Final answer:
The appraisal method mentioned, where employees are rated on a scale from 1 to 5 on different sales traits, describes a D. Graphic rating scale.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appraisal method described is D. Graphic rating scale. This method allows the branch manager to assess salespeople against a series of traits, rating them from 1 to 5, where 1 represents unsatisfactory and 5 represents outstanding. The graphic rating scale is a common technique in performance appraisals where employees are evaluated on various dimensions of job performance, typically using a quantitative scale to record the rater's judgment of performance levels.