Adult Literacy Intermediate Quiz: Writing Clear Notes
10 questions · exam conditions
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Writing Clear NotesQuestion 1 of 10

At 10:15 a.m., customer Elena Ruiz called the repair shop about invoice 4821. She said the invoice lists two replacement filters, but the technician installed only one. She asked the billing manager to check the charge and call her at 555-0146 before 3:00 p.m. today.

Which note most clearly records the purpose of the call, the important details, and the next step?

Elena Ruiz called at 10:15 about invoice 4821. Please review the charge for two filters because she says only one was installed, then call 555-0146 before 3:00 today.
Elena Ruiz called about a possible problem with her recent repair bill. Please look at her account when you have time and contact her with any information.
A customer called at 10:15 because a technician may have made a mistake. Invoice 4821 should be checked before the office closes this afternoon.
Elena Ruiz called about two replacement filters on invoice 4821. She can be reached at 555-0146 if the technician needs to discuss the repair.
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Adult Literacy Intermediate Quiz

Adult Literacy Intermediate Quiz: Writing Clear Notes

Practice Writing Clear Notes in Adult Literacy Intermediate with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Writing Clear Notes, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Adult Literacy Intermediate.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

At 10:15 a.m., customer Elena Ruiz called the repair shop about invoice 4821. She said the invoice lists two replacement filters, but the technician installed only one. She asked the billing manager to check the charge and call her at 555-0146 before 3:00 p.m. today.

Which note most clearly records the purpose of the call, the important details, and the next step?

  1. Elena Ruiz called at 10:15 about invoice 4821. Please review the charge for two filters because she says only one was installed, then call 555-0146 before 3:00 today. (correct answer)
  2. Elena Ruiz called about a possible problem with her recent repair bill. Please look at her account when you have time and contact her with any information.
  3. A customer called at 10:15 because a technician may have made a mistake. Invoice 4821 should be checked before the office closes this afternoon.
  4. Elena Ruiz called about two replacement filters on invoice 4821. She can be reached at 555-0146 if the technician needs to discuss the repair.
Explanation: When you evaluate a phone message or workplace note, ask yourself three questions: Does it name the caller and the issue? Does it include all the critical details (numbers, times, names)? Does it clearly state what action needs to be taken, by whom, and by when? A strong note leaves no room for confusion — the reader should be able to act immediately without guessing. Answer A hits all three marks. It names Elena Ruiz, references the specific invoice (4821), clearly states the dispute (charged for two filters, only one installed), directs the billing manager to review the charge, and gives both the callback number and the deadline (555-0146, before 3:00 today). Nothing is missing, and nothing is vague. Answer B fails because it strips out almost every useful detail — no invoice number, no filter discrepancy, no phone number, no deadline. Phrases like "when you have time" and "any information" make the urgency disappear entirely. Answer C omits the caller's name, drops the callback number, and never tells anyone to call Elena back. Saying "before the office closes" instead of "before 3:00" is also less precise than what the passage states. Answer D includes the invoice number and phone number but badly distorts the next step. It suggests the technician should call her to "discuss the repair," when the passage clearly says the billing manager needs to review the charge and call before 3:00. The wrong person is assigned the wrong task. A practical tip: when answering these questions, mentally check each answer against a simple checklist — who, what, which details, and what happens next. Any answer missing one of those is incomplete.

Question 2

A warehouse employee begins this handoff note: "The loading door is not closing properly. I reported the problem to maintenance at 4:20 p.m." The door involved is Door 3 beside the shipping desk. Until it is repaired, employees must use Door 1 and must not leave Door 3 unlocked.

Which sentence should be added to make the handoff note clear and useful to the next shift?

