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UPMSP Shorthand & Typewriting practice questions

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Question 1Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In Pitman shorthand, what does the thickness (shading) of a stroke indicate?

  1. The length of the following vowel
  2. Whether the word is a grammalogue
  3. The position of the outline on the line
  4. Whether the consonant is voiced or voiceless Correct answer.

Explanation

Pitman's system is based on paired consonants: a light stroke represents the voiceless sound and the corresponding shaded (thickened) stroke represents the voiced partner, as in 'p' and 'b' or 't' and 'd'. Shading therefore carries phonemic information and is one of the first distinctions a candidate must master before writing outlines at speed.

Question 2Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In Pitman shorthand, the consonants p, b, t, d, ch and j are grouped as which class of strokes?

  1. Nasal strokes
  2. Liquid strokes
  3. Curve strokes
  4. Plosive strokes Correct answer.

Explanation

These six sounds are produced by a complete stoppage of breath followed by release, so Pitman classifies them as plosives and writes them with straight strokes. The remaining straight strokes belong to the fricative group (f, v, th, s, z, sh, zh), while the curved strokes cover the nasals, liquids and semi-vowels.

Question 3Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A shorthand writer places an outline in second position on the line. In Pitman shorthand, which vowel does this position normally signal?

  1. No vowel at all follows the stroke
  2. A second-place vowel such as e or a Correct answer.
  3. A first-place vowel such as ah
  4. A third-place vowel such as oo

Explanation

Pitman uses three positions relative to the line to indicate the vowel that follows the first consonant: first place corresponds to the broad vowels ah/aw, second place to the lighter e/a vowels, and third place to the rounded oo/o vowels. The position is determined by the first vowel sound in the word, so placing an outline correctly is essential for accurate reading back.

Question 4Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In Pitman shorthand, which sign is used to indicate the aspirated sound of h?

  1. A short tick written before the following stroke Correct answer.
  2. A light dot placed before the vowel sign
  3. A dash written after the outline
  4. A small circle attached to the stroke

Explanation

The aspirate h is represented by a short tick placed before the stroke that follows it, as in 'hat' or 'home'. Because h has no stroke of its own, the tick is the only marker of aspiration and must be written distinctly so that the outline is not misread as an unaspirated word.

Question 5Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In English shorthand theory, what is a grammalogue?

  1. A phrase represented by two joined strokes
  2. A word represented by a single shorthand sign Correct answer.
  3. A vowel sign placed between consonants
  4. A shorthand outline written above the line

Explanation

A grammalogue is a common word that is written with one simple sign rather than a full phonetic outline, such as 'and', 'of', 'the' or 'that'. Learning grammalogues early is essential because they recur constantly in dictation and their fixed forms allow much higher writing speed.

Question 6Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In shorthand dictation practice, what does 'speed' most precisely measure?

  1. The number of characters transcribed per minute
  2. The number of pauses taken by the dictator
  3. The number of outlines written per minute
  4. The number of standard words dictated per minute Correct answer.

Explanation

Shorthand speed is conventionally expressed in words per minute, where a 'word' is a standard unit of 1.4 syllables or five characters, so that counts remain comparable between passages. This standardisation allows examiners to set fixed speed thresholds such as 80, 100 or 120 wpm regardless of the difficulty of the passage.

Question 7Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In the Gregg shorthand system, how are vowel sounds represented?

  1. By ticks written before the consonant
  2. By the position of the outline on the line
  3. By small symbols placed in the curve of the consonant Correct answer.
  4. By shading the consonant strokes

Explanation

Gregg shorthand writes vowels as small hooks, loops and dashes inserted into the curve of the preceding consonant stroke, rather than by shading or line position. This design keeps the outline compact and allows the writer to indicate each vowel explicitly without lifting the pen.

Question 8Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

Which paper size and ruling is standard for a shorthand notebook used in dictation practice?

  1. Legal-size paper with wide margins only
  2. Graph paper ruled in small squares
  3. A4 plain paper without lines
  4. A small lined notebook with a central margin line Correct answer.

Explanation

Shorthand notebooks are typically small, lined, and have a vertical line down the centre so that the writer can write two columns and avoid crossing the page. Lined paper keeps outlines at a consistent height, which matters for Pitman vowel positions and for legible reading back during transcription.

Question 9Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A candidate takes down dictation in shorthand and then produces a typed copy. What is this typed copy called?

