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Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
1. Bar charts are useful for comparing related items, illustrating changes in data over time, and showing segments as a part
of the whole.
a. True
b. False
2. Academic researchers prefer Web resources such as blogs and discussion forums because they are considered more
credible.
a. True
b. False
3. The addition of cyberspace has clarified the concept of “fair use” of others’ intellectual property, resulting in more
defined boundaries and rules.
a. True
b. False
4. If readers are familiar with or supportive of the topic, the report should be organized indirectly.
a. True
b. False
5. As long as you put the research you find into your own words, you don’t have to cite your source.
a. True
b. False
6. Examples of firsthand (or primary) research include conducting interviews, asking people to complete a survey, or
conducting a scientific experiment.
a. True
b. False
7. Infographics are more difficult to read than written text because they display complex information.
a. True
b. False
8. To increase your report’s credibility, you should quote directly as often as possible.
a. True
b. False
9. One purpose of documenting report data is to save time.
a. True
b. False
10. Table 4 shows that three fourths of the respondents oppose the proposed tax is an effective reference to a visual aid in
a report.
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b. False
11. An expanded statement of purpose includes three additional factors: the scope, significance, and limitations of the
report.
a. True
b. False
12. Michelle attended a professional conference and must submit a report to her supervisor. She should write an analytical
report.
a. True
b. False
13. Including a footnote to a source prevents copyright infringement.
a. True
b. False
14. The first step in the report-writing process is preparing a work plan.
a. True
b. False
15. Yes-no questions produce the best results in an interview with an expert.
a. True
b. False
16. Malcolm wants to create a visual that will clearly show new staff members how a customer’s order proceeds from
sales to delivery. The best graphic for him to use is a flowchart.
a. True
b. False
17. Brad started his report with a description of the problem. He followed this with his facts and findings. Finally, he
ended his report with his conclusions and recommendations. Brad has used the indirect pattern to write his report.
a. True
b. False
18. The table is the most frequently used graphic in reports because it can clarify large quantities of data in small spaces.
a. True
b. False
19. Formal experimentation produces data suggesting causes and effects.
a. True
b. False
20. Evan’s boss has asked him to research and to recommend a new insurance provider for employees’ health insurance.
Everett should write an analytical report.
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a. True
b. False
21. Are you in favor of banning texting while driving to save lives? is an example of a leading question.
a. True
b. False
22. Based on their function, most business reports fall into two broad categories: informational or analytical.
a. True
b. False
23. Most research projects should begin with looking for secondary (vs. primary) data.
a. True
b. False
24. Research reports prepared by consultants for their clients tend to be rather formal.
a. True
b. False
25. An example of a simple statement of purpose for a business report might be To recommend a new procedure for
preparing quarterly financial statements.
a. True
b. False
26. All business reports have one or more of the following purposes: to convey information, to answer questions, and to
solve problems.
a. True
b. False
27. You are reading an article in The Wall Street Journal that discusses the research findings of a Centers for Disease
Control study on workplace hazards. This newspaper article is an example of primary data.
a. True
b. False
28. Katherine wants to illustrate how her company’s sales have increased over the past five years. She should use a pie
chart to do this.
a. True
b. False
29. Business researchers can safely assume that the great majority of Web sources are reliable.
a. True
b. False
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30. The organizational strategy is indirect when the conclusions and recommendations, if requested, appear at the end of
the report.
a. True
b. False
Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
31. ________ data result from reading what others have experienced or observed and written down.
a. Primary
b. Secondary
c. Tertiary
d. Survey
32. Freya is writing a purpose statement for a report she will submit to her supervisor. To express clearly what she
intends to do in the report, she should use ________.
a. action verbs
b. strong adjectives
c. passive voice
d. noun phrases
33. Magazines, pamphlets, and journals are types of ________.
a. periodicals
b. primary research
c. websites
d. research databases
34. Many readers prefer the ________ organizational strategy because it seems logical and mirrors the way we solve
problems.
