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WorksheetsChapter 10 Proposals and Formal Reports
Total questions: 100
Worksheet time: 50mins
Which of the following statements regarding business proposals is correct?
A proposal is a persuasive document used to solve problems, provide services, or sell products.
A proposal is always solicited.
A proposal is an informative document used to share problems, identify emerging issues, and categorize available resources for resolution.
A proposal is developed for external audiences only.
Lisa works for a nonprofit agency seeking funding for a community project. What type of proposal is she likely to write to the local foundation that supports the same cause within the community?
A purchase request
A grant request
An RFP
An internal request
In which of the following situations should a business write a request for proposal in order to solicit competitive bids?
Advertising openings for two sales positions
Attracting new clients
Renovating offices
Interviewing job candidates
An effective proposal should showcase the writer's expertise and build credibility, emphasize how the writer's methods and products will benefit the reader, present ideas clearly and logically, and ________.
inform by providing data but without analysis or recommendations
make recommendations regarding the feasibility of a plan
get the reader's attention
analyze findings, draw conclusions, and make recommendations intended to solve a problem
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
In which part of an informal proposal should you convince your reader that you understand the problem completely?
Introduction
Background
Authorization
All proposals share two significant characteristics: they show the value and benefits of the product or service being recommended and _______.
they use formal, academic language
they are very long in length
they use easy-to-understand language
they are printed on hard copy because they are official documents
What should be included in the staffing section of an informal proposal?
Credentials and expertise of project leaders
List of projected costs
Copy of the RFP
Schedule or timetable of activities
The budget in a proposal should _______.
reflect careful research because once a proposal is accepted, it is legally binding
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
Conclusion and authorization
Proposal
Although formal reports are similar to formal proposals, a primary difference is that formal reports _______.
are the product of thorough research and data analysis
use a more conversational tone
are longer than formal proposals
are organized indirectly
What is the first step in writing a formal report?
Selecting an appropriate layout and format
Researching primary and secondary data
Writing a purpose statement
Determining the length of the report
Which of the following is recommended when writing a purpose statement for a formal report?
Write purpose statements only for external formal reports.
Omit limitations to avoid a negative tone.
Use action verbs that tell what you intend to do.
Use vague language to allow for flexibility.
Which type of statement can help you define the focus of your report and keep you on target?
Scope
Proposal
Purpose
Methods
15. Chronological organization arranges ideas by _______.
time
importance
location
category
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
Reviewing a report's mechanics before submission refers to checking it for _______.
format
content accuracy
grammar and usage
audience-oriented tone
19. Primary research data can be defined as _______.
original data collected firsthand
data obtained from published sources
data analyzed by third parties
data reused from previous studies
A newspaper article citing student input about the growing popularity of caffeinated energy drinks on college campuses would be considered what type of information source?
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Scholarly
The benefit of consulting with a reference librarian is they will _______.
do your research for you
direct you to only print resources
steer you in the right direction
explain how the library is organized
What type of print resource provides excellent in-depth, historical data?
Periodicals
Bibliographic indexes
Databases
Books
Which of the following are considered secondary research sources?
Magazines
Interviews
Surveys
Systematic observation
In order to assess the credibility of a Web page, review the Web page for accuracy in content, verify the credentials of the publishers or sponsors of the web page, and _______.
feel free to disregard errors in grammar or spelling because such errors are not related to issues of credibility
identify print versions of the content
evaluate the overall content of a Web page and see how it compares with other resources on the same topic
make sure that the Web page has a publication date
Which of the following is an example of an open-ended survey question?
What should the bookstore do about plastic bags?
How many times have you visited the bookstore this semester?
Would you be willing to change to another method of ordering books?
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. She should call before the interview to confirm the arrangements, learn about the individual she is interviewing, and ______.
make her questions biased to the answers she hopes to receive
use dominant body language to show that she is in charge of the interview
ask open-ended questions rather than yes-or-no questions to draw out responses from the expert
take notes rather than recording the interview because a recorder may inhibit the expert from speaking openly
Documenting data properly in business reports is important because it strengthens your argument, protects you from charges of plagiarism, and ______.
makes your report longer
establishes your skill as a researcher
makes your report more concise
saves time.
Which of the following describes what plagiarism is?
Plagiarism involves using good data from reputable sources to increase your credibility and to enhance the logic of your reasoning.
Plagiarism only happens in academic settings.
Plagiarism is the act of using others’ ideas without proper documentation or by paraphrasing poorly.
