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






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






3. 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?






4. The _____________ explains what an organization wants to do and justifies the proposal with primary and secondary research.






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






6. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






13. Dividing information into manageable pieces so that the document is easier for readers to follow and understand - Writers use various sequencing methods to do this.






14. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






15. Explain how an item or process works






16. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






17. Are reduced images of pictures.






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






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






20. Useful in highlighting sections of a document to draw reader attention






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






22. 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






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






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






25. A document with an alphabetical list of definitions. It defines terms without breaking the flow. If a document has five or more technical terms it needs one of these. Insert after the appendix and bibiolography






26. 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






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






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






29. Written to ask about a product - service or procedure; brief - direct and clearly worded so the reader understands what is needed.






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






31. 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.






32. Data organized visually for easy comparison






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






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






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






36. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: Is the plan likely to be successful? - What are the benefits and risks of the plan? - What are other options? - Is funding available? - How would the employees be affected?






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






38. The purpose of a ____ is to: Summarize information - Interpret Findings - Recommend action






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






40. External proposal that may be short or long depending on the size of the potential sale






41. 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






42. The page area that contains no text or graphics - and it helps draw a reader's attention to a particular page element. Improves the readability of a document for all types of readers. Although it limits the amount of information on a page - it does n






43. The extent to which data has been verified to be accurate






44. Too brief and general to convey the complexity of a term with multiple meanings.






45. Charts that show parts of a whole






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






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






48. Margins ________ on the left are easier to read; fully ______ is appropriate for multiple columns.






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






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