Communicating in Business Pt. 5 12-13

Appendixes of formal reports and proposals are typically labelled ________. a. A, B, and so on b. 1, 2, and so on c. with Roman numerals d. in sequence with the pagination of the document

a. A, B, and so on

Lynn is writing a formal report for the first time. Which of the following strategies should she employ? a. Delay writing the report until she has collected all the data and drawn the primary conclusions. b. Use first-person pronouns such as "I" and "we" to make the report more conversational. c. Write the easiest sections of a formal report after writing the most difficult sections. d. Proofread and edit the first draft immediately after she completes it.

a. Delay writing the report until she has collected all the data and drawn the primary conclusions.

The persuasive document that briefly presents the major features and benefits of a formal proposal is called the ________. a. Letter of Transmittal b. Appendix c. Executive Summary d. Proposal Background

a. Letter of Transmittal

A decision matrix is most helpful when there are a number of complex options to consider. a. True b. False

a. True

A progress report should describe current problems, as well as anticipate future problems and possible solutions. a. True b. False

a. True

Agendas, minutes of meetings, progress reports, and procedures are usually organized by time. a. True b. False

a. True

An effective summary saves time by reducing a report or article by 85 to 95 percent. a. True b. False

a. True

Functional headings show the outline of a report but provide little insight for readers. a. True b. False

a. True

In determining which business plans to fund, investors search for a concept whose growth potential distinguishes it from others rather than the most unique product or service. a. True b. False

a. True

Leon should discuss the strengths and weaknesses of his direct and indirect competitors in the market analysis section of his business plan. a. True b. False

a. True

The budget section of a proposal represents a contract. a. True b. False

a. True

The most important section of a formal report is the body. a. True b. False

a. True

The same information may be included in the letter of transmittal, executive summary, and introduction of a formal business report. a. True b. False

a. True

If your report requires that you make recommendations, they should __________. a. be expressed as numbered commands that are practical and evolve from the findings b. introduce new information not previously discussed in the report c. be grouped in a paragraphs d. be written in first person

a. be expressed as numbered commands that are practical and evolve from the findings

The ________ section of a business plan provides an overview of complementary products and services and a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of your direct and indirect competitors . a. market analysis b. operations and management c. financial analysis d. product or service description

a. market analysis

Determine the mean of the numbers 6, 17, 22, 28, and 37. a. 6 b. 22 c. 28 d. 37

b. 22

Which of the following is an example of a talking heading? a. Survey b. Changes to Employee Benefits c. Findings d. Discussion

b. Changes to Employee Benefits

A set of data can produce only one set of conclusions. a. True b. False

b. False

All reports, whether analytical or information, should be delivered as paper copy. a. True b. False

b. False

Another word for mode is average. a. True b. False

b. False

Conclusions and recommendations serve the same purpose. a. True b. False

b. False

Executive summary and abstract are interchangeable terms for the summary in the front matter of a proposal. a. True b. False

b. False

Jason is proofreading the final copy of his report for the third time. At this point he should be checking for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and other mechanical errors. a. True b. False

b. False

Most proposals are unsolicited. a. True b. False

b. False

Quoting experts or citing newspapers, journals, books, Web resources, and other secondary sources can help you establish the scope of your topic. a. True b. False

b. False

RFP stands for Request for Payment. a. True b. False

b. False

Short informational reports should be organized using the indirect strategy. a. True b. False

b. False

Which statement about a formal report is accurate? a. Formal reports explain how a company expects to achieve its marketing, financial, and operational goals. b. Formal reports represent the end product of thorough investigation and analysis. c. Formal reports are written for only internal audiences. d. Formal reports have fewer sections or components than informal reports.

b. Formal reports represent the end product of thorough investigation and analysis.

_________ reports examine problems with two or more solutions. a. Progress b. Yardstick c. Justification d. Recommendation

b. Yardstick

Recommendations should be phrased as ________. a. questions b. commands c. generalities d. quotations

b. commands

The most widely read portions of a report are generally the sections devoted to the __________. a. table of contents and introduction b. conclusions and recommendations c. executive summary and letter of transmittal d. appendixes and bibliography

b. conclusions and recommendations

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

b. executive summary

Megan is preparing her trip report. She should begin her report by __________. a. itemizing expenses b. identifying the event c. expressing appreciation d. summarizing main points

b. identifying the event

A good introductory paragraph for a business report should tell the purpose of the report, describe the significance of the topic, and __________. a. provide recommendations b. preview the main points c. analyze and interpret research findings d. cite evidence to justify the conclusions

b. preview the main points

Grant proposals aim to ________. a. sell products or services b. secure funding c. increase profits d. start new businesses

b. secure funding

Formal proposals differ from informal proposals in __________. a. style b. size and format c. language use d. tone

b. size and format

An executive summary of a formal report is usually no longer than __________ percent of the original document. a. 1 b. 5 c. 10 d. 15

c. 10

What tool is best to analyze verbal data? a. Pie charts b. Tables c. Grids d. Decision matrices

c. Grids

Greg wants to encourage his boss to consider a new process for evaluating employee performance. What type of report will he most likely prepare? a. Yardstick report b. Progress report c. Justification/recommendation report d. Investigative report

c. Justification/recommendation report

__________ reports are written at regular intervals to keep management informed of operations and activities. a. Conference b. Analytical c. Periodic d. Investigative

c. Periodic

Which of the following headings is not grammatically balanced with the other headings? a. Increasing Employee Productivity b. Recruiting High-Quality Job Applicants c. Prevent Identify Theft d. Improving Employee Morale

c. Prevent Identify Theft

What advice should you follow to produce professional-looking reports? a. Justify right margins. b. Incorporate as many graphics and clip art as possible to break up the text. c. Use a consistent type font throughout the report. d. Use a type size of 14 or larger in the body of the report to ensure readability.

c. Use a consistent type font throughout the report.

A manager at General Electric is preparing a sales report presenting the results of three of GE's divisions. This report should be organized by __________. a. time b. criteria c. component d. convention

c. component

Determine the mode of the numbers 38, 24, 46, 38, and 54. a. 40 b. 30 c. 54 d. 38

d. 38

What statement about a business plan is most accurate? a. A business plan is an informative document. b. A business plan represents a "wishlist" for start-up companies. c. A business plan is always an internal document seen only by company personnel. d. A business plan helps manage a company and raise capital.

d. A business plan helps manage a company and raise capital.

Reports submitted as digital slide decks ________. a. are heavier on text than bulleted presentation slides b. can be exported as PDF, HTML, or image files c. include visuals so are more inviting to read than dense pages of print text d. All of these are true.

d. All of these are true.

Which statement regarding proposals is accurate? a. Proposals may be intended for internal or external audiences. b. Proposals may be solicited or unsolicited. c. Proposals are written offers to solve problems, provide services, or sell equipment. d. All of these statements are accurate.

d. All of these statements are accurate.

Which of the following transitions is best to clarify points? a. Additionally b. Consequently c. However d. For example

d. For example

What item would be most appropriate to include in an appendix of a report? a. List of all sources cited in the report b. Mission statement c. Executive summary d. Survey form

d. Survey form

The section of a formal report that discusses, analyzes, interprets, and evaluates the research findings or solution is the __________. a. introduction b. executive summary c. letter of transmittal d. body

d. body