Deck 13: Completing Business Proposals and Business Reports

Question 1

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

Answer 1

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

Question 2

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

Answer 2

False
Explanation: Problem statements are most effective when they provide the unique context of the problem for the organization and reflect an appropriate sense of urgency.

Question 3

In making a table of contents,Maria lists out her recommendations in clear bullet points.

Answer 3

False
Explanation: The table of contents contains all first-level headings and sometimes all second-level headings.

Question 4

In order to help readers create a mental map of her report,Ashton writes a preview statement to frame the overall message.

Question 5

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

Question 6

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

Question 7

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

Question 8

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

Question 9

Research-based business reports are generally collaborative efforts.

Question 10

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

Question 11

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

Question 12

By reviewing his report before submitting it to his CEO in order to be sure that it contains sound,reliable information,analysis,and advice,Juan is taking an appropriate step toward making his report objective.

Question 13

It is more important to project objectivity than positivity in business reports.

Question 14

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

Question 15

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

Question 16

Without a problem statement,reports lack direction and may be seen as unimportant.

Question 17

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

Question 18

In order to maintain consistency,and thereby project objectivity,Jim should not get any other perspectives before submitting his report.

Question 19

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

Question 20

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

Question 21

While researching the feasibility of converting her company's products to solar energy,Hermina reads several reports on innovations to lithium batteries and photovoltaic cells.Some of the reports suggest any energy using device should begin to incorporate solar into its design,while others argue that the batteries still do not hold enough charge and remain cost prohibitive for products like those of her company.To demonstrate her own original thinking,Hermina should

A) cite all her research sources.
B) chose one source and follow its recommendations exclusively.
C) adopt a methodical approach to decision making.
D) generate her own conclusions and recommendations.
E) avoid making predictions and cause-effect statements.

Question 22

To develop original reports,make sure that you avoid

A) plagiarizing in any form.
B) relying on summaries and paraphrases.
C) using cause-effect statements.
D) using too many bar charts.
E) including a problem statement.

Question 23

In a business report,recommendations

A) address difficult-to-find secondary information.
B) allow readers to know exactly where the information came from.
C) are specific and based on facts.
D) allow decision makers to examine the data themselves.
E) are expressed in exaggerated language for effect.

Question 24

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
B) the executive summary
C) the conclusion
D) footnotes
E) the reference list

Question 25

Which of the following statements about paraphrasing is true?

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 compelling combination of words.
E) Paraphrasing is used to emphasize the credibility of the original speaker or writer.

Question 26

Chinua is quoting a key finding from some research he has done for a business report.To avoid plagiarism,he makes sure to put the text in quotations and

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) provide information about the source of the quote.
E) include an executive summary in the report.

Question 27

What does it mean to demonstrate originality in thought when using secondary research to develop reports?

A) to combine information from a variety of 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 meld the ideas from two different sources in a way that keeps most of their original wording

Question 28

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) avoiding predictions
D) using direct quotations rather than paraphrases
E) eliminating bulleted lists

Question 29

APA and MLA are types of

A) indices.
B) tone choices.
C) documentation systems.
D) bibliographies.
E) research guidelines.

Question 30

Precision in reports relies on

A) documentation.
B) conclusions.
C) recommendations.
D) definitions.
E) facts.

Question 31

You should use direct quotation when

A) a paraphrase will not flow smoothly into the text of your paper.
B) you want to avoid documenting references to others' ideas.
C) the quotation contains a particularly compelling combination of words.
D) you want to express the idea of another speaker in your own words.
E) the quotation does not emphasize the credibility of the original speaker.

Question 32

Which of the following aspects of writing business reports relates to the component of credibility known as character?

A) providing quotes from outside sources
B) providing positions that help decision making
C) involving decision makers in the process
D) addressing the needs of decision makers
E) reporting information transparently

Question 33

The recommendations made within a business report must be

A) simple and paraphrased.
B) methodical and skeptical.
C) complex and theoretical.
D) general and abstract.
E) specific and actionable.

Question 34

Which of the following is true of documenting secondary research sources?

A) Statements that are paraphrased do not require documentation.
B) The only thing that has to be documented is a direct quotation.
C) Ideas that are summarized do not require documentation.
D) Writers can use a variety of documentation systems,including MLA and APA styles.
E) The list of research sources should be placed in the executive summary of the report.

Question 35

Problem statements are most effective when

A) the contextual details in the statements conceal the urgency of the problem.
B) they provide the unique context of the problem for the organization.
C) they are placed at the end of the report as a review.
D) they avoid using predictions and cause-effect statements.
E) APA style is used for documentation instead of MLA style.

Question 36

Which of the following aspects of writing business reports relates to the component of credibility known as caring?