  1. The draft
  2. The transcript Correct answer.
  3. The proof
  4. The fair copy

Explanation

The typed version produced from shorthand notes is the transcript, and the process of producing it is transcription. Examiners assess both the accuracy of the transcript against the dictated passage and the candidate's typing speed during the transcription stage.

Question 10Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

During transcription, a candidate cannot read one outline in the shorthand notes. What is the most appropriate action to preserve accuracy?

  1. Write the nearest similar word from memory
  2. Abandon the passage and start again from the beginning
  3. Leave a blank space and continue with the rest of the text Correct answer.
  4. Insert a word guessed from the general sense of the passage

Explanation

Leaving a clearly marked blank lets the writer keep pace with the rest of the passage and return to the doubtful outline later, using context to resolve it. Guessing or substituting a similar word risks a substantive error, which is penalised more heavily than a visible gap in transcription.

Question 11Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In Pitman shorthand, what is the function of a phraseogram?

  1. To indicate the vowel that follows a consonant
  2. To mark a word that must be written in full
  3. To show that a stroke is voiced
  4. To join two or more words into a single outline Correct answer.

Explanation

A phraseogram joins common words into one continuous outline, such as 'as soon as possible' or 'in accordance with', so that the pen is lifted less often. The device raises speed because frequently recurring word groups can be written as a single smooth movement.

Question 12Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A dictator reads a passage at 100 words per minute, but a candidate can write comfortably only at 80 words per minute. Which strategy best closes this gap during practice?

  1. Increasing the number of grammalogues and phraseograms used Correct answer.
  2. Writing every word in full outline to build accuracy
  3. Writing only the first letters of long words
  4. Slowing the dictator to match the candidate's speed

Explanation

Speed in shorthand comes largely from abbreviating recurring words and phrases, so expanding the stock of grammalogues and phraseograms reduces the number of strokes per word. Writing everything in full outline would keep the candidate at the slower speed indefinitely, and the dictator's pace in an examination is fixed.

Question 13Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In transcription, which convention is normally followed for expanding a shorthand abbreviation such as 'govt'?

  1. Replace it with a synonym of similar length
  2. Expand it to the full word 'government' in the transcript Correct answer.
  3. Reproduce the abbreviation exactly as written
  4. Omit the word entirely from the transcript

Explanation

Shorthand abbreviations are writing devices, not part of the intended text, so the transcript should give the full word that the dictator actually spoke. Reproducing the abbreviation would misrepresent the dictation, and examiners mark the transcript against the original spoken passage.

Question 14Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A shorthand candidate is asked to transcribe a dictated business letter. Which feature of the transcript is assessed separately from typing speed?

  1. The length of the shorthand notebook used
  2. The accuracy of spelling, punctuation and paragraphing Correct answer.
  3. The number of times the pen was lifted
  4. The number of shorthand outlines used

Explanation

Transcription is marked on the accuracy of the resulting text, including spelling, punctuation, capitalisation and paragraphing, as well as on the speed at which it is typed. The shorthand notes themselves are only the intermediate record and are not graded for their own characteristics.

Question 15Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In Pitman shorthand, how is the sound 'ng' written at the end of a word such as 'sing'?

  1. With a short horizontal tick above the line
  2. With a curved stroke formed from n and g run together Correct answer.
  3. With a small circle attached to the stroke
  4. With a straight stroke joined to the preceding consonant

Explanation

The nasal 'ng' is written as a single curved stroke that combines the shapes of n and g, producing a distinctive hook-like form. It is treated as one consonant sign rather than as two separate letters, which keeps outlines such as 'sing', 'long' and 'ring' compact.

Question 16Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In Pitman shorthand, what does writing an outline in the third position indicate about the word?

  1. Its first vowel is a rounded sound such as oo Correct answer.
  2. It contains no vowel sound at all
  3. Its first vowel is a light sound such as e
  4. Its first vowel is a broad sound such as ah

Explanation

Third position, written through or below the line, signals the rounded vowels oo and o, as in 'food' or 'book'. The three positions form a graduated system from first place (ah/aw) through second place (e/a) to third place (oo/o), and the writer must decide the position before beginning the outline.

Question 17Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

Why do shorthand manuals recommend writing on the line rather than above it for most second-place outlines?

