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Indicate whether the statement is true or false.
1. Most proposals begin by briefly explaining the reasons for the proposal and by highlighting the writer’s qualifications.
a. True
b. False
2. Formal business reports generally aim to study problems and recommend solutions.
a. True
b. False
3. A copy of the RFP (request for proposal) should be included in the front matter of a formal proposal.
a. True
b. False
4. In determining which business plans to fund, investors search for a concept with promising growth potential rather than
the most unique product or service.
a. True
b. False
5. The conclusions should always be placed in a separate section following the body of a formal business report.
a. True
b. False
6. The Conclusions and Recommendations sections of a report serve the same function.
a. True
b. False
7. To give an organization more time to consider your proposal, you should avoid specifying a time limit for acceptance in
the letter of transmittal.
a. True
b. False
8. If you are writing a solicited proposal, your goal in the background section is to convince the reader that a problem
exists.
a. True
b. False
9. Most proposals are unsolicited.
a. True
b. False
10. It is acceptable to omit a list of figures in a proposal as long as the proposal contains only a few tables or figures.
a. True
b. False
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11. Redesign the website to improve reader engagement and navigation shows effective wording for a formal report
recommendation.
a. True
b. False
12. You should not begin writing a report until after you have collected all the data and drawn the primary conclusions.
a. True
b. False
13. The same information may be included in the letter of transmittal, executive summary, and introduction of a formal
business report.
a. True
b. False
14. Functional headings, such as Analysis of Findings or Discussion, are useful for sensitive topics that may upset the
reader.
a. True
b. False
15. Proposals are written offers to solve problems, provide services, or sell equipment.
a. True
b. False
16. It is common in business reports to promise specific deliverables—tangible items your project will produce for the
customer.
a. True
b. False
17. Many investors look carefully at the experience of the management team because they consider this the most
important factor in assessing business potential.
a. True
b. False
18. Executive summaries of formal reports should be limited to one page.
a. True
b. False
19. Executive summary and abstract are interchangeable terms for the summary in the front matter of a proposal.
a. True
b. False
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20. An effective opening for an informal proposal might be We are pleased to submit this proposal describing how our
ethics training program can help your employees make the best decisions when faced with ethical dilemmas on the job.
a. True
b. False
21. Informal proposals should close with a reminder of key benefits as well as a request for approval.
a. True
b. False
22. Funder and grant seeker are interchangeable terms.
a. True
b. False
23. The funds obtained through a grant proposal, whether they are public or private, must be repaid within a specified
timeframe.
a. True
b. False
24. Most proposals are external.
a. True
b. False
25. Whether you’re using the Modern Language Association (MLA) or the American Psychological Association (APA)
referencing style, you should list all sources chronologically in the order you consulted them.
a. True
b. False
26. Formal proposals differ from informal proposals only in length.
a. True
b. False
27. The transmittal letter or memo that accompanies a formal business report is usually directly organized and written less
formally than the report itself.
a. True
b. False
28. A business plan is necessary only when seeking financial support from venture capitalists.
a. True
b. False
29. Your final proofreading step in report writing should be for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and other mechanical
errors.
a. True
b. False
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30. The budget outlined in a proposal is considered to be an estimate – with the understanding that if your costs increase
the budget can be adjusted accordingly.
a. True
b. False
Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
31. The part of a formal report that highlights the important points for people who may not have time to read the entire
document is the ________.
a. budget
b. executive summary
c. authorization
d. table of contents
32. Which of the following statements about business plans is least accurate?
a. For existing companies, the company description section should describe the company’s founding, growth, sales,
and profits.
b. Investors are looking only for unique products or services.
c. Start-up companies should explain in the product/service description section why the business will be profitable.
d. The product/service description section should explain why your product or service is better than existing
products or services.
33. The company description in a business plan should ________.
a. identify the form of your business and its business type
b. discuss market characteristics, trends, projected growth, and barriers to entry
c. explain how the product or service you are providing will benefit customers
d. explain specifically how you will run your business
34. A(n) ________ may be defined as a description of a proposed company that explains how it expects to achieve its
marketing, financial, and operational goals.
a. executive summary
b. business plan
c. mission statement
d. abstract
35. Which of the following is the most accurate statement about the executive summary?
a. An executive summary is written for specialists or technical readers.
b. An executive summary is generally shorter than an abstract.
c. The content of an executive summary should be more technically oriented than an abstract.
d. A formal proposal may contain both an executive summary and an abstract.
36. Select the most accurate statement about proposals.
a. Most internal proposals are written in response to Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
b. Most proposals are unsolicited.
c. Effective proposals can mean life or death for an organization.
d. Most proposals are internal.
