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Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
1. Investigative reports, which deliver data for specific situations without offering interpretations or recommendations, are
written at regular intervals.
a. True
b. False
2. The mode of the numbers 15, 40, 58, 25, 40, 62, and 30 is 40.
a. True
b. False
3. The following report recommendation uses command language effectively: More use of social media sites to market
our products and services and to communicate with customers.
a. True
b. False
4. Examples of talking report headings include Introduction, Background, Findings, and Conclusions.
a. True
b. False
5. 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
6. 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
7. Because Rafael is sure that his boss will be interested in his recommendation for a new process to streamline hiring
practices, he should organize his recommendation report directly.
a. True
b. False
8. An annual sales report covering the Medical Instruments Division, Computer Supplies Division, and Consumer
Products Division should be organized by component.
a. True
b. False
9. Lin 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
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10. Jenna is determining 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. Jenna will most likely compile this
information into a feasibility report.
a. True
b. False
11. All words in a heading should be capitalized, including articles, conjunctions, and short prepositions.
a. True
b. False
12. A progress report should describe current problems, as well as anticipate future problems and possible solutions.
a. True
b. False
13. 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
14. The conclusions and recommendations sections of a report are the most widely read parts of a business report.
a. True
b. False
15. Agendas, minutes of meetings, progress reports, and procedures are usually organized by importance.
a. True
b. False
16. The headings Implementing Security Measures, Communicating With Employees, and Organizing Teams are
grammatically balanced.
a. True
b. False
17. Analytical reports should follow an indirect organizational pattern if you expect readers to accept your ideas readily.
a. True
b. False
18. Conclusions and recommendations serve the same purpose.
a. True
b. False
19. Technology Today magazine is sharing the insights 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
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20. The median of the numbers 46, 20, 20, 50, and 24 is 24.
a. True
b. False
21. Enrico must recommend to his reluctant boss that the company allow employees to work a compressed work week.
Enrico’s justification/recommendation report should be organized directly.
a. True
b. False
22. Reese 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
23. Rafael wants to compare male and female responses to a survey about perceived effectiveness of new campus safety
efforts. To do so, he should cross-tabulate the data.
a. True
b. False
24. Another word for mode is average.
a. True
b. False
25. 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
26. When drawing conclusions to include in a report, examining your own motives is unimportant.
a. True
b. False
27. Unlike informational reports, analytical reports evaluate the data presented and typically try to persuade the reader to
accept the conclusions and act on the recommendations.
a. True
b. False
28. An effective summary reduces a report or article by 85 to 95 percent.
a. True
b. False
29. Informational reports are usually organized using the direct pattern.
a. True
b. False
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30. An effective report conclusion lets readers know the purpose of the report, the significance of the topic, and the main
points.
a. True
b. False
Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
31. Which of the following is an example of a talking heading?
a. Findings
b. Recommendations
c. Labor Costs
d. Employees Show Support for Stock Options
32. 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. should include words like many and most to draw more attention to your findings
33. 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
34. At the same time, but, however, though, and yet are generally used to ________.
a. suggest agreement
b. contrast ideas
c. show time and order
d. clarify points
35. Determine the mean of the numbers 30, 25, 25, 45, and 70.
a. 195
b. 25
c. 30
d. 39
36. 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
37. Determine the mode of the numbers 30, 25, 70, 45, and 25.
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a. 195
b. 25
c. 30
d. 39
38. The most widely read portions of a report are generally the ________.
a. table of contents and introduction
b. conclusions and recommendations
c. executive summary and letter of transmittal
d. appendices and bibliography
39. 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
40. Because the ________ section summarizes and explains the findings, it represents the heart of a report.
a. table of contents
b. introduction
c. appendix
d. conclusions
41. 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
42. 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
43. Which of the following factors is the most important in determining the organization of a report?
a. Writer convenience
b. Reader comprehension
c. Report frequency
d. Report length
44. Which type of analytical report is sometimes referred to as an internal proposal?
a. Feasibility report
b. Justification/recommendation report
c. Yardstick report
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d. Progress report
45. 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. End each page with a heading to make the reader want to read on.
46. Of the three Ms, the ________ is generally the easiest to determine.
a. mean
b. mode
c. median
d. margin
47. 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.
48. 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
49. 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. Informational reports are usually aimed at persuading readers to follow the recommendations provided.
50. 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
51. Lamar wants to encourage his boss to consider a new process for evaluating employee performance. What type of
report will he most likely prepare?
a. Yardstick report
b. Progress report
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c. Justification/recommendation report
d. Investigative report
52. 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
53. When people say average, they usually intend to indicate the __________, or arithmetic average.
a. mean
b. mode
c. median
d. margin
54. 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
55. Recommendations should be phrased as ________.
a. questions
b. commands
c. generalities
d. quotations
56. 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
57. Liam is writing a report to his supervisor about using social media sites to improve communication with customers.
His supervisor has little experience using social media for marketing. What organizational style should Liam use for his
report?
a. Direct pattern
b. Spiral pattern
c. Indirect pattern
d. Journalistic pattern
58. 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
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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
59. Determine the median of the numbers 30, 25, 25, 45, and 70.
a. 195
b. 25
c. 30
d. 39
60. 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
61. 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
62. When aiming to create an attractive page layout, consider that most readers scan a page in a(n) _______ pattern.
a. F
b. L
c. T
d. Z
63. 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
64. Mary-Beth is using transitional expressions such as for example and in other words in a report. In using these phrases,
she is attempting to ________.
a. suggest cause and effect
b. contrast ideas
c. clarify points
d. show time and order
65. 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 not useful as statistical analysis tools.
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d. The terms correlation and causation are interchangeable.
66. 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. Journalistic pattern
67. 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
68. ________ reports examine problems with two or more solutions.
a. Yardstick
b. Progress
c. Justification/recommendation
d. Investigative
69. Which statement about recommendations is least accurate?
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.
70. 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. outside consulting
d. employee feedback
71. 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
72. Which of the following is an example of a statistical concept?
a. Table
b. Decision matrix
c. Grid
d. Median
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73. Which of the following is not one of the three Ms that measure central tendency?
a. Mean
b. Mode
c. Median
d. Margin
74. 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.
75. 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
76. Background, Findings, Staffing, and Budget are examples of ________.
a. talking headings
b. functional headings
c. generic headings
d. transitional headings
77. ________ assist readers in comprehending the organization of a report by highlighting major ideas.
a. Title pages
b. Page numbers
c. Headings
d. Appendices
78. 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.
79. 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.
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80. Michelle has collected large amounts of data for a business report she is writing, and she 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.
81. Introductions, transitions, and headings in reports provide important ________ to prevent readers from getting lost.
a. topics
b. data
c. cues
d. recommendations
82. Which of the following is phrased as 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.
83. Of the three Ms, the ________ is especially useful when extreme figures may warp the average.
a. mean
b. mode
c. median
d. margin
84. 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
85. A report that compares the services offered by three wireless companies should be organized by ________.
a. time
b. criteria
c. component
d. convention
86. 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 percent
b. 30 percent
c. 70 percent
d. 7 percent