  1. It keeps the outline aligned so that vowel position remains readable Correct answer.
  2. It makes the outline shorter and faster to write
  3. It allows the writer to use a pencil instead of a pen
  4. It reduces the number of grammalogues required

Explanation

Because Pitman indicates vowels by position relative to the line, the line itself is the reference against which first, second and third place are judged. If outlines drift above or below the line, the reader cannot tell which vowel was intended, so consistent alignment is essential for accurate reading back.

Question 18Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A candidate's shorthand notes are correct but the transcript contains several homophone errors, such as 'their' for 'there'. What is the most likely cause?

  1. The writer transcribed by sound without checking meaning Correct answer.
  2. The notebook lacked a central margin line
  3. The dictator used too many phraseograms
  4. The notes were taken at too high a speed

Explanation

Shorthand records sound rather than spelling, so homophones share the same outline and must be resolved from context during transcription. Errors of this kind point to a failure to read for meaning, not to a fault in the notes themselves or in the dictation speed.

Question 19Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In Gregg shorthand, what is the purpose of the 'brief form'?

  1. To indicate the stress placed on a syllable
  2. To mark the boundary between two sentences
  3. To show that a consonant is doubled
  4. To provide a shortened outline for a very common word Correct answer.

Explanation

Brief forms are memorised shortened outlines for high-frequency words such as 'the', 'and', 'of' and 'to', and they function much like grammalogues in Pitman. Because these words recur so often, even a small saving in strokes per word produces a substantial gain in overall speed.

Question 20Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

When dictating for a shorthand test, why does the examiner usually read the passage at a steady pace with even pauses?

  1. To reduce the number of outlines needed per minute
  2. To ensure every candidate faces the same timed conditions Correct answer.
  3. To make the passage easier to memorise
  4. To allow the candidate to write grammalogues in full

Explanation

A steady, standardised delivery ensures that all candidates receive the same number of words in the same time, which is what makes a words-per-minute score meaningful. Uneven pacing would give some candidates an advantage and would undermine the reliability of the examination.

Question 21Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In shorthand transcription, what does the term 'reading back' refer to?

  1. Reading the shorthand notes aloud to check their accuracy
  2. Reading the dictated passage before writing it
  3. Decoding the shorthand outlines into ordinary words Correct answer.
  4. Reading the typed transcript for the first time

Explanation

Reading back is the process of interpreting the shorthand outlines and turning them into normal language, which is the first stage of transcription. It requires the writer to recognise outlines, resolve ambiguous forms from context, and then type the resulting text accurately.

Question 22Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A candidate consistently misreads outlines containing the s-circle because it is written on the wrong side of the stroke. Which principle explains the error?

  1. The circle must be written above the stroke
  2. The circle must always be written on the left of the stroke
  3. The circle must be written after the vowel sign
  4. The circle must be written on the side where it forms the smoother join Correct answer.

Explanation

The s-circle is placed on the side of the stroke that produces the easier, more natural movement, which depends on the direction of the preceding and following strokes. Writing it on the wrong side makes the outline awkward and can change its meaning, so the writer must judge each case rather than follow a fixed side.

Question 23Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In Pitman shorthand, what distinguishes the 'st' loop from the 'str' loop?

  1. The st loop is larger and the str loop is smaller
  2. The st loop is written above the line and the str loop below it
  3. The st loop is a small loop and the str loop is a larger loop Correct answer.
  4. The st loop is lighter and the str loop is shaded

Explanation

Both loops represent consonant clusters, and their sizes are deliberately different so that they can be distinguished at speed: the small loop stands for st and the larger loop for str. A candidate who confuses the two will produce outlines that read as different words, so the size distinction must be practised until it is automatic.

Question 24Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A shorthand writer must transcribe a passage containing several technical terms that have no established shorthand outline. What is the soundest approach?

  1. Invent a new grammalogue for each term and hope it is understood
  2. Skip the terms and reconstruct them from memory later
  3. Replace each term with a common word of similar length
  4. Write the term in longhand or in a clear phonetic outline and mark it for checking Correct answer.

Explanation

Unfamiliar words are best written in longhand or in a careful phonetic outline so that the writer can return to them and verify the spelling against the source. Inventing signs risks ambiguity, while omitting or substituting words produces errors of substance in the transcript.

Question 25Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In Pitman shorthand, why is the outline for a word beginning with a vowel started with a 'vowel-place' stroke rather than left unplaced?

