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1. Which of the following statements about reports in today's business environment is most accurate?
a.
Business writers now deliver reports orally, electronically, or digitally.
b.
Efficient reporting plays an important role in helping organizations sift through data and make decisions.
c.
Business reports range widely in length, purpose, and delivery mode.
d.
All answer choices reflect accurate statements about reports in today's business environment.
2. Reports that present data without analysis or recommendations are
a.
informational reports.
b.
analytical reports.
c.
cost-benefit analysis reports.
d.
justification reports.
3. Which of the following is most likely to be written as an informational report?
a.
A recommendation from the Information Technology Department that your company install a wireless
network
b.
A feasibility study addressing possible tuition reimbursement for employees
c.
A comparison of five handheld communication devices that your company might purchase
d.
A summary of information presented at a recent conference for technical writers
4. Reports that provide data or findings, analyses, and conclusions are
a.
informational reports.
b.
analytical reports.
c.
summaries.
d.
progress reports.
5. Which of the following reports is an example of an analytical report?
a.
A report summarizing the details of a recent seminar you attended
b.
A report recommending an antiterrorism security system for mass transit
c.
A report outlining the new company procedure for reporting workplace injuries
d.
A report showing state budget allocations for education
6. The direct strategy of organization is appropriate for a business report when readers
a.
need to be educated.
b.
must be persuaded.
c.
are informed.
d.
may be disappointed or hostile.
7. When you organize an informational report directly, in what order should the ideas be presented?
a.
Introduction/background, facts/findings, and summary
b.
Introduction/background, summary, and facts/findings
c.
Summary, introduction/background, and facts/findings
d.
The direct strategy presents ideas in any order for maximum effectiveness and flexibility.
8. The indirect strategy of organization is appropriate for a business report when readers
a.
are supportive of the topic.
b.
must be persuaded.
c.
are familiar with the topic.
d.
want to know the results immediately.
9. When you organize an analytical report indirectly, in what order should the ideas be presented?
a.
Introduction/problem, conclusions/recommendations, facts/findings, and discussion/analysis
b.
Introduction/background, facts/findings, and summary
c.
Introduction/problem, facts/findings, discussion/analysis, and conclusions/recommendations
d.
The indirect strategy does not follow a set order of ideas.
10. An informal writing style includes
a.
contractions (for example, wouldn't, don't, they're).
b.
second-person pronouns (for example, you and your).
c.
mainly passive-voice verbs.
d.
longer sentences.
11. Which of the following constructions uses the best writing style for an informal report?
a.
James, Deloitte, and Wilts, Inc., after extensive review of references and credentials of contractors, has
elected to contract with Peck Builders for the new office complex.
b.
We're pleased to announce the selection of Peck Builders as general contractor for our new office complex.
c.
After conducting an exhaustive search of building design elements and cost-efficiency data, the company has
verified the qualifications of Peck Builders.
d.
The findings demonstrate the imperative of selecting a fully qualified and bonded contractor for the new
building project of James, Deloitte, and Wilts, Inc.; that contractor is Peck Builders.
12. Which of the following sentences demonstrates active-voice verbs?
a.
Superior writing skills are required by many employers.
b.
Employee use of e-mail was monitored by management.
c.
Research indicates a correlation between strong writing skills and promotions.
d.
The proposals were carefully reviewed by the screening committee.
13. The format of a report depends primarily on
a.
its topic, recommendations, and organizational pattern.
b.
the writer's command of the English language.
c.
its length, topic, audience, and purpose.
d.
the amount of time the writer devotes to the writing process.
14. You are writing a short informal report that you will send to one of your customers. Which format would be most
appropriate?
a.
Letter format
b.
Memo or e-mail format
c.
Manuscript format
d.
Preprinted form
15. You are writing a short informal report that will stay inside your organization. Which format would be most
appropriate?
a.
Letter format
b.
Memo or e-mail format
c.
Manuscript format
d.
Preprinted form
16. You work for a development firm and must explain to a customer the results of a year-long study of potential sites for
new stores. In what format should you develop this report?
a.
Memo or e-mail format
b.
Preprinted form
c.
Letter format
d.
Manuscript format
17. You are an inventory specialist for a retail store. Your boss has asked you to compile a year-end report listing the
merchandise sold each month through the company's website. In what format should you present this data?
a.
Memo or e-mail format
b.
Preprinted form
c.
Letter format
d.
Manuscript format
18. Which statement about digital slide decks is most accurate?
a.
Many business writers deliver their informal reports as digital slideshows, which are also called slide decks.
b.
Slide decks are more inviting to read than hard copies of informal reports.
c.
Slide decks are often used by individuals in marketing, technology, media, entertainment, and consulting.
d.
All answer choices are accurate statements about digital slide decks.
19. Headings that show the sections of a report are called
a.
talking headings.
b.
signposts.
c.
functional headings.
d.
cross-sectional divisions.
20. Headings that provide specific information about the content of a report section are called
a.
talking headings.
b.
signposts.
c.
functional headings.
d.
cross-sectional divisions.
21. Which of the following is a talking heading?
a.
IT Outsourcing
b.
Savings
c.
Cost Savings
d.
Projected Cost Savings for IT Outsourcing
22. Katherine must use headings in a report. What should she do to make sure that her headings are effective?
a.
Place first- and second-level headings in all capital letters.
b.
Use a period after each stand-alone bolded heading.
c.
End a page with a heading to entice her audience to read the report further.
d.
Include at least one heading per report page.
23. The purpose of most business reports is to
a.
present data.
b.
answer questions.
c.
solve problems.
d.
All answer choices provide purposes for business reports.
24. When you receive an assignment to write a report, you should begin the report-writing process by
a.
determining the appropriate format.
b.
analyzing or determining the purpose.
c.
beginning your research.
d.
looking for someone else to write the report.
