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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
1. Much of the information that allows decision makers to run their organizations effectively in the digital age comes to
them in the form of
a.
Web searches.
b.
reports.
c.
Wikipedia entries.
d.
employees' comments during meetings.
2. Using columns and rows, _____________ help researchers summarize and simplify data and make quantitative
information easier to comprehend.
a.
decision matrices
b.
tables
c.
correlations
d.
pie charts
3. Michelle will be including large amounts of data in a business report she is writing and wants to ensure that the data are
meaningful to her readers. What should she do?
a.
Write the problem statement.
b.
Ask for help on a social media site.
c.
Organize the data into tables.
d.
Omit the data from her report to avoid confusing her readers.
4. Numerical data from questionnaires or interviews are usually summarized using systematic columns and rows in a
a.
pie chart.
b.
flowchart.
c.
bar chart.
d.
table.
5. To contrast responses of employees with children against responses of employees without children from a survey on
attitudes toward on-site child care,
a.
use cross-tabulation.
b.
determine the range of responses.
c.
determine the average response.
d.
determine the standard deviation.
6. A total of 1,000 students responded to a survey about using student fees to build a new health care center on campus.
Of those responding, 700 students said they “strongly agree” with this proposal. What percentage of students strongly
agree?
a.
14.28 percent
b.
30 percent
c.
70 percent
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
d.
Impossible to determine with data provided
7. Which of the following is not one of the three Ms that measure central tendency?
a.
Mean
b.
Mode
c.
Median
d.
Margin
8. When people say average, they usually intend to indicate the __________, or arithmetic average
a.
mean
b.
mode
c.
median
d.
margin
9. Determine the mean of the numbers 30, 25, 25, 45, and 70.
a.
195
b.
25
c.
30
d.
39
10. Determine the mode of the numbers 30, 25, 25, 45, and 70.
a.
195
b.
25
c.
30
d.
39
11. Determine the median of the numbers 30, 25, 25, 45, and 70.
a.
195
b.
25
c.
30
d.
39
12. Of the three Ms, the ____________ is especially useful when extreme figures may warp the average.
a.
mean
b.
mode
c.
median
d.
margin
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
13. Of the three Ms, the ____________ is generally the easiest to determine.
a.
mean
b.
mode
c.
median
d.
margin
14. The range for daily sales for the week, $89,000, $75,000, $98,000, $66,000, and $99,000, is
a.
$33,000.
b.
$85,400.
c.
$427,000.
d.
$89,000.
15. Which of the following is most likely to be distorted by an extreme number at either end?
a.
Margin
b.
Median
c.
Mode
d.
Mean
16. During his research, Anthony notices that employees who dress professionally in the workplace have higher
productivity figures. Anthony has identified a possible
a.
correlation.
b.
standard deviation.
c.
average.
d.
tabulation.
17. What is the most accurate statement about correlations?
a.
Apparent correlations between two or more variables can stimulate investigation and present possible
solutions to be explored.
b.
Correlations prove cause-and-effect relationships.
c.
Correlations are worthless as a statistical analysis tool.
d.
All of these choices
18. Arianna has interviewed several of her colleagues to gather their ideas for improving productivity. She now has raw
verbal data to analyze. What is the best tool to analyze raw verbal data?
a.
Pie chart
b.
Grid
c.
Line chart
d.
Bar chart
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
19. Drake has been assigned the task of researching and recommending security systems for a new branch office. Some
features are more important than others, and Drake wants to be able to assign relative weights to each feature to make sure
that he makes the best decision. He should use a(n)
a.
organization chart.
b.
pie chart.
c.
flowchart.
d.
decision matrix.
20. The most widely read portions of a report are generally the sections devoted to
a.
the table of contents and introduction.
b.
conclusions and recommendations.
c.
the executive summary and letter of transmittal.
d.
the appendixes and bibliography.
21. Knowledgeable readers go straight to the _____________ to see what the report writer thinks the data mean. Because
this section summarizes and explains the findings, it represents the heart of a report.
a.
executive summary
b.
introduction
c.
appendix
d.
conclusions
22. Which of the following is a conclusion?
a.
Offering a wide range of benefits is the best way to recruit high-quality applicants.
b.