  1. Because words beginning with vowels are always grammalogues
  2. Because outlines must begin with a consonant stroke to be readable
  3. Because the initial vowel determines the position of the whole outline Correct answer.
  4. Because vowel signs are only written after the first consonant

Explanation

When a word opens with a vowel, that vowel fixes which of the three positions the outline must occupy, and the following consonants are written accordingly. Without this rule the reader could not tell which vowel was intended, since the position of the outline is the primary vowel indicator in the system.

Question 26Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In shorthand dictation tests, what does the term 'transcription' specifically refer to?

  1. Producing a typed or handwritten copy in longhand from shorthand notes Correct answer.
  2. Counting the words in the dictated passage
  3. Reading the passage aloud at a controlled rate
  4. Writing dictated matter in shorthand outlines

Explanation

Transcription is the stage that follows dictation: the writer decodes the shorthand outlines and renders them into full longhand or typescript. Dictation itself is the taking down of spoken matter in outlines, so the two stages are distinct and separately assessed.

Question 27Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A candidate is timed while taking dictation, and the speed is expressed as words per minute. What is the standard basis for counting those words in a shorthand speed test?

  1. The number of shorthand outlines actually written
  2. The number of syllables spoken by the dictator
  3. A fixed standard word count applied to the dictated passage Correct answer.
  4. The number of words in the candidate's final transcript

Explanation

Speed in shorthand tests is measured against the length of the dictated passage counted in standard words, not against what the candidate managed to write. This gives every candidate the same target and keeps the rating objective.

Question 28Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

Which quality of the candidate's shorthand notes most directly determines whether transcription can be completed within the time allowed?

  1. The neatness of the notebook margin
  2. The legibility and consistency of the outlines Correct answer.
  3. The number of pages filled
  4. The colour of ink used

Explanation

Transcription depends on the writer being able to read back outlines quickly and confidently, which requires clear, consistently formed strokes and vowel placement. Neat margins or ink colour have no bearing on reading back.

Question 29Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In shorthand terminology, what is a 'brief form'?

  1. A passage dictated at reduced speed
  2. An outline written with unusual care for a difficult word
  3. A note written in the margin during dictation
  4. A shortened outline adopted by convention for a very common word Correct answer.

Explanation

Brief forms are conventional abbreviations for high-frequency words, learned as fixed outlines so the writer gains speed on the most common items. They are memorised as standard forms rather than invented at the desk.

Question 30Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

Why do shorthand textbooks insist on a consistent direction and slope of writing throughout a dictation?

  1. It keeps the relative positions of strokes and vowels readable Correct answer.
  2. It reduces the amount of ink used
  3. It is required by the examining body's stationery rules
  4. It makes the notebook easier to bind

Explanation

Shorthand meaning depends on stroke direction, length and the position of following vowels and consonants. If the slope or direction drifts, the writer's own outlines become ambiguous when read back. Consistency is therefore a functional requirement, not a stylistic one.

Question 31Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

During transcription, what is the correct treatment of a word the dictator clearly repeated by mistake, such as 'the the report'?

  1. Abbreviate the repeated word
  2. Insert a note in brackets querying the repetition
  3. Reproduce the repetition exactly as dictated
  4. Omit the accidental repetition in the fair copy Correct answer.

Explanation

The transcript should represent the intended matter, so an obvious verbal slip by the dictator is silently corrected in the fair copy. Reproducing a clear error would misrepresent the text; the writer's judgement is part of the transcription skill.

Question 32Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A candidate is transcribing a dictated letter and must decide how to render the spoken phrase 'yours faithfully' at the close. What should appear in the transcript?

  1. The phrase in full as the complimentary close, correctly placed Correct answer.
  2. A bracketed note that the dictator said it
  3. The phrase in shorthand outlines
  4. An abbreviation such as 'yrs fthly'

Explanation

The fair copy of a business letter must reproduce the complimentary close in full and in its proper position, since it is part of the letter's formal structure. Shorthand outlines and ad hoc abbreviations belong to the notes, not the finished letter.

Question 33Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

When a dictated passage contains a figure such as 'fifteen thousand rupees', how is it normally shown in a shorthand note taken at speed?