a. direct
b. indirect
c. alternating
d. formal
35. You should begin most business report assignments with ________.
a. generation of primary data
b. determination of report length
c. evaluation of the available secondary data
d. selection of report format
36. Which of the following graphics is commonly used for displaying trends?
a. Table
b. Line chart
c. Pie chart
d. Flow chart
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37. Tara, a student who is researching forensic accounting, is preparing to interview an experienced accountant. To
conduct an effective interview, Tara should ________.
a. learn as much as possible about the field before the interview
b. try to do most of the talking during the interview to put the interviewee at ease
c. ask as many yes-or-no questions as possible to make things easier for the interviewee
d. engage the accountant in a debate to display her knowledge
38. The best choice for showing changes in a company’s monthly sales during a fiscal year is a(n) ________.
a. pie chart
b. line chart
c. flow chart
d. organization chart
39. Which of the following should you do when using a long quotation in a report?
a. Break up the quote with your own analysis to keep the reader engaged.
b. Introduce and summarize the quote in your own words.
c. Avoid using quotation marks to increase visual flow.
d. Include the quotation as a footnote rather than in the text of your report.
40. Which of the following statements would need to be documented in a report?
a. The stock market can be volatile.
b. Many types of people invest in the stock market.
c. Last May, the Dow Jones Industrial Average suffered a 998-point loss, which the media called a Flash Crash.
d. Stock market fluctuation affects many investors’ returns significantly.
41. When the conclusions and recommendations appear ________ of a report, the organizational strategy is indirect.
a. at the beginning
b. at the end
c. in the body
d. in the appendix
42. The final part of an effective work plan for a business research project includes _______.
a. drafting
b. submitting
c. evaluating
d. researching
43. Which of the following reports is an example of an analytical report?
a. A report giving the details about a training workshop attended
b. A report showing that a public company is in compliance with SEC regulations
c. A report describing the new company dress code
d. A report recommending one of four building alarm systems
44. Melinda is evaluating the information she found on a website before she includes it in a proposal she is writing. She
asks, Who publishes or sponsors this website? What is Melinda evaluating?
a. The currency of the website
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b. The authority of the website
c. The content of the website
d. The accuracy of the website
45. You must write a business report for a client and want to use a formal writing style. Which of the following should
you do?
a. Emphasize active-voice verbs.
b. Avoid including your own opinions and perceptions.
c. Use first-person pronouns.
d. Use contractions.
46. Which of the following is an effective statement of purpose for an informational report?
a. To inform the reader of the many different features offered on the Apple iPad
b. To analyze ways to offer our customers the best service possible
c. To solve the problem of employee turnover at the company’s Chamblee location
d. To determine which of three smartphones to purchase for our Sales Department staff
47. Which of the following is the best advice for searching the Web?
a. Choose your favorite search tool and use it exclusively so that you can master it.
b. Use just one or two keywords when conducting a search.
c. Use quotation marks to search for phrases.
d. Include articles and prepositions to make your searches more accurate.
48. Short (eight or fewer pages) informal reports addressed to an internal audience are usually presented in _________.
a. memo format
b. manuscript format
c. letter format
d. template format
49. Business Source Premier (EBSCO) and Lexis Nexis Academic are examples of research ________.
a. periodicals
b. indexes
c. databases
d. reports
50. Sources of primary information include ________.
a. research databases
b. periodicals and newspapers
c. surveys and interviews
d. information on the Web
51. A report that presents data without analysis or recommendations is a(n) ________ report.
a. analytical
b. informational
c. audit
d. persuasive
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52. A report that provides data or findings, analyses, and conclusions is a(n) ________ report.
a. analytical
b. informational
c. external
d. digital
53. What is the most accurate statement about using books for business research?
a. Because books are obsolete, they should never be used for business research.
b. Books provide excellent historical, in-depth data.
c. Books are best for finding current data about technical trends.
d. Most business reports are based on research found in books.
