Deck 12: Informal Business Reports

Question 1

Claire will be including large amounts of data in a business report she is writing and wants to ensure that the data are meaningful to her readers.What should she do?

A) Write the problem statement
B) Ask for help on a social networking site
C) Organize the data into tables
D) Omit the data from her report to avoid confusing her readers

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The range for daily sales for the week, $89,000, $75,000, $98,000, $66,000, and $99,000 is

A) $33,000
B) $85,400
C) $427,000
D) $89,000

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Determine the median of the numbers 30, 25, 25, 45, and 70.

A) 195
B) 25
C) 30
D) 39

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Numerical data from questionnaires or interviews are usually summarized using systematic columns and rows in a

A) pie chart.
B) table.
C) bar chart.
D) flowchart.

Question 5

Orhan has been assigned the task of researching and recommending alarm systems for a new branch office.Some features are more important than others, and Orhan wants to be able to assign relative weights to each feature to make sure that he makes the best decision.He should use a(n)

A) organization chart.
B) pie chart.
C) flowchart.
D) decision matrix.

Question 6

Determine the mean of the numbers 30, 25, 25, 45, and 70.

A) 195
B) 25
C) 30
D) 39

Question 7

Determine the mode of the numbers 30, 25, 25, 45, and 70.

A) 195
B) 25
C) 30
D) 39

Question 8

The conclusions of a report

A) should be written using command language.
B) offer specific suggestions for actions that can solve a report problem.
C) should analyze information logically and show how the data answer questions and solve problems.
D) All of these choices

Question 9

The most widely read portions of a report are generally the sections devoted to

A) the table of contents and introduction.
B) conclusions and recommendations.
C) the executive summary and letter of transmittal.
D) the appendixes and bibliography.

Question 10

Which statement about conclusions is least accurate?

A) Any set of data can produce a variety of meaningful conclusions.
B) The best conclusions show the audience how the data relate to the problem being studied.
C) Report writers should avoid sensationalizing or exaggerating their conclusions.
D) Report writers should try to draw conclusions that are subjective.

Question 11

Which of the following is an example of a recommendation?

A) Institute a wellness program to encourage employees to improve their health by adopting healthy habits.
B) Employees who take part in wellness programs have fewer absences.
C) A wellness program can be an effective recruiting tool.
D) Having a wellness program can lead to reduced employee absenteeism.

Question 12

What is the most accurate statement about correlations?

A) Apparent correlations between two or more variables can stimulate investigation and present possible solutions to be explored.
B) Correlations prove cause-and-effect relationships.
C) Correlations are worthless as a statistical analysis tool.
D) All of these choices

Question 13

During his research, Brett notices that employees who dress professionally in the workplace have higher productivity figures.Brett has identified a possible

A) correlation.
B) standard deviation.
C) average.
D) tabulation.

Question 14

Which of the following is a conclusion?

A) Offering a wide range of benefits is the best way to recruit high-quality applicants.
B) Offer a wide range of benefits to recruit high-quality applicants.
C) Change your computer passwords once every six weeks.
D) Let me know your hiring decision by Friday.

Question 15

Much of the information that allows decision makers to run their organizations effectively comes to them in the form of

A) Web searches.
B) reports.
C) Wikipedia entries.
D) employees' comments during meetings.

Question 16

Which of the following is most likely to be distorted by an extreme number at either end?

A) Standard deviation
B) Median
C) Mode
D) Mean

Question 17

To contrast responses of employees with children against responses of employees without children from a survey on attitudes toward on-site child care,

A) use cross-tabulation.
B) determine the range of responses.
C) determine the average response.
D) determine the standard deviation.

Question 18

Conclusions will usually be more objective if

A) consistent criteria are used in evaluating options.
B) the data are manipulated to support a predetermined outcome.
C) the researcher relies on personal experience related to the report problem.
D) you use strong language to sensationalize your findings.

Question 19

Which statement most accurately describes recommendations?

A) Recommendations should be general to allow readers to apply them in a variety of ways.
B) Recommendations should begin with an action verb.
C) Recommendations should include words like maybe and perhaps to show that other solutions may exist.
D) Recommendations should be prepared before interpreting data.

Question 20

Shauna has interviewed several of her colleagues to gather their ideas for improving productivity.She now has raw verbal data to analyze.What is the best tool to analyze raw verbal data?

A) Pie chart
B) Grid
C) Line chart
D) Bar chart

Question 21

You are responsible for recording the minutes of an important committee meeting.The best way to organize these minutes is by

A) importance.
B) time.
C) convention.
D) criteria.

Question 22

Which of the following headings does not belong with the others?

