Question 1

Which of the following can be done to keep your writing lean,thereby easier to understand?

Accepted Answer

Keep your writing lean by providing only the information that people need and by eliminating extra details and words that serve no clear purpose.

Question 2

The section of the report that provides readers with a quick understanding of the purpose,structure,contents,and main idea of the report is considered to be ________.

Accepted Answer

Almost all business reports use a direct organization,beginning with one or more preview elements that provide readers with a quick understanding of the purpose,structure,content,and main ideas of the report.In reports written as emails,letters,or memos,the first paragraph provides the preview.

Question 3

What part of a report allows an audience to preview the material?

Accepted Answer

A formal report should include several ways to preview the report contents,including a table of contents,a list of figures and tables,an executive summary,and an introduction.

Question 4

When do experienced writers ask for feedback on their reports?

Accepted Answer

The most experienced writers ask for feedback continually,throughout the writing process,instead of waiting until a draft is complete.In that way,writers improve the effectiveness of important reports by ensuring that the reports meet audience and stakeholder needs.

Question 5

A(n)________ is a separate,standalone mini-report inserted at the beginning of a formal analytical report that completely summarizes the report's main ideas and recommendations.

Accepted Answer

An executive summary is a separate,standalone mini-report inserted at the beginning of a formal analytical report that completely summarizes the report's main ideas and recommendations.These are included for decision makers who may not have the time to read the entire document.

Question 6

The first step in writing a report is to ________.

Accepted Answer

The first step in writing a report is to identify the question you are answering and the type of report you are writing.

Question 7

Which type of report has a goal of providing the reader with facts that are easy to understand?

Accepted Answer

Reports summarizing business trips or decisions made at meetings would be informational reports.Their main goal is to provide facts that readers can easily understand and refer to when necessary.

Question 8

In what section of a formal report would a reader find content-specific headings?

Accepted Answer

The detailed discussion (sometimes called the body)of a formal report is typically organized with content-specific headings.For example,if you are writing a recommendation report,then each major heading may be one key recommendation.

Question 9

What should always be included in a feasibility report?

Accepted Answer

A feasibility report will always include the criteria that decision makers can use to judge the proposal.The criteria may include cost,technical functionality,or potential for employees or the public to accept the proposal.Then,the report will evaluate the proposal based on those criteria.

Question 10

Being able to locate specific elements of a report is helped by including ________.

Accepted Answer

When audiences read reports,they expect to find key elements of the report to be located in specific places,depending on the report format.These elements include identifying information,preview,detailed discussion,and (optionally)additional documentation.Business reports clearly identify the author,the date,and the topic or title.Some reports also indicate the intended audience.

Question 11

What can a writer do to achieve a professional writing style that adds to the credibility of a report?

Accepted Answer

Make the report easy to skim and information easy to find.Use headings that flow logically and outline how the report is organized.In addition,begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that summarizes the main point of the paragraph so that a reader can easily find the main ideas.

Question 12

Which of the following help readers draw conclusions or support business decisions?

Accepted Answer

Analytical reports help readers draw conclusions to solve problems or support business decisions.

Question 13

What type of report determines whether a plan can be implemented as proposed?

Accepted Answer

Short analytical reports,such as a feasibility report,can also be written in email,memo,or letter form.A feasibility report analyzes whether a plan can be implemented as proposed.It may also consider how to change the plan to make it feasible.

Question 14

When choosing the best medium to use in transmitting a report,a writer should consider length,audience,and ________.

Accepted Answer

Reports may be prepared in many different forms: email,memo,formal manuscript,an online report,or a report deck.When choosing the best medium for your report,consider the length,audience,and formality.

Question 15

Reports based on outcomes and decisions arrived at during meetings are called ________.

Accepted Answer

Organize the minutes using the categories outlined in the meeting's agenda,such as announcements,old business,and new business.Minutes are action oriented,focusing more on outcomes and decisions.

Question 16

Almost 2 billion people speak English worldwide and ________ percent of those people speak it as a first language.

Accepted Answer

Although an estimated 2 billion people speak English worldwide,only 25 percent of those speak English as a first language.

Question 17

Conservative fields typically use ________ style reports.

Accepted Answer

Although it incorporates some design features,such as headings and bullet points,it does not use more elaborate elements such as borders,multiple columns,call-out boxes,or contrasting fonts.Manuscript-style reports are common in conservative fields,such as banking and accounting.You will also see manuscript style used for internal company reports.

Question 18

Which type of report would be used to help the reader to solve problems or support a business decision?

Accepted Answer

Analytical reports help readers draw conclusions to solve problems or support business decisions.For example,a report that analyzes what you learned on a business trip,and then makes a recommendation,would be an analytical report.

Question 19

Which of the following reports is designed to quickly inform others about the work you have done and to provide documentation for future use?

Accepted Answer

Progress reports,trip reports,and meeting minutes are designed to inform others quickly about the work you have done and provide documentation for future use.

Question 20

Which of the following mediums for reports is appropriate for internal audiences?

Accepted Answer

Internal reports are typically emailed to recipients.You can distribute the report as a native file-a file in its original program,such as Word-or as a PDF (Portable Document Format).

Quiz 10: Preparing Business Reports