A) providing facts that help decision makers
B) providing conclusions that help decision makers
C) addressing the needs of decision makers
D) reporting information honestly
E) reporting information transparently

Question 37

Chimamanda has written a 57-page report outlining key analytics for her company's website over the last year.To make the report more navigable for the executive team,she should

A) include a SWOT analysis in her report.
B) provide a structure that decision makers are familiar with.
C) use several cause-effect statements throughout the report.
D) use paraphrasing instead of direct quotation.
E) use the MLA documentation system instead of APA style.

Question 38

Darl is in charge of facilities management at his company.He also believes in helping the environment.He knows the company can save tens of thousands of dollars in the long run by converting to energy saving bulbs and instituting energy saving policies across the whole corporation.After talking to CEO and board,he gets the go ahead to make the changes,but first they want him to write up a plan with a budget and plan for how he will use employees' time,also called a

A) business report.
B) spreadsheet analysis.
C) white paper.
D) business proposal.
E) development timeline.

Question 39

Decision makers are unlikely to take your report seriously when you

A) combine information from various sources in novel ways.
B) use verbatim restatements from another source.
C) make recommendations that are not explicitly linked to facts and conclusions.
D) express in your own words the original idea of one of your research sources.
E) weave together information from more than three sources.

Question 40

Vladimir is drafting a proposal to buy electric cars for the company fleet that his boss will review and make a decision on when he is done.Which of the following should Vladimir do to increase the likelihood of his proposal being accepted?

A) focus mostly on the philosophy behind the idea
B) avoid including distracting details such as timelines or required resources
C) use a factual rather than persuasive structure
D) negotiate some details verbally with decision makers before writing the proposal
E) avoid mentioning the budget until after the general idea is approved

Question 41

Tsitsi has been tasked to write a progress report for her marketing agency's largest account.What component will she include that she would not typically show up in other business reports?

A) an executive summary
B) an introduction
C) business objectives
D) headings
E) accomplishments

Question 42

Which of the following statements about a table of contents is true?

A) A table of contents demonstrates the basic credibility of a report.
B) A table of contents is expected for nearly any report over ten pages long.
C) A table of contents typically summarizes 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 part of the glossary.

Question 43

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 paraphrases instead of quotations to make sure ideas are in your own words.
C) use bulleting and enumerated lists whenever you have a particularly dense chunk of information.
D) use headings throughout the report to make the structure readily apparent.
E) combine information from your various sources in novel and insightful ways.

Question 44

Which of the following can damage the objectivity of a business report?

A) putting numerical data in tables
B) using bullets to separate related points
C) quoting experts on the subject
D) eliminating the use of emotional adjectives
E) recommending a rush to action

Question 45

Which of the following statements about headings is true?

A) If a report contains a table of contents,headings are unnecessary.
B) At a minimum,you should include third-level headings.
C) All types of reports,except survey reports,should include headings.
D) Reports over five pages long are likely to require second-level headings.
E) Headings should be structural,not descriptive of content.

Question 46

Which of the following components of a formal report falls under the category of "front matter"?

A) the memo of transmittal
B) the introduction
C) the appendix
D) the executive summary
E) the bibliography

Question 47

What is the probable effect of using too many bullet points in a report?

A) It makes the report seem like it lacks direction.
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.
E) It demonstrates your lack of originality in thought.

Question 48

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?

A) Use tables and charts in your report to represent numerical information.
B) Provide a well-designed table of contents.
C) Use bulleted or enumerated lists to reduce the density of information.
D) Provide information,analysis,and advice that is sound,reliable,and unbiased.
E) Include an executive summary that provides the quick story of the report.

Question 49

A business writer who wants to help readers rapidly process and group the information in a report should

A) include a title page in the report.
B) use MLA instead of APA documentation style.
C) use bulleting and enumerated lists.
D) include a memo of transmittal in the report.
E) include a glossary in the back matter.

Question 50

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 list the headings that will appear in the report.
E) They provide supporting details for your conclusions.

Question 51

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.
B) a preview statement.
C) an executive summary.
D) appendices.
E) charts or tables.

Question 52

Why do reports frequently include appendixes?

A) to help decision makers judge the quality of report data
B) to help readers process and group dense information
C) to help the readers navigate the report
D) to establish the purpose and value of the report
E) to provide reference materials

Question 53

Nearly all reports contain ______ to help readers quickly navigate through them.

A) copyright notices
B) headings
C) cover letters
D) appendices
E) memos

Question 54

Which of the following components of a formal report falls under the category of "back matter"?

A) the executive summary
B) the bibliography
C) the table of contents
D) the title page
E) the memo of transmittal

Question 55

Your co-manager,Tayeb,asks you to take a look at his report on the effects of the migration crisis on your company's operations in Greece.The report is quite optimistic despite some revenue losses in the region,and you suspect that Tayeb is missing information that undermines his view.You should offer the criticism that the report lacks

A) charts to convey complex numerical information.
B) a detailed table of contents.
C) original and innovative ideas.
D) balance between objectivity and positivity.
E) a structure that points out its supporting facts and conclusions.

