Font size
Worksheetsu9 u10
Total questions: 120
Worksheet time: 1hrs 10mins
Which of the following statements about reports is accurate?
Business professionals rarely write reports.
Writers develop reports for internal audiences only.
Informal reports of eight or fewer pages are the most common report in the
workplace
Business writers deliver reports only through hard copies.
Reports convey information, answer questions, and
present your opinions.
solve problems.
comply with government regulations.
demonstrate your proficiency as a technical writer.
Reports that present data without analysis or recommendations are
informational reports.
analytical reports.
cost-benefit analysis reports.
justification reports.
Which of the following is most likely to be written as an informative report?
A recommendation from the Information Technology Department that your
company install a wireless network
A feasibility study addressing tuition reimbursement to all employees
A comparison of five handheld communication devices that your company might
purchase
A summary of information presented at a recent conference for technical writers
Reports that provide data or findings, analyses, and conclusions are
informational reports.
analytical reports.
summaries.
progress reports.
Which of the following reports is an example of an analytical report?
A report summarizing the details of a recent seminar you attended
A report recommending an antiterrorism security system for mass transit
A report outlining the new company procedure for reporting workplace injuries
A report showing state budget allocations for education
The direct pattern of organization is appropriate for a business report when readers
need to be educated.
must be persuaded.
are informed.
may be disappointed or hostile.
When you organize a report directly, what is the correct order of ideas to follow?
Introduction, facts, and summary
Introduction, summary, and facts
Summary, introduction, and facts
The direct pattern presents ideas in any order for maximum effectiveness.
The indirect pattern of organization is appropriate for a business report when readers
are supportive of the topic.
must be persuaded.
are familiar with the topic.
want to know the results immediately.
When you organize a report indirectly, in which order should you present your ideas?
Description of the problem, conclusions, facts, and recommendations
Conclusion, recommendations, description of the problem, and facts
Description of the problem, facts, conclusions, and recommendations
The indirect pattern does not follow a set order of ideas.
Which is the most accurate statement about business report organizational patterns?
The primary difference between direct and indirect organizational patterns is the
location of the findings.
Many business executives place most importance on the analysis of the problem
in a report.
When using the indirect organizational pattern, place the conclusions and
recommendations at the beginning of the report.
The indirect pattern seems more logical to many readers because it mirrors the
way we solve problems.
Connor has studied the effect of on-site daycare on employee work attendance. He
must present his findings to his supervisor, who is opposed to this service. How should
Connor present his information?
Use persuasive strategies and an indirect organizational pattern.
Arrange the report using the direct organizational pattern.
Omit background data as this might bore his supervisor.
Give up; his boss will never go for this idea anyway.
The format of a report depends primarily on
its topic, recommendations, and organizational pattern.
your knowledge of the writing process.
its length, topic, audience, and purpose.
your printer quality and paper type.
You are writing a short, informal report that will stay inside your organization. Which
format would be most appropriate?
Letter format
Memo or e-mail format
Manuscript format
Full-block format
You are writing a short, informal report that you will send to one of your customers.
Which format would be most appropriate?
Letter format
Memo or e-mail format
Manuscript format
Printed form
You work for a development firm and must explain to a customer the results of a
year-long study of potential sites for new stores. In what format should you develop this
report?
Memo or e-mail format
Printed form
Letter format
Manuscript format
You are an inventory specialist for a retail store. Your boss has asked you to compile
a year-end report listing the merchandise sold each month through the company's Web site.
In what format should you present this data?
Memo or e-mail format
Preprinted form
Letter format
Manuscript format
Which statement regarding digital report formats and delivery is accurate?
Although digital media allows writers to produce and distribute reports
electronically, good writers follow up such electronic reports with hard copies.
Only certain kinds of reports can be attached to an e-mail.
New technology allows users to hyperlink multimedia content within a document
or with associated text or files.
When attaching a report to an e-mail message, you do not need to introduce the
report or reference the attachment in the e-mail message.
