Question 1

When you're writing a report,be sure to adapt to your audience by
A)being sensitive to their needs.
B)controlling your style and tone.
C)building strong relationships with them.
D)all of the above.

Accepted Answer

Adapting to your audience in a report involves being sensitive to their needs, controlling your style and tone to match their expectations, and building strong relationships with them. All three of these actions are important in ensuring that the report is well-received and effectively communicates its intended message. Therefore, the best choice is D, all of the above.

Question 2

Which of the following will help a reader navigate a document more easily?
A)Visuals
B)A formal tone
C)An introduction
D)A strong closing section
E)Headings and links

Accepted Answer

Headings and links provide a clear organization and structure to a document, which allows the reader to navigate it more easily. Visuals can also be helpful, but they may not always be present or necessary. A formal tone, introduction, and strong closing section can contribute to the overall effectiveness of a document, but they do not necessarily make it easier to navigate.

Question 3

________ come after a body of material in a report,and they summarize the information included in that material.
A)Extension sections
B)Review sections
C)Transposition sections
D)Preview sections
E)Tables of content

Accepted Answer

Review sections come after a body of material in a report and summarize the information included in that material. Extension sections are additional materials that come after the review sections, transposition sections do not exist, preview sections come before the body of material, and tables of content are typically placed at the beginning of a report.

Question 4

If you use the impersonal journalism style to write a business message,your tone will not be
A)objective.
B)unemotional.
C)conversational.
D)businesslike.

Accepted Answer

The impersonal journalism style is often used in news reporting where the emphasis is on delivering information in a neutral and objective way. To achieve this, writers avoid using conversational tones or personal opinions. Therefore, if you use an impersonal journalism style to write a business message, your tone will not be conversational.

Question 5

When is a more formal tone appropriate for an internal audience?
A)When the report is short
B)When you have already established your credibility
C)When you are using online tools to send the message
D)When the topic is complex or controversial
E)When you do not use preview or review sections

Accepted Answer

A more formal tone is appropriate when the topic is complex or controversial as it requires a serious and professional tone to convey the information effectively to the internal audience.

Question 6

Transitional words and phrases
A)connect ideas by helping readers move from one thought to the next.
B)should be removed from written material to make it more concise.
C)are essential to analytical reports but unnecessary in informational reports.
D)aren't necessary in a report that uses a system of headings and subheadings.
E)should be used for headings and subheading.

Accepted Answer

Transitional words and phrases connect ideas and help the reader move from one thought to the next, making the writing more coherent and easier to follow.

Question 7

When incorporating complex information into a report,how can you introduce new,important topics?
A)Avoid transitions to avoid confusion with previous material
B)Use third level headings
C)Add links to additional information
D)Include review sections
E)Include preview sections

Accepted Answer

Including preview sections is the best choice to introduce new, important topics as it provides a brief summary of what will be discussed. This allows the reader to have an overview of the content and be prepared for the upcoming information. Choices A, C, and D do not specifically address the introduction of new topics, while using third level headings may be useful, it may not be enough to provide context for the new information.

Question 8

In order to help your readers understand and accept your message
A)use headings and links.
B)include smooth transitions.
C)provide previews and reviews.
D)do all of the above.

Accepted Answer

Using headings and links will help break up the text and make it more easily navigable for readers, while smooth transitions help connect ideas and prevent jarring shifts in thought. Providing previews and reviews gives readers an overview of the content before and after they read it, enabling them to better follow the author's argument or message. Therefore, doing all of the above will ensure that readers can understand and accept the message being conveyed.

Question 9

If you're writing a formal business report,you should
A)use the impersonal journalism style.
B)rely on first- and second-person pronouns.
C)focus on similes,metaphors,and colorful language.
D)use contractions to engage your audience.
E)use colorful language to add interest.

Accepted Answer

Using the impersonal journalism style is the most appropriate for a formal business report. This style removes personal opinion and bias, making the report more objective and professional.

Question 10

The writing style for a report should be more formal when
A)you know your readers reasonably well.
B)your report is intended for internal distribution.
C)the subject is controversial or complex.
D)the report is relatively short.
E)the report will be read online.

Accepted Answer

The writing style should be more formal when the subject of the report is controversial or complex. Formality is important when presenting complex or sensitive information to ensure that the message is conveyed accurately and with the appropriate level of seriousness.

Question 11

When writing business reports for outsiders (such as customers or suppliers),it is best to
A)use a more formal tone than you would for an internal audience.
B)use a less formal tone than you would for an internal audience.
C)avoid the use of headings,transitions,previews,and reviews.
D)sprinkle your writing with idioms,acronyms,and jargon.
E)start the report by explaining why they need your help.

Accepted Answer

When writing business reports for outsiders, a more formal tone is appropriate as it conveys a sense of professionalism and credibility. This helps to establish trust with the reader and assures them that the information provided is trustworthy. Using a less formal tone or sprinkling the writing with jargon or acronyms can confuse readers and may not be appropriate for all audiences. Headings, transitions, previews, and reviews can help guide the reader through the report and make it easier to understand. Starting the report by explaining why they need your help is not relevant for all reports and can be seen as self-promotion.

