Estimated Arrival 15 May (Correct answer)
- Just wondering about the thing I ordered
Correct answer: Update: Delay to Order #4521 - Estimated Arrival 15 May
A professional subject line is specific, informative, and appropriately worded. Option C clearly identifies the issue, order number, and expected resolution.
Effective professional subject lines in Australian business communication are concise yet informative. Option C includes the nature of the issue (delay), a reference number (order #4521), and actionable information (estimated arrival). This allows the recipient to prioritise and act efficiently, unlike the vague or exaggerated alternatives.
Question 2: A supervisor asks you to write a brief incident report. Which information is LEAST important to include?
- Date and time of the incident
- Your personal opinion about who was at fault (Correct answer)
- Names of people involved
- Description of what happened
Correct answer: Your personal opinion about who was at fault
Incident reports should be factual and objective. Personal opinions about fault are inappropriate and potentially legally problematic.
Incident reports in Australian workplaces are formal documents used for health and safety, insurance, and legal purposes. They should record objective facts: who, what, when, where, and how. Personal opinions about fault can compromise investigations and legal processes, so they should not be included.
Question 3: Which sentence is the clearest and most direct?
- In the event that it transpires that the situation necessitates action, action will be taken.
- If action is needed, it will be taken. (Correct answer)
- The taking of action will be necessitated should the situation require.
- It is possible that action may or may not be taken.
Correct answer: If action is needed, it will be taken.
Option B is direct and uses plain language. Plain English is preferred in Australian workplace communication.
Plain English writing is the standard in Australian government and workplace communication. Option B conveys the same meaning as the others but uses simple, direct language. The other options use unnecessary words, passive constructions, or vague phrasing that reduces clarity and comprehension.
Question 4: You are writing a text message to your supervisor to say you will be 15 minutes late. Which is most appropriate?
- Cant make it c ya
- Hi [Name], running 15 min late due to traffic. Will arrive by 9:15. Sorry for the inconvenience. (Correct answer)
- LATE
- I might be a bit late or something idk
Correct answer: Hi [Name], running 15 min late due to traffic. Will arrive by 9:15. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Even in a text message, clear and professional communication with your supervisor should include the reason, expected time, and an apology.
A professional text message to a supervisor should be brief but informative: state that you are late, the reason, and your estimated arrival time. Option B meets all these criteria and maintains a respectful tone appropriate for workplace communication in Australia.
Question 5: Which sentence uses 'there', 'their', and 'they're' correctly?
- Their going over there to get they're tools.
- They're going over there to get their tools. (Correct answer)
- There going over their to get they're tools.
- They're going over their to get there tools.
Correct answer: They're going over there to get their tools.
'They're' = they are (contraction), 'there' = a place, 'their' = belonging to them. Option B uses all three correctly.
Understanding homophones is an important literacy skill. 'They're' is a contraction of 'they are'; 'there' refers to a place; 'their' indicates possession. In option B: 'They're going' (they are going), 'over there' (to that place), 'their tools' (tools belonging to them) — all correct.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'conclusion' in a written report?
- To introduce the main topic
- To list all the data collected
- To summarise the key findings and recommendations (Correct answer)
- To describe the methodology used
Correct answer: To summarise the key findings and recommendations
A conclusion summarises what was found and, in many reports, makes recommendations based on those findings.
In a formal written report, the conclusion brings together the key findings and often includes recommendations for action. It does not introduce new information. Understanding report structure — introduction, body, conclusion — is a key writing skill at higher ACSF levels relevant to Australian workplace and vocational education contexts.
LLN Writing Skills & Expression 2
Which of the following is the best subject line for a professional email about a delayed order?