Texas Tech University - MGT 3376

Chapter 13 - Testbank

Student: ___________________________________________________________________________

1.  In a business report, the foundation for facts, conclusions, and recommendations must be a well-stated business problem or challenge.
True    False

 

2.  Reports without a problem statement at the beginning are perceived as unimportant and lacking direction. 
True    False

 

3.  Problem statements in business reports are most effective when they conceal the urgency of the problems.  
True    False

 

4.  You can raise the credibility of your report by providing supporting details for your conclusions.  
True    False

 

5.  Documenting your sources for secondary research helps decision makers judge the quality of your data.  
True    False

 

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

 

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

 

8.  The best way to avoid plagiarism on a document-wide level is to base your report on just one or two sources.  
True    False

 

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

 

10.  Generally, an executive summary should be about one page long for every 10 to 20 pages in the report.  
True    False

 

11.  Preview statements allow readers to create a mental map of your key takeaway messages in a report.  
True    False

 

12.  The purpose of tables and charts is first and foremost to fit into the story line you have established for your report.  
True    False

 

13.  When too much of the report is in bullet points, it can create a choppy, staccato-like effect.  
True    False

 

14.  Generally, the formal reports that are submitted to external decision makers do not include a cover page.  
True    False

 

15.  The cover page is generally the least emphasized aspect of the design of a report document.  
True    False

 

16.  The table of contents in a report must contain only second-level headings.  
True    False

 

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

 

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

 

19. In the context of business reports, projecting positivity is more important than projecting objectivity.

True     False

 

 

20. While creating a business report, projecting objectivity involves providing information, analysis, and advice that is sound, reliable, and unbiased..

True      False

 

 

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

True      False

 

 

 

22.  Most business reports are routine and do not have to be reviewed.  
True    False

 

23.  If your report is not the result of a collaborative effort, then you should review it yourself rather than getting it reviewed by others.  
True    False

 

24.  Reviewing a report in multiple sittings has a negative impact on the review process and is ideally not recommended.  
True    False

 

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

 

26. Research-based reports are generally commissioned for high-stakes decisions.

True    False

 

 

27. If you’ve developed the report by yourself, there is no need to get other perspectives before you officially submit it.

True    False

 

 

28. Reports should be reviewed over several sittings and several days if possible, since you are unlikely to catch all of the changes you would ideally make in just one sitting.

True    False

 

29.  Where should you place the statement of the business problem?  
A.  Along with recommendations
B.  Along with facts
C.  Along with the conclusions
D.  At the beginning of the report
E.  At the end of the report

 

30.  When are problem statements most effective?  
A.  When the contextual details in these statements shield the urgency of the problem
B.  When they provide the unique context of the problem for the organization
C.  When they are provided at the end of the report
D.  When they avoid using predictions and cause-effect statements
E.  When they apply the APA style of documentation instead of the MLA style

 

31.  Precision in reports relies on:  
A.  documentation systems.
B.  conclusions.
C.  recommendations.
D.  problem definitions.
E.  facts.

 

32.  Which of the following raises the credibility of a report?  
A.  Avoiding the use of cause-effect statements
B.  Providing supporting details for your conclusions
C.  Stating the business problem at the end of the report
D.  Shielding the urgency of the problem
E.  Applying the APA documentation style instead of the MLA style

 

33.  Which of the following raises the credibility of a report?  
A.  Stating the business problem at the end of the report
B.  Presenting arguments that are open to interpretation
C.  Dealing with predictions and cause-effect statements carefully
D.  Shielding the urgency of the problem
E.  Applying the APA documentation style instead of the MLA style

 

34.  Which of the following is an advantage of documenting your research sources?  
A.  It makes your report easy to navigate.
B.  It allows decision makers to judge the quality of your data.
C.  It decreases the size of your report.
D.  It helps establish the purpose and value of the report.
E.  It provides the unique context of the problem for the organization.

 

35. A(n) _____ that contains all your research sources should be provided at the end of the report. 
A. table of contents
B. executive summary
C. citation
D. footnote
E. reference list

 

36. APA and MLA are types of _____. 
A. indices
B. tone choices
C. documentation systems
D. bibliographies
E. research guidelines

 

37. What does it mean to demonstrate originality in thought when using secondary research to develop reports? 
A. To combine information from your various sources in novel and insightful ways
B. To use indirect quotations when the quotation contains a particularly compelling combination of words
C. To raise the credibility of your report by carefully dealing with cause-effect statements
D. To provide citations to indicate the information you have drawn from other sources
E. To avoid using your own words to express the meaning of the original speaker or writer

 

38. Which of the following demonstrates originality in thought when using secondary research to develop reports? 
A. Citing all your research sources
B. Generating your own conclusions and recommendations
C. Using the most current documentation guidelines
D. Adopting a methodical and skeptical approach to decision making
E. Dealing carefully with predictions and cause-effect statements