Offer a wide range of benefits to recruit high-quality applicants.
c.
Change your computer passwords once every six weeks.
d.
Let me know your hiring decision by Friday.
23. The conclusions of a report
a.
should be written using command language.
b.
offer specific suggestions for actions that can solve a report problem.
c.
should analyze information logically and show how the data answer questions and solve problems.
d.
All of these choices
24. Which statement about conclusions is least accurate?
a.
Any set of data can produce a variety of meaningful conclusions.
b.
The best conclusions show the audience how the data relate to the problem being studied.
c.
Report writers may choose to expand the conclusion section by explaining each item and citing supporting
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
evidence.
d.
Report writers should try to draw conclusions that are subjective.
25. Conclusions will usually be more objective if
a.
consistent criteria are used in evaluating options.
b.
the data are manipulated to support a predetermined outcome.
c.
the researcher relies on personal experience related to the report problem.
d.
you use strong language to sensationalize your findings.
26. Which statement most accurately describes recommendations?
a.
Recommendations should be general to allow readers to apply them in a variety of ways.
b.
Recommendations should begin with an action verb.
c.
Recommendations should include words like maybe and perhaps to show that other solutions may exist.
d.
Recommendations should be prepared before interpreting data.
27. Which of the following is an example of a recommendation?
a.
Institute a wellness program to encourage employees to improve their health by adopting healthy habits.
b.
Employees who take part in wellness programs have fewer absences.
c.
A wellness program can be an effective recruiting tool.
d.
Having a wellness program can lead to reduced employee absenteeism.
28. Which statement is incorrect?
a.
Recommendations and conclusions may be combined.
b.
Short reports may omit conclusions and move on to recommendations.
c.
Recommendations should be general.
d.
Recommendations should focus on solutions to the reader's problem.
29. Select the best wording for a recommendation.
a.
Our college campus should extend café hours to meet the needs of evening students.
b.
Extend the campus café hours to meet the needs of evening students.
c.
Perhaps we should extend the campus café hours to meet the needs of evening students.
d.
Busy students are taking more evening classes and should be able to use the campus café before class.
30. The direct pattern of organization is appropriate for reports whose audience
a.
is eager to learn the results quickly.
b.
needs to be educated about the report subject.
c.
requires persuasion to agree with the report's conclusions and recommendations.
d.
has no prior knowledge about the subject of the report.
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
31. The indirect pattern of organization is best for readers who
a.
must be educated or persuaded.
b.
are knowledgeable about the report topic.
c.
are supportive of the report content.
d.
are receptive to the information.
32. Liam is writing a report to his supervisor about using social media sites to improve communication with customers.
His supervisor knows nothing about using social media for marketing. What organizational style should Liam use for his
report?
a.
Direct pattern
b.
Spiral pattern
c.
Indirect pattern
d.
Any of these choices
33. Angelina is writing a report to her supervisor about implementing a new employee orientation process. Her supervisor
is highly supportive of the idea and wants to learn the details quickly. What organizational style should Angelina use for
her report?
a.
Direct pattern
b.
Spiral pattern
c.
Indirect pattern
d.
Any of these choices
34. Informational reports should be organized using which of the following patterns?
a.
Introduction/problem, facts/findings, conclusions/recommendations, discussion/analysis
b.
Introduction/problem, conclusions/recommendations, facts/findings, discussion/analysis
c.
Introduction/background, facts/findings, summary/conclusion
d.
Summary/conclusion, introduction/background, facts/findings
35. Analytical reports should be organized using which of the following patterns?
a.
Introduction/background, facts/findings, summary/conclusion
b.
Introduction/background, summary/conclusion, facts/findings
c.
Summary/conclusion, introduction/background, facts/findings
d.
Introduction/problem, facts/findings, discussion/analysis, conclusions/recommendations
36. Select the most accurate statement about organizing report data.
a.
Poorly organized reports lead to reader frustration.
b.
Analytical reports generally present data without interpretation.
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
c.
Analytical reports should always follow an indirect method, placing the conclusions and recommendations
last.
d.
All of these choices are accurate statements about organizing report data.
37. An informational report presenting quarterly sales data for a clothing boutique’s four branches would most likely be
organized by
a.
time.
b.
importance.
c.
component.
d.
criteria.
