Question 1

Which of the following options should NOT be included in an information report?

Accepted Answer

An information report should present factual information and not discuss alternate solutions or speculate on their likelihood of success. Its purpose is to inform the reader about a specific topic, not to provide opinions or recommendations. Therefore, option B should not be included in an information report.

Question 2

Billie is writing a proposal for a class project that focuses on maximizing click-through rates for online campus advertisements.Within her proposal, she notes that she needs additional information from the IT department in order to thoroughly investigate her problem.In which of the following proposal sections should she place this information?

Accepted Answer

The qualifications/facilities/resources section is where the writer lists any additional resources or information needed to conduct the project. In this case, Billie needs information from the IT department, which falls under the resources category. Therefore, she should place this information in the qualifications/facilities/resources section.

Question 3

You're trying to decide whether to read a report that has been handed to you by a colleague, without its executive summary.You're principally interested in whether the report discusses the issues you think it should; you're willing to wait to find out about the specific content later.Which of the following kinds of executive summaries should you request from your colleague?

Accepted Answer

A descriptive executive summary provides an overview of the main points and topics covered in the report without going into specific details, which is ideal for determining if the report discusses the issues of interest.

Question 4

Which of the following explanations BEST describes how you should use pronouns in reports?

Accepted Answer

In reports, it is best to avoid using "I" and "you" since the focus should be on the information and not on the individual writing it or the reader. Instead, use more objective language to present the information.

Question 5

Which of the following options describes a situation in which the title of the report should NOT omit recommendations?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following options describes a...

Question 6

Which of the following options is NOT a good reason to discuss alternatives separately in a feasibility report?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following options is NOT...

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a purpose for a letter of transmittal?

Accepted Answer

A letter of transmittal is not meant to summarize the body of the report, as this should be done within the report itself. The purpose of a letter of transmittal is to provide contextual information and orient the reader to the report. It also serves to record the submission of the report and build a good image of both the report and its writer.

Question 8

Which of the following is the BEST summary of progress in progress report?

Accepted Answer

Option C clearly states that the team is ahead of their planned schedule, which is a positive progress update. The other options either do not provide enough information or imply that there may have been some problems with meeting the schedule.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT true of a heading?

Accepted Answer

A heading should accurately reflect all the main ideas covered in the section that follows, not just the first idea. This ensures clarity and helps readers understand the scope of the content under each heading.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a political purpose for progress reports?

Accepted Answer

Complimenting your audience is not a political purpose for progress reports. It may be a way to build a positive relationship with your audience, but it does not serve a political goal. The other options listed - enhancing your image, floating trial balloons, and minimizing potential problems - all have a political purpose in the context of progress reports.

Question 11

You are writing a report that recommends that your company organize a fundraising campaign to aid several hundred people in your community whose homes have been destroyed by the worst flood your city has ever seen.You anticipate that readers will be very supportive of your recommendation.Which of the following is the BEST title for your report?

Accepted Answer

The title "Creating a Campaign to Fund Flood Recovery Efforts" clearly explains the purpose of the report and indicates that the recommendation is to create a fundraising campaign. It also highlights the specific focus of the campaign, which is to aid in flood recovery efforts. The other titles do not effectively communicate the purpose and focus of the report or use vague language.

Question 12

In a report on the grade inflation on your campus, you distributed a questionnaire to 250 students and interviewed students, faculty, and the dean for undergraduate studies.Where would you include this information?

Accepted Answer

The information about distributing a questionnaire and conducting interviews with students, faculty, and the dean for undergraduate studies is relevant to the methods section of the report, as it explains the procedures used to gather data for the study.

Question 13

You are writing a report on a vegetarian restaurant on the north side of town, contrasting its success with the failure of a vegetarian restaurant on the south side of town that is owned by the same person.You believe that the most crucial area to examine is the traffic flow pattern, and plan to focus on it.Where would you explain this focus?

Accepted Answer

The scope section defines the boundaries of the report and explains what aspects will be covered. Within this section, it would be appropriate to explain why the traffic flow pattern is the most crucial area to examine and how it will be analyzed.

Question 14

You think that, given your audience's interests, the executive summary for your report should comment on the kind of information provided in the report, and present the main thesis and its proof.Which of the following kinds of executive summaries should you write?

Accepted Answer

The answer of You think that, given your audience's interests,...

Question 15

You have decided to include a source in your report because it is widely cited, although you think it has serious logical flaws.Which of the following is the BEST identification of how you should introduce this source, and the BEST explanation of why you should introduce it this way?

Accepted Answer

Using phrasing that distances you from the source signals to your readers that you are going to disagree with the source. This is important because it prepares the reader to be critical of the source and to expect that you will point out the logical flaws.

Question 16

Which of the following parts of the formal report would be the BEST place to include proof for the recommendations?

Accepted Answer

The body of the formal report is where the evidence, data, and research to support the recommendations should be presented in detail. This section provides a logical flow of information and shows the reader the justification for the proposed recommendations. The conclusion and executive summary briefly summarize the key points of the report and should not contain new evidence or data. The introduction sets the tone for the report and provides background information but should not contain the proof for the recommendations.

Question 17

Which of the following report sections tends to draw the attention of experts?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following report sections tends...

Question 18

Amberlee is writing a proposal for a class project that focuses on improving the marketing success of the on-campus restaurant.She has decided that, while she will briefly discuss online advertising, she will focus mainly on advertising in the form of flyers, brochures, and ads in hard-copy student newspapers.In which of the following report sections should she mention this decision?

Accepted Answer

The topics to investigate section is where Amberlee should mention her decision to focus on advertising in the form of flyers, brochures, and ads in hard-copy student newspapers. This section is meant to outline the specific areas or topics that will be explored in the proposal, and her decision regarding advertising belongs here. The other options (problem, feasibility, and qualifications/facilities/resources sections) do not pertain to this specific decision.

Question 19

Which of the following kinds of information should be included in the conclusion of a report?

Accepted Answer

A summary of the main points in the body of the report is typically included in the conclusion of a report.

Question 20

Manoj is writing a proposal for a class project that focuses on teaching students effective study skills.He believes ineffective study skills are artificially depressing students' final grades, and thinks it is important for the college's reputation to fix this problem.In which of the following report sections should he discuss this information?

Accepted Answer

The problem section is where the proposal should discuss the issue that the project aims to solve. In this case, Manoj believes that ineffective study skills are negatively impacting students' grades and the college's reputation, so it is important to address this problem.

Quiz 11: Writing Proposals and Reports