  1. The loading area was busy today, and maintenance usually responds to door problems before the next shift begins.
  2. Door 3 beside the shipping desk is affected; use Door 1 until repairs are complete, and make sure Door 3 remains locked. (correct answer)
  3. The shipping desk is located near several doors, so employees should choose another entrance if one appears difficult to close.
  4. Maintenance received the report at 4:20 p.m.; the next shift should check whether someone has placed new supplies near the door.
Explanation: When a handoff note is incomplete, the next shift may not know what action to take or what to avoid. Questions like this test whether you can identify writing that is specific, actionable, and complete — the three qualities every good workplace communication needs. The passage tells you three critical facts: Door 3 is the problem door, employees must use Door 1 instead, and Door 3 must stay locked until repaired. A useful addition to the note must communicate all three of those points clearly. Choice B does exactly that — it names the specific door affected, directs workers to the correct alternative, and reminds them of the security requirement. That's why B is the right answer. Choice A fails because it offers opinions and predictions ("maintenance usually responds") rather than actionable instructions. Telling the next shift that maintenance typically fixes things fast is not the same as telling them what they should do. Choice C is vague and unhelpful — it doesn't name Door 3 specifically and gives wishy-washy advice ("if one appears difficult to close") instead of clear direction. Employees shouldn't have to guess which door is the problem. Choice D includes the correct report time but then adds an unverified suggestion (check for new supplies near the door) that could mislead workers and distracts from the real instructions. Study tip: When evaluating workplace writing, ask yourself: Does this tell the reader exactly what happened, where, and what to do next? If a sentence answers all three of those questions, it's doing its job.

Question 3

A supervisor gives these instructions: "First, count the damaged packages in the back storage area. Record the total on the inspection form. Then place the packages on the marked pallet. After that, email the completed form to Lee before noon."

Which note best preserves the required order and includes the final next step?

  1. Before noon, email Lee about the damaged packages. Then count the packages, complete the inspection form, and move them to the marked pallet.
  2. Count the damaged packages in back storage, record the total on the inspection form, place them on the marked pallet, and email the completed form to Lee before noon. (correct answer)
  3. Move the damaged packages to the marked pallet, count them there, and tell Lee the total before completing the inspection form at noon.
  4. Count and move the damaged packages before noon. Complete an inspection form if Lee asks for one, and keep the form in the storage area.
Explanation: When instructions include words like "first," "then," and "after that," you're being given a specific sequence that must be followed exactly. Questions like this test whether you can identify notes that preserve both the correct order and all the required details — including deadlines and final steps. The supervisor's instructions follow a clear four-step chain: (1) count damaged packages in back storage, (2) record the total on the inspection form, (3) place packages on the marked pallet, (4) email the completed form to Lee before noon. Answer B mirrors this sequence perfectly — every step appears in the right order, the location detail ("back storage") is preserved, and the deadline ("before noon") is attached to the correct final action (emailing Lee). That's your correct answer. Answer A scrambles the order entirely, placing the email to Lee first and treating counting and form-completion as afterthoughts. Following A would mean emailing before you even have anything to report. Answer C introduces a logic error by moving the packages before counting them, and it replaces "email the completed form" with the vaguer instruction to "tell Lee the total" — losing both the format and the deadline. Answer D collapses steps together inaccurately ("count and move before noon"), makes the inspection form conditional on Lee's request rather than required, and incorrectly says to keep the form in storage rather than send it. A helpful strategy: when reviewing instructions in order-based questions, mentally number each step in the original passage, then check whether each answer choice honors that numbered sequence from start to finish before selecting anything.

Question 4

At the end of her shift, Priya checks a refrigerator used for food deliveries. The temperature is 39°F, which is within the safe range. Company rules say to check it again at 8:00 a.m. and notify a supervisor only if the temperature rises above 41°F.

Which handoff note accurately states the current condition and the conditional next step?

  1. The refrigerator is at 39°F and may soon become unsafe. Notify the supervisor now, then check the temperature again after 8:00 a.m.
  2. The refrigerator measured 39°F, so check it before 8:00 a.m. Report the result whenever the temperature reaches 41°F or higher.
  3. The refrigerator is within the safe range at 39°F. No more checks are needed unless a supervisor requests another reading tomorrow.
  4. The refrigerator measured 39°F at the end of my shift. Recheck it at 8:00 a.m.; notify a supervisor if the reading is above 41°F. (correct answer)
Explanation: When reading a workplace handoff note question, ask yourself two things: does it accurately report the current facts, and does it correctly state the conditional next step? Both parts must be right for the note to be useful and accurate. Option D does exactly this. It states the measured temperature (39°F), gives the specific time for the next check (8:00 a.m.), and correctly names the condition that triggers supervisor notification (above 41°F). Every detail matches the passage — nothing is added, nothing is missing. That precision makes D the correct answer. Option A fails on two counts: it editorializes by saying the fridge "may soon become unsafe" (the passage says it's within safe range), and it says to notify a supervisor now, when no notification is warranted at 39°F. This is a trap for students who confuse "close to the limit" with "over the limit." Option B gets the threshold right but distorts the timeline. The passage says to check at 8:00 a.m., not before it. That small word change could cause the next shift to check too early and consider their job done. Option C is dangerously incomplete. It says no more checks are needed unless a supervisor asks — but the passage clearly requires a recheck at 8:00 a.m. Omitting a required step from a handoff note could leave a safety gap. A useful strategy: on workplace communication questions, compare each answer choice word-for-word against the passage rules. Answers that add urgency that isn't there, or remove required steps, are almost always wrong.