A) Increasing Employee Productivity
B) Recruiting High-Quality Job Applicants
C) Prevent Identify Theft
D) Improving Employee Morale

Question 23

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

Question 24

A good introductory paragraph for a business report should

A) preview the main points and the order in which they will be developed.
B) tell the purpose of the report.
C) describe the significance of the report topic.
D) All of these choices.

Question 25

The indirect pattern of organization is best for readers who

A) must be persuaded.
B) are knowledgeable about the report topic.
C) are supportive of the report content.
D) are receptive to the information.

Question 26

An informational report presenting annual sales data for a restaurant's five branches would most likely be organized by

A) time.
B) importance.
C) component.
D) criteria.

Question 27

Constance must submit a weekly productivity report that contains headings established by her supervisor.This recurring report is organized by

A) criteria.
B) time.
C) component.
D) convention.

Question 28

A report that compares the services offered by four private security firms should be organized by

A) time.
B) criteria.
C) component.
D) convention.

Question 29

Shane conducted research about ways to recruit high-quality job applicants and has developed a list of possible techniques.He has ranked these techniques and will present them in a report listed from most important reason to least important.What organizational method is Shane using?

A) Time
B) Importance
C) Component
D) Convention

Question 30

Analytical reports should be organized using which of the following patterns?

A) Introduction/background, facts/findings, summary/conclusion
B) Introduction/background, summary/conclusion, facts/findings
C) Summary/conclusion, introduction/background, facts/findings
D) Introduction/problem, facts/findings, discussion/analysis, conclusions/recommendations

Question 31

Brandon is writing a report to his supervisor about using social network sites to improve communication with customers.His supervisor knows nothing about using social networks for marketing.What organizational style should Brandon use for his report?

A) Direct pattern
B) Frontloading
C) Indirect pattern
D) Any of these choices

Question 32

Informational reports should be organized using which of the following patterns?

A) Introduction/problem, facts/findings, conclusions/recommendations, discussion/analysis
B) Introduction/problem, conclusions/recommendations, facts/findings, discussion/analysis
C) Introduction/background, facts/findings, summary/conclusion
D) Summary/conclusion, introduction/background, facts/findings

Question 33

Which of the following transitional expressions can be used to contrast ideas?

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

Question 34

Background, Findings, Staffing, and Budget are examples of

A) talking headings.
B) functional headings.
C) general headings.
D) transitional headings.

Question 35

Which of the following transitional expressions can be used to present additional thoughts?

A) After, before, first, finally, now, previously, to conclude
B) Again, also, moreover, furthermore
C) At the same time, but, however, though, yet
D) Accordingly, as a result, consequently, therefore

Question 36

Which of the following is an example of a talking heading?

A) Production Costs
B) Recommendations
C) Background Information
D) Employees Show Support for Stock Options

Question 37

The direct pattern of organization is appropriate for reports whose audience

A) is eager to learn the results quickly.
B) needs to be educated about the report subject.
C) requires persuasion to agree with the report's conclusions and recommendations.
D) has no prior knowledge about the subject of the report.

Question 38

Select the most accurate statement about organizing report data.

A) Poorly organized reports lead to reader frustration.
B) Analytical reports generally present data without interpretation.
C) Analytical reports should always follow an indirect method, placing the conclusions and recommendation last.
D) All of these choices are accurate statements about organizing report data.

Question 39

Which statement is incorrect?

A) Recommendations and conclusions may be combined.
B) Short reports may omit conclusions and move on to recommendations.
C) Recommendations should be general.
D) Recommendations should focus on solutions to the reader's problem.

Question 40

Select the best wording for a recommendation.

A) Our college campus should extend café hours to meet the needs of evening students.
B) Extend the campus café hours to meet the needs of evening students.
C) Perhaps we should extend the campus café hours to meet the needs of evening students.
D) Busy students are taking more evening classes and should be able to use the campus café before class.

Question 41

By condensing data you have collected into meaningful terms using various statistical techniques, you are more likely to be able to draw valid conclusions and make reasoned recommendations.

Question 42

Which of the following is an example of a feasibility report?

A) A report to determine which of three vendors to use for office supplies
B) A report to determine whether a company should provide tuition reimbursement for its employees
C) A report about a firm's profitability to be sent to the company's shareholders
D) A report on a meeting held with the automotive company's Asian engineers

Question 43

Which of the following is an analytical report?

A) A report to determine whether a company should outsource its customer support function
B) A report on quarterly sales at a restaurant location
C) A report on the progress of a task force investigating ways to decrease production costs
D) A report to stockholders showing the company's profits for the last quarter

Question 44

The mode of the numbers 15, 40, 40, 25, 58, 62, and 30 is 40.

