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1.
What is the name for a table or spreadsheet used to systematically evaluate options
according to specific criteria?
A)
problem-solving model
B)
recommendation generator
C)
decision matrix
D)
flowchart
2.
Which of these would be included in the front matter for a report?
A)
the introduction
B)
the glossary
C)
the executive summary
D)
the recommendations
3.
According to Chapter 18, which of the following is NOT an acceptable way to present
your conclusions in a recommendation report?
A)
Rank all of the options.
B)
Refer the reader to an appendix.
C)
Present a compound conclusion.
D)
Classify the options as either acceptable or unacceptable.
4.
Which of these is an example of documentation in a report?
A)
a citation for an article that gave you information for the report
B)
a title for a table you created
C)
a list of symbols you use throughout the report
D)
an appendix
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5.
The R&D division of Nickelburg Steel has just completed testing to determine the best
high-strength, low-alloy steel to use for a project. Of the five steel samples, labeled A,
B, C, D, and E, steel samples A and B satisfy the minimum requirements, while samples
C and D are just barely acceptable. Steel sample E failed the tests. How should the
recommendation section of the formal report to the CEO be written?
A)
We conclude that samples A and B should be used to complete the project.
B)
We are confident that the following recommendations will correct the failures of
the procedures already developed by the company:
1. Samples A and B should be used to fill all future orders.
2. Samples C and D should be used only if A and B are out of stock.
3. Sample E should not be used.
C)
We recommend that samples A and B be used to fill all future orders, C and D used
only if A and B are out of stock, and E rejected.
D)
We recommend the following action:
1. Use samples A and B to fill all future orders.
2. Use samples C and D only if A and B are out of stock.
3. Do not use sample E
6.
Which of the following questions would be answered in a feasibility report?
A)
Which university has the most prestigious business school?
B)
Which truck has more of the options we want, the Ford or the Chevrolet?
C)
Is it ethical to pursue this course of action?
D)
Is it practical to pursue this course of action?
7.
The results section of a recommendation report is most likely to contain which of the
following kinds of information?
A)
analyses
B)
data
C)
suggestions
D)
summaries
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8.
A consulting company hired by Best Builders has just completed a study to determine
the best fencing for a condominium complex Best Builders will construct. The technical
writer preparing a recommendation report of the feasibility study has compiled the
following information to be used in the report:
Because the complex will be located in an environmentally sensitive area, the fence
must visually enhance the property while blending in with its surroundings, yet at the
same time adding a measure of safety. In order to keep monthly condominium dues as
low as possible, the fence must not require a high degree of maintenance. Its minimum
life should be 25 years, and it should cost under $70,000.
The options researched were stone, vinyl, vinyl-coated iron, and wood.
Both types of vinyl fencing will last up to 25 years, stone up to 50 years, and wood up to
15 years. Wood fencing must be painted or stained periodically. Maintenance for vinyl
and stone fencing consists of occasionally washing with water. Based on two bids for
each type of fencing, all types fall within the maximum allowable cost. Wood was
cheapest, followed closely by vinyl. Stone and vinyl-coated iron were the most
expensive.
We think the best course of action is to have a stone wall built by Masonry Builders,
Inc., to enclose the new condominium complex.
What additional information is needed for the recommendation report?
A)
recommendations for each type of fencing
B)
conclusions about each option studied
C)
a budget
D)
a task schedule
9.
The air-conditioning system of Marcus Department Store has not been adequately
cooling the store’s first-floor office pod. At this point, the problem is not serious because
three large shade trees overhang this portion of the building and ceiling fans provide air
circulation. Although slumping sales prohibit any large expenditures at this time, the
store’s owner still wants to find out the reasons for the cooling failure. Consequently, his
staff should conduct a study that would provide which of the following?
A)
a proposal
B)
an informational report
C)
a recommendation report
D)
an incident report
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10.
The excerpt below is the beginning of the results section of a recommendation report
about exercise equipment for a new fitness center. What is wrong with the excerpt?
Results
In this section, we describe our research into the best exercise equipment for your new
fitness center. We consulted Consumer Reports and Health Fitness and interviewed Dr.
Hilda Candlish, exercise physiologist, to evaluate the type and quality of equipment that
best meets your needs.
Treadmills
Treadmills are essential equipment for your fitness center, especially with the limited
number of outdoor running trails available in your neighborhood. Johnsung Cardio
Trainer, TreadTrainer SJ928, and the Pacer Elite 1100 are the most popular models
(“Treadmills,” Consumer, p. 102). Studies have shown these models to be the most
effective for cardio health (Candlish). We also researched the ProTread 44 and Precision
Treader models 24 and 28. We found that the SJ928 had the best overall performance
ratings (“Treadmills,” Consumer, p. 103) and is priced very competitively locally
(Sportshoppe, GymTastic). We conclude that your center should purchase a dozen of
these treadmills for zone C of our floor diagram, shown below.
Stationary Bicycles
Both types of stationary bicycles, recumbent and upright, should be available at every
fitness center (Candlish). Though the TrueFitness 356 has the best fitness rating
(Health), it has received low ratings for durability and reliability (“Latest,” Consumer),
and . . .
A)
Conclusions should not be integrated into the results section.
B)
The advance organizer is not needed because each section begins with a subhead.
C)
Because this is a recommendation report, text citations are not needed.
D)
Task lists describing the methodology used should introduce each section.
11.