25. To help you clarify a report problem, you should write a
a.
thesis statement.
b.
transitional sentence.
c.
problem statement.
d.
topic sentence.
26. Which of the following is the best statement of purpose for a report?
a.
A wellness program will improve the health of all employees.
b.
Most companies offer voluntary wellness programs.
c.
Wellness programs have proven to be effective in improving the health of individuals.
d.
Establish a wellness incentive program for all employees.
27. One of the most important steps in writing an informal report is that of
a.
gathering information.
b.
using the direct organizational strategy.
c.
using the indirect organizational strategy.
d.
incorporating figurative language.
28. Primary data
a.
result from reading what others have experienced or observed and recorded.
b.
come from firsthand experience and observation.
c.
are the only type of factual information that should be included in informal reports.
d.
include printed materials found in libraries or through electronic resources.
29. Many business writers begin their report research by
a.
conducting interviews.
b.
observing others.
c.
constructing questionnaires and inventories.
d.
visiting company records and files.
30. What type of research source provides the best firsthand information?
a.
Web pages or articles
b.
Interviews
c.
Company records
d.
Databases
31. Reports that describe periodic, recurring activities or situational, nonrecurring events are
a.
justification/recommendation reports.
b.
informational reports.
c.
analytical reports.
d.
yardstick reports.
32. Most informational reports are written
a.
using the indirect organizational strategy.
b.
by only top business executives.
c.
using a formal writing style.
d.
for a neutral or receptive audience.
33. Kendra just attended a sales conference in Baltimore. She must now write a report summarizing her conference. What
advice should she follow?
a.
Mention every topic that was discussed at the conference.
b.
Begin her report by identifying the event.
c.
Use a chronological organizational pattern.
d.
Avoid the use of headings or bullets so that the reader does not become distracted.
34. A report that gives status updates on a current project is called
a.
the minutes of a meeting.
b.
an analytical report.
c.
a progress report.
d.
a summary.
35. Which of the following situations might require a progress report?
a.
The work of a committee preparing for an open house when a new wing of a hospital is completed
b.
The reporting of monthly sales figures for all divisions
c.
A study of whether a company should provide on-site childcare
d.
A one-page summary of a long article in The Wall Street Journal
36. Progress reports should include
a.
any background information if it gives the reader a better perspective.
b.
the purpose and nature of the project in the opening of the report.
c.
an explanation of the work currently in progress, including names, activities, methods used, and locations.
d.
A progress report should include all these elements.
37. As chairperson of a customer service task force, you must update management on your team's progress. What kind of
report will you write?
a.
Justification/recommendation report
b.
Trip report
c.
Progress report
d.
Feasibility report
38. A record of the proceedings of a meeting is called
a.
a progress report.
b.
an analytical report.
c.
a summary.
d.
the minutes.
39. Thomas is in charge of taking formal minutes during an Institute of Internal Auditors chapter meeting. Which of the
following is the best advice for him to follow as he prepares these minutes?
a.
Record only new business because old business will appear in previous minutes.
b.
Avoid using the exact wording of motions because that would be too time consuming.
c.
Record voting results and actions taken.
d.
Omit his name and signature as the person recording the minutes because he is acting on behalf of the
organization.
40. What kind of report condenses the primary ideas from a book, report, article, website, meeting, or convention?
a.
Progress report
b.
Justification/recommendation report
c.
Summary
d.
Analytical report
41. A summary should condense a report or article by what percentage?
a.
5 percent
b.
25 percent
c.
85 to 90 percent
d.
50 percent
42. Which of the following is the best advice to follow when writing a summary?
a.
Include specific examples from the report, article, or book you are summarizing.
b.
Copy passages word for word to ensure that you cover the main ideas.
c.
Avoid headings or lists to prevent reader distraction.
d.
State the main idea or purpose as well as the source of the document being summarized.
43. Your current assignment is to condense a 200-page government policy report on oil drilling in Alaska into a shorter
report for Sierra Club members to read. What kind of informational report would you most likely write?
a.
Trip report
b.
Summary
c.
Meeting minutes
d.
Progress report
44. How do informational reports and analytical reports differ?
a.
Informational reports emphasize facts; analytical reports emphasize reasoning and conclusions.
b.
Informational reports are intended for internal audiences; analytical reports are intended for external
audiences.
c.
Informational reports are written using a formal writing style; analytical reports are written using an informal
writing style.
d.
Informational reports emphasize reasoning and conclusions; analytical reports emphasize facts.
45. The purpose of a justification/recommendation report is to
a.
justify or recommend actions.
b.
summarize the progress of an ongoing project.
c.
examine the practicality and advisability of following a specific course of action.
d.
examine problems with two or more solutions.
46. In what order should you organize your ideas when you believe your audience will be agreeable to the suggestions in
your justification/recommendation report?
a.
Announce the recommendation, explain the recommendation, identify the problem or need, and provide
necessary action.
b.
Provide necessary action, identify the problem or need, announce the recommendation, and explain the
recommendation.
c.
Identify the problem or need, announce the recommendation, explain the recommendation, and provide
necessary action.
d.
Identify the problem or need, provide necessary action, announce the recommendation, and explain the
recommendation.
47. Your department needs a new copier, and your job is to research the options. Based on your research, you have
selected an all-in-one machine that you believe will be cost effective and will perform well. What kind of report would
you write to present your findings?
a.
Feasibility report
b.
Justification/recommendation report
c.
Yardstick report
d.
Progress report
48. Your company currently processes its payroll internally but is considering the use of an external accounting firm. You
are in charge of determining whether your company should proceed with this plan. What kind of report would you most
likely write?
a.
Feasibility report
b.
Progress report
c.
Informational report
d.
Summary