38. You are responsible for recording the minutes of an important executive board meeting. The best way to organize
these minutes is by
a.
importance.
b.
time.
c.
convention.
d.
criteria.
39. A report that compares the services offered by three wireless companies should be organized by
a.
time.
b.
criteria.
c.
component.
d.
convention.
40. Eric must submit a weekly sales data report that contains headings established by his supervisor. This recurring report
is organized by
a.
criteria.
b.
time.
c.
component.
d.
convention.
41. Mary Anne conducted research about ways to recruit high-quality job applicants and has developed a list of possible
techniques. She has ranked these techniques and will present them in a report listed from most important reason to least
important. What organizational method is Mary Anne using?
a.
Time
b.
Importance
c.
Component
d.
Convention
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
42. A good introductory paragraph for a business report should
a.
preview the main points and the order in which they will be developed.
b.
tell the purpose of the report.
c.
describe the significance of the report topic.
d.
All of these choices.
43. When is the best time to write the introduction to a business report?
a.
When you first start writing the report
b.
After you have completed the report
c.
About halfway through
d.
Any time you want; there is no preferred time for writing the introduction.
44. Which of the following transitional expressions suggest cause and effect?
a.
After, before, first, finally, now, previously, to conclude
b.
For example, for instance, in other words
c.
At the same time, but, however, though, yet
d.
Accordingly, as a result, consequently, therefore
45. Which of the following transitional expressions can be used to contrast ideas?
a.
After, before, first, finally, now, previously, to conclude
b.
For example, for instance, in other words
c.
At the same time, but, however, though, yet
d.
Accordingly, as a result, consequently, therefore
46. Which of the following transitional expressions can be used to present additional thoughts?
a.
After, before, first, finally, now, previously, to conclude
b.
Again, also, moreover, furthermore
c.
At the same time, but, however, though, yet
d.
Accordingly, as a result, consequently, therefore
47. Background, Findings, Staffing, and Budget are examples of
a.
talking headings.
b.
functional headings.
c.
generic headings.
d.
transitional headings.
48. Which of the following is an example of a talking heading?
a.
Findings
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
b.
Recommendations
c.
Labor Costs
d.
Employees Show Support for Stock Options
49. Which of the following headings is not grammatically balanced with the other headings?
a.
Increasing Employee Productivity
b.
Recruiting High-Quality Job Applicants
c.
Prevent Identify Theft
d.
Improving Employee Morale
50. Matt is preparing headings for a report he is writing. What is the best advice you can give him as he creates his
headings?
a.
Include end punctuation in all headings for clarity.
b.
Underline all headings.
c.
Include at least one heading per report page.
d.
Matt should do all of these.
51. Which of the following is an example of an informational report?
a.
A report recommending that an organization begin offering on-site child care to employees
b.
A report describing a new procedure for submitting expense claims
c.
A report analyzing reasons for a company's high turnover rate
d.
A report determining which wireless carrier to use for the sales staff's smartphones
52. Danielle will be preparing several business reports and has asked for your advice about designing the reports
professionally. What is the best advice you can give her?
a.
Use a font size that is 8 to 10 points for the body of the report so that you can fit more on the page.
b.
Insert as many graphics and clip art images as possible to make your report more interesting.
c.
Do not justify the right margins.
d.
Use a variety of fonts within the report to keep your reader interested.
53. Which of the following are examples of periodic (activity) reports?
a.
Sales, accounts payable, and personnel reports
b.
Trip, convention, and conference reports
c.
Investigative reports
d.
Justification/recommendation reports
54. The primary reason that management often requires trip, convention, and conference reports is to
a.
get a thorough chronological list of everything that occurred during a trip, convention, or conference.
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
b.
determine whether the employee can be trusted to travel alone.
c.
find out whether the organization's money was well spent in funding the travel.
d.
gather material for press releases.
55. Progress and interim reports
a.
discuss the day-to-day operations of a company.
b.
describe the status of continuing projects.
c.
provide conclusions based on the data provided.
d.
explain the benefits of a recommendation.
56. What is the primary difference between informational and analytical reports?
a.
