Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13

Which of the following reports is an example of an informational report? a) A report that compares three sites for a new clothing boutique location and recommends one b) A report that recommends one of six candidates for an executive assistant position c) A report that presents several alternatives for decreasing employee absenteeism, including recommendations for the best solution d) A report showing how a company has complied with IRS regulations

A report showing how a company has complied with IRS regulations

Which of the following is an example of a feasibility report? a) A report to determine which of three firms to use for after-hours security b) A report about a firm's profitability to be sent to the company's shareholders c) A report on a meeting held with members of the local chamber of commerce d) A report to determine whether a company should provide an on-site gym for its employees

A report to determine whether a company should provide an on-site gym for its employees

Tracey will carefully document her sources in a report she must submit to her boss. Which of the following is a reason that Tracey should document her sources? a. To strengthen her argument b. All of these choices are reasons for documenting report data. c. To instruct her reader d. To protect herself against charges of plagiarism

All of these choices are reasons for documenting report data.

What is the most accurate statement about using books for business research? a. Because books are obsolete, they should never be used for business research. b. Most business reports are based on research found in books. c. Books provide excellent historical, in-depth data. d. Books are best for finding current data about technical trends.

Books provide excellent historical, in-depth data.

Danielle will be preparing several business reports and has asked for your advice about designing the reports professionally. What is the best advice you can give her? a. Use a font size that is 8 to 10 points for the body of the report so that you can fit more on the page. b. Insert as many graphics and clip art images as possible to make your report more interesting. c. Do not justify the right margins. d. Use a variety of fonts within the report to keep your reader interested.

Do not justify the right margins.

Which of the following is an example of a talking heading? a. Findings b. Employees Show Support for Stock Options c. Recommendations d. Labor Costs

Employees Show Support for Stock Options

Informational reports should be organized using which of the following patterns? a. Introduction/problem, facts/findings, conclusions/recommendations, discussion/analysis b. Summary/conclusion, introduction/background, facts/findings c. Introduction/background, facts/findings, summary/conclusion d. Introduction/problem, conclusions/recommendations, facts/findings, discussion/analysis

Introduction/background, facts/findings, summary/conclusion

Which of the following is not one of the three Ms that measure central tendency? a) Mean b) Mode c) Margin d) Median

Margin

Which of the following is most likely to be distorted by an extreme number at either end? a) Median b) Mean c) Mode d) Margin

Mean

Select the most accurate statement about proposals. a) Most proposals are unsolicited. b) Proposals can mean life or death for an organization. c) Most internal proposals are written in response to Requests for Proposals (RFPs). d) Most proposals are internal.

Proposals can mean life or death for an organization.

Jill wants to write a persuasive business plan. What government agency will give her the most useful advice for writing the plan? a. Securities and Exchange Commission b. Internal Revenue Service c. Department of Homeland Security d. Small Business Administration

Small Business Administration

Which of the following components is typically included in a formal report but is optional in an informal report? a. Table of Contents b. Conclusion c. Introduction d. Body

Table of Contents

Of the three Ms, the ____________ is especially useful when extreme figures may warp the average. a) mode b) margin c) mean d) median

d) median

In planning his report, Byron breaks the major investigative problem into subproblems. This process is sometimes called a. visualizing the problem. b.focusing the problem. c. expanding the problem. d. factoring the problem.

d. factoring the problem.

The introduction to a proposal typically a) lists the proposed project costs. b) asks for approval or authorization. c) highlights the writer's qualifications. d) All of these choices.

highlights the writer's qualifications.

When incorporating a graphic in the body of your report, you should a. manipulate the visual to make data look more dramatic. b. include a reference to the graphic in the text. c. use a good deal of color to improve readability. d. assume that the reader will draw the same conclusions you did from the set of data.

include a reference to the graphic in the text.

When people say average, they usually intend to indicate the __________, or arithmetic average a. margin b. mode c. median d. mean

mean

Using columns and rows, _____________ help researchers summarize and simplify data and make quantitative information easier to comprehend. a) pie charts b) tables c) decision matrices d) correlations

tables

You are responsible for recording the minutes of an important executive board meeting. The best way to organize these minutes is by a) importance. b) criteria. c) convention. d) time.

time.

To contrast responses of employees with children against responses of employees without children from a survey on attitudes toward on-site child care, a. determine the average response. b. use cross-tabulation. c. determine the range of responses. d. determine the standard deviation.

use cross-tabulation.

A good introductory paragraph for a business report should a) describe the significance of the report topic. b) All of these choices. c) tell the purpose of the report. d) preview the main points and the order in which they will be developed.

