Report Writing MCQs

Report Writing MCQs

These Report Writing multiple-choice questions and their answers will help you strengthen your grip on the subject of Report Writing. You can prepare for an upcoming exam or job interview with these 100+ Report Writing MCQs.
So scroll down and start answering.

1: True or False? A report should have a clear, distinct title.

A.   True

B.   False

2: To what extent should personal pronouns be used in reports?

A.   They should be completely avoided.

B.   They are acceptable in most circumstances.

C.   They should be used to establish familiarity with the reader.

D.   They should be alternated with impersonal pronouns.

3: When should field-specific terminology be used in a report?

A.   Hardly ever

B.   As necessary

C.   Whenever possible

4: What purpose do references serve?

A.   They prevent challenges to the authority and logic of the report.

B.   (All of these)

C.   They validate the data presented.

D.   They enable the reader to pursue further inquiry.

5: At what stage in the report-writing process should you consider the report's audience?

A.   When compiling information for the report

B.   (All of these)

C.   When determining the report's purpose

D.   When drafting the report

6: Which of the following should NOT be used when writing a report?

A.   Informal jargon

B.   Technical terms

C.   Formal language

7: What enhances readability in a report?

A.   (All of these)

B.   Variety in paragraph length

C.   Sentences that average 14 words or fewer

D.   Prepositions that do not exceed a ratio of 1 per 11 words

8: Which of the following could influence a report's style?

A.   Requirements of submission

B.   Policy of report requester

C.   (All of these)

D.   Background of author

9: Which of the following may be included in a properly formatted report?

A.   (All of these)

B.   Numbered ideas

C.   Bulleted points

D.   Enumerated claims

10: Which of the following parts of speech may be used in reports?

A.   Coordinating conjunctions

B.   Transition phrases

C.   (All of these)

D.   Prepositional phrases

11: Which of the following may be a subject for a report?

A.   Business

B.   History

C.   (All of these)

D.   Finance

12: In which setting are you likely to be asked to write a report?

A.   A classroom

B.   (All of these)

C.   A law office

D.   A business

13: True or False? Reports should be written using slang.

A.   False

B.   True

14: True or False? Analysis is permissible in a report.

A.   False

B.   True

15: True or False? Poor formatting will likely affect a report's reception.

A.   True

B.   False

16: The use of fonts, page layout, page numbers, and labels for graphics constitute what aspect of a report?

A.   The references

B.   The format

C.   The captions

D.   The research

17: True or False? While reports may include analysis, their primary purpose is to present quantifiable information.

A.   False

B.   True

18: Because people absorb information differently, how can a writer supplement the writing in their report?

A.   With videotapes

B.   With panel discussions

C.   With graphics

D.   With audiotapes

19: Select the sentence that is most suitable for a report in terms of language and grammar.

A.   In conclusion, while it is clear sales were low in the first quarter, by taking the measures outlined above, you can expect increased profit in Q3.

B.   In conclusion, while it's clear sales were low in Q1, by taking the measures outlined above, I'm expecting increased profit this year.

C.   In conclusion, while it is clear sales were low in the first quarter, by taking the measures outlined above, the company may expect increased profit in the third quarter.

20: True or False? A report should emphasize the writer's opinion.

A.   True

B.   False

21: Which of the following best describes how reports should be formatted?

A.   Reports should be formatted according to context-specific guidelines.

B.   Reports should be formatted according to business-world standards.

22: Which of the following elements enhance professionalism in a report?

A.   Alphanumeric listings, title page

B.   Proper editing, the use of business language

C.   A wide range of citations, an arresting title

23: What question will help the writer break the topic into subtopics?

A.   Has this topic undergone considerable examination already?

B.   Will the readers of this report understand its purpose?

C.   Where does my expertise lie?

D.   What are the main points I want the reader to know?

24: True or False? A report should be written without using traditional paragraphs.

A.   True

B.   False

25: What is most important to remember when including graphics?

A.   They should be divided between the Body and the Appendix.

B.   They should be varied.

C.   They should be simple.

D.   They should be relevant.

26: The Table of Contents is derived from which source?

