Question 1

What fundamental question does the conclusions section of a recommendation report answer?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What fundamental question does the conclusions section...

Question 2

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?

Accepted Answer

The other two kinds

Question 3

What fundamental question does the methods section of a recommendation report answer?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What fundamental question does the methods section...

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

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. 
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.

Question 5

The essential questions answered in the introduction of a recommendation report are similar to those answered when introducing what other kind of document?

Accepted Answer

A)  a proposal 
B)  an incident report 
C)  meeting minutes 
D)  a job-application letter 
A)  a proposal 
B)  an incident report 
C)  meeting minutes 
D)  a job-application letter

Question 6

the results section of a recommendation report answers the question "What did you see?"

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

What is the difference between the conclusions section and the recommendations section of a report?

Accepted Answer

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. 
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.

Question 8

decision criteria fall into two categories: necessary and imperative.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

What is the name for a table or spreadsheet used to systematically evaluate options according to specific criteria?

Accepted Answer

A)  problem-solving model 
B)  recommendation generator 
C)  decision matrix 
D)  flowchart 
A)  problem-solving model 
B)  recommendation generator 
C)  decision matrix 
D)  flowchart

Question 10

What fundamental question does the results section of a recommendation report answer?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What fundamental question does the results section...

Question 11

In a decision matrix, which factor demonstrates a criterion's importance?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a decision matrix, which factor demonstrates...

Question 12

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?

Accepted Answer

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 
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

Question 13

Which of these is a limitation of a decision matrix?

Accepted Answer

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. 
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.

Question 14

What is the purpose of providing front matter in a report?

Accepted Answer

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. 
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.

Question 15

the conclusions section of a typical recommendation report provides a summary of the report.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which of the following questions would be answered in a feasibility report?

Accepted Answer

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? 
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?

Question 17

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?

Accepted Answer

A)  a proposal 
B)  an informational report 
C)  a recommendation report 
D)  an incident report 
A)  a proposal 
B)  an informational report 
C)  a recommendation report 
D)  an incident report

Question 18

In the results section of a recommendation report, you should interpret or comment on the data you have compiled.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Which of the following recommendation statements is NOT effective?

Accepted Answer

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. 
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.

Question 20

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 . . .

Accepted Answer

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. 
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.

What fundamental question does the conclusions section of a recommendation report answer?

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?

What fundamental question does the methods section of a recommendation report answer?

The essential questions answered in the introduction of a recommendation report are similar to those answered when introducing what other kind of document?

the results section of a recommendation report answers the question "What did you see?"

What is the difference between the conclusions section and the recommendations section of a report?

decision criteria fall into two categories: necessary and imperative.

What is the name for a table or spreadsheet used to systematically evaluate options according to specific criteria?

What fundamental question does the results section of a recommendation report answer?

In a decision matrix, which factor demonstrates a criterion's importance?

Which of these is a limitation of a decision matrix?

What is the purpose of providing front matter in a report?

the conclusions section of a typical recommendation report provides a summary of the report.

Which of the following questions would be answered in a feasibility report?

In the results section of a recommendation report, you should interpret or comment on the data you have compiled.

Which of the following recommendation statements is NOT effective?

Introduction to Technical Communication

Understanding Ethical and Legal Considerations

Writing Technical Documents

Writing Collaboratively

Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose

Researching Your Subject

Organizing Your Information

Communicating Persuasively

Emphasizing Important Information

Writing Correct and Effective Sentences

Designing Print and Online Documents

Creating Graphics

Reviewing, Evaluating, and Testing Documents and Web Sites

Writing Correspondence

Writing Job-Application Materials

Writing Proposals

Writing Informational Reports

Writing Lab Reports

Writing Definitions, Descriptions, and Instructions

Making Oral Presentations

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Exam 18: Writing Recommendation Reports

What fundamental question does the conclusions section of a recommendation report answer?

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?

What fundamental question does the methods section of a recommendation report answer?

The essential questions answered in the introduction of a recommendation report are similar to those answered when introducing what other kind of document?

the results section of a recommendation report answers the question "What did you see?"

What is the difference between the conclusions section and the recommendations section of a report?

decision criteria fall into two categories: necessary and imperative.

What is the name for a table or spreadsheet used to systematically evaluate options according to specific criteria?

What fundamental question does the results section of a recommendation report answer?

In a decision matrix, which factor demonstrates a criterion's importance?

Which of these is a limitation of a decision matrix?

What is the purpose of providing front matter in a report?

the conclusions section of a typical recommendation report provides a summary of the report.

Which of the following questions would be answered in a feasibility report?

In the results section of a recommendation report, you should interpret or comment on the data you have compiled.

Which of the following recommendation statements is NOT effective?

Introduction to Technical Communication

Understanding Ethical and Legal Considerations

Writing Technical Documents

Writing Collaboratively

Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose

Researching Your Subject

Organizing Your Information

Communicating Persuasively

Emphasizing Important Information

Writing Correct and Effective Sentences

Designing Print and Online Documents

Creating Graphics

Reviewing, Evaluating, and Testing Documents and Web Sites

Writing Correspondence

Writing Job-Application Materials

Writing Proposals

Writing Informational Reports

Writing Lab Reports

Writing Definitions, Descriptions, and Instructions

Making Oral Presentations

Filters