11
21) The closing section of a proposal should
A) ask for a decision from the reader.
B) review costs.
C) identify when each step of the proposal will be completed.
D) describe the proposed solution in detail.
E) include a list of client references.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
22) When developing a document electronically, it should be
A) embedded in an email.
B) sent as a PDF.
C) linked to a live file.
D) void of multimedia elements.
E) developed using proposal writing software.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Information technology
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
12
23) Including transitions and other directional aids is important
A) in online reports, but not usually necessary in written ones.
B) to help the audience understand how one thought is related to another.
C) when the audience is unfamiliar with the topic.
D) in any report longer than a couple of pages.
E) except on requests for proposals.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
24) Effective transitions in business reports
A) should never be longer than a short phrase.
B) may be as long as a sentence.
C) may be as long as a paragraph.
D) are included only between major sections–never within each section.
E) are usually developed as a heading.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
13
25) Which of the following would be the most effective preview in a formal report?
A) Our sales in the eastern region have plummeted.
B) First, let me begin by introducing our team.
C) The next section discusses the advantages of advertising on the Internet.
D) Okay, now for the mundane part.
E) You probably won’t like this, but here it comes.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Reflective thinking
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
26) When preparing review sections in a report,
A) always write them in narrative form, not as lists.
B) use multiple review sections if the report is long and complex.
C) introduce new facts and information to support the review points.
D) make it clear that readers can skip them if they want to.
E) include illustrations as often as possible.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
14
27) The general purpose of any ________ is to persuade the audience to do something.
A) proposal
B) presentation
C) press release
D) research report
E) pictograph
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Easy
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
28) In an online report regarding your region’s potential for market growth, the best way to
include a spreadsheet containing last year’s sales figures would be to
A) embed the spreadsheet in your report.
B) include the spreadsheet in an appendix.
C) simply insert the spreadsheet using Microsoft Word.
D) link the spreadsheet to your report.
E) send a hard copy.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Information technology
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
15
29) Within the context of preparing formal reports and proposals, the term limitations refers to
A) the boundaries of your proposal, what you can and can’t do.
B) excuses for inadequate research or a poorly written report.
C) factors beyond your control that have affected the report’s outcome.
D) the risks and rewards of a specific course of action.
E) the costs and benefits of a specific course of action.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Synthesis
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
30) An ________ is important when a letter of transmittal is not included in a formal report.
A) introduction to the report
B) offer to provide additional information or assistance
C) authorization of the report
D) acknowledgment of help received while preparing the report
E) executive summary
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
31) The introduction of a business report should
A) discuss your conclusions or recommendations.
B) include all of your information sources.
C) carry the full weight of your message.
D) help readers understand the context of the report.
E) propose a solution.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
16
32) Don’t ________ in the closing section of a business report.
A) summarize the key points
B) introduce new material to expand the scope
C) list all of the action items
D) present the benefits of following the recommendations
E) present the benefits of key ideas
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Easy
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
33) In order to help your readers make informed decisions,
A) tell them what they need to know—no more, no less.
B) withhold information that doesn’t suit your needs.
C) present your raw data, so they can compile it as they see fit.
D) manipulate the data to smooth out negative trends.
E) develop a list of correct choices.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
17
34) Which one of the following is not an element of a work plan in the body of an unsolicited
proposal?
A) an explanation of the steps you’ll take, their timing, and the methods or resources you’ll use
B) persuasive material to convince readers that a problem or an opportunity exists
C) information about when work will start, how it will be monitored, and when it will end
D) a description of how you‘ll accomplish what must be done
E) an indication of the costs and other financial issues
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Synthesis
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
35) When writing a proposal, an indication of pricing and financial concerns should be addressed
in the
A) proposed solution.
B) work plan.
C) statement of qualifications.
D) body of the proposal.
E) summary.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Synthesis
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
36) When you’re responding to a solicited proposal, ignore any stipulations in the RFP that could
diminish your chances of winning the contract.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
18
37) Linking a spreadsheet to your report will help ensure that readers are always seeing the most
up-to-date information.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Information technology
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
38) When would you increase the formality of business reports?
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
39) What is the purpose of each of the three main sections of a business report?
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Easy
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
19
40) List three functions of the close in a business report.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
41) In a business report, where should you define terms that might be unfamiliar to your
audience?
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
42) In what forms can transitions be written in a business report?
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
20
43) List and briefly explain five characteristics of effective report content.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Synthesis
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
44) Describe six strategies (in addition to using the AIDA format) for strengthening your
argument in business proposals.
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
45) What elements are normally included in the body of a formal proposal?
describe the choices involved in drafting report and proposal content.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals