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Student: ___________________________________________________________________________

1. Reports that do not have a problem statement at the beginning might be perceived as unimportant and lacking direction.               True    False

 

2. Problem statements in business reports are most effective when their matter-of-fact tone downplays the urgency of the problems.               True    False

 

3. You can raise the credibility of your report by providing supporting details for your conclusions.         

True    False

 

4. Documenting your sources for secondary research helps decision makers judge the quality of your data.    

True    False

 

5. In most situations, you should use direct quotations rather than paraphrase.       True    False

 

6. You need not give credit to the original speaker or writer for an idea that is paraphrased.          True    False

 

7. Nearly all reports, especially those that are more than a few pages long, contain a bibliography at the beginning.              True    False

 

8. Generally, an executive summary for a 50-page report should be about two pages long.             True    False

 

9. Liz wants to give her readers a mental map of what will be in her report. A preview statement will accomplish this.      True    False

 

10. When most of a report is written in long, dense paragraphs, it can create a choppy, staccato-like effect.         True    False

 

11. Generally, formal reports that are submitted to external decision makers do not include a cover page.    

True    False

 

12. To create a table of contents for his report, Gilbert should list only the second-level headings.              

True    False

 

13. Achieving a positive, can-do tone in your communications is appropriate in nearly all business situations.         True    False

 

14. You should project objectivity more than positivity in business reports.              True    False

 

15. Projecting objectivity involves providing information, analysis, and advice that is sound, reliable, and unbiased.                True    False

 

16. An executive summary tells the story of the report so the busy reader can get the gist of the content.         

True    False

 

17. Reviewing a report in multiple sittings has a negative impact on the review process.      True    False

 

18. A report must be reviewed at least once for typos or mechanical errors.              True    False

 

19. Research-based business reports are generally collaborative efforts.        True    False

 

20. If you have developed a report by yourself, you do not need to get other perspectives before you officially submit it.             True    False

 

21. Which of the following aspects of writing business reports relates to the component of credibility known as caring?    
    1. providing facts that help decision makers
    2. providing conclusions that help decision makers
    3. addressing the needs of decision makers
    4. reporting information honestly
    5. reporting information transparently

 

22. Which of the following aspects of writing business reports relates to the component of credibility known as character?    
    1. providing facts that help decision makers
    2. providing positions that help decision makers
    3. involving decision makers in the process
    4. addressing the needs of decision makers
    5. reporting information transparently

 

23. Orlando wants to start a task force to explore ways that his company could improve its energy efficiency. To do so, he will need permission to work with other employees and to use work time for meetings. He also needs a budget so the task force members can attend useful training and seminars. Orlando needs to write up and submit a    A. business report.
    2. business proposal.
    3. spreadsheet analysis.
    4. white paper.
    5. development timeline.

 

24. Gemma is writing a business proposal that suggests taking a customer satisfaction survey. Which of the following actions will make it more likely that Gemma's proposal will succeed?             A. negotiating some details verbally with decision makers before writing the proposal
    2. focusing mostly on the philosophy behind the idea
    3. avoiding including distracting details such as timelines or required resources
    4. using a factual rather than persuasive structure
    5. avoiding mention of budget until after the general idea is approved

 

25. Problem statements are most effective when        
    1. the contextual details in the statements conceal the urgency of the problem.
    2. they provide the unique context of the problem for the organization.
    3. they are placed at the end of the report as a review.
    4. they avoid using predictions and cause-effect statements.
    5. APA style is used for documentation instead of MLA style.

 

26. Precision in reports relies on    A. documentation.
    2. conclusions.
    3. recommendations.
    4. definitions.
    5. facts.

 

27. Which of the following raises the credibility of a report?             
    1. avoiding the use of cause-effect statements
    2. providing supporting details for your conclusions
    3. designing the report for ease of use
    4. using direct quotations rather than paraphrases
    5. eliminating choppy bulleted lists

 

28. Which of the following should contain all your research sources and should be provided at the end of your report?            A. the table of contents
    2. the executive summary
    3. citations
    4. footnotes
    5. the reference list

 

29. APA and MLA are types of    A. indices.
    2. tone choices.
    3. documentation systems.
    4. bibliographies.
    5. research guidelines.

 

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

 

31. Lori is using secondary research to develop a business report. How can she write her report in a way that demonstrates originality in thought?         
    1. cite all her research sources
    2. generate her own conclusions and recommendations
    3. use the most current documentation guidelines
    4. adopt a methodical approach to decision making
    5. be careful when making predictions and cause-effect statements

 

32. To develop original reports, make sure that you avoid      A. plagiarizing in any form.
    2. relying on summaries and paraphrases.
    3. using cause-effect statements.
    4. using too many bar charts.
    5. including a problem statement.