When you receive an assignment to write a report, you should begin the report-writing
process by
analyzing your audience.
determining your purpose.
beginning your research.
looking for someone else to write the report.
Many business writers begin their report research by
conducting interviews.
observing others.
constructing questionnaires and inventories.
visiting company records.
What type of research source provides the richest and most accurate first-hand
information?
Surveys
Interviews
Company records
Observations
Typical sources for factual information in an informal report include
company records, observation, and electronic resources.
observation, personal opinion, and print sources.
printed materials, the writer's educated guesses, and electronic resources.
personal experience, personal observation, and personal opinion.
Which of the following statements is accurate?
Primary data result from reading what others have experienced or observed.
Secondary data come from firsthand experience and observation.
Secondary data are easier and cheaper to gather than primary data.
Secondary data are always gathered after the collection of primary data.
A report that monitors the headway of a nonroutine or unusual activity is called
the minutes of a meeting.
an information report.
a progress report.
a summary.
A report that attempts to solve problems by presenting data, drawing conclusions,
and offering solutions is called a(n)
justification/recommendation report.
information report
progress report.
summary.
Reports that describe routine activities without analysis are called
justification/recommendation reports.
information reports.
progress reports.
summaries.
A record of the proceedings of a meeting is called
a progress report.
an information report.
a summary.
the minutes.
What kind of report condenses the primary ideas, conclusions, and recommendations
of a longer report or publication?
Progress report
Information report
Summary
Analytical report
As chairperson of a customer service task force, you must update management on
your team's progress. What kind of report will you write?
Justification/recommendation report
Information report
Progress report
Feasibility report
Your department needs a new copier, and your job is to research the options. Based
on your research, you have selected an all-in-one machine that you believe will be cost
effective and will perform well. What kind of report would you write to present your
findings?
Summary report
Justification/recommendation report
Information report
Progress report
As a human resources (HR) assistant, you must write a monthly report to the HR
director summarizing the number of job applicants, the number of interviews conducted,
and the number of active employees. What kind of report would you prepare?
Information report
Justification/recommendation report
Progress report
Feasibility report
Your current assignment is to condense a 200-page government policy report on oil
drilling in Alaska into a shorter report for Sierra Club members to read. What kind of report
would you most likely write?
Information report
Justification/recommendation report
Progress report
Summary report
Your company currently processes its payroll internally but is considering the use of
an external accounting firm. You are in charge of determining whether your company should
proceed with this plan. What kind of report would you most likely write?
Information report
Feasibility report
Progress report
Summary report
Which of the following is most likely to be written as an informational report?
A report recommending the installation of retina scanner to improve security
A report telling management about the current status of a long-term project
A government regulatory report to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission
A report comparing three locations and identifying the best for a new franchise
outlet
You have organized the findings section of your information report by answering
who, what, when, where, why, and how. This pattern is called
chronological.
journalism style.
geographical.
alphabetical.
Which of the following situations might require a progress report?
The work of a committee preparing for an open house when a new wing of a
hospital is completed
The reporting of monthly sales figures for all divisions
A study of whether a company should provide on-site childcare
A one-page summary of a long article in The Wall Street Journal
In what order should you organize your ideas when you believe your audience will
be agreeable to the suggestions in your justification/recommendation report?
Announce the recommendation, explain the recommendation, identify the
problem or need, and provide necessary action.
Provide necessary action, identify the problem or need, announce the
recommendation, and explain the recommendation.
Identify the problem or need, announce the recommendation, explain the
recommendation, and provide necessary action.
Identify the problem or need, provide necessary action, announce the
recommendation, and explain the recommendation.
Which of the following is not needed in a feasibility report?
The background and problem necessitating the proposal
Problems that may result from implementation
Costs of implementing the proposal
Persuasive techniques
Thomas is in charge of taking formal minutes during an Institute of Internal Auditors
chapter meeting. Which of the following is the best advice?