A.   The bibliography

B.   The hypothesis

C.   The outline

D.   The abstract

A.   Dependent clauses

B.   Transitional words and phrases

C.   Intransitive verbs

D.   Noun clauses

28: Which of the following should be avoided as supporting information in an academic report, even if it is relevant to the report's topic and scope?

A.   Historic facts

B.   (All of these)

C.   Statistics

D.   Personal experience

29: Which of the following best describes the information in the Bibliography?

A.   References used in researching and writing the report

B.   The resources most used by the writer

C.   The leading authorities on the subject and the institutions with which they are affiliated

D.   The most respected journals in the field

30: Which of the following is NOT part of the outlining process?

A.   Deciding what will be included

B.   Determining line breaks, margin size, and font

C.   Gathering relevant information

D.   Ascertaining who the audience will be

31: What three things should be evident when graphics are presented?

A.   Numbers, documentation, numerical depiction

B.   Labels, consistency, reference to the graphic in the body of the report.

C.   Identification, sophistication, science

D.   Facilitation of understanding, linkage, up-to-date information

32: Which of the following is the least effective way to finish a report?

A.   Recommending actions or tasks

B.   Reiterating the objectives

C.   Recalling a personal anecdote

D.   Reviewing the main points

33: Which of the following can be included as supporting information in a business report, presuming it is relevant to the report's topic and scope?

A.   (All of these)

B.   Statistics

C.   Personal experience

D.   Historic facts

34: Which type of punctuation should be used least in reports?

A.   Semi-colons

B.   Parentheses

C.   Exclamation points

D.   Question marks

35: Considering language and grammar, which of the following sentences is most appropriate for inclusion in a report?

A.   The 28 team members averaged a 30% return on client business in the last two months.

B.   Our 28 team members are averaging a 30% return on client business over two months.

C.   The 28 team members and I should've averaged 30% return on client business in two months.

D.   You 28 team members averaged 30% return on client business in the last two months.

36: True or False? The conclusion paragraph should be written during the outlining process.

A.   True

B.   False

37: Which sentence type is used most frequently in reports?

A.   Declarative

B.   Imperative

C.   Exclamatory

D.   Interrogatory

38: Which of the following is the least effective title for a history report?

A.   Changes in England: Reign of George III

B.   Changes in England: The Regency Period

C.   Changes in England: An Analysis

D.   Changes in England: Review of 1811-1819

39: "Brainstorming" and "mindmapping" are strategies for which aspect of the report-writing process?

A.   Maintaining a professional voice

B.   Outlining

C.   Incorporating optional elements

D.   Presenting information logically

40: Select the evidence that would best contribute to a sales report written for a manufacturer.

A.   Amount of product sold last month

B.   Amount of sales managers

C.   Attitude of sales representatives

D.   Analysis of product development

41: How is report writing distinguished from other kinds of writing?

A.   By its use of questions

B.   By a dependence on metrics

C.   By a formal tone

D.   By the inclusion of scientific topics

42: True or false? Reports are best written in active voice.

A.   False

B.   True

43: True or False? Guidelines for a report, if provided, should only be checked before beginning to write.

A.   False

B.   True

44: What is the primary purpose of the Recommendations section of a report?

A.   To demonstrate that the writer has conducted extensive research

B.   To validate the logical direction of the report

C.   To structure the discussion

D.   To enable the reader to make an informed decision

45: Of the listed steps, which should be taken last when writing a report?

A.   Outlining points

B.   Writing a draft

C.   Gathering evidence

46: What is another term for "Executive Summary"?

A.   Bibliography

B.   Abstract

C.   Conclusion

D.   Recommendations

47: Select the evidence that would least contribute to a team performance report written for a business.

A.   Descriptions of employees' attitudes

B.   Interpretations of employees' personal activities

C.   Information about employees' productivity

D.   Details regarding employees' tardiness

48: When should contractions be used in a report?

A.   Throughout

B.   In direct quotations

C.   In body paragraphs

D.   In the introduction and conclusion

49: Where is the best place to explain a graphic?

