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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. 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.






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






3. Show steps in a process.






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






5. Using '______________' to link the two sentences best contrasts the information.






6. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






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






8. What is the background of the audience? Global? - What is the reader's experience - What is the attitude of the audience on subject? - What are the needs/interests/expectations of the audience? - Will multiple audiences/skill levels read this?






9. Detailed - usually multipage commercial document containing descriptions of product/servive/project for marketing purposes.






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






11. Use images or icons to represent quantities; useful for non-experts to grasp ideas.






12. Involves dividing an idea into different parts and explaining each part separately.






13. This describes how something works and breaks down something into steps or parts. (e.g. how to make a dvd player - how to apply for a loan)






14. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






15. Discuss history - development - and applications for the term - unless readers are only attempting to perform a task related to the term.






16. Explain how each element of a complex item works - which is especially beneficial to laypersons attempting to understand a technical subject.






17. Appear on the top of every page in a document to indicate the page number and document title.






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






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






20. A formal document longer than ten pages usually includes a table of contents to simplify the process of locating information. It's included after the title and abstract - but before the list of tables - forward and preface.






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






22. Written for repair technicians; contain troubleshooting charts for diagnosing problems






23. Defining through __________ involves comparing two seemingly different objects that share a common characteristic.






24. This supplements or clarifies information in the text body. It is in the back and there may be more than one per topic. For example: experiment details - complicated formulas - interview questions and answers - long quotes - maps - photos - tests - v






25. ____________________ in a sentence indicates the relationship between ideas; structuring a sentence with effective ______________ improves conciseness.






26. Use comparison to define - but they are less likely to be used for terms with multiple meanings.






27. These build unity and clarity by creating a smoooth flow of ideas. Achieved by using ______ words (therefore - meanwhile etc) Repeating major points or words - summarizing information in previous paragraphs - using numbers to indicate steps.






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






29. 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






30. Used for complex terms or when term has multiple meanings. Follows a fixed patter: indicate the term to be defined - the class in which the time belongs - and the features that make the item unique in its class.






31. External proposal written to request funding for a project or study.






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






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






34. What is the Web Site's sponsor and domain type(.edu.com.gov) - What is the purpose of the Web page and message? - When was the Web site most recently updated? - What are the author's credentials and expertise?






35. They are different from Memos - since they correspond to people outside of the organization instead of inside.






36. Commonly used to outline longer documents like reports - proposals - and manuals.






37. External proposal written and submitted without request






38. Explain how an item or process works






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






40. 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.






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






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






43. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






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






45. Included before full report; combines main points of a report or proposal; often persuasive






46. Written to express disappointment with a product or service and to request a refund - replacement - or an apology






47. Audience consists of experts in the subject matter - data does not require lengthy explanation e.g.: a physician giving a report to a surgeon about a patient's lab results and symptoms






48. ______ are documents that help people how to understand how to assemble - use - and repair products.






49. Audience consists of people with some technical knowledge but less than experts; data needs some explanation e.g.: a physician giving a report to a first-year medical student regarding a patient's lab results and symptoms






50. Data organized visually for easy comparison