 

39.  According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to steal and pass off (the ideas of another) as one’s own and to commit literary theft is referred to as _____.  
A.  ethnocentrism
B.  quoting
C.  plagiarism
D.  paraphrasing
E.  compilation

 

40.  To develop original reports, make sure that you avoid _____.  
A.  all forms of plagiarism
B.  including a reference list
C.  the use of cause-effect statements
D.  excessive use of bar charts
E.  stating the problem statement at the beginning of the report

 

41.  To avoid plagiarism on a sentence and paragraph level, _____.  
A.  include the problem statement at the end of the report
B.  include a table of contents at the beginning of the report
C.  avoid including any attachments in the report
D.  document all references to the ideas of others
E.  include an executive summary in the report

 

42. Which of the following is true of documenting secondary research sources? 
A. Statements that are paraphrased do not require documentation.
B. Documenting secondary research sources leads to plagiarism.
C. Documenting secondary research sources involve placing the list of the sources on the title page of the report.
D. There are a variety of documentation systems, including MLA and APA styles.
E. Documenting secondary research sources involves placing the list of the sources in the executive summary of the report.

 

43.  When should you use direct quotations?  
A.  When you have derived the quotations with the help of a primary research
B.  When you want to avoid documenting references to others? ideas
C.  When the quotation contains a particularly compelling combination of words
D.  When you want to express the idea of another speaker in your own words
E.  When the quotation does not emphasize the credibility of the original speaker

 

44.  _____ involves using your own words to express the meaning of the original speaker or writer.  
A.  Paraphrasing
B.  Social referencing
C.  Satisficing
D.  Direct quotation
E.  Social loafing

 

45.  You use direct quotations:  
A.  when you want to express the idea of another speaker in your own words.
B.  when you want to avoid documenting references to others’ ideas.
C.  when you have derived the quotations with the help of a primary research.
D.  when the quotation flows effectively with your paper.
E.  when you want to use the MLA documentation system to create a reference list.

 

46.  Which of the following is most likely to be true of paraphrasing?  
A.  Paraphrasing involves using your own words to express the meaning of the original speaker.
B.  In most situations, you should use direct quotations rather than paraphrasing.
C.  Paraphrasing helps you document references to others’ ideas.
D.  You must paraphrase when the original quotation contains a particularly compelling combination of words.
E.  Paraphrasing is used to emphasize the credibility of the original speaker or writer.

 

47.  When are decision makers unlikely to take your report seriously and feel comfortable acting on it?  
A.  When you combine information from various sources in novel and insightful ways
B.  When you use direct quotations or verbatim restatements from another source
C.  When you do not provide clear connections between facts, conclusions, and recommendations
D.  When you express in your own words the idea of the original speaker
E.  When you weave together information from less than three sources

 

48.  In addition to being based on facts and conclusions in the report, recommendations must be:  
A.  simple and plagiarized.
B.  methodical and skeptical.
C.  sufficiently sketchy and extravagant.
D.  specific and actionable.
E.  equivocal and shifty.

 

49.  Which of the following is most likely to make your report easy to navigate?  
A.  Including a SWOT analysis in your report
B.  Including cause-effect statements in your report
C.  Providing a structure that decision makers are familiar with
D.  Using paraphrasing instead of direct quotation
E.  Using the MLA documentation system instead of the APA style

 

50.  Nearly all reports, especially those that are more than a few pages long, contain a(n) _____ at the beginning.  
A.  market research section
B.  executive summary
C.  mission statement
D.  budget section
E.  reference list

 

51.  Why should the important contents of a report be summarized?  
A.  To signal that you have been methodical in collecting, analyzing, and reporting
B.  To help establish the purpose and value of the report
C.  To provide supporting details for your conclusions
D.  To allow decision makers to judge the quality of your data
E.  To enable decision makers to quickly understand and act on the report findings

 

52.  Nearly all reports contain _____ to help readers quickly navigate.  
A.  copyright notices
B.  headings
C.  cover letters
D.  appendices
E.  memos

 

53.  Which of the following reports is most likely to include a section on accomplishments?  
A.  A trend report
B.  A business proposal
C.  A progress report
D.  A SWOT analysis report
E.  A marketing plan

 

54.  Which of the following components of a formal report falls under the category of "front matter"?  
A.  Memo of transmittal
B.  Introduction
C.  Appendix
D.  Executive Summary
E.  Bibliography

 

55.  Which of the following components of a formal report falls under the category of “back matter”?  
A.  Executive summary
B.  Bibliography
C.  Table of contents
D.  Title page
E.  Memo of transmittal

 

56.  Generally, an executive summary should be about _____ long for every 10 to 20 pages in the report.  
A.  two pages
B.  five pages
C.  one page
D.  three pages
E.  four pages

 

57.  Which of the following statements is true about headings?  
A.  A report should include headings only if it contains attachments.
B.  Reports that are two or more pages long require third-level headings.
C.  At a minimum, you should include first-level headings.
D.  If a report contains appendices, then headings must not be used.
E.  Headings should not be descriptive.