Question 5

Luis wrote this supply note Monday morning: "We have 12 boxes of gloves. Order 8 more boxes on Friday." On Tuesday, he learns that a health clinic will use 10 boxes on Thursday. His supervisor says the order should be placed by noon Wednesday instead. Luis must update the note so coworkers do not follow the old deadline.

Which updated note most clearly explains the change and the action now required?

  1. Update: A clinic may use some gloves Thursday. The Friday order could be too late, so consider buying additional boxes earlier in the week.
  2. Correction: We have 12 boxes of gloves, and 10 more boxes should arrive Thursday. Keep the Friday order unless the supervisor changes it again.
  3. Correction to Monday's note: The clinic will use 10 of our 12 boxes Thursday. Order 8 more boxes by noon Wednesday; do not wait until Friday. (correct answer)
  4. Update to Monday's note: Order 10 boxes by noon Wednesday for the clinic, then order the remaining 8 boxes on Friday as first planned.
Explanation: When a workplace note needs to be corrected, the updated version must do three things: clearly identify what changed, state the accurate facts, and give coworkers a specific action with a firm deadline. Vague language or missing details can cause real problems, like running out of supplies. Choice C does all of this well. It labels itself as a "Correction to Monday's note" so readers immediately know the original was wrong. It states the accurate fact — the clinic will use 10 of the 12 boxes Thursday — using confident language, not guesses. Then it gives a clear, specific instruction: order 8 boxes by noon Wednesday, and explicitly cancels the Friday deadline. A coworker reading this knows exactly what to do and why. Choice A fails because it uses uncertain language like "may use" and "could be too late," and it says to "consider" buying more rather than giving a direct order. Coworkers need certainty, not suggestions. Choice B contains a factual error — it says 10 boxes "should arrive Thursday," which is not what the passage says. It also tells coworkers to keep the Friday deadline, which is exactly what Luis needs to cancel. Choice D gives the wrong quantity: it tells coworkers to order 10 boxes for the clinic, but Luis's original note called for 8 boxes, and nothing in the passage changes that number. A good tip to remember: on workplace writing questions, watch for answer choices that use hedging words like "may," "could," or "consider." A corrective note needs to give clear facts and firm instructions — not possibilities.

Question 6

Jordan asked the community center about reserving a room for May 18. The receptionist said Room B appears available from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., but the manager must approve the reservation. Jordan left a completed request form at the front desk. The manager will call Jordan by Thursday.

Which note clearly separates confirmed information from information that is still pending?

  1. Room B is reserved for Jordan on May 18 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The manager will call Thursday with instructions for using the room.
  2. Room B may be open on May 18, and Jordan may complete a request later. Ask the manager on Thursday whether a form is still required.
  3. Jordan requested Room B for May 18 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The form is at the front desk; approval is pending, and the manager will call by Thursday. (correct answer)
  4. Jordan submitted a room request for May 18. The manager approved the available time and will call by Thursday to confirm the room number.
Explanation: When taking notes on a conversation or inquiry, your job is to accurately reflect what is known versus what is still uncertain. A good note separates facts (things that have already happened) from pending items (things that still need to happen before they're finalized). Look at what the passage actually confirms: Jordan asked about a room, the receptionist said it appears available, Jordan left a completed form, and the manager will call by Thursday. Notice that no one has officially approved anything yet — the room is only possibly available, and approval hasn't happened. Answer C captures this accurately. It states the confirmed facts (Jordan requested Room B for a specific time, and the form is already at the front desk) while clearly flagging what's still uncertain (approval is pending, and a call is coming by Thursday). This is the correct answer. Answer A misrepresents the situation as settled — it says the room "is reserved," which is false. The room has not been reserved yet, only requested. This is the most dangerous distractor because it sounds organized and complete. Answer B goes too far in the other direction by introducing false uncertainty. The passage confirms Jordan already completed and submitted the form, so saying she "may complete a request later" contradicts the passage entirely. Answer D invents information — it claims the manager already approved the time, which never happened. The whole point of the Thursday call is that approval hasn't occurred yet. Your study tip: when evaluating notes, ask yourself two questions — does this add anything that wasn't stated, and does this leave out anything that was confirmed? A good note does neither.

