Deck 14: Writing Proposals

Question 1

When preparing a budget for a proposal, you should ask for few sample requirements to get a general sense of the scope of the project.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Mira is writing a proposal to the Sierra Club for a project titled "Puget Sound Watershed Cleanup." The project aims at removing garbage and pollutants from creeks in her local area. Which of the following is most likely to be a primary goal of her proposal?

A) to analyze the extent of cleanup needed
B) to review the feasibility of the project and the possible outcome
C) to analyze the costs and resources required for the project
D) to gather current statistic figures of pollutants
E) to get the project accepted by the Sierra Club

Answer 2

E

Question 3

Proposals are sometimes viewed as tools for

A) analyzing competition.
B) managing change.
C) recruiting workers.
D) improving public relations.
E) reviewing progress.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

A manager finds that a lot of his employees are demotivated and is convinced that the work culture of the company is the reason behind it. Since he is not sure how to bring about a change in the company culture, he seeks a proposal from the Human Resource department. Which of the following should such a proposal provide?

A) a list of measurable outcomes
B) a plan for achieving the desired change
C) a record of the evaluation process
D) an assessment whether change is a good idea
E) a record of the implementation process

Question 5

Proposals are generally created when the proposed project

A) is shorter than routine work.
B) is less costly than routine work.
C) is similar to routine work.
D) requires less time and effort than routine work.
E) creates larger changes than routine work.

Question 6

Aiko is preparing a proposal for a class research project. In the "call to action" section, she should ask the instructor for suggestions on improving the research plan.

Question 7

A good business plan should emphasize sales forecasts, market potential, and other financial information.

Question 8

A graduate student applies to the National Science Foundation seeking funds for her research project. Which of the following types of proposal is she most likely to produce?

A) an evaluation proposal
B) a supplemental proposal
C) a noncompetitive proposal
D) an unsolicited proposal
E) a competitive proposal

Question 9

A proposal that goes to an outside organization is usually considered to be a legally binding document.

Question 10

Which of the following is true of competitive proposals?

A) They are evaluated on their own merits rather than in comparison to other proposals.
B) They are never used in applications for research funding.
C) They are used when many different proposals seek access to the same limited resources.
D) They are always awarded to the less qualified agent.
E) They are typically used when a company seeks internal suggestions for saving money.

Question 11

Proposals are typically written for jobs that differ from routine work in their length, complexity, cost, or impact on an organization or group.

Question 12

If a company is unsure about whether it needs to change, a proposal serves the purpose of

A) forcing the change to happen.
B) developing a plan for achieving the desired change.
C) implementing a suitable plan to meet the company's needs.
D) identifying the measurable outcomes of possible changes.
E) assessing whether change is a good idea.

Question 13

The methods section of a proposal should describe how you will get information needed to answer the questions posed in the other sections of the proposal.

Question 14

While writing a sales proposal, you should focus on the seller's priorities.

Question 15

Proposals should be prepared under the assumption that all members of the audience will be experts in the subject matter.

Question 16

If a company needs to change and knows what needs to be done, but it needs help doing it, a proposal helps in

A) assessing whether change is a good idea.
B) providing a plan for achieving desired changes.
C) providing insight on positive and negative impacts.
D) implementing the plan to bring about the change.
E) suggesting alternate outcomes if it decides not to change.

Question 17

Which of the following is true of noncompetitive proposals?

A) They are used when many organizations are vying for a single contract.
B) They consist primarily of applications for research funding.
C) They are typically the only proposal contending for available resources.
D) They are always awarded to the lowest bidder.
E) They are rarely accepted for implementation.

Question 18

You should begin a proposal with a brief, but strong, summary of the major benefits of having you do the work.

Question 19

The brainstorming process for creating proposals should begin by considering audience, context, and

A) budget.
B) timeline.
C) competition.
D) strategy.
E) purposes.

Question 20

A proposal has one primary goal: to secure approval for a project.

Question 21

Which of the following is a feature of a good work schedule for a proposal?

A) It provides idealistic time-frames for challenging activities.
B) It does not include extra time for unexpected snags and delays.
C) It acknowledges that you may be unable to complete work within the deadline.
D) It provides realistic estimates for each activity.
E) It avoids using a chart or other visual aids.

Question 22

Which of the following would be the most helpful evidence in showing that your organization is capable of completing a large project?