  1. Recorded in figures, e.g. 15,000, for speed Correct answer.
  2. Written out fully in longhand
  3. Omitted until the transcript stage
  4. Replaced by a single arbitrary symbol

Explanation

Figures are written as numerals in the note because numerals are faster than spelling out number words. The transcript then presents the amount in the form required by the document, so the note and the fair copy may differ in presentation.

Question 34Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A candidate's transcript reads fluently but omits one complete sentence that is present in the dictated passage. How is this fault classified in shorthand assessment?

  1. A spelling error
  2. An error of transcription accuracy Correct answer.
  3. A fault of handwriting presentation
  4. A speed-rating shortfall

Explanation

Omitting dictated matter is an accuracy fault because the transcript no longer represents the passage. Fluency and neat presentation cannot compensate for missing content, which is counted against the candidate in transcription marking.

Question 35Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

Which practice most improves a candidate's ability to transcribe shorthand notes fluently after a long dictation?

  1. Copying printed passages into longhand
  2. Increasing the dictator's speed beyond the target
  3. Memorising the dictated passage beforehand
  4. Reading back freshly written notes and transcribing them the same day Correct answer.

Explanation

Transcription fluency grows from repeatedly reading back one's own outlines while the dictation is still fresh, which exposes ambiguous forms. Copying printed matter never exercises outline reading, and memorising the passage removes the need to read the notes at all.

Question 36Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In shorthand, why is phrasing (joining two or more words into one outline) used sparingly in examination dictation?

  1. Phrasing slows the writer down in every case
  2. Over-phrasing can create outlines that are hard to read back accurately Correct answer.
  3. Phrasing is prohibited in all shorthand systems
  4. Phrasing changes the meaning of the words

Explanation

Phrasing saves pen movement, but excessive or unusual combinations produce outlines the writer may misread during transcription. Examiners value a transcript that is accurate, so phrasing is used only where the combination is well practised.

Question 37Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A candidate transcribes a dictated passage and produces a fair copy that is accurate but written in an untidy, heavily corrected hand. How is this normally treated?

  1. Penalised, because the fair copy must be presentable as well as accurate Correct answer.
  2. Accepted in full, since accuracy is the only criterion
  3. Treated as a spelling fault
  4. Rejected outright without marking

Explanation

A fair copy is expected to be a clean, presentable rendering of the dictated matter, so untidiness and visible corrections attract a presentation penalty even when the wording is right. Accuracy and presentation are marked as separate qualities.

Question 38Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

During dictation, the dictator pauses briefly at punctuation marks. What is the practical purpose of these pauses for the shorthand writer?

  1. To let the examiner count the words
  2. To indicate a change of dictator
  3. To allow the writer to insert punctuation in the notes Correct answer.
  4. To signal that the passage has ended

Explanation

Punctuation is not sounded, so the dictator's brief pause is the only cue for the writer to mark a comma, full stop or paragraph in the notes. Without such cues the transcript would lack sentence structure.

Question 39Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

Which factor most often causes a candidate to fall behind during a shorthand speed test?

  1. Writing every outline with maximum precision
  2. Writing on alternate lines
  3. Hesitating over an unfamiliar word instead of writing a legible substitute Correct answer.
  4. Using too many brief forms

Explanation

Stopping to puzzle over a single word breaks the flow and causes the writer to lose several following words. The recommended technique is to write a legible temporary form and resolve it during transcription.

Question 40Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

What is the difference between a 'fair copy' and a 'rough note' in shorthand work?

  1. The fair copy is the shorthand note and the rough note is the transcript
  2. The rough note is the shorthand record and the fair copy is the clean transcript Correct answer.
  3. Both terms describe the same document
  4. The fair copy is dictated and the rough note is written

Explanation

The rough note is the shorthand record made at speed during dictation, while the fair copy is the clean longhand or typed version produced from it. Confusing the two terms leads to misunderstanding what is actually assessed for presentation.

Question 41Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A candidate must transcribe a dictated passage containing a proper name heard as 'Chaudhary'. The candidate is unsure of the spelling. What is the most defensible approach in the fair copy?

  1. Write the name as heard, using the most plausible standard spelling Correct answer.
  2. Replace the name with 'so-and-so'
  3. Omit the name entirely
  4. Leave a blank space in the transcript

Explanation

Proper names must appear in the transcript, and where the spelling cannot be verified the writer uses the most plausible standard form rather than dropping the word. Omission or blanks would leave the fair copy incomplete.