 

33. Carlo is preparing a report on recent trends in his business, and he has done extensive secondary research. To avoid plagiarism on a sentence and paragraph level, he should           A. include the problem statement at the end of the report.
    2. include a table of contents at the beginning of the report.
    3. avoid including any attachments in the report.
    4. document all references to the ideas of others.
    5. include an executive summary in the report.

 

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

 

35. You should use direct quotation when      
    1. a paraphrase will not flow smoothly into the text of your paper.
    2. you want to avoid documenting references to others' ideas.
    3. the quotation contains a particularly compelling combination of words.
    4. you want to express the idea of another speaker in your own words.
    5. the quotation does not emphasize the credibility of the original speaker.

 

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

 

37. Decision makers are unlikely to take your report seriously when you       A. combine information from various sources in novel ways.
    2. use verbatim restatements from another source.
    3. make recommendations that are not explicitly linked to facts and conclusions.
    4. express in your own words the original idea of one of your research sources.
    5. weave together information from more than three sources.

 

38. The recommendations made within a business report must be      A. simple and paraphrased.
    2. methodical and skeptical.
    3. complex and theoretical.
    4. general and abstract.
    5. specific and actionable.

 

39. 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.
    2. use several cause-effect statements throughout the report.
    3. provide a structure that decision makers are familiar with.
    4. use paraphrasing instead of direct quotation.
    5. use the MLA documentation system instead of APA style.

 

40. Why should the important contents of a long business report be summarized in an executive summary?

       

1. 1. to signal that you have been methodical in collecting, analyzing, and reporting data
   2. to convey that proper documentation has been used throughout the report
   3. to provide supporting details for your conclusions
   4. to allow decision makers to judge the quality of your data
   5. to enable decision makers to quickly understand and act on the report findings

 

41. Nearly all reports contain ______ to help readers quickly navigate through them.    A. copyright notices
    2. headings
    3. cover letters
    4. appendices
    5. memos

 

42. 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. an executive summary
    2. an introduction
    3. accomplishments
    4. business objectives
    5. headings

 

43. Which of the following components of a formal report falls under the category of "front matter"?        A. the memo of transmittal
    2. the introduction
    3. the appendix
    4. the executive summary
    5. the bibliography

 

44. Which of the following components of a formal report falls under the category of "back matter"?        A. the executive summary
    2. the bibliography
    3. the table of contents
    4. the title page
    5. the memo of transmittal

 

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

 

46. Which of the following is an advantage of preview statements?              A. They allow decision makers to judge the quality of your data.
    2. They can help decision makers follow the direction of your text.
    3. They decrease the length of your report.
    4. They help establish the purpose and value of the report.
    5. They provide supporting details for your conclusions.

 

47. Shuai is writing a report with a great deal of complicated numerical information. To clarify and simplify this information for decision makers, she should put it into    A. bulleted lists.
    2. a preview statement.
    3. an executive summary.
    4. appendices.
    5. charts or tables.

 

48. What is the probable effect of using too many bullet points in a report?              A. It makes the report seem like it lacks direction.
    2. It can create a choppy, staccato-like effect.
    3. It makes the report difficult to navigate.
    4. It casts a shadow of doubt on the quality of data.
    5. It demonstrates your lack of originality in thought.

 

49. A business writer who wants to help readers rapidly process and group the information in a report should    
    1. include a title page in the report.
    2. use MLA instead of APA documentation style.
    3. use bulleting and enumerated lists.
    4. include a memo of transmittal in the report.
    5. include a glossary in the back matter.

 

50. Which of the following is most likely to be included in the cover page of a report?        A. a list of sources
    2. a preview statement
    3. the date of submission
    4. a mission statement
    5. the recipients' names

 

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

 

52. Which of the following statements about a table of contents is true?       A. A table of contents demonstrates the basic credibility of a report.
    2. A table of contents is expected for nearly any report over ten pages long.
    3. A table of contents typically summarizes the most important contents of a report.
    4. A table of contents helps establish the purpose and value of the report.
    5. A table of contents is typically part of the glossary.

 

53. The table of contents in a report contains              A. topic sentences from each paragraph.
    2. all of the preview statements from each section of the report.
    3. all first-level headings and sometimes all second-level headings.
    4. section numbers with their corresponding page numbers.
    5. the introduction from each section of the report.

