Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Accepted Answer

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.

Accepted Answer

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.

Accepted Answer

Reports are often lengthy and dense,so preview statements can help decision makers follow the direction of your text.Also,preview statements frame the message,allowing readers to create a mental map of your key takeaway messages.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

You can raise the credibility of your report by (a)supplying the facts with precision; (b)providing supporting details for your conclusions; (c)carefully dealing with predictions and cause-effect statements;and (d)responsibly citing your research sources.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

When you paraphrase,you significantly alter the original words and sentence structure,but you still need to give credit to the original speaker or writer for the idea.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Regardless of length,formal reports-especially those submitted to external decision makers (i.e. ,loan officers,venture capitalists,stockholders)-always include a cover page.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Make sure you review the report 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.

Question 9

Research-based business reports are generally collaborative efforts.

Accepted Answer

Since research-based reports are generally commissioned for high-stakes decisions,you likely will work collaboratively with others.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

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

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.

Accepted Answer

While creating business reports,you should project objectivity-the sense that you are providing information,analysis,and advice that is sound,reliable,and unbiased.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

More so than positivity,you should project objectivity-the sense that you are providing information,analysis,and advice that is sound,reliable,and unbiased.

Question 14

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

Accepted Answer

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.

Accepted Answer

Generally,an executive summary should be about one page long for every 10 to 20 pages in the report.An executive summary for a 50-page report should be three to four pages long.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

Placing a clear statement of the central business problem or challenge at the beginning helps establish the purpose and value of the report.Without such a statement,reports lack direction and may be perceived as unimportant.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

By documenting your sources,you allow decision makers to 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.

Accepted Answer

If you have developed a report by yourself,you should still try to get other perspectives before you officially submit it.When possible,discuss the report with the ultimate decision makers so that you can best tailor the final product to their needs.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

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

Quiz 13: Completing Business Proposals and Business Reports

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Research-based business reports are generally collaborative efforts.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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