A.   In the paragraphs following the insertion of the graphic

B.   In the near text preceding the graphic

C.   In the introduction

D.   In the Conclusion portion of the report

50: Which combination reflects optional elements of a report?

A.   Abstract, Introduction, Table of Contents

B.   Title page, Body, Conclusion

C.   Glossary, Recommendations, Bibliography

51: What does the phrase "specific-to-general" mean?

A.   A method of organizing the information in a report

B.   The deductive method of presenting data

C.   A means of establishing credibility among readers

D.   An approach used exclusively for scientific reports

52: Which of the following appear in the first and final sections of a report, respectively?

A.   The Introduction and the Conclusion

B.   The Body and the Conclusion

C.   The Introduction and the Recommendations

D.   The Title and the Citations

53: Which pair are opposite means of organizing information in a report?

A.   Chronological/Biographical

B.   Topical/Subtopical

C.   Bibliographic/Linear

D.   Inductive/Deductive

54: True or False? A completed outline MUST be strictly adhered to during the writing process.

A.   True

B.   False

55: How should you begin an organized report-writing process?

A.   Brainstorm discussion points

B.   Write a thorough outline

C.   Identify the topic

56: A report is similar to an essay in that both need:

A.   analytical thinking

B.   always need references and bibliography

C.   presents an argument

57: True or False? A report should be typed in Times New Roman, 12-point font in all contexts.

A.   False

B.   True

58: What contributes to making a report easy to read?

A.   The use of formal language

B.   The inclusion of appendices

C.   Explanations that go into depth

D.   The use of graphics

59: What term refers to a pronoun that does not show a clear relationship?

A.   Dangling participle

B.   Law of Proximity

C.   Indefinite antecedent

D.   Passive voice

60: What is the essential reason for writing a report?

A.   To report findings

B.   To reach a conclusion based on research

C.   To organize important information

D.   To provide information so the reader can make a decision

61: Which of these is true of the Abstract?

A.   It has about 100-500 words as a rule.

B.   It focuses on the conclusions reached.

C.   It is designed for presenting the methodology used.

D.   It is the first thing to be written.

62: Should a report contain the writer's opinion?

A.   No, because a report is not an essay.

B.   No, because reports are based entirely on quantifiable information.

C.   Yes, because facts and opinions are entwined as a rule.

D.   Yes, but only if it is clearly differentiated from the facts presented.

63: Which verb tense should be used most frequently when writing a report?

A.   Present tense

B.   Past tense

C.   Future tense

64: How important is the Executive Summary in a report?

A.   It's an optional element

B.   A report that doesn't include it is considered unprofessional

C.   It's an essential element

D.   It is useful only if the readers are executives

65: Which of the following should typically be used to cite outside sources included in a report?

A.   AMA style

B.   APA style

C.   (None of these)

D.   MLA style

66: Which optional element in a report reflects goals and objectives?

A.   The recommendations

B.   The letter of transmittal

C.   The abstract

D.   The overview

67: When providing an either/or choice, what determines the correct verb usage?

A.   The antecedent cited most often

B.   The preceding pronoun to which the noun alludes

C.   The first noun listed

D.   The noun that is closer to the verb

68: Which of the following points of view is LEAST commonly used to write a report?

A.   Third person

B.   First person

C.   Second person

69: Which of the following is the best way to designate the most important sections of a report?

A.   With capital letters

B.   With Roman numerals

C.   With boldface

70: If a pronoun is preceded by a preposition, what case will the pronoun take?

A.   Passive

B.   Subjective

C.   Objective

D.   Active

71: Which of the following is not a suitable topic for a report?

A.   (These are all acceptable)

B.   A sales program analysis

C.   A literary review

D.   A scientific methodology

72: Which of the following is always included in a correctly formatted report?

A.   (All of these)

B.   Numbered pages

C.   Table of contents

D.   Sub-section titles

73: Which of the following is the most important concern a journalist should have when writing a report about an event?