Informational reports are prepared for internal audiences, and analytical reports are prepared for external
audiences.
b.
Informational reports emphasize facts, and analytical reports emphasize reasoning and conclusions.
c.
Informational reports are always organized directly, and analytical reports are always organized indirectly.
d.
All of these choices are differences between informational and analytical reports.
57. Which of the following is an analytical report?
a.
A report to determine whether a company should outsource its customer support function
b.
A report on quarterly sales at a restaurant location
c.
A report on the progress of a task force investigating ways to decrease overtime costs
d.
A report to stockholders showing the company's profits for the last quarter
58. Which of the following is an example of a feasibility report?
a.
A report to determine which of three firms to use for after-hours security
b.
A report to determine whether a company should provide an on-site gym for its employees
c.
A report about a firm's profitability to be sent to the company's shareholders
d.
A report on a meeting held with members of the local chamber of commerce
59. Which of the following situations would require a yardstick report?
a.
Christine reviews the company's financial records to verify the amount each expense has changed during the
quarter.
b.
Donald gathers information on three mid-range American-made automobiles to compare price, fuel economy,
maintenance, insurance rates, and resale value before selecting a car for the company's sales force.
c.
Vivian presents data supporting the decision to open the company's newest restaurant in Baton Rouge.
d.
Elijah conducts a study to determine whether customers prefer to dine in a restaurant or have food delivered to
their homes.
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
60. Gavin wants to encourage his boss to allow him to telecommute. What type of report will he most likely prepare?
a.
Yardstick report
b.
Progress report
c.
Justification/recommendation report
d.
Investigative report
61. Rafael wants to compare managers' opinions of the company's benefits package to the classified staff's opinions.
Rafael should cross-tabulate his data.
a.
True
b.
False
62. The median of the numbers 46, 20, 20, 50, and 24 is 24.
a.
True
b.
False
63. Another word for mode is "average."
a.
True
b.
False
64. The mode of the numbers 15, 40, 40, 25, 58, 62, and 30 is 40.
a.
True
b.
False
65. Leanne has noticed that employees working in offices with windows have lower absentee rates. This correlation
proves that offices with natural light are healthier for employees.
a.
True
b.
False
66. The magazine Social Media Today is presenting the verbal opinions of technology experts on future business uses of
social media. This information will be easiest to comprehend if presented in a pie chart.
a.
True
b.
False
67. The conclusions and recommendations sections of a report are the most widely read parts of a business report.
a.
True
b.
False
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
68. An example of a recommendation is Both managers and classified staff members report that employee absenteeism
has increased since the company's relocation.
a.
True
b.
False
69. To be effective, conclusions should be as subjective as possible.
a.
True
b.
False
70. Conclusions and recommendations serve the same purpose.
a.
True
b.
False
71. Report recommendations should use command language such as Begin using social media sites to market our
products and services to communicate with customers.
a.
True
b.
False
72. Analytical reports should always be prepared using an indirect organizational pattern.
a.
True
b.
False
73. Agendas, minutes of meetings, progress reports, and procedures are usually organized by importance.
a.
True
b.
False
74. Leslie should use the component organization structure to organize an annual sales report covering the Medical
Instruments Division, Computer Supplies Division, and Consumer Products Division.
a.
True
b.
False
75. A report comparing four resort facilities being considered for a firm’s annual retreat would be most effective if
organized by criteria.
a.
True
b.
False
76. Good report introductions let readers know the purpose of the report, the significance of the topic, and the main points
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
to be covered.
a.
True
b.
False
77. Transitional expressions such as moreover, therefore, however, to conclude, and for instance help report readers see
the logical flow of ideas in a report.
a.
True
b.
False
78. Examples of talking report headings include Introduction, Background, Findings, and Conclusions.
a.
True
b.
False
79. Capitalize all words in a heading, including articles, conjunctions, and short prepositions.
a.
True
b.
False
80. The headings Implementing Security Measures, Communicating With Employees, and Organizing Teams are
grammaticaly balanced.
a.
True
b.
False
81. Informational reports are usually organized using the direct pattern.
a.
True
b.
False
82. Ataro writes several monthly reports condensing financial articles he reads online. These are examples of summary
reports.
a.
True
b.