Record only new business because old business will appear in previous minutes.
Avoid using the exact wording of motions because that would be too time
consuming.
Record voting results and actions taken.
Omit his name and signature as the person recording the minutes because he is
acting on behalf of the organization.
Which of the following is the best advice to follow when writing a summary?
Include specific examples from the report, article, or book you are summarizing.
Copy passages word for word to ensure that you cover the main ideas.
Avoid headings or lists to prevent reader distraction.
Condense the original ideas.
An informal writing style includes
contractions (for example, wouldn't, don't, they're).
second-person pronouns (for example, you and your).
mainly passive-voice verbs.
longer sentences.
Which of the following constructions uses the best writing style for an informal
report?
James, Deloitte, and Wilts, Inc., after extensive review of references and
credentials of contractors, has elected to contract with Peck Builders for the new
office complex.
We're pleased to announce the selection of Peck Builders as general contractor
for our new office complex.
After conducting an exhaustive search of building design elements and cost-
efficiency data, the company has verified the qualifications of Peck Builders.
The findings demonstrate the imperative of selecting a fully qualified and bonded
contractor for the new building project of James, Deloitte, and Wilts, Inc.; that
contractor is Peck Builders.
Which of the following sentences demonstrates active-voice verbs?
Superior writing skills are required by many employers.
Employee use of e-mail was monitored by management.
Research indicates a correlation between strong writing skills and promotions.
The proposals were carefully reviewed by the screening committee.
Irina wants to make sure that she sounds credible in her business report. What should
she do to build her credibility?
Discuss only the position that she favors so that her readers don't get confused.
Write her personal opinions so that they sound like facts.
Tell her readers the source of her information.
Irina should do all of these to build credibility.
Which of the following represents the best use of language?
Most people agree...
Some people agree...
Seventy-five percent of people agree...
All answer choices reflect appropriate language choice.
Headings that show the outline of a report are called
talking headings.
topic headings.
functional headings
descriptive headings.
Headings that describe the content of a report section are called
talking headings.
topic headings.
functional headings
descriptive headings.
Which of the following statements about functional headings is accurate?
Functional headings are useful for complex reports.
Functional headings provide more information than talking headings.
Functional headings are not appropriate for sensitive or controversial topics.
Background is an example of a functional heading.
Which of the following is a talking heading?
IT Outsourcing
Savings
Cost Savings
Projected Cost Savings for IT Outsourcing
Vanessa is writing a report that will include headings. What should she do to make
sure that her headings are effective?
Enclose the headings in quotation marks (dấu ngoặc kép) to make them stand out
on the page
Vary same-level headings in terms of physical position and appearance to help
the reader maintain interest in the report.
Use headings as antecedents for pronouns to make her report more concise.
Include at least one heading per report page.
Business (a) are systematic attempts to convey information,
answer questions, and solve problems.
In a report using the (a) organizational pattern, the problem,
discussion, and findings are presented before the conclusions and recommendations.
Use (a) format for short (usually eight or fewer pages) informal
reports addressed outside an organization.
Use Empowered Team Decision-Making Without Losing Control is an example of
a(n) (a) heading.
A distinct type of information report is the (a) report. In this
type of report, business travelers identify the event they attended or the company they
visited; summarize three to five main points objectively; and, if requested, itemize their
expenses on a separate sheet.
The purpose of a(n) (a) report is used to tell management
whether a nonroutine project is on schedule.
(a) or recommendation reports attempt to solve problems by
evaluating options and offering recommendations.
A(n) (a) condenses the primary ideas, conclusions, and recommendations of
a longer report or publication.
When a company must decide whether to proceed with a plan of action, it may require
a(n) (a) report.
(a) are a record of the proceedings of a meeting.
Which of the following statements is accurate?
Proposals are persuasive documents used to solve problems, provide services, or
sell equipment.
Proposals are always solicited.
Proposals are informative documents used to share problems, identify emerging
issues, and categorize available resources for resolution.