Question 45

Any set of data can produce only one set of conclusions.

Question 46

Sabrina is preparing headings for a report she is writing.What is the best advice you can give her as she creates her headings?

A) Include end punctuation in all headings for clarity.
B) Underline all headings.
C) Include at least one heading per report page.
D) Sabrina should do all of these.

Question 47

What is the primary difference between informational and analytical reports?

A) Informational reports are prepared for internal audiences, and analytical reports are prepared for external audiences.
B) Informational reports emphasize facts, and analytical reports emphasize reasoning and conclusions.
C) Informational reports are always organized directly, and analytical reports are always organized indirectly.
D) All of these choices are differences between informational and analytical reports.

Question 48

The conclusions and recommendations sections of a report are the most widely read parts of a report because they tell the reader what the data mean.

Question 49

The median of the numbers 46, 20, 20, 50, and 24 is 20.

Question 50

Which of the following situations would require a yardstick report?

A) Melinda reviews the company's books to verify the amount of sales tax paid.
B) Sam 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.
C) Vanessa presents data supporting the decision to open the company's newest restaurant in Charleston.
D) Dominique conducts a study to determine whether customers prefer to dine in a restaurant or have food delivered to their homes.

Question 51

Apparent correlations present researchers with possible solutions to be explored.

Question 52

Jackie wants to compare managers' opinions of the company's benefits package to the classified staff's opinions.Jackie should cross-tabulate her data.

Question 53

The primary reason that management often requires trip, convention, and conference reports is to

A) get a thorough chronological list of everything that occurred during a trip, convention, or conference.
B) determine whether the employee can be trusted to travel alone.
C) find out whether the organization's money was well spent in funding the travel.
D) gather material for press releases.

Question 54

Another word for mean is "average."

Question 55

Chad has noticed that employees working in offices with windows have lower absentee rates.This correlation proves that offices with natural light are healthier for employees.

Question 56

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) Justification/recommendation report
D) Investigative report

Question 57

Computer Professionals Magazine is presenting the verbal opinions of information technology experts on several leading voice-recognition devices.This information will be easiest to comprehend if presented in a pie chart.

Question 58

Progress and interim reports

A) discuss the day-to-day operations of a company.
B) describe the status of continuing projects.
C) provide conclusions based on the data provided.
D) explain the benefits of a recommendation.

Question 59

Which of the following is an example of an informational report?

A) A report recommending that an organization begin selling its stock to the public
B) A report describing a new procedure for processing payroll
C) A report analyzing reasons for a company's high turnover rate
D) A report determining which wireless carrier to use for the sales staff's smartphones

Question 60

Which of the following are examples of periodic (activity)reports?

A) Sales, accounts payable, and personnel reports
B) Trip, convention, and conference reports
C) Investigative reports
D) Justification/recommendation reports

Question 61

To be effective, conclusions should be as objective as possible.

Question 62

Informational reports are usually organized using the direct pattern.

Question 63

The headings Implementing Security Measures, Communicating With Employees, and Organize Teams are parallel.

Question 64

Agendas, minutes of meetings, and progress reports are usually organized by component.

Question 65

Conclusions and recommendations serve the same purpose.

Question 66

Analytical reports should always be prepared using an indirect organizational pattern.

Question 67

Ashley attended a professional conference and must submit a report to her boss.She should arrange her conference report chronologically and include details about every aspect of the conference.

Question 68

Report recommendations should use command language such as Begin using social network sites to market our products and services to customers.

Question 69

Use an informal, conversational writing style for most informational reports unless the audience expects a more formal tone.

Question 70

Transitional expressions such as furthermore, consequently, however, for example, and to conclude help report readers see the logical flow of ideas in a report.

Question 71

An effective report conclusion might be Both managers and classified staff members report that employee absenteeism has increased since the company's relocation.

Question 72

Capitalize all words in a heading, including articles, conjunctions, and short prepositions.

Question 73

Ricardo is writing a short report to let his client know the status of the client's project.Ricardo is writing a progress report.

Question 74

Whenever possible, recommendations should be specific and practical.

Question 75

Examples of talking report headings include Introduction, Background, Findings, and Conclusions.

Question 76

Leslie should use importance to organize an annual sales report covering the Medical Instruments Division, Computer Supplies Division, and Consumer Products Division.

Question 77

Good report introductions let readers know the purpose of the report, the significance of the topic, and the main points to be covered.

Question 78

Periodic reports are written at irregular intervals when requested by management.

Question 79

Nick writes several monthly reports condensing financial articles he reads online.These are examples of informational reports.

Question 80

A report comparing three virus protection programs being considered for purchase would be most effective if organized by criteria.