 

58.  Which of the following is most likely to be true of including headings in reports?  
A.  If a report contains an appendix, then headings must not be used in that report.
B.  At a minimum, you should include third-level headings.
C.  Except survey reports, all other forms of reports should include headings.
D.  Reports over five pages are likely to require second-level headings.
E.  Avoid using headings in a report if it contains a memo of transmittal.

 

59.  Which of the following is an advantage of preview statements?  
A.  They allow decision makers to judge the quality of your data.
B.  They can help decision makers follow the direction of your text.
C.  They decrease the length of your report.
D.  They help establish the purpose and value of the report.
E.  They provide supporting details for your conclusions.

 

60.  Which of the following accurately explains the purpose of using tables and charts in reports?  
A.  To make your report easy to navigate
B.  To help the readers create a mental map of your key takeaway messages
C.  To summarize the most important contents, including key findings and conclusions
D.  To place a clear problem statement at the beginning of the report
E.  To simplify or clarify complicated numerical information

 

61.  Which of the following is most likely to be true about using too many bullet points in a report?  
A.  It makes the report seem like it lacks direction and tends to be perceived as unimportant.
B.  It can create a choppy, staccato-like effect.
C.  It makes the report difficult to navigate.
D.  It casts a shadow of doubt on the quality of data used in the report.
E.  It demonstrates your lack of originality in thought.

 

62.  Which of the following is most likely to help readers rapidly process and group information in a report?  
A.  Including a title page in the report
B.  Using the MLA, instead of the APA, documentation system for the report
C.  Using bulleting and enumerated lists in the report
D.  Including a memo of transmittal in the report.
E.  Including a glossary in the report

 

63.  Regardless of length, formal reports—especially those submitted to external decision makers always include a _____.  
A.  memorandum
B.  cover page
C.  white paper
D.  codicil
E.  memo of transmittal

 

64.  Which of the following is most likely to be included in the cover page of a report?  
A.  List of secondary sources
B.  Glossary
C.  Date of submission
D.  Mission statement
E.  Appendix

 

65.  Which of the following is generally the most emphasized aspect of the design of a formal report?  
A.  Glossary
B.  Cover page
C.  Bibliography
D.  Memo of transmittal
E.  Reference list

 

66.  Which of the following statements is true about cover pages?  
A.  You should use cover pages to summarize the most important contents of a report.
B.  Cover pages consist of graphs and charts that help understand complex numerical information.
C.  Regardless of length, formal reports always include a cover page.
D.  The cover page is generally the least emphasized aspect of document design.
E.  Cover pages are typically included at the end of the report.

 

67.  Which of the following statements is true about a table of contents?  
A.  A table of contents demonstrates the basic logic of a report.
B.  A table of contents is expected for nearly any report over ten pages long.
C.  A table of contents is typically used to summarize the most important contents of a report.
D.  A table of contents helps establish the purpose and value of the report.
E.  A table of contents is typically included in a report as a part of the glossary.

 

68.  What does the table of contents in a report contain?  
A.  Brochures, references, résumés, and biographies
B.  A title, names of those who wrote and/or are submitting the report, and a date
C.  All first-level headings and sometimes all second-level headings
D.  Key findings, conclusions, and recommendations
E.  A clear statement of the central business problem

 

69.  Why do reports frequently include appendixes?  
A.  To help decision makers in judging the quality of report data
B.  To help readers in processing and grouping dense information
C.  To help the readers in navigating the report
D.  To establish the purpose and value of the report
E.  To provide reference materials

 

70.  Detailed data tables, brochures, references, résumés, and biographies are typically included in a report as a part of the _____.  
A.  cover page
B.  table of contents
C.  title page
D.  appendix
E.  glossary

 

71.  How can you project objectivity in a report?  
A.  By using tables and charts in your report to represent numerical information
B.  By providing a well-designed table of contents
C.  By using bulleting and enumerated lists to help readers rapidly process and group information
D.  By providing information, analysis, and advice that is sound, reliable, and unbiased
E.  By allowing readers to create a mental map of your key takeaway messages

 

72.  To project objectivity in a report, you should _____.  
A.  ensure that your enthusiasm and strong positive emotion do not appear to cloud your judgment
B.  use indirect quotations when the quotation contains a particularly compelling combination of words
C.  use bulleting and enumerated lists to help readers rapidly process and group information
D.  provide a memo of transmittal with the report
E.  combine information from your various sources in novel and insightful ways

 

73.  Which of the following is true of business reports?  
A.  Precision in most business reports relies on documentation systems.
B.  It is important to strike a balance between objectivity and positivity in a report.
C.  A business report should always use the APA documentation system rather than the MLA system.
D.  A title page should be used in a business report to summarize the most important contents of a report.
E.  Preview statements help decision makers in judging the quality the data provided in business reports.

