Quiz 13 - 20 questions

Which of the following can damage the objectivity of a business report? a) eliminating the use of emotional adjectives b) putting numerical data in tables c) quoting experts on the subject d) recommending a rush to action e) using bullets to separate related points

d) recommending a rush to action

How has report writing changed over the years? a) Professionals used to be more competitive about using their reports to advance their careers. b) In recent years, style and design have gained more importance over content. c) Reports are much smaller and more compact today than they were in the past. d) Reports must now be accessible to many different clients and constituents. e) In recent years, reports have become more minimal with regard to aesthetic standards.

d) Reports must now be accessible to many different clients and constituents.

Which of the following is true of documenting secondary research sources? a) The list of research sources should be placed in the executive summary of the report. b) Statements that are paraphrased do not require documentation. c) The only thing that has to be documented is a direct quotation. d) Writers can use a variety of documentation systems, including MLA and APA styles. e) Ideas that are summarized do not require documentation.

d) Writers can use a variety of documentation systems, including MLA and APA styles.

Ernie has to submit a progress report about his project to his manager. What component should he put in the progress report that does not usually appear in other types of business reports? a) business objectives b) headings c) an executive summary d) accomplishments e) an introduction

d) accomplishments

Which of the following statements about headings is true? a) All types of reports, except survey reports, should include headings. b) Reports over five pages long are likely to require second-level headings. c) Headings should be structural, not descriptive of content. d) At a minimum, you should include third-level headings. e) If a report contains a table of contents, headings are unnecessary.

b) Reports over five pages long are likely to require second-level headings.

Felicia is creating a 60-page report for the senior managers in her department. To help her managers navigate such a lengthy report, she should a) include a SWOT analysis in her report. b) provide a structure that decision makers are familiar with. c) use the MLA documentation system instead of APA style. d) use several cause-effect statements throughout the report. e) use paraphrasing instead of direct quotation.

b) provide a structure that decision makers are familiar with.

Why might a writer decide to create a business report in a slide deck format? a) to eliminate the cover and executive summary b) to make it visually stronger and more creative c) to avoid the need for navigational tools like headings d) to allow decision makers to see it in a presentation rather than read it e) to carry most of the recommendations in visuals rather than in text

b) to make it visually stronger and more creative

What is the probable effect of using too many bullet points in a report? a) It makes the report seem like it lacks direction. b) It casts a shadow of doubt on the quality of data. c) It can create a choppy, staccato-like effect. d) It demonstrates your lack of originality in thought. e) It makes the report difficult to navigate.

c) It can create a choppy, staccato-like effect.

Which of the following statements about business reports is true? a) Preview statements help decision makers judge the quality of the data provided in business reports. b) A title page should be used in a business report to preview the report's most important contents. c) It is important to strike a balance between objectivity and positivity in a report. d) A business report should always use as many bulleted or numbered lists as possible. e) Precision in most business reports is the result of using the right documentation system.

c) It is important to strike a balance between objectivity and positivity in a report.

Which of the following statements about paraphrasing is true? a) In most situations, you should use direct quotations rather than paraphrasing. b) Paraphrasing is used to emphasize the credibility of the original speaker or writer. c) Paraphrasing involves using your own words to express the meaning of the original speaker. d) You must paraphrase when the original quotation contains a compelling combination of words. e) Paraphrasing helps you document references to others' ideas.

c) Paraphrasing involves using your own words to express the meaning of the original speaker.

Which of the following raises the credibility of a report? a) designing the report for ease of use b) eliminating choppy bulleted lists c) providing supporting details for your conclusions d) avoiding the use of cause-effect statements e) using direct quotations rather than paraphrases

c) providing supporting details for your conclusions

Which of the following raises the credibility of a report? a) using the APA style instead of the MLA style b) shielding the urgency of the problem c) supplying the facts with precision d) stressing positivity rather than objectivity e) avoiding the use of cause-effect statements

c) supplying the facts with precision

What does it mean to demonstrate originality in thought when using secondary research to develop reports? a) to use indirect quotations when the quotation contains a particularly compelling combination of words b) to provide citations to indicate the information you have drawn from other sources c) to meld the ideas from two different sources in a way that keeps their true meaning d) to combine information from a variety of sources in novel and insightful ways e) to raise the credibility of your report by carefully dealing with cause-effect statements

d) to combine information from a variety of sources in novel and insightful ways

Emily included the following passage in her report: "Other mid-price restaurants in the Chicago area have achieved phenomenal success by offering several vegetarian options on their menus. I suggest that Family Feast test whether this approach will benefit us by gradually rolling out new menu choices, one at a time, over a six-month period. We can then do customer surveys to determine how the new dishes have been received." What should Emily change to make her report more objective? a) Change the six-month rollout period to a six-week period to obtain results more quickly. b) Replace the vague phrase "several vegetarian options" with the names of specific menu choices. c) Eliminate the subjective step of following up with customer surveys. d) Change the suggestion of a gradual, six-month rollout to an immediate overhaul of the menu. e) Change "achieved phenomenal success" to "improved customer satisfaction."

e) Change "achieved phenomenal success" to "improved customer satisfaction."

Which of the following statements about cover pages is true? a) Cover pages typically include the names of all the recipients. b) Cover pages consist of a list of first-level and second-level headings. c) Cover pages should summarize the most important contents of a report. d) The cover page is generally the least emphasized aspect of document design. e) Formal reports, regardless of length, always include a cover page.

e) Formal reports, regardless of length, always include a cover page.

At his last review, Lazar was told that his reports succeed at projecting a positive tone but do not seem objective enough. Lazar has asked you, as a trusted colleague, to give him advice on how to improve that aspect of his work. Which of the following will you tell him? a) Use tables and charts in your report to represent numerical information. b) Include an executive summary that provides the quick story of the report. c) Use bulleted or enumerated lists to reduce the density of information. d) Provide a well-designed table of contents. e) Provide information, analysis, and advice that is sound, reliable, and unbiased.

e) Provide information, analysis, and advice that is sound, reliable, and unbiased.

Which of the following is a guideline for reviewing business reports? a) Avoid getting others' perspectives on the report because different people have different opinions. b) Make sure that the report projects more positivity than objectivity. c) Avoid discussing the report with the ultimate decision makers. d) Review the report only if it deals with sensitive marketing strategies. e) Run through the report numerous times, each time considering a different perspective.

e) Run through the report numerous times, each time considering a different perspective.

The table of contents in a report contains a) section numbers with their corresponding page numbers. b) the introduction from each section of the report. c) topic sentences from each paragraph. d) all of the preview statements from each section of the report. e) all first-level headings and sometimes all second-level headings.

e) all first-level headings and sometimes all second-level headings.

To develop original reports, make sure that you avoid a) using cause-effect statements. b) including a problem statement. c) relying on summaries and paraphrases. d) using too many bar charts. e) plagiarizing in any form.

e) plagiarizing in any form.

Which of the following will help you ensure that your report is fair and effective? a) avoiding the use of direct quotations b) reviewing the entire report in just one sitting c) giving the emotional reasons for your recommendations d) giving more importance to positivity rather than objectivity e) reviewing your report from the perspective of decision makers

e) reviewing your report from the perspective of decision makers