A.   To entertain the reader, even if the facts are challenged

B.   To get the story in on or before deadline

C.   To be factually accurate, given the report is about real people and a real event

D.   To impress the managing editor and receive a promotion

74: Which of the following is commonly found at the end of a business report?

A.   Recommendations and/or appendices

B.   Thank-you notes

C.   A selection of future works by the same author

D.   Lists of popular websites

E.   Personal and business advertisements

75: The term "executive summary" refers to ______________.

A.   a section included in the beginning of a report that summarizes the report's findings, conclusions, and subsequent recommendations

B.   the methodology used to arrive at the report's conclusions

C.   a section placed after the report's recommendations that lists future, more expansive, and more detailed publications planned by the same writer

D.   an extra document that summarizes the report and that is meant for separate publication

E.   None of the above

76: The term "executive summary" refers to ______________.

A.   a section included in the beginning of a report that summarizes the report's findings, conclusions, and subsequent recommendations

B.   the methodology used to arrive at the report's conclusions

C.   a section placed after the report's recommendations that lists future, more expansive, and more detailed publications planned by the same writer

D.   an extra document that summarizes the report and that is meant for separate publication

E.   None of the above

77: Which of the following is essential when writing a report about a sporting event?

A.   Updating the readers on the league or competition as a whole

B.   Conveying the drama of the game, its atmosphere, its stand-out performances, and the end result

C.   Including the outcome or score in the first line of the report

D.   Providing a list of injuries endured by the participants

E.   Including phrases like "Wow!" and "Goal!" and "That must have hurt!" in the report

78: All of the following are good preparation techniques for presenting a report to an audience EXCEPT _______________.

A.   reading the report aloud to oneself before delivering it to the audience.

B.   timing the report and reading without rushing.

C.   checking the report for factual, statistical, grammatical, and other errors.

D.   anticipating and preparing answers for questions likely to be asked by the audience.

E.   All of the above are good preparation techniques for presenting a report to an audience.

79: If a writer is legally licensed to copy an online report, which of the following methods is available to transfer the report to other readers or potential publishers?

A.   Pasting into an e-mail

B.   Uploading to a blog

C.   Uploading to GoogleDocs

D.   Attaching to an e-mail

E.   All of the above

80: In terms of page layout, how does the presentation structure of an online report differ from that of a hard copy?

A.   A hard copy would have a linear layout, whereas online the report could either be divided into separate web pages or included in one long page.

B.   The hard copy would have exactly the same layout as the online version.

C.   Online copy always takes twice as many pages as hard copy.

D.   Online copy always takes half as many pages as hard copy.

E.   The hard copy would have an asymmetrical layout, whereas the online version would be linear.

81: Which of the following is NOT part of the primary, researched body of a business report?

A.   Discussion

B.   Contents page

C.   Methodology

D.   Findings and results

82: Which of the following items are not critical but should be included in any extended or detailed business report?

A.   Table of contents and/or letter of transmittal

B.   List of abbreviations and/or glossary

C.   Recommendations

D.   Bibliography and/or appendices

E.   All of the above should be included in a detailed business report

83: Which of the following skills are essential for good business report writing?

A.   Formal writing style

B.   Analytical thinking

C.   Careful proofreading and clean presentation

D.   All of the above

84: Which of the following options shows the series of steps involved in creating a statistical business report?

A.   Collect the data and ensure all figures are presented, even if they are not all explained

B.   Ensure that all figures are explained and cut those that cannot be explained

C.   Isolate the problem, collect the data, conduct the study, and prepare to report the results

D.   Collect the data, present the data in the introduction, and write a conclusion

85: Which of the following options represents the ESSENTIAL sections of a business report?

A.   Cover page, argument, body, conclusion

B.   Title page, preface, introduction, conclusion

C.   Title page, preface, body, epilogue

D.   Title page, introduction, body, conclusion

E.   Cover page, title page, introduction, body, conclusion

86: Which of the following should a writer absolutely avoid when writing a factual and argumentative business report?

