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






2. Charts that show parts of a whole






3. 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






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






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






6. ___________ - such as 'who -' are more likely to decrease clarity in a document.






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






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






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






10. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons






11. 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.






12. 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)






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






14. 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.






15. 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?






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






17. 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.






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






19. Written for both skilled and unskilled users of a product; include instructions regarding setup - operation and maintenance as well as safety warning and trouble-shooting tips






20. Use a synonym or clarifying phrase to explain the meaning of an unfamiliar word; easy to set up links in electronic documents.






21. Included either at the beginning of the conclusion or at the end of the body; reviews main points and findings






22. Letter format most appropriate with letterhead stationery - all letter elements are aligned to the left margin - and company letterhead is commonly used.






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






24. The _______ is the left-hand column of a table - and it lists the items being compared.






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






26. 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






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






28. _______ are documents written to persuade readers to take some type of action.






29. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






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






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






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






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






34. Explaining what the term does not mean.






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






36. Used when requesting large amounts of money






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






38. Written as a self-study guide for the users of a product; intended to guide first-time users through the steps involved in operating a product.






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






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






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






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






43. 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






44. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






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






46. Audience consists of laypersons with no training in the subject matter; data needs to be translated into simple language that can be easily understood e.g.; a physician giving a report to a patient's spouse regarding lab results - symptoms - and trea






47. 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






48. Data organized visually for easy comparison






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






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