Question 7

A study group met while Omar was absent. The group changed its presentation topic from city parks to public transportation. Omar will find two facts about bus use and send them to Mia by Wednesday evening. The group will meet in Room 204 at 6:30 p.m. Thursday to combine everyone's work.

Which note to Omar gives him the decision, his responsibility, and what will happen next?

  1. We discussed city parks and public transportation at today's meeting. Please research either topic before we meet again in Room 204 on Thursday evening.
  2. We changed our topic to public transportation. Find two facts about bus use and send them to Mia by Wednesday evening; we will combine everyone's work Thursday at 6:30 in Room 204. (correct answer)
  3. Our presentation plans changed while you were absent. Mia needs information by Wednesday, and the group plans to finish the project during Thursday's meeting.
  4. We selected public transportation for the presentation. Bring two facts about bus use to Room 204 at 6:30 p.m. Thursday so Mia can review them afterward.
Explanation: When a question asks which option covers a specific set of information, your job is to use that list as a checklist. Here, you need three things: the decision (topic changed to public transportation), Omar's responsibility (find two facts about bus use and send them to Mia by Wednesday evening), and what happens next (group meets Thursday at 6:30 in Room 204). Run each answer choice through that checklist. Choice B checks all three boxes. It tells Omar the topic changed, gives him a clear, specific task with a deadline and a recipient, and explains that Thursday's meeting is for combining everyone's work. Nothing is missing, and nothing is inaccurate. Choice A fails immediately because it tells Omar the group "discussed city parks and public transportation" — implying both are still options — when the group already made a decision. It also tells him to "research either topic," which gives him no clear responsibility. Choice C identifies that plans changed and mentions Wednesday and Thursday, but it leaves out the specific task (two facts about bus use), the deadline's recipient (Mia), and the exact meeting time and room. Omar couldn't act on this note confidently. Choice D gets the decision right and includes the meeting details, but it tells Omar to bring facts to the meeting so Mia can review them afterward — which contradicts the passage. He's supposed to send them to Mia by Wednesday, before the meeting. A useful strategy: when a question gives you a checklist of required elements, treat it literally. Cross off each item as you find it in the answer choice. Any choice missing even one item — or adding wrong information — can be eliminated.

Question 8

The office copier stopped working during a large print job. Jammed paper was removed, but the screen still displays error code E17. A service request, number 639, was submitted at 1:40 p.m. Employees should use the second-floor copier until the repair technician arrives. The office ordered the copier three years ago, and it is beside a cabinet containing colored paper.

Which note is concise but still includes the information coworkers need?

  1. The copier beside the colored-paper cabinet was ordered three years ago and stopped during a large job. A repair technician may examine it later.
  2. A copier repair was requested at 1:40 after paper jammed. Use another available machine, and check the supply cabinet for extra colored paper.
  3. The office copier stopped working during a large print job. Paper was removed from it, and employees should avoid printing large jobs this afternoon.
  4. The office copier shows error E17 after the jam was cleared. Service request 639 was submitted at 1:40; use the second-floor copier until repairs are completed. (correct answer)
Explanation: When a question asks you to identify a concise note that still includes what coworkers need, you're being tested on two skills at once: cutting unnecessary details and keeping the details that actually matter. Ask yourself — what would a coworker need to know to act appropriately right now? In this scenario, the essential information is: the copier has an error code (E17), a service request was filed (number 639) at a specific time (1:40 p.m.), and employees have a clear next step (use the second-floor copier). Answer D captures all of this cleanly and without padding. It tells coworkers the status, the tracking number for follow-up, and exactly where to go in the meantime — nothing more, nothing less. Answer A fails because it wastes space on irrelevant details (when the copier was ordered, where it sits) and uses vague language like "may examine it later," which gives no useful direction. Answer B introduces information that isn't in the passage at all — the colored-paper cabinet is mentioned as a location detail, not a supply resource — and omits the specific service request number and the second-floor copier instruction. Answer C leaves out the most actionable information entirely: there's no error code, no service request, and no alternative copier location. Telling employees to "avoid large jobs" is not a solution. A good strategy here: when evaluating notes or messages for conciseness, mentally sort each detail into "actionable/necessary" versus "background/irrelevant." If a detail doesn't help someone do their job, it doesn't belong in a workplace note.

Question 9

Malik will miss Tuesday's job-training class because he has a medical appointment. The instructor requires absent students to request missed handouts and submit the practice assignment before Friday's class. Malik plans to email the instructor, Ms. Chen.

Which note from Malik is clear, respectful, and specific about his next steps?

  1. Ms. Chen, I cannot attend Tuesday's class because of a medical appointment. Please send me the missed handouts; I will complete the practice assignment and submit it before Friday's class. (correct answer)
  2. Ms. Chen, I have something important to do Tuesday and may miss class. Please let me know whether there is any work I should try to finish or turn in later this week.
  3. Ms. Chen, my medical appointment conflicts with Tuesday's class. Please excuse all work assigned that day, since I expect to return and catch up before the Friday session.
  4. Ms. Chen, I will not be in class Tuesday due to an appointment. I plan to collect the handouts during Friday's class and submit the practice work sometime after that meeting.
Explanation: When you see a question asking you to evaluate a written message, focus on three qualities: clarity (is the message easy to understand?), respect (is the tone professional and courteous?), and specificity (does it include exact details and concrete next steps?). Apply all three filters to each option. Choice A hits every mark. Malik clearly states his reason for missing class (a medical appointment), directly asks for the missed handouts, and commits to a specific deadline — submitting the practice assignment before Friday's class. This matches exactly what Ms. Chen's policy requires, leaving nothing vague or unresolved. A is the correct answer. Choice B fails the specificity test. Phrases like "something important to do" and "try to finish or turn in later this week" are vague. Malik doesn't name his absence reason, doesn't ask for handouts directly, and sets no firm deadline — forcing Ms. Chen to fill in the gaps. Choice C misreads the instructor's policy entirely. It asks to be excused from all work assigned that day, but the passage states Malik must request the handouts and submit the assignment — not skip it. This response is also presumptuous in tone, which undermines respect. Choice D is specific about one thing but gets the timeline wrong. Malik says he'll collect handouts during Friday's class and submit work "sometime after" — but the policy requires submission before Friday's class. Meeting deadlines is part of being a responsible, communicative student. Study tip: On professional writing questions, always check whether the response follows the rules stated in the passage. A message can sound polite but still fail by ignoring the actual requirements.

Question 10

Nina wrote this note after speaking with her supervisor: "Rosa told Kim that she should open the training room early. She will bring the sign-in sheets there at 8:15." Rosa is responsible for opening the room at 8:00. Kim is responsible for bringing the sign-in sheets at 8:15.

Which revision removes the unclear pronouns without changing the responsibilities?

  1. Rosa told Kim to prepare the training room. She should open it at 8:00, and the sign-in sheets should arrive there at 8:15.
  2. Rosa will open the training room at 8:00. Kim will bring the sign-in sheets to the room at 8:15. (correct answer)
  3. Kim will tell Rosa to open the training room at 8:00. Rosa will bring the sign-in sheets there at 8:15.
  4. The training room will open early at 8:00. Rosa and Kim should bring the sign-in sheets to the room by 8:15.
Explanation: When writing or revising sentences, unclear pronouns — words like she, her, they, or it that could refer to more than one person — create confusion about who is responsible for what. Questions like this ask you to spot which revision keeps the original meaning intact while making every reference crystal clear. The original note creates two problems: "she should open the training room" could mean either Rosa or Kim, and "She will bring the sign-in sheets" has the same ambiguity. To fix this correctly, a revision must (1) name each person directly and (2) preserve the original responsibilities — Rosa opens the room at 8:00, Kim brings sign-in sheets at 8:15. Answer B does exactly this. "Rosa will open the training room at 8:00. Kim will bring the sign-in sheets to the room at 8:15." Every pronoun is gone, every name is explicit, and the duties match the passage perfectly. Answer A fails because it still uses the vague pronoun "she" ("She should open it at 8:00"), which doesn't solve the original problem. Answer C actually reverses the responsibilities — it has Kim telling Rosa what to do and then assigns the sign-in sheets to Rosa, which contradicts the passage. Answer D removes individual names entirely, making Rosa and Kim jointly responsible for the sign-in sheets, which also changes the original meaning. A useful strategy: before selecting a revision, mentally check each person named in the passage and confirm that their specific job appears correctly in the new version. If any responsibility shifted — or any vague pronoun survived — that answer is wrong.