Armed Forces Classification Test (AFCT) English Practice Test

The term "terse" suggests which of the following communication styles?

1. Overly apologetic

2. Clear and to the point

3. Excessively detailed

4. Emotionally charged

The correct answer is: Clear and to the point

The term "terse" refers to a style of communication that is concise, brief, and straightforward. When someone communicates in a terse manner, they convey their message without unnecessary words or embellishments, making it clear and direct. This style often focuses on the essential points without going into elaborate explanations, which aligns well with the idea of being clear and to the point. In contrast, the other communication styles described would not match the definition of "terse." For instance, being overly apologetic involves a lot of unnecessary phrasing that seeks to soften a message, while excessively detailed communication contains more information than what is necessary, detracting from clarity. An emotionally charged communication style tends to be expressive and often includes strong feelings or opinions, which also diverges from the succinct nature of something that is terse.