Jan is a technical writer for Endco, Inc., a company that has just completed a study to
determine whether to convert to a more advanced type of server software. Jan is now
compiling information for a report that will document the study and will be presented to
Endco’s CEO, budget director, and operations manager. Jan made a table showing the
pros and cons of each of the three brands of software under consideration, along with
costs. Endco’s Computer Services director also gave Jan his conclusions about each
brand and suggestions for what the company ought to do next. Which of the following
statements is correct?
A)
Jan should prepare an informational report.
B)
Jan should include the problems that initiated the study.
C)
Jan should not include the Computer Services director’s recommendations because
the CEO is the final decision maker.
D)
Jan’s report should not include the table about software because her most important
readers are not knowledgeable about server software.
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12.
The essential questions answered in the introduction of a recommendation report are
similar to those answered when introducing what other kind of document?
A)
a proposal
B)
an incident report
C)
meeting minutes
D)
a job-application letter
13.
What is the difference between the conclusions section and the recommendations
section of a report?
A)
The two sections are interchangeable.
B)
Conclusions explain what the collected data mean, whereas recommendations list
specific actions to take.
C)
Recommendations explain what the collected data mean, whereas conclusions list
specific actions to take.
D)
Conclusions are directed toward your internal audience, whereas recommendations
are directed toward your external audience.
14.
You are writing a recommendation report about how to improve the quality of your
hotel’s customer service. You believe that an online system called Star Service will
make your hotel’s customer service better. Employees log onto Star Service for 15
minutes every two weeks to watch videos and answer quiz questions. Where should you
mention your recommendation to purchase access to Star Service?
A)
in the executive summary
B)
in an appendix
C)
in the back matter
D)
None of the responses are correct.
15.
You are writing a recommendation report on which vendor of audio-visual services to
hire for your company’s annual conference. The three vendors you considered are
Adams, MicMasters, and Zenith. You concluded that Zenith was by far the best option,
followed by Adams and then MicMasters, both of which were barely satisfactory.
However, you have just learned that the top two managers at Zenith, with whom you
met, have left the company. The personal service provided by these managers was a big
factor in your positive assessment of the company. What recommendation should you
make now?
A)
Recommend Zenith anyway.
B)
Recommend the next best company, Adams.
C)
Recommend postponing a decision until you know more about the new
management at Zenith.
D)
Recommend starting over on the report.
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16.
Which of the following recommendation statements is NOT effective?
A)
NerveCenter software shows excellent potential in helping us increase our
productivity.
B)
We should buy NerveCenter software because other companies have successfully
used it to address problems similar to ours.
C)
We should buy NerveCenter software to address our productivity problem.
D)
We should buy new software to fix our productivity problem.
17.
Which of these is a limitation of a decision matrix?
A)
It is less effective with decision criteria that are primarily qualitative and not
quantitative.
B)
It is less effective with decision criteria that are primarily quantitative and not
qualitative.
C)
Some readers may resist the bottom-line presentation of scores.
D)
None of the responses are correct.
18.
Which of these questions does NOT need to be answered in the footnotes or discussion
following a decision matrix?
A)
Why did you assign that particular weight to each criterion?
B)
What are the most significant findings?
C)
Why did you choose each criterion—or omit one the reader might have expected to
see?
D)
Why did you assign that particular rating to each option?
19.
What is the purpose of providing back matter in a report?
A)
to provide information that elaborates on details in the body of the report
B)
to help readers know where to go for additional information
C)
to give readers answers to questions that the body of the report does not cover
D)
All responses are correct.
20.
What is the purpose of providing front matter in a report?
A)
to help readers understand the whole report and find the information they seek
B)
to give readers answers to questions that the body of the report does not cover
C)
to help readers know what sources to consult for additional information
D)
All responses are correct.
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21.
The introduction to a recommendation report should never mention your
recommendations; only the recommendations section should inform the reader of your
recommendations.
A)
True
B)
False
22.
In the results section of a recommendation report, you should interpret or comment on
the data you have compiled.
A)
True
B)
False
23.
According to Chapter 18, the conclusions section of a typical recommendation report
provides a summary of the report.
A)
True
B)
False
24.
In the recommendations section of a recommendation report, you should avoid
recommending that the organization take no action, or no action at this time.
A)
True
B)
False
25.
According to Chapter 18, the methods section of a recommendation report answers the
question “What equipment did you use in conducting this investigation?”
A)
True
B)
False
26.
According to Chapter 18, the results section of a recommendation report answers the
question “What did you see?”
A)
True
B)
False
27.
According to Chapter 18, decision criteria fall into two categories: necessary and
imperative.
A)
True
B)
False
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28.
According to Chapter 18, you must establish your decision criteria before you determine
your options for addressing the problem.
A)
True
B)
False
29.
According to Chapter 18, a report does not need a letter of transmittal if the writer and
the reader work in the same organization.
A)
True
B)
False
30.
You should always avoid recommending a course of action that is inconsistent with the
conclusions you derived.
A)
True
B)
False
31.
A feasibility report is an argument that answers three kinds of questions. One kind is
questions of possibility. What is one other kind of question?
32.
What fundamental question does the methods section of a recommendation report
answer?
33.
What fundamental question does the results section of a recommendation report answer?
34.
What fundamental question does the conclusions section of a recommendation report
answer?
35.
What fundamental question does the recommendations section of a recommendation
report answer?
36.
The back matter section of a recommendation report serves two primary purposes.
Identify one.
37.
In what order should definitions relevant to a report be presented in a glossary?
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38.
If your report presents multiple recommendations, how should you consider presenting
them?
39.
In a decision matrix, which factor demonstrates a criterion’s importance?
40.
Into what two categories can criteria be classified?
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Answer Key