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37. In an introduction to a formal report, what section identifies who commissioned the report?
a. Scope
b. Significance
c. Background
d. Authorization
38. Which government agency provides the most useful advice for writing a business plan?
a. Internal Revenue Service
b. Small Business Administration
c. Securities and Exchange Commission
d. Department of Homeland Security
39. Nora is aware that some of her report’s content may not be well received by some of her readers. What advice would
you give her about headings for the report?
a. Use graphic headings
b. Use functional headings
c. Use talking headings
d. Avoid using any headings
40. Because they contain many parts that serve different purposes, formal reports are somewhat redundant. To avoid
sounding repetitious, you should _________.
a. present the data slightly differently
b. not include information that has been presented elsewhere
c. skip the introduction if it contains information that has been presented elsewhere
d. assume that your reader saw information in an earlier section
41. Appendixes of formal reports and proposals are typically labelled ________.
a. A, B, and so on
b. 1, 2, and so on
c. with Roman numerals
d. in sequence with the pagination of the document
42. Seamus has asked you for help in preparing an executive summary of a formal business report he is writing. What is
the best advice you can give him?
a. To add variety to your report, prepare your executive summary in a different sequence from the report itself.
b. Use considerable technical language to impress your reader.
c. Begin the executive summary with your purpose.
d. Make the executive summary as long as necessary to be persuasive.
43. Unsolicited proposals should ________.
a. present a flexible budget in case costs increase.
b. convince the reader that a problem exists.
c. use the language of the RFP.
d. begin with the overall cost of your services and/or products.
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44. The financial analysis section of a business plan should ________.
a. be included only if you have an existing company
b. omit exact dollar figures
c. explain how much money you already have
d. omit one-time expenses
45. The executive summary of a business plan ________.
a. can be as long as needed to get your message across
b. should be written first to get your thoughts in order
c. can be combined with the mission statement
d. should be an appendix at the back of your plan
46. The introduction to a proposal typically ________.
a. lists the proposed project costs
b. highlights the writer’s qualifications
c. asks for approval or authorization
d. reminds the reader of the proposal’s key benefits
47. Which of the following statements about formal business reports is least accurate?
a. Formal reports are similar to formal proposals in length, organization, and serious tone.
b. Formal reports are written for internal audiences only.
c. Formal reports present the end product of thorough investigation and analyses.
d. Breaking a long formal report into small segments makes it easier to understand.
48. A(n) ________ summarizes what other authors and researchers have published on the topic of your report and is
especially important for academic and scientific reports.
a. executive summary
b. Works Cited
c. literature review
d. methods review
49. The ________ section of a formal business report that tells what the findings mean.
a. recommendations
b. introduction
c. conclusions
d. body
50. The table of contents for a short formal business report should ________.
a. include all headings
b. include only first- and second-level headings
c. be prepared before you start writing the report
d. be omitted
51. Writers often include additional information in the introduction to a formal report. Which of the following would be
most appropriate to include in the introduction?
a. A list of all secondary sources you consulted
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b. Charts and other visual depictions of data
c. A detailed analysis of the problem
d. Definitions of key terms
52. A business plan’s mission statement ________.
a. is optional
b. must be written in six or fewer words
c. explains the purpose of a business and why it will succeed
d. should be generic to reach the largest number of customers
53. In a formal report, the letter or memo of transmittal usually ________.
a. follows the indirect plan
b. uses no contractions or first-person pronouns
c. highlights the report’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations
d. is as formal as the report itself
54. The longest and most substantive section of a formal business report is the ________.
a. executive summary
b. introduction
c. conclusion
d. body
55. Appearing in the introduction, the ________ of a formal business report clarifies the boundaries of the report and
defines what will be included or excluded.
a. scope
b. significance
c. background
d. authorization
56. What is the purpose of a traditional report cover?
a. To give the report a professional, finished appearance
b. To display your graphic design skills with fonts and wording
c. To take the place of the title page
d. To avoid having to send it electronically
57. The body of your grant proposal states that your proposed program will lower infant mortality rates in a specified
geographic region by 20% over a six-month period. This statement suggests that the goal of your proposal is _______.
a. long term
b. affordable
c. measurable
d. unfundable
58. An executive summary included with a formal proposal is typically ________.
a. one page long
b. three to four pages long
c. five to six pages long
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d. up to 10 percent of the original text
59. The _______ of a formal proposal should include the name of the client organization, the title of the proposal, and the
RFP number or other designation.
a. title page
b. abstract
c. introduction
d. appendix
60. Will is writing a solicited proposal in response to an RFP and is working on the background section. What is his goal
in this section?
a. To convince the reader that a problem exists
b. To make himself look professional
c. To show the reader how much accepting the proposal will cost
d. To persuade the reader that he understands the problem completely
61. What is the most accurate statement about grant proposals?
a. Grant money received must be repaid.
b. Funds received through a grant proposal can be used for any purpose, not just those outlined in the proposal.
c. Grants are often received by the U.S. government, private foundations, and public corporations.
d. Skillful grant writing is particularly important because funding organizations may receive thousands of
applications for a single award.
