Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani

Work-Integrated Learning Programmes Division

First Semester 2019-2020

Mid-Semester Test
(EC-2 Regular)

Course No. : TA ZC312

Course Title : TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING
Nature of Exam : Closed Book
Weightage : 35% No. of Pages =2
Duration : 2 Hours No. of Questions = 3
Date of Exam : Saturday, 21/09/2019 (AN)
Note:
1. Please follow all the Instructions to Candidates given on the cover page of the answer book.
2. All parts of a question should be answered consecutively. Each answer should start from a fresh page.
3. Assumptions made if any, should be stated clearly at the beginning of your answer.

Q.1. Using the principles of effective writing rewrite all the following sentences. [5 x 3 = 15]

(i) If you are a student of science and engineering, you will be required to do a
number of experiments in the laboratory to test a theory, verify the modifications
you have in mind or to examine the validity of your research findings, given the
fact that the experiments will demand from you the ability to choose the right
equipment, to arrange various instruments appropriately, to observe and record
processes, reactions and readings faithfully and accurately, and to arrive at valid
conclusions.
(ii) This report investigates faculty attitudes to the writing and filing of reports at
Strange Fellows University. Five half-yearly surveys indicated that the faculty
find the act of filing reports a Herculean task beset with immense futility and
deeply boring. The report concludes that report filing is disturbing to faculty on a
number of levels and the inevitable cause of emotional scarring. The report
heartily and unequivocally recommends that faculty be relieved from the odious
burden of report writing. The report resoundingly concludes, with no hesitation at
all, that given the fact that it is an exercise in tediousness, it might be in the best
interests of the faculty to relegate the filing of annual reports to students who
record 50% or more absences from class in lieu of final exams.
(iii) It is by affliction chiefly that the heart of man is purified, and that the thoughts are
fixed on a better state. Prosperity, alloyed and imperfect as it is, has power to
intoxicate the imagination, to fix the mind upon the present scene, to produce
confidence and elation, and to make him who enjoys affluence and honours forget
the hand by which they were bestowed. It is seldom that we are otherwise than by
affliction awakened to a sense of our imbecility, or taught to know how little all
our acquisitions can conduce to safety or to quiet, and how justly we may ascribe
to the superintendence of a higher power those blessings which in the wantonness
of success we considered as the attainments of our policy or courage.

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Q.2. Write a précis of the following passage, keeping in mind the principles of effective
writing. The précis will be marked out of 8 and the title of the précis will be out of 2
marks. The total number of words in the passage is given in parenthesis at the end of the
passage. [10]

A vital factor in the success of any business is the right selection of its administrative
staff. In this matter, the management has the inescapable function not only of making the
right selection, but after having made it, also of providing the fullest scope for legitimate
ambition and individual advancement. A management which is so petty as to be jealous of
the powers and authority of the officers will naturally select staff of the submissive type,
docile men who are accustomed to obey without question. It would not take the risk of
engaging able and aggressive/self-motivated employees for the fear that it may one day be
supplanted by them. A really go-ahead management which understands the mood of the
present times will do the direct opposite. It will seek out men capable of evolving policies
within their own sphere and will train them to rise to the highest position.

In connection with most administrative bodies, management is self-perpetuating and is

responsible for its own succession. Even the ablest management cannot foresee the future
with certainty; its decisions, for the future, are at best intelligent guesses. What, however,
it can and must do is to make available the enterprise to the men who will be capable of
taking the decisions of the future and who are qualified, trained, and tested during the
present to do so. No management can rely upon a constant supply of geniuses. It must so
train its staff that, during normal times, the enterprise is capable of being run effectively
by men of not much more than average ability and with a robust sense of purpose. (270
words)

Q.3. Discuss the following statements in no more than 200 words. You may agree or disagree
with the following statements. You are required to elaborate (in not more than 200 words)
on why you agree or disagree. In doing so, your each part (part i and ii) should be 200
words each and should be divided into two paragraphs of 100 words each. In addition,
each paragraph should follow the principles of paragraph formation that include the use of
topic sentences and the use of supporting material. The final paragraph (paragraph ii of
each answer) should also have the characteristics of a conclusion [10]

(i) Organizational factors like information overload and the choice of inappropriate
medium are significant barriers to effective official communication inside an
organization.
(ii) Kinesics or body language plays an important role in shaping success during
official communication.

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