All of these choices.

Knowledgeable report writers use direct quotations to a) repeat identical phrasing of a source because of its precision, clarity, or aptness. b) duplicate the exact wording of a source before criticizing. c) All of these choices. d) provide objective background data and establish the severity of a problem.

All of these choices.

Which of the following is a useful guideline for preparing effective surveys? a. Include as many questions on your survey as necessary, even if you may not use the information in your final report. b. Use questions that produce qualitative answers. c. Avoid leading or ambiguous questions. d. Never offer survey participants compensation as this will skew the results.

Avoid leading or ambiguous questions.

Which of the following situations would require a yardstick report? A. Vivian presents data supporting the decision to open the company's newest restaurant in Baton Rouge. B. Elijah conducts a study to determine whether customers prefer to dine in a restaurant or have food delivered to their homes. C. Christine reviews the company's financial records to verify the amount each expense has changed during the quarter. D. Donald gathers information on three mid-range American-made automobiles to compare price, fuel economy, maintenance, insurance rates, and resale value before selecting a car for the company's sales force.

D. Donald gathers information on three mid-range American-made automobiles to compare price, fuel economy, maintenance, insurance rates, and resale value before selecting a car for the company's sales force.

Dylan is anticipating the audience for a report he is writing. What question should he ask during this stage of the writing process? a. What is the educational level of my readers? b. What do my readers need to know about this topic? c. How will my readers react to the information in my report? d. Dylan should ask all these questions about her audience.

Dylan should ask all these questions about her audience.

Analytical reports should be organized using which of the following patterns? a. Introduction/background, facts/findings, summary/conclusion b. Introduction/problem, facts/findings, discussion/analysis, conclusions/recommendations c. Summary/conclusion, introduction/background, facts/findings d. Introduction/background, summary/conclusion, facts/findings

Introduction/problem, facts/findings, discussion/analysis, conclusions/recommendations

In the introduction section of a proposal, which of the following would be the best way to persuade the receiver to read the rest of the proposal? a) Present a detailed budget that shows a low overall cost. b) Mention a remarkable resource available exclusively to you. c) Provide a timetable for all activities. d) Give the background and credentials of everyone who will be working on the project.

Mention a remarkable resource available exclusively to you.

What is the most accurate statement about the title page of a formal report? a. The last item on a title page is the name of the author. b. All items on a title page are typed in uppercase letters. c. The name of the person receiving the report comes before the author of the report. d. The title is enclosed in quotation marks to make it stand out.

The name of the person receiving the report comes before the author of the report.

Which of the following statements would not be appropriate for a letter or memo of transmittal? a) I appreciate the opportunity to have completed this research project. b) The questionnaire shown here was used to collect data for this report. c) I would be glad to do follow-up research if required. d) This report investigating the need to relocate the corporate offices was authorized by Doug Peters.

The questionnaire shown here was used to collect data for this report.

Which of the following is most likely to appear in the appendix section of a formal proposal? a. An executive summary of the proposal b. A copy of the RFP c. A list of tables and figures that appear in the proposal d. The résumés of principal investigators or testimonial letters

The résumés of principal investigators or testimonial letters

You are writing a short, routine report for your supervisor and want to use an informal writing style. Which of the following should you do? a) Because you are writing to a superior, create a distance between yourself and the reader. b) Avoid humor and figures of speech. c) Use shorter sentences and familiar words. d) Omit any colorful adjectives and adverbs.

Use shorter sentences and familiar words.

In which of the following situations should the direct pattern of organization be used for a business report? a) When readers must be persuaded b) When readers are familiar with the topic c) When readers may be disappointed or hostile toward the report's findings d) When readers are unfamiliar with the problem

When readers are familiar with the topic

In which of the following situations should the indirect pattern of organization be used for a business report? a. When readers must be educated about the topic b. The indirect method should be used in all these cases. c. When readers are familiar with the topic d. When readers are supportive of the topic

When readers must be educated about the topic

A potential angel investor is reading your business plan for a new start-up company. What will this investor most likely consider to be the most important factor in assessing your business potential? a. Whether your management team can implement the business plan b. Whether you've come up with a realistic start-up budget c. Whether you're aware of all of your direct and indirect competitors d. Whether your start-up company will use social media for marketing and communication

Whether your management team can implement the business plan

Determine the mean of the numbers 30, 25, 25, 45, and 70. a) 39 b) 25 c) 30 d) 195

a) 39

Which statement is incorrect? a) Recommendations should be general. b) Short reports may omit conclusions and move on to recommendations. c) Recommendations should focus on solutions to the reader's problem. d) Recommendations and conclusions may be combined.

a) Recommendations should be general.