74.  The key features to strive for in all reports: value to decision makers, precision, documentation, easy navigation, and _____.

A. sensitivity

B. objectivity

C. positivity

D. productivity

E. creativity

 

 

75. Which of the following statements is true about creating business reports?

A. It is unnecessary to project positivity in business reports.

B. Creativity should be projected over objectivity.

C. Information in a report should be sound, reliable and biased.

D. Positive emotion should be allowed to cloud your judgment.

E. Objectivity should be projected over positivity.

 

 

 

76. Which of the following best describes the format of a business report?

A. The introduction tells the story of the report so the busy reader can get the gist of the content.

B. The introduction concludes with recommendations.

C. The executive summary begins with statement of and brief background to the problem.

D. Footnotes allow rapid comprehension of key supporting points.

E. In-text citations allow readers to know exactly where the information comes from.

 

 

 

77. In a business report, the _____ concludes with a review or report contents.

A. in-text citations 

B. executive summary

C. headings

D. footnotes

E. introduction

 

 

78. In a business report, recommendations:

A. addresses difficult-to-find secondary information.

B. allow readers to know exactly where the information came from.

C. concludes with a review of report contents.

D. allow decision makers to examine the data themselves

E. are based on needs and opportunities described in the body of the paper

79.  Which of the following is a guideline for reviewing business reports?  
A.  While reviewing a business report, make sure that your report projects more positivity than objectivity.
B.  Avoid discussing the report with the ultimate decision makers.
C.  As you review the report, run through it numerous times, each time considering a different perspective.
D.  Avoid getting others? perspective on your report because different people will have different opinions.
E.  Review your report only if it deals with marketing strategies.

 

80.  In order to ensure effectiveness and fairness of your report, you should:  
A.  ensure that you review the entire report in just one sitting.
B.  review the entire document several times for accuracy and precision in logic.
C.  avoid using any charts and tables in your report.
D.  state the business problem at the end of the report rather than at the beginning.
E.  avoid discussing the report with the ultimate decision makers.

 

 81.  _____ helps you ensure that your report is fair and effective.  
A.  Reviewing the entire report in just one sitting
B.  Using the APA rather than the MLA documentation system
C.  Reviewing your report by imagining yourself in the position of decision makers
D.  Giving more importance to positivity rather than objectivity
E.  Not discussing your report with others, since they might have contradicting opinions

 

 

82. Which of the following statements is true about writing effective reports?

A. Reports should be comprehensive in their presentation of data.

B. Tables, graphs, and charts need to be used very frequently. 

C. Appendixes should be included in the report frequently.

D. Esoteric words should be used instead of simple and direct communication.

E. Project reports need not be attractive as it is the content that matters.

 

 

83. Which of the following statements best describe reports?

A. Reports are always created by one person.

B. Reports are always created by a group of people.

C. Research-based reports are generally commissioned for decisions of low importance.

D. It is more than enough to review a report once.

E. Reports have to be reviewed several times for accuracy and precision in logic.

 

 

84. _____ reports are generally commissioned for high-stakes decisions for companies.

A. Research-based

B. Activity-based

C. Test

D. Preliminary

E. Proposal

 

 

 

85.  The reason it is recommended that a report is reviewed over several sittings and several days is because _____.

A. data is frequently changing and has to be updated.

B. it is unlikely that all errors can be corrected in just one sitting.

C. companies are required to do so by the law. 

D. companies have policies in place that encourage it.

E. typos and mechanical errors are hard to spot in one sitting.

.

 

 

 

86. Which of the following statements illustrate how report writing has changed over the years?

A. Over the years reports have become more minimal with regard to aesthetic standards.

B. In the past reports were required to have both style and substance in the same document but now substance and trends are given more importance over content.

C. Reports were longer in the past but are much smaller and compact nowadays.

D. In the past reports were not meant to be accessible to many different clients from laypersons or politicians, unlike at the present time.

E. There was a much higher level of competition among report writers in the past.

 

 

87.  How does precision in thinking impact a report?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

88.  What is the function of a problem statement in a report?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

92.  What is the purpose of an executive summary?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

94.  What is the advantage and disadvantage of using bulleted lists in reports?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

95.  Describe the significance of objectivity and positivity in a report.  

 

 

 

 

96. Explain the importance of positivity and objectivity in creating reports.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

97. List the key features that have to be included for a complete report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

98. Why should reports be reviewed? 

 

 

 

99. How does Richard Harill facilitate effective team writing on reports?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100. What advice does Richard Harill give young professionals about report writing?