62. Which of the following would not be included in the appendixes of a business plan?
a. Managers’ résumés
b. Sales forecasts and anticipated cash flow
c. Promotional materials and product photos
d. A realistic start-up budget
63. The ________ of a formal business report contains the report title, the name of the person receiving the report, the
author’s name, and the date of submission.
a. report cover
b. title page
c. table of contents
d. executive summary
64. The actual proposal section of a proposal must ________.
a. describe the credentials and expertise of the project leaders
b. identify the resources you will use, including computer facilities
c. tell what you propose to do and how it will benefit the reader
d. include a “hook” to engage the reader
65. Sarah has decided to include a timetable in a proposal she is writing. She will most likely place it in the ________.
a. introduction
b. proposal section
c. budget section
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d. authorization section
66. A potential angel investor is reading your business plan for a new start-up company. What will this investor most
likely consider to be the most important factor in assessing your business potential?
a. Whether you’re aware of all of your direct and indirect competitors
b. Whether you’ve come up with a realistic start-up budget
c. Whether your management team can implement the business plan
d. Whether your start-up company will use social media for marketing and communication
67. A letter of transmittal submitted with a formal proposal should ________.
a. provide ancillary (supplemental) materials of interest to readers
b. include a list of the costs for the entire project
c. briefly present the major features and benefits of the proposal
d. describe the credentials and expertise of the project leaders
68. During the third (and final) proofreading stage of your formal report, you should check for ________.
a. word and content meaning
b. grammar, punctuation, and usage errors
c. formatting and consistency
d. research citation
69. Which statement does not describe the body of a formal business report?
a. Clear headings are used to explain each major section.
b. Evidence that justifies the conclusions is presented.
c. Research findings are discussed, analyzed, interpreted, and evaluated.
d. Incidental and supporting materials are placed strategically throughout the body of the report.
70. Which of the following statements about business plans is least accurate?
a. Business plans are generally written in response to RFPs.
b. A business plan is another form of proposal.
c. A business plan is critical for securing financial support of any kind.
d. The reader of a business plan is typically a bank loan officer, a venture capitalist, or an investor.
71. What is the least accurate statement about formal proposals?
a. To be considered a formal proposal, it must be at least 100 pages long.
b. Larger businesses may employ specialists who do nothing but write proposals.
c. Proposals use standard components that enable companies receiving bids to compare “apples with apples.”
d. Smaller firms rely on in-house staff to develop proposals.
72. The _______ section of an informal proposal may describe the credentials of the project leaders and identify project
resources such as computer facilities.
a. background
b. budget
c. authorization
d. staffing
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73. Which of the following would not appear in the operations and management section of a business plan?
a. How you will run your business
b. Who your competitors will be
c. The personnel and management of your business
d. The location of your business and the equipment you will use
74. The budget included in a proposal ________.
a. is tentative and may be modified later
b. represents a contract
c. should be open-ended for acceptance
d. should not include a deadline for acceptance because doing so might seem too pushy
75. The ________ section of an informal proposal may include a request for approval or authorization, a reminder of key
benefits, and a deadline beyond which the offer is invalid.
a. background
b. staffing
c. budget
d. conclusion
76. Which of the following statements would not be appropriate for a letter or memo of transmittal?
a. I would be glad to do follow-up research if required.
b. I appreciate the opportunity to have completed this research project.
c. This report investigating the need to relocate the corporate offices was authorized by Doug Peters.
d. The questionnaire shown here was used to collect data for this report.
77. In the introduction section of a proposal, which of the following would be the best way to persuade the receiver to
read the rest of the proposal?
a. Mention a remarkable resource available exclusively to you.
b. Present a detailed budget that shows a low overall cost.
c. Give the background and credentials of everyone who will be working on the project.
d. Provide a timetable for all activities.
78. The section in the introduction to a formal business report that tells why the report topic is important is the ________.
a. scope
b. significance
c. authorization
d. background
79. Employees Applaud On-Site Daycare Option is an example of a(n) ________.
a. informational heading
b. functional heading
c. talking heading
d. analytical heading
80. Tamara must send the same formal report to several readers. What should she do?
a. Send the same letter of transmittal to all readers.
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b. Omit the letter of transmittal.
c. Prepare a special letter of transmittal for each, anticipating how each reader will use the report.
d. Include a letter of transmittal for only the primary reader.
81. Which section of a proposal typically identifies the problem and discusses the goals or purposes of the project?
a. Background
b. Staffing
c. Budget
d. Authorization Request
82. The best advice for preparing a formal business report is to ________.
a. collect data and write the report at the same time
b. proofread the final copy three times
c. complete the hardest sections first to gain a sense of accomplishment
d. use the same verb tense throughout the report for consistency
83. The ________ section of a business plan provides an overview of complementary products and services and a
summary of the strengths and weaknesses of your direct and indirect competitors.
a. market analysis
b. operations and management
c. financial analysis
d. product or service description
84. Grant proposals aim to ________.
a. sell products or services
b. secure funding
c. increase profits
d. start new businesses
85. The _______ of a formal proposal may include a copy of the RFP, letter of transmittal, and executive summary.
a. background
b. front matter
c. conclusion
d. back matter
86. Which of the following is most likely to appear in the appendix section of a formal proposal?
a. A copy of the RFP
b. A list of tables and figures that appear in the proposal
c. The résumés of principal investigators or testimonial letters
d. An executive summary of the proposal
87. Which type of organization is often dependent on proposals for funding programming and salaries?
a. Large corporate organizations
b. Smaller, privately-owned businesses
c. Nonprofit organizations
d. Limited liability corporations (LLCs)