Which statement most accurately describes recommendations? a) Recommendations should begin with an action verb. b) Recommendations should include words like maybe and perhaps to show that other solutions may exist. c) Recommendations should be general to allow readers to apply them in a variety of ways. d) Recommendations should be prepared before interpreting data.

a) Recommendations should begin with an action verb.

Which statement about conclusions is least accurate? a) Report writers should try to draw conclusions that are subjective. b) Report writers may choose to expand the conclusion section by explaining each item and citing supporting evidence. c) The best conclusions show the audience how the data relate to the problem being studied. d) Any set of data can produce a variety of meaningful conclusions.

a) Report writers should try to draw conclusions that are subjective.

The part of a formal report that highlights the important points for people who may not have time to read the entire document is the a) executive summary. b) table of contents. c) budget. d) authorization.

a) executive summary.

Which of the following reports is an example of an analytical report? a. A report recommending one of four building alarm systems b. A report showing that a public company is in compliance with SEC regulations c. A report giving the details about a training workshop attended d. A report describing the new company dress code

a. A report recommending one of four building alarm systems

You must write a business report for a client and want to use a formal writing style. Which of the following should you do? a. Avoid including your own opinions and perceptions. b. Emphasize active-voice verbs. c. Use contractions. d. Use first-person pronouns.

a. Avoid including your own opinions and perceptions.

Rick has asked you for help in preparing an executive summary of a formal business report he is writing. What is the best advice you can give him? a. Begin the executive summary with your purpose. b. Use a lot of technical language to impress your reader. c.Make the executive summary as long as necessary to be persuasive. d. To add variety to your report, prepare your executive summary in a different sequence from the report itself.

a. Begin the executive summary with your purpose.

Select the best wording for a recommendation. a. Extend the campus café hours to meet the needs of evening students. b. Busy students are taking more evening classes and should be able to use the campus café before class. c. Perhaps we should extend the campus café hours to meet the needs of evening students. d.Our college campus should extend café hours to meet the needs of evening students.

a. Extend the campus café hours to meet the needs of evening students.

Which of the following situations would most likely require observation or scientific experimentation? a. You need to determine the average time it takes your line employees to produce a single piece of furniture. b. You want to find out what tools are available to protect your computer network from hackers. c. You want to verify your supervisor's opinion on upgrading your department's accounting software. d. You must find out which ten companies ranked highest for customer service in 2014.

a. You need to determine the average time it takes your line employees to produce a single piece of furniture.

Background, Findings, Staffing, and Budget are examples of a. functional headings. b. generic headings. c.transitional headings. d.talking headings.

a. functional headings.

Virginia has a large amount of quantitative data made up of exact figures to present in a report. Virginia should present this data using a(n) a. table. b. line chart. c. pie chart. d. organization chart.

a. table.

The title page of a formal proposal should include a) the name of the client organization. b) the RFP number or other announcement. c) all of these choices. d) the title of the proposal.

all of these choices.

A grant proposal includes a) a needs statement that explains a problem or situation that the grant project proposes to address. b) a plan for measuring progress toward completion of the grant proposal's goal. c) an action plan that tells what will be done by whom and when. d) all of these components.

all of these components.

The range for daily sales for the week, $89,000, $75,000, $98,000, $66,000, and $99,000, is a) $85,400. b) $33,000. c) $89,000. d) $427,000.

b) $33,000.

Which of the following reports would most likely be written using an informal writing style? a) A thesis submitted by a PhD student b) A summary report written to your supervisor about a conference you attended c) A business proposal written to secure a contract with a governmental agency d) A research report about economic trends written by a consultant for her client

b) A summary report written to your supervisor about a conference you attended

Which statement does not describe the body of a formal business report? a) Research findings are discussed, analyzed, interpreted, and evaluated. b) Incidental and supporting materials are placed strategically throughout the body of the report. c) Clear headings are used to explain each major section. d) Evidence that justifies the conclusions is presented.

b) Incidental and supporting materials are placed strategically throughout the body of the report

A report that presents data without analysis or recommendations is a(n) ___________ report. a) audit b) informational c) analytical d) yardstick

b) informational

In an introduction to a formal business report, the section that clarifies the boundaries of the report and defines what will be included or excluded is the a) significance. b) scope. c) background. d) authorization.

b) scope.