Plagiarism occurs when writers acknowledge the sources of their researched information.
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.
Which of the following is an effective strategy when paraphrasing?
Read the original material intently to make sure that you can use the same vocabulary.
Write your own version without looking at the original.
Which of the following is a valid purpose for using direct quotation?
To duplicate exact wording before criticizing an idea
To avoid giving your own opinion
To add length to a researched document
To provide subjective background information
Which of the following will help you avoid common problems when using 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.
Avoid using any direct quotations in a report.
When you must use a long quotation, which of the following guidelines should you follow?
Put it directly at the start of the paragraph
Summarize and introduce it in your own words
Put another long quotation after it.
Put the long quotation as the first sentence of the introduction
To avoid charges of copyright infringement, you should _______.
include a footnote to all information
use information only from Internet sites
ask permission only when using information from a legal publication
assume that all intellectual property is copyrighted
Graphics are important in business reports because _______.
they save the writer time
readers grasp meaning from visuals more quickly than from text
they allow for the distortion of data
written text is becoming outdated
Which of the following is the first element to consider when selecting an appropriate graphic for a report?
The length of your report
Your word processing abilities
Your report's organizational pattern
Your objective
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.
What type of graphic illustrates changes in data over time?
Line chart
Flowchart
Pie chart
Table
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
Which statement about pie charts is correct?
Pie charts are most appropriate for technical audiences.
Pie charts are most useful 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.
In her letter to policyholders, Min Yi needs to include a graphic depicting the procedure a policyholder follows when filing a claim. Which of the following graphics would help her achieve her objective?
Organizational chart
Flowchart
Illustration
Table
Which of the following pieces of advice regarding the use of graphics in a report is accurate?
Use restraint when using color.
Don't introduce a graphic; a good graphic should communicate information clearly by itself.
Avoid summarizing the main point of the graphic.
Avoid the use of headings on a graphic.
The front matter components of a formal report typically include: report cover, title page, letter of transmittal, table of contents, and _______.
budget
list of figures or
What is the purpose of a letter or memo of transmittal?
To announce the topic 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 dots) on a table of contents to avoid confusing the reader.
Include only the front matter components and the main body headings and subheadings.
Center all major headings.
Title the page Contents or Table of Contents.
The purpose of an executive summary is to _______.
announce the topic of the report and tell how it was authorized
secure funding
present an overview of a longer report for people who may not have time to read the entire document
show the main sections of a report
What information should be included in the introduction of a formal report?
Copies of surveys
A discussion of the report findings
Conclusions and recommendations
Explanation of the problem
The body of a formal report should _______.
define important and unfamiliar terms
identify the individuals responsible for commissioning the report
discuss, analyze, interpret, and evaluate the research findings or solution to the problem
include a description of all secondary and primary data collected during the research phase of writing the report
When developing a bibliographic list of sources for a formal report, the writer should _______.
include only published sources within your bibliographic list
label the page "Works Cited" when using either the APA or MLA format
list the sources in alphabetical order
omit the bibliographic list of sources because the in-text citations will identify each source used within the report
In crafting the introduction to a proposal, you should make the proposal more persuasive by including a hook that either hints at extraordinary results, promises low costs, or _______.
mentions a remarkable resource
keeps results general to avoid liability
mentions past successes with other companies
gives information from easily available resources
To help busy decision makers quickly understand the qualifications of the team who will complete the work, the staffing section of a business report should _______.
attach copies of their full resumes
provide a summary highlighting their credentials
include letters of recommendations from other clients
include links to their LinkedIn profiles
Proposals are informative documents used to educate readers.
True
False
All proposals should use easy-to-understand language and show the value and benefits of the product or services being recommended.
True
False
Because proposals are often selling products and services, they should always be written using a formal tone.
True
False
In a solicited proposal, your goal is to convince the reader that a problem exists.
True
False
In the proposal, plan, and schedule section of a business proposal, your goal is to explain your plan for solving the problem.
True
False
A proposal could become legally binding if accepted by the customer.
True
False
The conclusion of a proposal should remind the reader of the proposal's key benefits and make it easy for the reader to respond.
True
False
Unlike a business proposal, a formal business report presents findings and recommendations based on research and data analysis.
True
False
The first step in preparing a report is to conduct research.
True
False
A primary goal of business report writing should be to present key findings that are relevant to your audience.
True
False
Formal report writers conduct most of their research using primary sources.