Question 56

Which of the following statements about business reports is true?

A) Precision in most business reports is the result of using the right documentation system.
B) It is important to strike a balance between objectivity and positivity in a report.
C) A business report should always use as many bulleted or numbered lists as possible.
D) A title page should be used in a business report to preview the report's most important contents.
E) Preview statements help decision makers judge the quality of the data provided in business reports.

Question 57

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

A) to signal that you have been methodical in collecting,analyzing,and reporting data
B) to convey that proper documentation has been used throughout 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

Question 58

Which of the following is most likely to be included on the cover page of a report?

A) a list of sources
B) a preview statement
C) the date of submission
D) a mission statement
E) the recipients' names

Question 59

The table of contents in a report contains

A) topic sentences from each paragraph.
B) all of the preview statements from each section of the report.
C) all first-level headings and sometimes all second-level headings.
D) section numbers with their corresponding page numbers.
E) the introduction from each section of the report.

Question 60

Which of the following statements about cover pages is true?

A) Cover pages should summarize the most important contents of a report.
B) Cover pages consist of a list of first-level and second-level headings.
C) Formal reports,regardless of length,always include a cover page.
D) The cover page is generally the least emphasized aspect of document design.
E) Cover pages typically include the names of all the recipients.

Question 61

How can you avoid plagiarism on a documentwide level?

Question 62

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

Question 63

Which of the following is a recommended guideline for reviewing business reports?

A) Make sure that the report projects more positivity than objectivity.
B) Avoid discussing the report with the ultimate decision makers.
C) Run through the report numerous times,each time considering a different perspective.
D) Avoid getting others' perspectives on the report because different people have different opinions.
E) Review the report only if it deals with sensitive marketing strategies.

Question 64

What are common elements of business proposals?

Question 65

According to Rich Harrill,which of the following is one of the ways business reports have changed over the course of career?

A) In recent years,reports have become more minimalist with regard to aesthetic standards.
B) In recent years,style and design have gained more importance over content.
C) Reports must now be accessible to many different clients and constituents.
D) Reports are much smaller and more compact today than they were in the past.
E) Professionals used to be more competitive about using their reports to advance their careers.

Question 66

Using Microsoft Word can help you write a professional looking report by

A) providing easy tools for accurate documentation.
B) creating an executive summary of your report with a click.
C) automatically writing your headings for you based on the section's content.
D) drawing original thinking from secondary sources to make recomendations.
E) providing an easy-to-access thesaurus to help you generate positive sounding adjectives.

Question 67

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

Question 68

How do business reports vary from routine business correspondence?

Question 69

What is the value in reviewing your reports and then seeking feedback from your peers and decision makers?

Question 70

Which of the following will help you ensure that your report is fair and effective?

A) reviewing the entire report in just one sitting
B) avoiding the use of direct quotations
C) giving more importance to positivity rather than objectivity
D) reviewing your report from the perspective of decision makers
E) giving the emotional reasons for your recommendations

Question 71

Describe the significance of objectivity and positivity in a report.How do they relate to one another?

Question 72

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

Question 73

When you review business reports,which of the following should you keep in mind?

A) Reports should be comprehensive in their presentation of data.
B) Tables,graphs,and charts need to be used as frequently as possible.
C) Executive summaries are an unnecessary feature.
D) Esoteric words help to create simple and direct communication.
E) Glitzy covers and formatted content markers distract from the main text.

Question 74

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?

A) She should change the suggestion of a gradual,six-month rollout to an immediate overhaul of the menu.
B) She should eliminate the subjective step of following up with customer surveys.
C) She should replace the vague phrase "several vegetarian options" with the names of specific menu choices.
D) She should change the six-month rollout period to a six-week period to obtain results more quickly.
E) She should change "achieved phenomenal success" to "improved customer satisfaction."

Question 75

Explain the importance of fact-based language in reports.

Question 76

Why might a writer decide to create a business report in a slide deck format?

A) to avoid the need for navigational tools like headings
B) to allow decision makers to see it in a presentation rather than read it
C) to carry most of the recommendations in visuals rather than in text
D) to eliminate the cover and executive summary
E) to make it visually stronger and more creative

Question 77

What is an advantage of using bulleted lists in reports? What is a disadvantage?

Question 78

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.
B) review the entire document several times to check for accuracy and precision in logic.
C) avoid using any gimmicky formatting like bulleted or numbered lists.
D) avoid asking colleagues to review it because they will dilute the perspective.
E) avoid discussing the report with decision makers because that might sway their opinions.