Before you start: Write It Clear: Emails, Essays and Applications pretest

About 10 minutes. Not graded. 12 questions, plus 3 quick confidence questions.

This is not a test you pass or fail. It is fine not to know these answers. Many people will not, because you have not taken the course yet. Your answers show your starting point, so at the end you can see how far you came.

Why we ask: it shows what you already know and which ideas are new to you. When you finish the course, you will see your before and after for each skill, so you can see where you grew and what to review.

How sure do you feel?

Rate each line from 1 (not at all sure) to 5 (very sure). There is no right answer.

I can write a clear main point in plain, active sentences.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can write emails that get answered and short essays with a clear claim.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can write strong application answers and revise my own work honestly.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

Questions

1. You must write to your child's day care about a change in pickup time. Before you draft, what should you decide first?

A. Who will read it, what you are asking, and what you want them to do. B. How many paragraphs it needs and which greeting will sound best to them. C. Which formal words will make the message sound more serious.

2. Your note to a property manager has three sentences about the history of a broken heater, then asks for a repair visit. What is the best revision?

A. Keep the order, but put the repair request in bold at the very end. B. Add more history so the manager sees how long the problem has really lasted. C. Move the repair request to the first sentence and keep the history short.

3. Which is the clearest rewrite of: A decision was made by the committee to postpone the event?

A. The committee postponed the event. B. It was decided by the committee to wait. C. The event postponement was decided on.

4. You shorten a 90 word notice about a clinic closure to 45 words. Which change went too far?

A. You cut the phrase please be advised that. B. You changed the words in order to into to. C. You dropped the date the clinic reopens.

5. You need your child's coach to confirm Saturday's game time. Which subject line works best?

A. A quick question about this weekend and the big game B. Request: confirm game time for Saturday, Oct. 12 C. Some thoughts from a team parent about Saturday

6. Your email asks a manager to pick a meeting time and ends with: Let me know your thoughts. What is the best fix?

A. Add a paragraph on why you need to meet so soon. B. Ask them to call you when they are free this week. C. Offer two times and ask which one works.

7. The prompt asks: Should employers offer four day work weeks? Which opening claim is strongest?

A. Four day work weeks are a topic many people have strong feelings about these days. B. Employers should offer four day weeks, because they cut burnout and help hiring. C. This essay will look at the history of the four day work week.

8. Your outline has a claim and three reasons, but no examples. What should you add before you draft?

A. A fourth reason so the essay feels more complete and full. B. One fact, example, or short story for each reason. C. A longer claim that lists every detail up front.

9. An application asks: Why do you want this role, and describe a time you solved a problem at work (150 words). Your draft spends all 150 words on why you want the role. What is the best fix?

A. Cut the why part to about half and add one problem you solved. B. Keep it, since why you want the role matters most to them in the end. C. Add the problem story and let the answer run over the limit.

10. Which cover letter line gives the strongest proof that you are reliable?

A. My coworkers and managers would all describe me as very reliable. B. I am a reliable and dependable person who always shows up on time, ready to work. C. In two years at the front desk, I missed one shift and covered 15 for others.

11. You have one hour to revise a scholarship essay. Which order of passes makes the best use of your time?

A. Big picture, then sentences, then proofreading. B. Proofreading, then sentences, then big picture, since typos stand out. C. Sentences, then proofreading, then the big picture at the very end.

12. You want an AI tool to help edit a letter to your bank about a disputed charge. What should you do before you paste it in?

A. Add your full account number so it has all the context it needs. B. Remove your account number and other private details. C. Ask it to rewrite the whole letter in its own words.

Save my starting point

Next up

Go to Lesson 1: Know your reader, know your point.

This self check is not graded.