Test your basic knowledge |

DSST Technical Writing

Subjects : dsst, writing-skills
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. ____________________ in a sentence indicates the relationship between ideas; structuring a sentence with effective ______________ improves conciseness.






2. Begins with either the cause of the effect; useful in reports discussing problems and solutions






3. Used when requesting large amounts of money






4. Explain policies - and proposals persuade readers to follow a plan of action.






5. Used when writing about one subject that is similar to another.






6. Show steps in a process.






7. This document contains: Name and contact information - Job Objective - Qualifications and Summary - Education and Work Experience - Awards - Skills and Activities - References






8. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: What has been accomplished since the last progress report? - What tasks still need to be accomplished? - Have there been any unanticipated problems? - What is the expected timetable for completio






9. Use these to show the meaning of a process or concept.






10. These are sentences clarity is increased by creating lists/clauses with similar grammer. (for example - every item on a list has 'a' before it)






11. These help readers decide whether to read the document - find a particular section - divide information into logical pieces - highlight main points and topics - signal topic changes






12. Written to describe events like safety emergencies - equipment problems - and workplace accidents.






13. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






14. Often include section topic - date - page number - and title of document.






15. Written for unskilled individuals. The steps required to complete a task safely and efficiently - such as installing a memory card into a laptop. i.e. printed manuals - user manuals.






16. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






17. Emphasizes important information; reasons or examples are arranged in decreasing or increasing order of imporance; used when making recommendations or proposals.






18. Informal written communications used in business between colleagues. The provide a record trail of decisions that can be used legally.






19. Written to accompany a resume when seeking an internship or employment; explains how skills and experience match a specific job position.






20. Most appropriate when a writer needs to define a multiple-meaning term with precision.






21. Illustrate relationships in systems - such as components in an electronic device






22. Used for writing step-by-step instructions.






23. Indicate organizational structure and help readers find information; type size or font should differ from main text.






24. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons






25. Show real or imaginary objects; highlight specific parts; use exploded view to show how parts fit together.






26. Boldface - italics - capital letters - font style - and font size are common ways to show readers the difference between _________________ headings.






27. Organization Name __________ To: Name/Title of addressee From: Name/Title of sender with handwritten initials Date: For record keeping purposes Subject: Key words Introductory Paragraph: purpose and background Body Paragraph(s): details - explanation






28. Rules and guidelines provided to people who know how to perform a task - These ensure safety within a group. For example - guide on how to exit a building during a fire. Policemen have ________ they do after at a crime scene.






29. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: The reason for conducting the test or investigation - Problems - Results and Conclusion






30. Charts that show parts of a whole






31. Describes the physical appearance of an object or area beginning at one point and ending at another; useful for product or mechanism descriptions






32. A single line carried over the top of a column






33. Consist of brief phrases that indicate a document's method of development - and they are primarily used for short documents like letters and memos.






34. Show how the phases of a project relate to each other






35. External proposal written in response to a request for proposals (RFP) or an invitation for bids (IFB)






36. Included before full report; summarized version of report






37. Explaining what the term does not mean.






38. Advantages: gaining a better understanding of how the audience will read the document - each member of the group provides more questions and suggestions Disadvantages: disjointed writing styles - increased time to complete the project - and reduced m






39. Writers developing a formal document should avoid _______________ - but thee occasional use in semiformal or informal documents is acceptable.






40. Used when extensive details are required about an item; may be a paragraph or numerous pages depending on the audience and purpose.






41. Show trends and changes over time - cost - size - rates - and other variables.






42. The _________ of a brochure is its front page - and its purpose is to catch the attention of the audience. Usually contain a visual image and a small amount of text. Concepts and overviews appear inside the brochure.






43. When using a ______________ - center the return address - date - and closing - and align body paragraphs to the left.






44. Single ___ for larger typeface; double for smaller typeface. Avoid orphans and widows.






45. Reduces costs by minimizing customer calls and the need to release document updates. Product sales and customer satisfaction also benefitsfrom this - although this enhances product safety - it does not eliminate a firm's legal responsibilities.






46. Major teaching tool in vocational jobs; used to train people in a procedure or skill and often paired with audiovisual information






47. Used in in presenting steps - materials - and recommendations






48. Data organized visually for easy comparison






49. Follows a sequence of events; useful for explanations of how something is done or how an accident occurred.






50. Single words or short lines carried over to the top of a column or page