Question 12

Which of the following is one of the advantages of using headings in a report?
A)They identify the framework of a report
B)They eliminate relationships between subordinate and main ideas
C)They indicate the importance of preview sections
D)They eliminate the need for review sections
E)They minimize style and tone

Accepted Answer

Headings help to identify the structure and framework of a report, making it easier for the reader to follow and understand the content.

Question 13

Which of the following can be used to visually indicate shifts from one idea to the next?
A)Paragraphs
B)Headings
C)Charts
D)Tables
E)Preview sections

Accepted Answer

Headings are used to visually indicate shifts from one idea to the next by dividing the text into sections and providing a brief overview of each section.

Question 14

When preparing review sections in a report
A)always write them in narrative form,not as lists.
B)use multiple review sections if the report is long and complex.
C)introduce new facts and information to support the review points.
D)avoid headings and subheadings.
E)avoid restating technical information found in the report.

Accepted Answer

Using multiple review sections can help organize the content and make it easier for the reader to follow. In a long and complex report, breaking up the review into smaller sections can also help the writer to focus on specific areas and provide more detailed analysis.

Answer: C 
 Introducing new facts and information can help support the review points and provide more depth to the analysis. This can also show the reader that the writer has done thorough research and has a good understanding of the topic.

Answer: E 
 Restating technical information found in the report can be redundant and adds no value to the review section. Instead, the writer should focus on providing analysis and interpretation of the technical information, and relate it back to the main points of the report.

Therefore, the best choices are B, C, and E.

Question 15

Which of the following would be the most effective preview in a formal report?
A)Our sales in the eastern region have plummeted,but we think we know the cause,and it is definitely not our fault.
B)So far,we have discussed three essential elements: price,service,and performance.
C)The next section will present the advantages of using social media to connect with your customers.
D)Okay,now for the important part.

Accepted Answer

Option C is the most effective preview in a formal report because it clearly indicates what the next section will cover without assigning blame or being informal, making it suitable for a professional setting.

Question 16

Which of the following can be used to help readers absorb details of complex information while keeping track of the goal of the report?
A)Review sections
B)Headings
C)Transitions
D)Preview sections
E)White space

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following can be used...

Question 17

To gain credibility with your audience in a business report,do all of the following EXCEPT
A)research all sides of your topic.
B)use credible sources to support your findings.
C)avoid setting unrealistic expectations.
D)allow your desires to determine the length of the report.

Accepted Answer

All of the other options (researching all sides of your topic, using credible sources to support your findings, and avoiding setting unrealistic expectations) are important for establishing credibility with your audience. However, allowing your desires to determine the length of the report is not relevant or helpful for establishing credibility. In fact, it could even hinder your credibility if the report ends up being unnecessarily long or unfocused.

Question 18

Effective business writers use ________ to help readers prepare for upcoming information and ________ to help them verify and clarify what they've just read.
A)introductions; conclusions
B)previews; reviews
C)synopses; executive summaries
D)headings; subheadings
E)executive summaries; reviews

Accepted Answer

Previews help readers prepare for upcoming information by giving them an idea of what's to come, while reviews help them verify and clarify what they've just read by summarizing and recapping the key points. The other options may also be used in business writing, but they do not specifically address these two functions.

Question 19

Effective transitions in business reports
A)are limited to keywords and short transitions.
B)should not exceed the length of one sentence.
C)may be as long as a paragraph.
D)are included between major sections but never within each section.
E)are cited when they were part of a study.

Accepted Answer

Effective transitions in business reports may indeed be as long as a paragraph, especially when they serve to connect major sections or ideas, providing clarity and enhancing the flow of the document.

Question 20

Which of the following can create a message that is formal,businesslike,and unemotional?
A)Use colorful,descriptive language
B)Use humor when possible
C)Add similes to aid explanation
D)Avoid using a journalistic writing style
E)Eliminate words such as "you" and "I"

Accepted Answer

Eliminating personal pronouns such as "you" and "I" can create a more formal and objective tone in the message.

Quiz 15: Writing and Completing Reports and Proposals

When you're writing a report,be sure to adapt to your audience by

Which of the following will help a reader navigate a document more easily?

________ come after a body of material in a report,and they summarize the information included in that material.

If you use the impersonal journalism style to write a business message,your tone will not be

When is a more formal tone appropriate for an internal audience?

Transitional words and phrases

When incorporating complex information into a report,how can you introduce new,important topics?

In order to help your readers understand and accept your message

If you're writing a formal business report,you should

The writing style for a report should be more formal when

When writing business reports for outsiders (such as customers or suppliers) ,it is best to

Which of the following is one of the advantages of using headings in a report?

Which of the following can be used to visually indicate shifts from one idea to the next?

When preparing review sections in a report

Which of the following would be the most effective preview in a formal report?

Which of the following can be used to help readers absorb details of complex information while keeping track of the goal of the report?

To gain credibility with your audience in a business report,do all of the following EXCEPT

Effective business writers use to help readers prepare for upcoming information and to help them verify and clarify what they've just read.

Effective transitions in business reports

Which of the following can create a message that is formal,businesslike,and unemotional?