Sources of primary information include a) information on the Web. b) surveys and interviews. c) periodicals and newspapers. d) research databases.

b) surveys and interviews.

Which of the following reports would most likely be written using a formal writing style? a. A routine report about the progress a task force is making b. A research report about consumer trends written by a consultant for his client c. A summary report written to your supervisor about a conference you attended d. A short summary written for your boss of an article you read

b. A research report about consumer trends written by a consultant for his client

The staffing section of an informal proposal may a. identify resources such as computer facilities that will be used during the project. b. All of these choices. c. describe the credentials and expertise of the project leaders. d. identify the size and qualifications of the support staff.

b. All of these choices.

Which of the following statements about business reports is most accurate? a. To be considered a business report, the document must be at least ten pages in length. b. The larger an organization, the more vital the exchange and flow of information becomes. c. To be considered a business report, a document must be in writing. d. Reports are prepared for internal readers, not external readers.

b. The larger an organization, the more vital the exchange and flow of information becomes.

Progress and interim reports a. discuss the day-to-day operations of a company. b. describe the status of continuing projects. c. explain the benefits of a recommendation. d. provide conclusions based on the data provided.

b. describe the status of continuing projects.

The actual proposal section of a proposal must a. All of these choices b. tell what you propose to do and how it will benefit the reader. c.describe the credentials and expertise of the project leaders. d. identify the resources you will use, including computer facilities.

b.tell what you propose to do and how it will benefit the reader.

The longest and most substantive section of a formal business report is the a. introduction. b. executive summary. c. conclusion. d. body.

body.

What is the most accurate statement about grant proposals? a) Funds received through a grant proposal can be used for any purpose, not just those outlined in the proposal. b) Grant money received must be repaid. c) Grants are often made to the U.S. government, private foundations, and public corporations. d) Skilled grant writers are among the most in-demand professionals today.

c) Grants are often made to the U.S. government, private foundations, and public corporations.

Proposals are a) solicited by both government agencies and private businesses. b) a critical means of selling equipment and services for many companies. c) all of these choices. d) written offers to solve problems, provide services, or sell equipment.

c) all of these choices.

A total of 1,000 students responded to a survey about using student fees to build a new health care center on campus. Of those responding, 700 students said they "strongly agree" with this proposal. What percentage of students strongly agree? a. 30 percent b. Impossible to determine with data provided c. 70 percent d. 14.28 percent

c. 70 percent

Which of the following statements about business plans is least accurate? a. The reader of a business plan is typically a bank loan officer, a venture capitalist, or an investor. b. A business plan is another form of proposal. c. Business plans are generally written in response to RFPs. d. A business plan is critical for securing financial support of any kind.

c. Business plans are generally written in response to RFPs.

Sarah has decided to include a timetable in a proposal she is writing. Where will this timetable most likely be located? a. In the budget section b. In the authorization section c. In the proposal section d. In the introduction

c. In the proposal section

Which of the following statements about business plans is least accurate? a. For existing companies, the company description section should describe the company's founding, growth, sales, and profits. b. The product/service description section should explain why your product or service is better than existing products or services. c. Investors are looking only for unique products or services. d. Start-up companies should explain in the product/service description section why the business will be profitable.

c. Investors are looking only for unique products or services.

Tara, a student who is researching forensic accounting, is preparing to interview an experienced accountant. To conduct an effective interview, Tara should a. try to do most of the talking during the interview to put the interviewee at ease. b. ask as many yes-or-no questions as possible to make things easier for the interviewee. c. learn as much as possible about the forensic accounting field before conducting the interview. d. engage the accountant in a debate to display her knowledge.

c. learn as much as possible about the forensic accounting field before conducting the interview.

Knowledgeable readers go straight to the _____________ to see what the report writer thinks the data mean. Because this section summarizes and explains the findings, it represents the heart of a report. a) conclusions b) appendix c) executive summary d) introduction

conclusions

A report that compares the services offered by three wireless companies should be organized by a) convention. b) criteria. c) time. d) component.

criteria.

Gavin wants to encourage his boss to allow him to telecommute. What type of report will he most likely prepare? a) Yardstick report b) Progress report c) Investigative report d) Justification/recommendation report

d) Justification/recommendation report

William is writing a solicited proposal in response to an RFP and is working on the background section. What is his goal in this section? a) To convince the reader that a problem exists b) To show the reader how much accepting the proposal will cost c) To make himself look professional d) To persuade the reader that he understands the problem completely

d) To persuade the reader that he understands the problem completely

An informational report presenting quarterly sales data for a clothing boutique's four branches would most likely be organized by a) importance. b) criteria. c) time. d) component.

d) component.