Proposals are developed for external audiences only.
A company might prepare a proposal for which of the following reasons?
To show its compliance with Homeland Security rules and regulations
To solicit competitive bids for a new building
To inform company shareholders of an attempted hostile takeover
To bid for a contract to retrofit a local bridge
An RFP (request for proposal) can best be defined as
a document that solicits competitive bids on a project
an offer to provide a service, sell equipment, or solve a problem.
an internal report justifying a request for additional staffing and equipment.
a persuasive sales presentation emphasizing benefits for the reader.
A business would be most likely to write a request for proposals
to advertise openings for two sales positions.
to attract new clients.
to renovate offices.
to begin expansion in global markets.
In addition to an introduction, the background information, and the proposal itself,
informal or letter proposals often contain
staffing requirements, a budget, and an authorization request.
service dates, applicable laws and statutes, and a signed contract.
a bill for services rendered and a signed contract.
free prizes and other gimmicks.
You can make the introduction of a proposal more persuasive if you
explain in great detail how much better you are than your competitors.
hint at the problem you will solve but avoid explaining the reasons for the
proposal
remain as vague as possible to keep the reader intrigued.
provide a "hook" such as mentioning a remarkable resource available exclusively
to the writer.
Which of the following is the best tip to fight writer's block when writing proposals?
Drink a lot of coffee to make your mind sharp.
Begin by making a bulleted list of customer wants and needs.
Make a list of personal benefits you will receive after receiving the contract.
Type anything because proposals must adhere to deadlines.
In which part of a solicited proposal would you most likely convince your reader that
you understand the problem completely?
Introduction
Background
Authorization
Budget
In which section of an informal proposal would you most likely include a timetable for
a project to be completed?
Staffing
Authorization
Budget
Proposal
What may be included in the staffing section of an informal proposal?
Credentials and expertise of project leaders
Size and qualifications of support staff
Resources such as computer facilities
All may be included in the staffing section.
The budget in a proposal should
reflect careful research because a proposal is a legal contract.
provide only rough estimates so that you can raise the price later if costs increase
never itemize hours and costs, but offer only a total sum.
include a disclaimer to ensure that the budget is not legally binding.
Jeremy has decided to include a deadline for acceptance in his proposal to install
energy-efficient workstations for a local manufacturer. In which section should Jeremy
place the deadline?
Introduction
Background
Authorization request
Proposal
The main differences between informal and formal proposals are
the primary and secondary audiences.
the style and need for correctness.
identification of resources used and placement of documentation.
format and length.
although formal reports are similar to formal proposals, a primary difference is that
formal reports represent the end product of thorough investigation and analysis.
formal reports use a more conversational tone.
reports are written for internal audiences only
more formal reports are written than formal proposals.
What is the first step in preparing to write a formal report?
Analyze your audience
Research primary and secondary data.
Define the project and limit its scope.
Determine the length of the report.
What is the best advice when writing a statement of purpose for a formal report?
Write a statement of purpose only for external formal reports.
Omit limitations to avoid a negative tone.
Use action verbs that tell what you intend to do.
Do all of these choices when writing statements of purpose.
Primary research data can be defined as
information that comes from reading what others have experienced and observed.
information gained from firsthand experience and observation.
statistics collected during the first stage of research.
data you get from the Web.
Your boss asks you to write a formal report on the impact of smoking on employee
healthcare costs. Like nearly every writer of a research project, you should begin your
research by
reviewing secondary data in the library or on the Internet.
interviewing your colleagues to solicit their input and feelings.
preparing a questionnaire to distribute to your colleagues.
conducting a field experiment.
Although researchers are increasingly using electronic data, you should learn to use
print resources because
electronic sources are never considered as reliable as books and magazines.
print sources provide primary data and electronic sources provide secondary data
some data is available only in print.
audiences respect only writers who include data from print sources.
What type of print resource provides excellent historical data?