A) low budget estimates
B) accurate preliminary data
C) an urgent call to action
D) an aggressive timeline
E) an ambitious or novel strategy

Question 23

Samang works for Early Advantage, a children's rights organization, and is writing a proposal as part of a campaign he is working on to improve STEM education. The proposal is written with the aim of seeking funds from a large corporation for the purchase of computers for underprivileged school children in Taiwan. Which of the following sentences should Samang be using in his proposal?

A) "The campaign has massive potential to improve STEM education in the Chung-li city of Taiwan."
B) "The campaign will transform the current education system in Chung-li city."
C) "The campaign will help educate children in 20 districts in Chung-li city."
D) "We feel that the campaign will educate children in 20 districts in Chung-li city."
E) "I believe the campaign has huge capacity to transform the education system of Taiwan."

Question 24

Which of the following should you undertake in order to write a good proposal?

A) Use a language that your audience expects to see and understand.
B) Use bragging wording to gain the respect of your audience.
C) Use "believing" wording to make your arguments more convincing.
D) Choose an unexpected format to capture your audience's attention.
E) Avoid the use of facts and figures, which makes your proposal boring.

Question 25

The problem/opportunity section of a proposal for a student report should address which of the following questions?

A) Why does a certain issue need to be solved?
B) How do you know that an opportunity can be explored?
C) What watchdog audiences may read the report?
D) Can a solution be found in the available time?
E) Who will be affected by a recommendation?

Question 26

Jayla is planning to write a proposal titled "The Harmful Impact of Chemical Fertilizers" In this proposal, she intends to talk about how chemical fertilizers cause the contamination of groundwater and also about the seriousness of this issue. In which of the following sections in the proposal would this information be included?

A) audience
B) procedure
C) facilities
D) resources
E) problem

Question 27

Quallie is writing a proposal to solve a problem and also to show the consequences of not solving it. Which of the following parts of the business proposal is he writing?

A) cost and benefits
B) project plan
C) introduction
D) current situation
E) qualifications

Question 28

Joshua, who works for a telecom company, recently prepared a proposal for a road show in Manhattan. In the proposal, he listed out activities such as producing banners and props, getting permission from government officials to host the show on Houston Street, organizing volunteers to interact with crowds, and setting timelines for each activity to be completed. In which of the following sections will this information most likely be included?

A) work schedule
B) call to action
C) methods
D) feasibility
E) qualifications

Question 29

Which of the following guidelines should be followed while preparing a proposal?

A) Define a problem as you see it, not as the audience sees it.
B) Avoid predicting the consequences of a problem if it is left unsolved.
C) Provide a vague schedule that shows overall work instead of work completed in each phase.
D) Show that money, time, health, or social concerns are unrelated to the problem you want to solve.
E) Specify the topics that will be investigated and explain how data will be gathered and used.

Question 30

Which of the following sections of a proposal for a student report welcomes any suggestions from an instructor for improving the research plan?

A) work schedule
B) methods/procedure
C) feasibility
D) qualifications/facilities
E) call to action

Question 31

Proposals should generally end with

A) a brief, but strong, summary of major benefits.
B) an elaborate summary with technical terminology.
C) a brief informal personal note.
D) an unstructured thank-you note.
E) a gently worded statement asking for acceptance.

Question 32

Which of the following should be undertaken if you are not following an RFP?

A) End the proposal with a statement of why you are doing the job.
B) End the proposal with the implications of a proposed action.
C) End the proposal by explaining why a certain action is important.
D) Begin the proposal with a statement of what you are proposing to do.
E) Begin the proposal with the major benefits of having you do the job.

Question 33

Which of the following is a question that a proposal should answer?

A) What are your future organizational plans?
B) What is the history of your company?
C) What problem are you going to solve?
D) Why are rates offered by other companies higher?
E) What benefits are your competitors offering?

Question 34

Noam is writing a proposal on "Relief Efforts for Flood Victims in Laos." In the proposal, he states that he will gather information by interviewing flood victims and government officials. He also mentions that he will contact news reporters who have covered this catastrophe. In which of the following sections will this information be covered?

A) topics to investigate
B) methods/procedure
C) audience
D) qualifications/resources
E) problem/opportunity

Question 35

Gomez is writing a proposal that asks for funds to provide "spinning-wheels" to the underprivileged women of Myanmar. He is writing the proposal as part of the "Empowering Women Campaign" of his organization. Which of the following questions should be addressed in the audience section of the proposal?