False
83. Reece attended a professional conference and must submit a report to her boss. She should arrange her conference
report chronologically and include details about every aspect of the conference.
a.
True
b.
False
84. Travis is writing a short report to let his client know the status of the client's project. Travis is writing a progress
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
report.
a.
True
b.
False
85. Investigative reports should generally offer a writer's interpretation or recommendations about a specific situation.
a.
True
b.
False
86. Informational and analytical reports differ mainly in that analytical reports emphasize facts while informational
reports emphasize reasoning and conclusions.
a.
True
b.
False
87. Because Kenneth is sure that his boss will be interested in his recommendation for a new tuition reimbursement
program, he should organize his recommendation report directly.
a.
True
b.
False
88. Rachel is writing a report in which she will recommend a new procedure for processing payroll. This is an example of
an analytical report.
a.
True
b.
False
89. Enrico must recommend to his reluctant boss that the company allow employees to work a compressed workweek.
Enrico’s justification/recommendation report on this sensitive topic should be organized directly.
a.
True
b.
False
90. Jody is writing a report to determine which of three cities should be the site for a new branch office. To select the new
site, she is comparing labor costs, tax breaks, housing costs, and land availability in each city. Jody is most likely
conducting a feasibility study.
a.
True
b.
False
91. The arithmetic average of a group of figures is the ____________________.
92. The value that occurs most frequently in a group of figures is the ____________________.
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
93. The ____________________ represents the midpoint in a group of figures arranged from lowest to highest or vice
versa.
94. The range of the values $60,000 and $75,000 is ____________________.
95. During his study, Brady noticed that employees who smoke take more sick days than those who don't smoke. The
relationship between these two variables is known as ____________________.
96. A(n) ____________________ composed of rows and columns is useful for analyzing raw data⎯especially verbal data.
97. A decision ____________________ is a special grid that helps managers make the best choice among complex
options and is designed to eliminate bias and poor judgment.
98. The most widely read portions of a report are the sections devoted to conclusions and ____________________.
99. The ____________________ section of a report summarizes and explains the findings and represents the heart of a
report.
100. ____________________ make specific suggestions for actions that can solve the report problem.
101. Provide online customer support is an example of a(n) ____________________.
102. Many reports are effectively organized by ____________________ such as location, geography, division, product, or
part.
103. Agendas, minutes of meetings, progress reports, and procedures are usually organized by ____________________,
which establishes a chronology of events.
104. The ____________________ to a report should tell the purpose of the report, describe the significance of the topic,
and preview main points.
105. Additionally, consequently, on the contrary, previously, and in other words are ____________________ expressions
that can show relationships and reveal the logical flow of ideas in a report.
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
106. Background, Findings, and Overhead Costs are examples of ____________________ headings, which describe
general topics in a report.
107. _______________ reports often describe periodic, recurring activities (such as monthly sales or weekly customer
calls); describe situational, nonrecurring events (such as trips, conferences, and progress on special projects); or provide
summaries of longer publications.
108. ____________________ and interim reports describe the status of continuing projects.
109. Informational reports emphasize facts; _____________ reports emphasize reasoning and conclusions.
110. __________________ reports examine the practicality and advisability of following a course of action. They answer
this question: Will this plan or proposal work?
111. At the end of the semester, you are reviewing your test grades, which are as follows:
Test 1:
95
Test 2:
85
Test 3:
92
Test 4:
76
Test 5:
92
You want to describe your test scores using the statistical measurements mean, median, mode, and range. First, define
each of these terms; then calculate these figures using the data provided.
112. You are writing a report in which you will recommend that your department adopt a four-day workweek. You know
that your supervisor will be most interested in the conclusions and recommendations sections of your report. First, explain
the difference between a conclusion and a recommendation. Then write one conclusion and one recommendation that you
could include in your report.
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Chapter 12: Informal Business Reports
113. Report information can be arranged using five common organizational methods. List and describe four of these. Then
give an original example of one type of report commonly written in each organizational method.
114. Describe what an informational report is. Then list and describe three categories of informational reports, and give an
original example of each.
115. Describe what an analytical report is and how it differs from an informational report. Then list three categories of
analytical reports, describe each, and give an original example of each.