Periodicals
Bibliographic indexes
Brochures
Books
Many researchers today begin by looking in electronic databases because
they know that all data found in electronic databases is valid and reliable.
electronic databases are always a free resource if you have Internet access.
it is easy to cite sources found in an electronic database.
electronic databases are convenient to use.
Which statement about the World Wide Web is accurate?
The Web always provides accurate, credible information.
The Web is a collection of hypertext pages that offer information and links of
trillions of pages.
The number of Web sites is now decreasing after reaching its peak of 235 million
sites.
Only certain individuals or organizations are permitted to post on the Web.
Searching the Web requires a(n)
e-mail address.
Web browser.
handheld wireless device.
master's degree.
Which statement about search tools is accurate?
A search tool is also called a Web browser.
A search tool is a service that indexes, organizes, and often rates and reviews
Web pages.
Bing is currently the most-used search tool.
A search tool helps to protect the user's computer against viruses and malware as
the user conducts Web searches.
What is the best advice for conducting an Internet search?
When connecting to a search tool for the first time, always read the FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions), Help, and How to Search sections.
Use one search tool only so that you can master it.
Use all uppercase letters for your searches.
Include articles and prepositions in search phrases to make searches more
specific.
A blog is
an online diary or journal that allows visitors to leave public comments.
a computer virus that frequently appears from Web sites such as Facebook and
MySpace.
a collection of hypertext pages that offer information and links.
an electronic information storage base that users access via computer and search
digitally.
Which of the following is a primary data source?
Periodicals
Electronic databases
Blogs
Experimentation
Surveys, which are used to collect firsthand data, have many advantages. One
advantage is that
those who respond to mailed or online surveys exactly represent the overall
population.
respondents can be relied on to respond openly and truthfully to anonymous
surveys.
data can be gathered economically and efficiently.
return rates for online and mailed surveys are typically over 90 percent.
Brittany is writing a business report about protecting workplace data and will be
conducting an interview with a data security expert. What is the best advice you can give
her?
Call before the interview to confirm the arrangements, and then arrive on time.
Learn about the individual she is interviewing, and research the background and
terminology of the topic.
Use open-ended questions rather than yes-or-no questions to draw out the
responses from the expert.
Brittany should complete all these steps
Plagiarism
involves using good data from reputable sources to increase your credibility and
to enhance the logic of your reasoning.
happens in only academic settings
is the act of using others' ideas without proper documentation or by paraphrasing
poorly.
is restating an original passage in your own words.
Which of the following statements about documenting data is not accurate?
Documenting data can strengthen your argument.
Documenting data protects you from charges of plagiarism.
Documenting data is not necessary if you put the information in your own words.
Documenting data helps the reader pursue the topic further.
Which of the following statements would need to be documented in a report?
Tornadoes caused extensive loss of property and lives in Missouri.
You can get an idea of how dangerous a tornado is by its rating.
Damaging winds, common in strong tornadoes, caused problems for the residents
of Missouri.
The Fujita-Pearson tornado scale rates tornadoes with wind speeds of 261 to 318
miles per hour as F5 storms.
Paraphrasing is
restating an original passage in your own words.
repeating the grammatical structure of the original passage.
replacing original words with appropriate synonyms.
indicating the source of the original work.
Which of the following is not a purpose for a direct quotation?
To duplicate exact wording before criticizing an idea
To repeat identical phrasing because of its precise wording
To add length to a researched document
To provide objective background information
Which of the following is the best advice about the use of direct quotations in a
report?
Beware of overusing quotations because you may appear as if you have no ideas
of your own.
If you use a direct quotation, don't dilute its impact by summarizing it or
introducing it in your own words.
Place the direct quotation in quotation marks, but change a few words to show
you have your own ideas.
Direct quotations do not need to be placed in quotation marks if the audience is
already familiar with the quote such as "The buck stops here."
What is the correct order of ideas for a report using the indirect strategy?