Question 42Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In transcription, what does it mean to 'expand' a shorthand outline?

  1. To write the outline larger for clarity
  2. To copy the outline into a second notebook
  3. To add vowel signs that were omitted
  4. To render the outline into its full longhand word or words Correct answer.

Explanation

Expansion is the act of converting a shorthand outline, including brief forms and phrases, into the full words it stands for. It is the core operation of transcription and is distinct from merely enlarging or annotating the outline.

Question 43Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A candidate's transcript is accurate in wording but the paragraphing does not match the dictated passage. Which assessment point does this affect?

  1. The shorthand speed rating
  2. The accuracy of the wording
  3. The choice of brief forms
  4. The presentation and layout of the fair copy Correct answer.

Explanation

Paragraphing belongs to the layout of the fair copy, so a mismatch is marked as a presentation fault rather than a wording error. Wording accuracy concerns the words themselves, which in this case are correct.

Question 44Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

Why does a shorthand writer record a dictated date such as 'the fifth of March' in figures rather than in words during the note?

  1. Figures are required by the examiner in the note
  2. Words would change the meaning of the date
  3. Figures are quicker to write and are unambiguous when read back Correct answer.
  4. Dates may not be written in words in shorthand

Explanation

At dictation speed, numerals are faster than spelling out date words and remain clear on reading back. The transcript then presents the date in whatever form the document requires.

Question 45Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

Which statement best describes the relationship between dictation speed and transcription accuracy in a shorthand examination?

  1. Accuracy is ignored once the target speed is reached
  2. They are marked as a single combined score
  3. Speed is ignored if the transcript is accurate
  4. They are assessed as separate qualities, and both must meet the standard Correct answer.

Explanation

Shorthand examinations rate the speed at which dictation is taken and, separately, the accuracy and presentation of the transcript. A candidate must satisfy both requirements, since a fast note that cannot be transcribed accurately is of little value.

Question 46Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

What is the main reason shorthand writers are trained to keep the pen on the paper between outlines rather than lifting it?

  1. It keeps the notebook pages flat
  2. It is required for correct vowel placement
  3. It saves the time lost in lifting and repositioning the pen Correct answer.
  4. It prevents ink from drying in the nib

Explanation

Lifting and repositioning the pen costs time on every word, so continuous writing between outlines is a recognised speed technique. Vowel placement depends on position relative to strokes, not on whether the pen is lifted.

Question 47Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

In transcription, how should a dictated instruction to 'underline the heading' be handled in the fair copy?

  1. Write the heading twice
  2. Ignore the instruction and the heading
  3. Write the instruction as part of the letter text
  4. Carry out the instruction by underlining the heading and omit the spoken direction Correct answer.

Explanation

Spoken directions about formatting are instructions to the typist, not part of the letter's wording, so they are carried out and not transcribed as text. Including them would put words into the letter that the sender did not intend to appear.

Question 48Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

Which of these is a recognised cause of ambiguity when reading back shorthand notes?

  1. Using a pencil rather than a pen
  2. Numbering the notebook pages
  3. Inconsistent writing of stroke length and vowel position Correct answer.
  4. Writing on both sides of the page

Explanation

Shorthand distinguishes sounds by stroke length, direction and the position of vowels, so inconsistency in these features creates genuine ambiguity on reading back. Choice of writing instrument or page numbering does not affect meaning.

Question 49Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

A candidate transcribes 'principal' where the dictation said 'principle'. Which description of the fault is correct?

  1. A paragraphing fault
  2. A shorthand outline error made during dictation
  3. A presentation fault in the fair copy
  4. A homophone error affecting transcription accuracy Correct answer.

Explanation

The two words sound alike but differ in meaning and spelling, so choosing the wrong one is a homophone error that counts against transcription accuracy. The outline taken down may have been perfectly correct; the fault arises at the transcription stage.

Question 50Shorthand Dictation and Transcription

Why is it useful for a shorthand candidate to practise transcription from notes taken some hours earlier rather than immediately?

  1. It tests whether the outlines remain readable without short-term memory of the passage Correct answer.
  2. It increases the speed of the original dictation
  3. It guarantees a faultless fair copy
  4. It removes the need to learn brief forms

Explanation

Delayed transcription removes the crutch of remembering what was dictated and forces genuine reading of the outlines. This exposes ambiguous or badly formed strokes that immediate transcription would hide.