True
False
A report discussing the correct procedure to process customer complaints should be organized using a chronological order.
True
False
Focusing on the mechanics of a business report during the proofreading stage involves assessing its overall visual appeal.
True
False
Secondary data come from reading what others have published, experienced, or observed.
True
False
An advantage of secondary data over primary data is that secondary data are easier and cheaper to develop.
True
False
Because of the vast amount of information available online, print resources are no longer considered credible sources for business reports.
True
False
A database is a collection of information stored digitally so that it is accessible by computers and mobile electronic devices.
True
False
Information about who sponsors a Web page is important to look for in assessing its authority and, in turn, its credibility.
True
False
Surveys can generate primary data economically and efficiently from large groups of people.
True
False
When you conduct an interview, prepare closed-ended questions to ensure a variety of responses.
True
False
One reason to document sources in a report is to help the reader learn more about the topic.
True
False
The only item that you must document in a report is a quotation of another person's actual spoken or written words.
True
False
Information that is common knowledge requires no documentation.
True
False
You can avoid plagiarism by using the grammatical structure of the original source and replacing select words with synonyms.
True
False
Direct quotations are often useful to provide objective data and to establish the severity of a problem as seen by experts.
True
False
You should assume that all intellectual property is copyrighted.
True
False
If your report contains complex data and numbers, using graphics can help you simplify complex ideas, emphasize key data, and _______.
make key information easier to remember
make subjective data look objective
distract the reader from reading the report by focusing only on the graphics
make the report itself irrelevant because of the clarity of the graphics
Probably the most frequently used visual aid in reports is the table.
True
False
The major advantage of line charts is that they show changes over time, thus indicating trends.
True
False
Pie charts are an effective visual to demonstrate a procedure.
True
False
In order to help ensure that your reader will understand your graphic, tell your audience what to look for, summarize the main point of the graphic, and _______.
place the graphic in the appendix
place the graphic next to the point it supports
assume the reader will reach the same conclusions you reached from the set of data
use general directives such as The Findings are shown in Figure 3
Report graphics should include a caption or title.
True
False
The front matter of a formal report refers to the preliminary sections before the body section.
True
False
If included with a report, a letter or memo of transmittal should be written using the indirect strategy.
True
False
The purpose of a table of contents is to present an overview of the report for people who may not have time to read the entire report.
True
False
The introduction should be the principal section of a formal report.
True
False
The most important section of a report to a reader is the conclusions and recommendations.
True
False
Regardless of the documentation format used, sources should be alphabetized in the bibliographic section of a report.
True
False
True or False:
True
False
In which part(s) of a proposal should you state the project completion date?
Proposal, Plan, and Schedule, and Conclusion and Authorization
Proposal, Plan, and Schedule, and Budget
Proposal, Plan, and Schedule
Conclusion and Authorization
A document that specifies a business or agency's requirements and solicits competitive bids from vendors is known as an RFP, which stands for _______.
b. request for proposal
a. request for payment
c. report for processing
d. requisition for purchase
How do formal reports differ from formal proposals?
A formal report has an authorization section.
A formal report presents thorough investigation and analysis.
A formal report makes an offer.
A formal report has fewer sections.
Preparing a written purpose statement is helpful because it defines the focus of the report and _______.
provides a standard that keeps the project on target
ensures the report is always brief
eliminates the need for research
guarantees approval from management
You need to write a formal report that compares different alternatives, showing before and after scenarios. Which strategy type for data arrangement should you use?
Chronological
Simple/Complex
Compare/Contrast
Importance
A collection of information stored digitally so that it is accessible by computers and mobile electronic devices is a _______.
a. database
b. keyboard
c. printer
d. monitor
Which of the following sources found on the Internet would be considered credible enough to include in a formal report?
Wikipedia and other online encyclopedias
Information found in discussion forums
A personal blog
Library databases
Information that is common knowledge requires no documentation. Which of the following is an example of common knowledge?
The Wall Street Journal is a popular business newspaper.
Bangladesh is the fastest growing city in the world.
In 2021, the automobile company Tesla sold 936,172 vehicles.
Amazon is the leading e-retailer in the United States, with net sales amounting to close to 386 billion U.S. dollars in 2020.
An infographic is a type of visual aid that combines images and graphic elements to present complex information in a format that is easy to understand, tells a story, and _______.
uses a lot of words
is more informational than persuasive
includes a call to action
allows for presenting biased information