54. What is the most accurate statement about infographics?
a. Infographics are not effective in explaining steps or processes.
b. Because they require expertise in graphic design, infographics are not commonly used in most businesses.
c. Infographics are most appropriate on paper.
d. Many infographics include a call to action.
55. Google, Bing, Yahoo Search, and Ask are examples of ________.
a. search tools
b. Web browsers
c. electronic databases
d. periodicals
56. Which of the following statements about business reports is most accurate?
a. The larger an organization, the more vital the exchange and flow of information becomes.
b. Reports are prepared for internal readers, not external readers.
c. To be considered a business report, a document must be in writing.
d. To be considered a business report, the document must be at least ten pages in length.
57. Preparing a(n) _______ for your report helps you set priorities, determine a course of action, and establish a schedule.
a. outline
b. work plan
c. rough draft
d. template
58. In asking himself How can I make this information readable, believable, and memorable? for a report he is writing,
Joaquin is focusing on his _______.
a. purpose
b. work plan
c. research
d. audience
59. To help you understand the problem or assignment clearly when writing a complex report, prepare a written ________
to clarify the task.
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a. statement of purpose
b. executive summary
c. problem statement
d. audience analysis
60. Which of the following is an effective question to use in a survey?
a. Don’t you agree that teachers are extremely deserving of a 7 percent pay increase because of the valuable
services they provide for our community?
b. Do teachers deserve a 7 percent pay increase?
c. Should teachers accept a 7 percent pay increase, or should they go on strike?
d. Do teachers, one of the hardest-working and least-respected segments of American society, deserve a 7 percent
pay increase?
61. In which of the following situations should the indirect pattern of organization be used for a business report?
a. When readers are familiar with the topic
b. When readers must be educated about the topic
c. When readers are supportive of the topic
d. When you know that readers want the conclusions and recommendations up front
62. Evan is evaluating a website before using it as a source for his business report. In checking when the site was last
updated, he is evaluating its ________.
a. currency
b. authority
c. content
d. accuracy
63. Which of the following represents the best phrasing for a survey question?
a. How do you feel about a flat-rate income tax?
b. Do you approve of a flat-rate income tax?
c. What benefits do you feel a flat-rate income tax will offer?
d. Why are you in favor of a flat-rate income tax?
64. Which of the following sentences uses the best writing style for a formal report?
a. After checking several references, the company decided to hire the consulting firm of Anderson, Williams, and
Pardee.
b. After considerable research, we’ve decided to order the Aptura computer from ISB for our office staff.
c. I conducted extensive research that shows companies are recognizing the benefits of telecommuting.
d. My personal opinion is that we should implement the new tracking system at once.
65. ________ are visual representations of data or information. They can display complex information quickly and clearly
and are easier to understand than written text.
a. PDF files
b. Digital slide decks
c. Templates
d. Infographics
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66. Which of the following situations would most likely require observation or scientific experimentation?
a. You want to find out what tools are available to protect your computer network from hackers.
b. You need to determine the average time it takes your employees to produce a single piece of furniture.
c. You must find out which ten companies ranked highest for customer service in 2014.
d. You want to verify your supervisor’s opinion on upgrading your department’s accounting software.
67. _______ display complex information quickly and clearly and are easier to understand than written text.
a. PDF documents
b. Slide decks
c. Manuscripts
d. Infographics
68. The purpose of business reports is to convey information, answer questions, and ________.
a. generate new business
b. recruit employees
c. solve problems
d. start conversations
69. Which of the following statements about paraphrasing is most accurate?
a. Paraphrasing involves restating an original passage in your own words and in your own style.
b. Paraphrasing involves presenting ideas from another source using the exact wording of the original source.
c. Paraphrasing involves presenting ideas from another source without documentation.
d. Paraphrasing requires the report writer to use the same grammatical structure as the original author when
presenting another’s ideas.
70. Tina will carefully document her sources in a report she must submit to her boss to protect herself from plagiarizing.
What other purpose will her documentation serve?
a. Ensuring her boss’s agreement with her recommendations.
b. Allowing her to submit the report electronically rather than in print.
c. Saving time by borrowing others’ words and ideas.
d. Showing that she has collaborated effectively in writing the report.
