11
25) An executive summary
A) is shorter than a synopsis.
B) gives a fully developed “mini” version of the report.
C) provides additional information (not covered in the report) that executives will need.
D) is a “prose table of contents.”
E) should be written in a tone that is much less formal than the report itself.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
26) An executive summary
A) is never longer than a few paragraphs.
B) may contain headings and visual aids.
C) comes before the synopsis in the prefatory section of a report.
D) is always included with reports longer than 10 pages.
E) is the same thing as a synopsis.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
12
27) The best way to decide what to include in an introduction is to
A) consult with more experienced report writers.
B) figure out what kinds of information will most help your readers follow and comprehend the
report.
C) put in as many standard topics as you can cover in 10 pages or less.
D) do a quick survey of potential readers.
E) skim the report quickly, and list what you remember.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
28) Which of the following is not a typical function of the introduction to a report?
A) establishing the context
B) previewing main ideas
C) identifying the opportunity to pursue
D) documenting sources
E) establishing the tone and reader relationship
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
13
29) You’re preparing a report on how to reduce network problems at your company‘s home
office. Since the report is organized in the direct approach, the close should
A) present the conclusions and recommendations for the first time.
B) be relatively long.
C) be relatively brief.
D) end by asking readers for a decision.
E) restate your qualifications.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
30) In a proposal designed to persuade clients to order surge protection equipment from your
company, the close should
A) outline the report’s key findings.
B) include your analysis of the data you’ve presented.
C) describe the action(s) you would like readers to take.
D) answer the questions that led to the report.
E) tell readers why they will regret not making a purchase.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
14
31) Which of the following is the best heading for the close of a formal report?
A) Ending
B) Take-Aways
C) Final Thoughts
D) The Point
E) Summary
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
32) The authors of an informational report have referred to a multitude of data on the spending
habits of 18- to 25-year-old Americans. They want to provide readers with access to this
information, but realize it’s too lengthy to include in the body of the report. Where should they
place it?
A) in an appendix
B) after the letter of transmittal
C) between the prefatory parts and the introduction
D) at the very end of the report, in a section labeled “Extras”
E) Nowhere—it should simply be left out.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
15
33) Materials in an appendix are not incorporated into the text because
A) they are controversial.
B) they include bad news.
C) they are not relevant to everyone in the audience.
D) they are boring.
E) they include multiple categories of information.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
34) Placing detailed supporting materials online instead of in a traditional appendix
A) can make it much more convenient for readers to access.
B) suggests that you don’t know how to incorporate them into the report.
C) is not acceptable unless your report is highly technical.
D) is a great inconvenience for your audience.
E) often leads to legal problems.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
35) All appendices should be
A) listed in the table of contents but not mentioned in the text of the report.
B) mentioned in the text of the report but not listed in the table of contents.
C) mentioned in the text of the report and listed in the table of contents.
D) included in the index but not listed in the table of contents.
E) printed in a font that is different from the rest of the report.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
16
36) The list of secondary sources at the end of a report is labeled “Works Cited” when it contains
A) all the secondary sources consulted in preparing the report.
B) more than ten entries.
C) only those secondary works that were mentioned in the report.
D) anonymous sources.
E) sources that you feel uncertain about.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Difficult
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
37) The list of secondary sources at the end of a report can be labeled “References” when
A) it contains fewer than 10 items.
B) it contains more than 50 items.
C) it is incomplete.
D) you want the tone of your report to be conversational.
E) you include works consulted but not mentioned in your report.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
38) You’ve used information from several websites to support your argument in a formal report.
You should
A) not bother documenting the sources in a business report.
B) provide source information only if the audience requests it.
C) clearly document the sources in the report.
E) document the source in an appendix.
material should be documented properly.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
17
39) An index
A) may include the names of important persons mentioned in your report.
B) lists only the names of authors cited in the report.
C) is never necessary in business reports.
D) should always be prepared by someone other than the author of the report.
E) can replace a bibliography.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
40) The introductory section of a formal proposal includes all of the following except
A) the scope of the proposal.
B) a statement of qualifications.
C) a brief description of the solution.
D) the background or a statement of the problem.
E) an overview of how the proposal is organized.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
41) If you want to call attention to the visuals in a formal report, you should
A) work them into the table of contents.
B) submit them as a separate enclosure.
C) cite their sources in the bibliography.
D) include a list of illustrations as a prefatory element.
E) refer to them in your conclusions and recommendations.
AACSB: Analytic thinking
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Application
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
18
42) Within the context of preparing formal reports and proposals, the term limitations
A) sets the boundaries of your research, that is, what you will and will not investigate.
B) presents excuses for inadequate research or a poorly written report.
C) specifies the risks, rewards, costs, and benefits of a specific course of action.
D) refers to factors beyond your control that affect the quality of the report.
E) specifies what will happen if the solution is not accepted.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
43) The ________ is not included in the prefatory parts of a formal report.
A) introduction
B) letter of authorization
C) letter of transmittal
D) table of contents
E) executive summary
AACSB: Reflective thinking
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Synthesis
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
44) What is the purpose of the bibliography section in a formal report?
A) It limits your ethical obligation to credit your sources.
B) It replaces the use of references.
C) It includes the names and subjects mentioned in a report.
D) It includes material that is not directly relevant to all audience members.
E) It fulfills your ethical obligations to credit sources and allows readers to consult the sources.
AACSB: Ethical understanding and reasoning
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
19
45) When should charts, graphs, and other visual elements be incorporated into the report?
A) after the report has been completed
B) after the first round of proofreading
C) when you are satisfied with the quality of your text
D) when you begin to draft content
E) when creating the list of illustrations
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
46) Which of the following would be included in the introduction of a proposal, but not a report?
A) discussion of the problem or purpose
B) report organization
C) scope
D) sources and methods
E) solution
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
47) The body of a proposal
A) offers complete details of an idea.
B) gives facts, statistical evidence, and tends.
C) is used to offer advantages and disadvantages of a course of action.
D) gives complete details on a proposed solution and describes anticipated results.
E) describes benchmarks for evaluating options and alternatives.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business proposals
20
48) The close of a report
A) requests a decision.
B) reviews the reader benefits.
C) spells out exactly what should happen next.
D) summarizes the merits of your approach.
E) restates your qualifications.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
49) One way to indicate a major shift in the flow of the report is to incorporate
A) larger headings.
B) page breaks.
C) graphics.
D) underlined text.
E) italics.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Critical Thinking
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports
50) Because they are based on the main text of the report, prefatory parts should be written
A) after the text has been completed.
B) first.
C) when adding illustrations.
D) during the brainstorming process.
E) after the final round of proofreading.
AACSB: Written and oral communication
Difficulty: Moderate
Classification: Conceptual
Learning Outcome: Apply the writing process when writing business reports