COMM $1106$ writing$/$exam practice

Please respond appropriately to the following grammar questions and the below scenario:

$1.$ Rewrite the following sentence in a more concise way by using short, simple words.

During the preceding month, company managers became cognizant of the fact that an increase in low employee morale was a direct causation of the decrease in sales.

$2.$ Rewrite the following sentence so it no longer has parallelism problems.

In order to graduate on time, he will have to take courses in finance, marketing, and how to do account management.

$3.$ Rewrite the following sentence in a more concise way by eliminating the indefinite pronouns in the opening.

There are three new tenants who are moving in today.

$4.$ Rewrite the following sentence so it is no longer a run$-$on$.$

I have to go to the store I need to buy milk and I need to go the bank.

$5.$ Rewrite the following sentence so it is using the correct tense.

When I was young, I thought granola is an exotic food, and the word organic applies to a subject in science class

Scenario

You work as an Administrative Manager at a food manufacturing company called Westcoast Food Supplies Inc. You have been with the company for almost four years. You work for the Founder and President, Jim Hunt, who started this company thirty years ago and has grown it nationally, selling various food supplies to restaurants and hotels across Canada. Westcoast Food Supplies has over $200$ employees and the manufacturing plant including the Head Office that is located in Richmond, BC

Jim calls you into his office, and says $$I have a task for you to do immediately. I need you to write an email to all staff about the changes to our benefits program at Atlantic Green Cross.$$

You grab your note pad and pen and ask $$Okay$,$ when do you want the email sent out?$$

Jim says $$Later today. Here are the major changes to the benefits program and policies. The Extended Health program that covers prescription drugs will drop from $100\%$ coverage to $70\%.$

You reply, $$What does this mean?$$

Jim says $$When an employee gets a prescription for a prescribed medicine from the doctor, the employee has to pay for it first at the pharmacy and submits receipts to get reimbursed. In the old program, the whole amount of the prescription drug is covered. Now, the plan covers only $70$ percent.$$

You say $$Oh$?$ So$,$ it will cost more for employees now under this new benefits program.$$

Jim replies $$Yes$.$ We are losing money and the cost for these benefits have dramatically increased over the past three years.$$

Jim adds, $$Our Dental Plan has changed too. The amount of coverage has decreased for major dental procedures such as braces and root canals. Minor coverage that involves teeth maintenance, such as cleaning and check up$,$ drops to $65\%$ from $100\%.$

You respond, $$Staff are not going to be happy.$$

Jim pauses, slumps his head as if disappointed, and responds $$I know. I need to cut expenses. This benefit expense is cutting into our bottom line since our staff members are aging more and depend on more on the benefits program. As more people have families and age more, they depend more on the benefits program unlike you who is still young and just graduated from BCIT. $$

Jim takes an aggressive sip from his steel flask, and says $$Oh I nearly forgot. I cut the international travel insurance for staff as I found out that staff were not using this benefit.

You briefly look over your notes, then ask, $$Do you want to review my email before I send it out?$$

Jim says $$Excellent idea! Yes, please send me a draft before you send it out. Staff will be angry! I will be leaving the office in two hours for a client meeting in Downtown Vancouver.$$

You say $$OK$.$ I will work on it right now!$$