71. Which of the following reports would most likely be written using a formal writing style?
a. A routine report about the progress a task force is making
b. A research report about consumer trends written by a consultant for his client
c. A summary report written to your supervisor about a conference you attended
d. A short summary written for your boss of an article you read
72. The first step in writing a report is to ________.
a. prepare a work plan
b. determine your research strategy
c. understand the problem or assignment clearly
d. compose the first draft
73. When incorporating a graphic in the body of your report, you should ________.
a. use large amounts of color to engage the reader
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b. enhance the visual to make data look more dramatic
c. include a reference to the graphic in the text
d. assume that the reader will draw the same conclusions you did from the data
74. Adopting a formal style for reports is most appropriate when you wish to _______.
a. show objectivity
b. share information about a noncontroversial topic
c. express your preference
d. defer to the reader’s authority
75. Which of the following reports would most likely be written using an informal writing style?
a. A thesis submitted by a PhD student
b. A research report about economic trends written by a consultant for her client
c. A summary report written to your supervisor about a conference you attended
d. A business proposal written to secure a contract with a governmental agency
76. Select the most accurate statement about sources found on the Web.
a. Information posted at most sites has undergone the same editing and scrutiny given to articles in scholarly
publications.
b. Researchers can safely assume that the information posted on websites by individuals and companies is reputable.
c. Wikis, blogs, and discussion forum entries are short-lived and change constantly.
d. Wikipedia is reliable and should be used when conducting any scholarly research.
77. Courts of law use four factors as a test in deciding disputes over fair use of copyrighted material. Which of the
following is not one of those factors?
a. Purpose and character of the use, particularly whether for profit
b. Amount and sustainability of portion used
c. Amount of money paid to use the copyrighted information
d. Nature of the copyrighted use
78. Which of the following types of reports would not be sent to someone outside the organization?
a. Manuscript format
b. Digital format
c. Letter format
d. Memo format
79. Jared is analyzing the information he found on a website before he includes it in an analytical report for a client. In
checking for evidence of bias, use of references, and errors in spelling and grammar, Jared is evaluating the ________.
a. currency of the website
b. authority of the website
c. content of the website
d. accuracy of the website
80. Blake wants to avoid copyright infringement for material he finds online. What should he do?
a. Recognize that anything he finds on the Internet is in the public domain.
b. Ask for permission before using material he finds online.
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c. Include a footnote for everything he uses from online sources, which will protect him from copyright
infringement.
d. Realize that he is safe to use any material that does not have a copyright notice.
81. Benjamin needs to illustrate the percentage each expense represents of total company expenses. His best choice is a(n)
________.
a. pie chart
b. line chart
c. illustration
d. bar chart
82. Which of the following reports is an example of an informational report?
a. A report that recommends one of six candidates for an executive assistant position
b. A report that compares three sites for a new clothing boutique location and recommends one
c. A report showing how a company has complied with IRS regulations
d. A report that presents several alternatives for decreasing employee absenteeism, including recommendations for
the best solution
83. In planning his report, Byron breaks the major investigative problem into subproblems. This process is sometimes
called ________.
a. visualizing the problem
b. focusing the problem
c. factoring the problem
d. expanding the problem
84. Which of the following is a useful guideline for preparing effective surveys?
a. Use questions that produce qualitative answers.
b. Include as many questions on your survey as necessary, even if you may not use the information in your final
report.
c. Avoid leading or ambiguous questions.
d. Never offer survey participants compensation as this will skew the results.