A) Why does the opportunity of providing spinning wheels need to be explored?
B) Is there a history on the usage of spinning wheels in Myanmar?
C) Can 100 spinning wheels be provided to Myanmar's villages by the end of the financial year?
D) Who in the organization will serve as a gatekeeper?
E) Is the necessary information provided to the audience?

Question 36

Expert legal and financial advice is recommended for completing the section of the proposal that discusses

A) how you will complete the work.
B) the problem that needs to be solved.
C) the consequences of leaving a problem unsolved.
D) the final product and its benefits.
E) your qualifications for the job.

Question 37

Ambrosio wants to obtain financing to fund his research project, so he is writing a proposal for it. He is currently writing a section that includes information about his relevant knowledge and skills to complete the project. Which of the following sections is he writing?

A) qualifications
B) introduction
C) project plan
D) cost and benefits
E) current situation

Question 38

Akeyo is writing the concluding section of a proposal on "Renewable Energy Used in Villages of Vietnam." Which of the following sentences would be most appropriate for her proposal?

A) "We will try to install a high number of solar power panels in the Dak Lang province."
B) "We hope to install many solar power panels in several villages of Dak Lang province."
C) "We are thinking of installing 50 solar power panels in the Dak Lang province."
D) "We plan to install 50 solar power panels in the Dak Lang province of Vietnam."
E) "We are visualizing the installation of 50 solar power panels in many villages of Vietnam."

Question 39

Which of the following is true of good proposals?

A) They are created exclusively for experts.
B) They avoid supporting generalizations and inferences with data.
C) They anticipate and answer questions by readers.
D) They are complex in form and nature.
E) They limit benefits to those for the most influential reader.

Question 40

Which of the following questions does the feasibility section of a proposal answer?

A) Is there a background to the problem discussed?
B) Who in the organization will serve as a gatekeeper?
C) Why does a problem need to be solved or explored?
D) Can a solution be found in the allotted time?
E) What problem or opportunity exists in a situation?

Question 41

Explain, with the help of an example, what is contained in the problem section of a proposal.

Question 42

Flora is preparing the budget section of a business proposal, and she needs to include an estimate of the cost of hiring a graphic designer to produce promotional materials. The standard rate in her area is $50 per hour, but Flora knows several competent designers who would likely be willing to do the work for around $30 per hour. How should she budget for graphic design?

A) Use the $50 per hour rate to ensure sufficient funding even after cuts.
B) Use the $30 rate to make her total costs more attractive to funders.
C) Make two separate budgets based on the $30 and $50 rates.
D) Leave that section empty and explain the situation in a footnote.
E) Use a figure somewhere between the high- and low-end estimates.

Question 43

Which of the following should be included with a long sales proposal?

A) an audio recording of you reading the proposal aloud
B) a thumb drive containing digital copies of the document
C) an index for easy searching
D) a cover letter summarizing the proposal
E) a contract that is ready to be signed

Question 44

Which of the following guidelines should be followed while writing business plans?

A) Align the business plan to meet the writer's crucial needs.
B) Use me-attitude to demonstrate confidence in one's project.
C) Have a vague, lengthy beginning listing out all details.
D) Highlight the needs the project will meet for the funding organization.
E) Skip the executive summary which investors find unnecessary.

Question 45

What is the best way for the writer of a grant proposal to craft a clear and specific goal statement?

A) Paraphrase goal statements that have been used in other successful proposals.
B) Start with an extremely ambitious goal and revise after the proposal has been accepted.
C) Isolate the causes of a problem and focus on how to solve them.
D) Frame your goals as solutions then develop a problem to match.
E) Appeal to the readers' emotions, and avoid citing statistics or other technical information.

Question 46

Amir is writing the budget section of a business proposal seeking funding for a concert, "Music for a Cause." After careful calculation, he concludes that a total of $12,000,000 will be required for the event. Which of the following is an appropriate guideline that will help him win the bid?

A) State an amount much lower than $12,000,000 to increase his chances of winning.
B) Exclude less obvious costs such as overhead, which can be negotiated.
C) Avoid including costs that will be paid from other sources since they are irrelevant.
D) Ask for $12,000,000 since it is required for the event to be successful.
E) Find out what others are bidding and quote a budget accordingly.

