QCF Specimen Question Papers

Please note that ABE will not be able to accept any queries about the individual questions in the
papers.
The specimen question papers are provided for information purposes only; they are intended to
give candidates an indication of the types of paper that will be used to assess the QCF units and
to provide a flavour of the sort of questions that might be asked. There may be minor differences
between the style of the specimen question paper and that of the actual examination paper.
It is essential that you look at the specimen question paper for each unit that you are taking. This
is because there are various types of question paper under QCF.

Key points for all QCF question papers:

All the Learning Outcomes will be assessedunder NQF only a selection of Learning
Outcomes was assessed.

Make sure that you read and understand the instructionsthe paper may be divided into
sections; in some sections all questions will be compulsory; in others you will be offered a
choice between questions.

Allocate your time carefullyyou may be required to answer more questions than you
would have answered under NQF. Make sure that you take account of the number of marks
available for each question when deciding how to allocate your time.

Level 4 Diploma
Introduction to Business Communication
QCF Specimen Question Paper
1.

Time allowed: 3 hours.

2.

The number of questions you have to answer is marked clearly at the top of each section.
Read the instructions at the top of each section carefully. Do not answer more questions
than instructed.

3.

If you are offered a choice between two questions in a section you must NOT answer
both questions.

4.

The number of marks per question may vary. Marks for subdivisions of questions and the
total marks for each question are shown in brackets after the question.

5.

No books, dictionaries, notes or any other written materials are allowed in this
examination.

6.

Calculators, including scientific calculators, are allowed providing they are not
programmable and cannot store or recall information. Electronic dictionaries and
personal organisers are NOT allowed.

7.

Candidates who break ABE regulations, or commit any misconduct, will be disqualified from
the examinations.

8.

Question papers must not be removed from the Examination Hall.

ABE 2011

SECTION A
You must answer ALL SIX questions in Section A.
The questions in this section do not carry equal marks.
Section A is worth 90% of the total marks available for the paper.

Q1

You are the new manager of the purchasing department of a company called Sacolan. Your
company regularly buys raw materials from another company, QZ Materials.
Inventing all details as you wish, compose a brief, formal letter to the Sales Manager of
QZ Materials to introduce yourself as the new contact person for your company. (15 marks)

Q2

Q3

You have been asked to give a presentation to a group of ten trainees, on the subject of The
standards we expect from employees in the workplace.
(a)

Explain how you will prepare for delivering this presentation. (In this part of your
answer, do not include aspects of body language and do not refer to the content of
your speech.)
(10 marks)

(b)

Describe different ways in which you can use body language during your presentation,
to make it more effective.
(10 marks)
(Total 20 marks)

Outline each of the following barriers to communication and in each case, state how the
barrier can be overcome:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)

Incomplete information
Inappropriate language
Insufficient adjustment period
Poor reading skills
Physical noise
(3 marks each)
(Total 15 marks)

Q4

Your company owns a number of holiday hotels. The Directors are thinking of expanding the
number and are looking at several hotels with a view to buying one. They asked you to visit
the Hotel Torenos and to write a short report about it for them. Below are the notes you made
while you were there.
Notes:
History
The Hotel Torenos was built in 1995. It should have been completed in 1993 but they had a
series of problems due to poor building materials; so it wasnt finished till 1995, a full two
years behind schedule. It has proved to be a popular hotel for tourists, although I discovered
that it is not fully occupied except in high season.
Facts and figures
The Hotel Torenos has 160 bedrooms, located on three floors. 100 of these rooms have
views down to the lake, while the other 60 overlook the gardens. There are two lifts but when
I stayed there one of them broke down for an entire day. All rooms have air conditioning and
a balcony. There is an unsupervised swimming area at the lake, which has the potential to be
developed and the hotel also has its own outdoor pool, which is heated in winter.
Location
The hotel occupies a good position on a small hill near the lake. It is three kilometres from
the town centre and it offers an hourly free minibus service to take its guests to town and
bring them back again. This seemed to be efficient. The hotel has extensive gardens and it
tries hard to make the environment attractive to small wild creatures and birds. There are
many pleasant areas where one can walk or sit and admire the view.
The hotel stands about fifty metres back from the main road, between the road and the lake.
I listened carefully to see if traffic noise might be a problem, but even in those rooms nearest
the road it was very faint, while on the side of the hotel nearer the lake, the traffic cannot be
heard at all.
Staff
The Hotel Torenos appears to be well run. Staff are pleasant, courteous and efficient. Some
of the senior staff have worked there for a number of years, so they know the hotel and the
needs of their guests very well.
My impressions
The bedrooms and corridors will need to be redecorated. The carpets are old and some of
them date from 1995. The food and service are excellent. The hotel has good potential and
we should seriously consider buying this property.
(368 words)
Required:
Write a short report to your Directors about the Hotel Torenos, based on the notes above.
Your report must not exceed 120 words.
(15 marks)

Q5

Explain the importance to business communication of each of the following:

A memory stick
Videoconferencing
E-mail
A firewall
Speed dial

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)

(3 marks each)
(Total 15 marks)

Q6

Briefly explain any five of the following terms:

Asap
Flow chart
Optical mouse
Paralanguage
PDA
Spam

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)

(2 marks each)
(Total 10 marks)
END OF SECTION A
MAXIMUM MARKS FOR SECTION A: 90

SECTION B
You must answer ONE question from Section B. DO NOT answer BOTH questions from this
section. Both questions carry 10 marks.

EITHER:
Q7

You run a local shop and you want to advertise your shop in the local newspaper.
Identify and explain five inexpensive methods you could use in your advertisement to
persuade people to buy products at your store.
(10 marks)

OR:
Q8

Explain how a grapevine operates within an organisation, and state two advantages and
two disadvantages of a grapevine.
(10 marks)

END OF SECTION B
MAXIMUM MARKS FOR SECTION B: 10 MARKS

END OF EXAMINATION PAPER

TOTAL MAXIMUM MARKS: 100