Recommendations, findings, and conclusions
Conclusions, findings, and recommendations
Findings, conclusions, and recommendations
Recommendations, conclusions, and findings
Chronological organization arranges ideas by
time.
order of importance.
physical location.
simple to complex.
Tanika must prepare a formal report detailing the findings of a year-long study of her
company's new wellness program. In this report she must discuss employee absenteeism
before and after the program's implementation. What type of organizational pattern will she
likely use?
Chronological
Spatial
Compare/Contrast
importance
Tyler is writing a report that analyzes the GlobalCom, Inc., market share of cell phone
subscriptions worldwide by region. He will probably organize his report
chronologically by the date the cell phone subscriptions reached their maximums.
around extensive secondary data to assure the reader that he conducted adequate
research before he wrote the report.
using a functional arrangement to show types of subscriptions globally.
geographically with sections representing each region's market share.
Logan is creating an outline to help him write a report on e-waste generated by his
company. What advice should he follow?
Include the outline as part of the final report so that his audience can quickly see
his organizational pattern.
Create a balanced outline with exactly the same number of subpoints and details
for each main point.
Avoid placing only one subpoint under a main idea.
Avoid using the main points used on the outline as main headings in the written
report.
Yolanda must include a long table in a report she is preparing on employee Internet
use. What advice should she follow when creating the table?
Avoid distracting her readers with shading.
Place the table as close as possible to its text discussion.
Leave missing data blank.
Because the emphasis is on the data, avoid the use of headings for each row.
The major advantage of line charts is that they
compare related items.
present large amounts of data.
show the proportion of parts to a whole.
demonstrate trends.
What type of graphic illustrates changes in data over time?
Line chart
Flowchart
Bar chart
Table
In her letter to policyholders, Min Yi needs a graphic depicting the procedure a
policyholder follows when filing a claim. Which of these would be most appropriate?
Organizational chart
Flowchart
Illustration
Table
Which statement about pie charts is accurate?
Pie charts are most useful for technical audiences.
Pie charts are most appropriate for showing percentages.
Pie charts are more flexible than bar or line charts.
Pie charts can be confusing to readers because of the use of multiple colors.
Which of the following is the best advice when using graphics in reports?
Don't overuse color because too much color can be distracting and confusing.
Don't introduce a graphic; a good graphic should communicate clearly itself.
Avoid summarizing the main point of the graphic
Avoid the use of headings on a graphic.
What is the purpose of a letter or memo of transmittal?
To present an overview of the report
To provide a list of sources used within the report
To introduce the writer of the report
To designate the parts of the report
What advice should you follow when preparing a table of contents?
Avoid leaders (spaced or unspaced dots) on a table of contents to avoid confusing
the reader.
Include all headings for a long report on the table of contents.
Include a list of figures on the table of contents.
Wait until you have completed the report before writing the table of contents.
The discussion of findings in a report should do all of the following except
use graphics to illustrate key points and findings
use first-person pronouns.
analyze and interpret the research findings or solution.
present evidence to justify your conclusions.
What information is included in the appendix in of a formal report?
Surveys
Recommendations based on the report findings
Sources mentioned in the report
Author's credentials
Informal proposals are sometimes called (a) proposals.
In the (a) section, your aim is to discuss your plan for solving
the problem.
The (a) section promotes the credentials and expertise of
project leaders and support staff.
The planning of every report begins with a statement of (a) that
describes the goal, significance, and limitations of a formal report.
A(n) (a) is a collection of information stored electronically so
that it is accessible by computer and digitally searchable.
A(n) (a) tool is a service such as Google that indexes,
organizes, and often rates and reviews Web pages.
An online diary or journal that allows visitors to leave public comments is called a
weblog or (a) .
(a) is giving credit to your information sources.
Business reports often rely on (a) data from firsthand
experience such as surveys, interviews, observations, and experimentations.
Using the ideas of someone else without giving credit is called
(a) and is unethical.