Question 47

The statement of needs in a grant proposal should be

A) emotional and heartfelt.
B) fantastical and exaggerated.
C) logical and fact-based.
D) vague and mysterious.
E) stern and forceful.

Question 48

Why should a substantial amount of time be allotted before a due date for a proposal?

Question 49

Agnetha, who is working on the "Clean Energy" campaign, needs to write a business plan to install solar power panels in 30 villages of Jakarta. The section of the report that the funding agency will read to make initial decisions about her proposal is the

A) background/history.
B) executive summary.
C) conclusion.
D) appendix.
E) body.

Question 50

What are competitive proposals and how are they different from noncompetitive proposals?

Question 51

Nayla is preparing a budget for a business proposal, and she needs to include $5,000 in materials costs as part of a total budget of $25,000. Which of the following guidelines will help Nayla obtain the required budget?

A) Give only the $25,000 total cost of the project.
B) Provide a precise breakdown of materials and their costs adding up to $5,000.
C) Mention only the $5,000 total for materials.
D) Provide an optimistic estimate of materials costs around $2,500.
E) Include the $5,000 materials cost as well as a $3,000 "pad" in case of cuts.

Question 52

Inez is preparing a proposal on a marketing plan for a new line of smart watches. In the proposal, she states, "I believe that marketing the Sunrise line of smart watches on social media has enormous potential to showcase the product to our target demographics." Explain whether Inez has used the correct wording in her proposal.

Question 53

Who is most likely to write a grant proposal?

A) a governmental organization
B) a major corporation
C) a small for-profit business
D) a nonprofit organization
E) a charitable foundation

Question 54

Which of the following guidelines need to be followed while writing sales proposals?

A) understanding the buyer's requirements and priorities
B) using technical terminology and jargon to indicate expertise
C) assuming that the buyer will understand benefits of products
D) indicating benefits only for specific, important products or services
E) using "me-attitude" to present benefits which indicates confidence

Question 55

List, in order, the sections that should be included in a proposal for a student report.

Question 56

Evan has developed a technology that will help reduce distracted driving accidents by blocking text messages from mobile phones while the owner is driving. His proposal focuses on the buyers' priorities, highlights his past successes as an innovator, acknowledges challenges in the marketplace, includes a detailed and accurate revenue model, and describes how the technology will benefit every mobile phone owner in the world. Which of the following is most likely the reason why his proposal was rejected?

A) no problem
B) unrealistic ambition
C) flawed spreadsheets
D) wrong team
E) perfect plan

Question 57

The best way to deal with audience concerns over costs in a sales proposal is to

A) connect costs to benefits.
B) discuss costs in a separate document.
C) provide only a ballpark figure rather than a specific amount.
D) bury the costs in the middle of an exciting call to action.
E) make the costs seem smaller by comparing them to the costs of other projects.

Question 58

Which of the following is likely to be the most scrutinized aspect of a business proposal?

A) introduction
B) budget
C) qualification
D) current situation
E) benefits

Question 59

Derek is preparing a budget for his research project, and the institute he is submitting the proposal to receives many funding proposals. Which of the following budgeting guidelines should Derek follow?

A) Always ask for as little as possible, since the lower the budget, the higher the chance of approval.
B) Be sure to justify costs such as travel that may appear to benefit him more than the sponsor.
C) Costs pertaining to travel and equipment should be ignored.
D) Avoid including indirect costs for administration and infrastructure.
E) Do not include costs that will be paid from other sources.

Question 60

Which of the following is likely to cause a funder to think you do not understand the scope of a project?

A) writing an extremely detailed current situation section
B) describing funding that you have secured from other sources
C) listing only those qualifications that are relevant to the project
D) asking for too little money
E) tying costs to direct benefits

Question 61

What is the best way to organize a cover letter for a long sales proposal?

Question 62

Explain the importance of an executive summary in a business plan.

Question 63

Discuss, with the help of an example, why calculating figures conservatively is recommended when preparing budgets for a proposal.

Question 64

Discuss, with the use of an example, what should be included in the methods section of a proposal.

Question 65

Explain why it is important to clearly identify a problem that needs fixing in all three common types of proposals (sales proposals, business plans, and grant proposals).