 

54. Why do reports frequently include appendixes?               A. to help decision makers judge the quality of report data
    2. to help readers process and group dense information
    3. to help the readers navigate the report
    4. to establish the purpose and value of the report
    5. to provide reference materials

 

55. 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?      
    1. Use tables and charts in your report to represent numerical information.
    2. Provide a well-designed table of contents.
    3. Use bulleted or enumerated lists to reduce the density of information.
    4. Provide information, analysis, and advice that is sound, reliable, and unbiased.
    5. Include an executive summary that provides the quick story of the report.

 

56. To project objectivity in a report, you should        
    1. ensure that your enthusiasm and strong positive emotion do not appear to cloud your judgment.
    2. use paraphrases instead of quotations to make sure ideas are in your own words.
    3. use bulleting and enumerated lists whenever you have a particularly dense chunk of information.
    4. use headings throughout the report to make the structure readily apparent.
    5. combine information from your various sources in novel and insightful ways.

 

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

 

58. Your colleague Amy asks you to review her report about the feasibility of opening a new factory in China. The report strikes you as conveying a strong "can-do" attitude, but you suspect that Amy has omitted information that undermines her recommendations. The problem with Amy's report is that it         A. fails to use charts to convey complex numerical information.
    2. does not balance objectivity and positivity.
    3. does not accurately credit and document its sources of information.
    4. fails to present original and innovation ideas.
    5. does not use a structure that points out its supporting facts and conclusions.

 

59. Which of the following can damage the objectivity of a business report?            
    1. putting numerical data in tables
    2. using bullets to separate related points
    3. quoting experts on the subject
    4. eliminating the use of emotional adjectives
    5. recommending a rush to action

 

60. 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?              
    1. Change the suggestion of a gradual, six-month rollout to an immediate overhaul of the menu.
    2. Eliminate the subjective step of following up with customer surveys.
    3. Replace the vague phrase "several vegetarian options" with the names of specific menu choices.
    4. Change the six-month rollout period to a six-week period to obtain results more quickly. E. Change "achieved phenomenal success" to "improved customer satisfaction."

 

61. In a business report, a review of the report's contents should come at the end of the    A. introduction.
    2. executive summary.
    3. headings.
    4. footnotes.
    5. in-text citations.

 

62. In a business report, recommendations      
    1. address difficult-to-find secondary information.
    2. allow readers to know exactly where the information came from.
    3. are based on needs and opportunities described in the body of the paper.
    4. allow decision makers to examine the data themselves.
    5. are expressed in exaggerated language for effect.

 

63. Why might a writer decide to create a business report in a slide deck format?     
    1. to avoid the need for navigational tools like headings
    2. to allow decision makers to see it in a presentation rather than read it
    3. to carry most of the recommendations in visuals rather than in text
    4. to eliminate the cover and executive summary
    5. to make it visually stronger and more creative

 

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

 

65. In order to ensure the effectiveness and fairness of your report, you should       A. review the entire report in just one sitting to maintain consistency.
    2. review the entire document several times to check for accuracy and precision in logic.
    3. avoid using any gimmicky formatting like bulleted or numbered lists.
    4. avoid asking colleagues to review it because they will dilute the perspective.
    5. avoid discussing the report with decision makers because that might sway their opinions.

 

66. Which of the following will help you ensure that your report is fair and effective?         
    1. reviewing the entire report in just one sitting
    2. avoiding the use of direct quotations
    3. giving more importance to positivity rather than objectivity
    4. reviewing your report from the perspective of decision makers E. giving the emotional reasons for your recommendations

 

67. When you review business reports, which of the following should you keep in mind?                A. Reports should be comprehensive in their presentation of data.
    2. Tables, graphs, and charts need to be used as frequently as possible.
    3. Executive summaries are an unnecessary feature.
    4. Esoteric words help to create simple and direct communication.
    5. Glitzy covers and formatted content markers distract from the main text.

 

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

 

69. Why do reports have to be more precise than routine business messages? Explain how writing with precision affects your credibility.              

        

        

        

 

70. What are common elements of business proposals? Which of these elements focuses on why the proposal writer (or the organization the writer represents) is the best choice to carry out the proposal?     

        

        

        

 

71. What have you learned in this chapter about the importance of precision in thinking? Explain how to convey excellent thinking in report writing.          

        

        

        

 

72. Explain the importance of fact-based language in reports.           

        

        

        

 

73. How can you avoid plagiarism on a sentence and paragraph level?          

        

        

        

 

74. How can you avoid plagiarism on a documentwide level?           

        

        

        

 

75. What role do headings and preview statements play in a report?             

        

        

        

 

76. What are the advantage and the disadvantage of using bulleted lists in reports?             

        

        

        

 

77. Describe the significance of objectivity and positivity in a report. How should they be related?    

        

        

        

 

78. How and why should reports be reviewed?