85. Nadia is conducting research on the use of social networking sites by observing how her coworkers use these tools in
the workplace. What type of data is she collecting?
a. Primary data
b. Secondary data
c. Online data
d. Survey data
86. An expanded statement of purpose for a study includes three additional factors. What are they?
a. Scope, significance, and limitations
b. Scope, conclusions, and recommendations
c. Work plan, significance, and limitations
d. Findings, conclusions, and recommendations
87. The issues or elements to be investigated in a research project are defined in the ________.
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a. significance of the study
b. scope statement
c. recommendations to be offered
d. limitations of the study
88. You are writing a short, routine report for your supervisor and want to use an informal writing style. Which of the
following should you do?
a. Because you are writing to a superior, create a distance between yourself and the reader.
b. Avoid humor and figures of speech.
c. Use shorter sentences and familiar words.
d. Omit any colorful adjectives and adverbs.
89. In which of the following situations should the direct pattern of organization be used for a business report?
a. When readers must be persuaded
b. When readers are unfamiliar with the problem
c. When readers may be disappointed or hostile toward the report’s findings
d. When readers are familiar with the topic
90. Heidi is writing a report about ways to reduce the time it takes to process a customer return and is determining why
the topic is worth investigating at this time. Heidi is considering the ________ of the report.
a. scope
b. limitations
c. significance
d. purpose
Enter the appropriate word(s) to complete the statement.
91. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
After defining the purpose of a report, a writer must think carefully about who will read it. Business researchers should
consider both primary and ________ audiences, which might include upper management and people in other departments.
92. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
Probably the most frequently used graphic in reports is the ________, which presents quantitative or verbal information in
systematic columns and rows.
93. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
Under ________ use, individuals have limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission. These uses are
for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
94. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
________ data result from firsthand experience and observation and can be collected through surveys, interviews,
observation, and experimentation.
95. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
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Artificial intelligence allows most search engines today to understand questions as people speak them. This is also known
as _______ language questioning.
96. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
Effective report writers ________ an original passage by restating it in their own words and in their own style.
97. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
Using the words or ideas of another person without properly giving credit to the source is called ________.
98. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
Kyle is developing his ________ plan, which will include a statement of the problem, a statement of purpose, his research
strategy, a tentative outline of his report, and the work schedule.
99. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
In trying to gather primary data for a report, Dev poses a query to his professional network via social media. He is using
an interview technique known as ________.
100. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
When the purpose for writing is presented close to the beginning of a report, the organizational strategy is ________.
101. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
________ are visual representations of data or information and are a type of report format.
102. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
Business reports can range from informal to formal, depending on their purpose, setting, and ________.
103. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
Reports that provide data or findings, analyses, conclusions, and recommendations are classified as ________ reports.
104. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
Connor has a great idea to raise funds for a community organization, but he is afraid his boss won’t support it. Connor’s
report should be written using the ________ strategy.
105. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
A(n) _______ combines words, figures, and graphics to transform complex information quickly and clearly using visually
appealing pictures.
106. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
To determine the best location for a new day spa is an example of a simple statement of ________.
107. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
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_________ data come from reading what others have experienced or observed and written down and can be collected
through books, periodicals, indexes, research databases, and Web resources.
108. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
The ________ statement prepares the audience by clearly defining which problem or problems will be analyzed and
solved.
109. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
Reports that present data without analysis or recommendations are classified as ________ reports.
110. Fill in the blank in the following sentence:
As part of the scope statement, the ________ further narrow the subject by focusing on constraints or exclusions.
111. Graphics can be added to business reports to clarify data, create visual interest, and make numerical data meaningful.
Identify five categories of graphics and type of data each is best used to illustrate. Then give an original example of when
each could be used.
112. Business researchers use both primary and secondary data when preparing business reports. Compare these two types
of data, describing each source and explaining when each would be used. Then give three examples of each type of data.
113. You have likely gained experience documenting research in various types of academic writing. You will need to
document your research in business reports as well. List three reasons you should carefully document report data. Then
describe three types of information that must be documented.
114. Whenever you borrow words, charts, graphs, photos, music, and other media—in short, any intellectual property—it
is important to know what is legal and acceptable. Identify and explain three of the five guidelines provided in the
textbook for avoiding copyright infringement.
115. Most business reports fit into two broad categories. Identify and describe these two categories; then present one
original example of each.
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Answer Key
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