The best choice for showing changes in a company's monthly sales for Fiscal Year 2014 is a(n) a) organization chart. b) pie chart. c) flow chart. d) line chart.

d) line chart.

Which of the following is the most accurate statement about the executive summary? a. An executive summary is written for specialists or technical readers. b.The content of an executive summary should be more technically oriented than an abstract. c.An executive summary is generally shorter than an abstract. d. A formal proposal may contain both an executive summary and an abstract.

d. A formal proposal may contain both an executive summary and an abstract.

Which of the following is an example of an informational report? a. A report analyzing reasons for a company's high turnover rate b. A report determining which wireless carrier to use for the sales staff's smartphones c. A report recommending that an organization begin offering on-site child care to employees d. A report describing a new procedure for submitting expense claims

d. A report describing a new procedure for submitting expense claims

Which of the following components is typically included in a formal proposal but is optional in an informal proposal? a. Staffing b. Budget c. Authorization Request d. Abstract or summary

d. Abstract or summary

Which of the following transitional expressions can be used to present additional thoughts? a. Accordingly, as a result, consequently, therefore b. After, before, first, finally, now, previously, to conclude c. At the same time, but, however, though, yet d. Again, also, moreover, furthermore

d. Again, also, moreover, furthermore

What is the purpose of a traditional report cover? a. To take the place of the title page b. All of these choices c. To hide the title of the report so that you can build suspense d. To give the report a professional, finished appearance

d. To give the report a professional, finished appearance

Select the most accurate statement about sources found on the Web. a. Wikipedia is reliable and should be used when conducting any scholarly research. b. Information posted at most sites has undergone the same editing and scrutiny given to articles in scholarly publications. c. Researchers can safely assume that the information posted on websites by individuals and companies is reputable. d. Wikis, blogs, and discussion forum entries are short-lived and change constantly.

d. Wikis, blogs, and discussion forum entries are short-lived and change constantly.

The section in the introduction to a formal business report that tells why the report topic is important is the a. scope. b. authorization. c. background. d. significance.

d. significance.

Numerical data from questionnaires or interviews are usually summarized using systematic columns and rows in a a. flowchart. b. bar chart. c. pie chart. d. table.

d. table.

Which of the following transitional expressions suggest cause and effect? a. After, before, first, finally, now, previously, to conclude b. For example, for instance, in other words c. At the same time, but, however, though, yet d.Accordingly, as a result, consequently, therefore

d.Accordingly, as a result, consequently, therefore

Angelina is writing a report to her supervisor about implementing a new employee orientation process. Her supervisor is highly supportive of the idea and wants to learn the details quickly. What organizational style should Angelina use for her report? a. direct pattern b. indirect patter c. spiral pattern d. any of these choices

direct pattern

In a formal report, the letter or memo of transmittal usually a) uses no contractions or first-person pronouns. b) follows the indirect plan. c) is as formal as the report itself. d) highlights the report's findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

highlights the report's findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

When the conclusions and recommendations, appear at the end of the report, the organizational strategy is a) spiral. b) multifaceted. c) indirect. d) direct.

indirect.

Paraphrasing a. involves restating an original passage in your own words and in your own style. b. involves presenting ideas from another source without documentation. You Answered c. requires the report writer to use the same grammatical structure as the original author when presenting another's ideas. d. involves presenting ideas from another source using the exact wording of the original source.

involves restating an original passage in your own words and in your own style.

The direct pattern of organization is appropriate for reports whose audience a) needs to be educated about the report subject. b) has no prior knowledge about the subject of the report. c) requires persuasion to agree with the report's conclusions and recommendations. d) is eager to learn the results quickly.

is eager to learn the results quickly.

Short (eight or fewer pages) informal reports addressed outside an organization are usually presented in a) handwritten format. b) letter format. c) memo format. d) manuscript format.

letter format.

Of the three Ms, the ____________ is generally the easiest to determine. a) margin b) mean c) mode d) median

mode

The section of a formal business report that makes precise suggestions for actions to solve the report problem is the a) recommendations. b) body. c) introduction. d) conclusion.

recommendations.

ABI/INFORM Complete, Business Source Premier, JSTOR Business, Factiva, and LexisNexis Academic are a) card catalogs. b) research databases. c) websites. d) online catalogs.

research databases.

The issues or elements to be investigated in a research project are defined in the a. recommendations to be offered. b. scope statement. c. limitations of the study. d. significance of the study.

scope statement.