A.   The inclusion of irrelevant or outdated data

B.   The use of diagrams and carefully numbered pages

C.   The inclusion of unsupported recommendations and conclusions

D.   Vague separation between opinions and facts

E.   a, c and d

87: Which of the following is NOT a primary function of a business report?

A.   To assist in the business decision-making process

B.   To inform and educate as succinctly and clearly as possible

C.   To present solutions for business problems

D.   To negotiate different points of view and adopt one view for the business

88: Which of the following activities is/are highly important when trying to increase readership for an online report?

A.   Advertise the blog or webpage on other sites as well as off-line.

B.   Include plenty of keywords in the report.

C.   Add external and internal links to the blog or webpage.

D.   All of the above

89:

Which of the following options represents correct numbering format for a business report?

A.  

1.0 ______________________________________ 1.1 _______________________________ 1.2 _______________________________ 1.2.1 ________________________ 1.2.2 ________________________ 1.2.2.1 _______________ 1.2.2.2 _______________ 2.0 ________________________________________ 2.1 _________________________________

B.  

I ________________________________________ A ________________________________ B ________________________________ 1 __________________________ 2 __________________________ (a) ___________________ (b) ___________________ II ________________________________________ A ________________________________

C.  

Neither format is correct.

D.  

Both formats may be used.

90: The term "news story" refers to _________________.

A.   an article that reports on occurrences from the previous three hours

B.   a personal account of recent events, similar to an editorial or "op ed"

C.   an article that deals with crime, politics, or health issues

D.   any factual, objective, and fairly short account of an event

91: Which of the following options shows the correct layout of a business report?

A.   Identifying information -> Background information -> Supporting data -> Project definition -> Conclusions

B.   Background information -> Identifying information -> supporting data -> Project definition -> Conclusions

C.   Identifying information -> Project definition -> Background information -> Supporting data -> Conclusions

92: When writing a report on a sporting event, why is it important that the report be submitted on time and that the outcome of the match be double checked?

A.   So that the report is accurate and free of numerical and factual errors and can be printed or broadcast in a timely manner

B.   So that the report can be broadcast to the greatest number of viewers possible

C.   So that the writer can obtain a bonus or possibly a promotion.

93: The Methodology section of the Executive Summary of a presentation report generally describes ________________.

A.   the methods by which the writer arrived at his conclusions

B.   how the introduction has been shaped into the conclusion

C.   Both a and b

D.   the statistical tools and techniques that were used for the study

94: Which of the following should NEVER be included in a presentation report?

A.   Sensitive material related to the chosen topic, even if the information is true

B.   The writer's name

C.   A request for additional funds for the project

D.   Careless, outdated, or conflicting data

E.   The name and contact details of the writer's supervisor

95: The main purpose of a business report is to ______________.

A.   tell a story

B.   share opinions

C.   present information

96: Which of the following file formats is/are suitable for photographs used in online reports?

A.   JPG

B.   DUB

C.   GIF

D.   TIF

E.   a, c, and d

97: Which of the following options shows the correct series of steps involved in writing a business report?

A.   Determine the scope of the report -> Understand the target audience -> Research and collect supporting material -> Organize and format the report

B.   Understand the target audience -> Research and collect supporting material -> Organize and format the report -> Determine the scope of the report

C.   Determine the scope of the report -> Understand the target audience -> Organize and format the report -> Research and collect supporting material

98: Which of the following is an online method that could be useful for disseminating information about a report?

A.   Sending the occasional e-mail to a friend

B.   Using billboards and placards in the street

C.   Using online conference rooms or message boards

D.   Typing in the report to as many computers as possible

99: Which part of a journalistic report is called the "lead"?

A.   The last paragraph

B.   The first sentence

C.   The first paragraph

D.   The first page

E.   The final page

100: When referring to journalistic reports, the term "localizing" refers to ______________.

A.   paying attention to global facts and interest in the story so the writer can match the broader details to the smaller picture

B.   paying attention to local politics above all other local concerns

C.   paying attention to local facts and interest in the story so that readers are more engaged and can relate more closely to the material

D.   selling the report to local newspapers and other media institutions

E.   b and d