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Test your basic knowledge |
DSST Technical Writing
Start Test
Study First
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. Useful in highlighting sections of a document to draw reader attention
Negative definitions
Color
Cause and Effect
Spatial pattern
2. Often include section topic - date - page number - and title of document.
Headers and footers
Memorandum Structure
Sentence Definition
Sentence definitions
3. Single ___ for larger typeface; double for smaller typeface. Avoid orphans and widows.
Gantt charts
Parallel sentences
Columns
Operator's Manuals
4. Defining through __________ involves comparing two seemingly different objects that share a common characteristic.
Analogy
Expanded Definition
Flowcharts
White space
5. Indicate organizational structure and help readers find information; type size or font should differ from main text.
Headings
Diagrams
Resume
Sentence outlines
6. A word on a line by itself at the end of a column
Orphan
Formal Internal Proposal
Stub
Feasibility Report Structure
7. 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?
Justification
Cover panel
Data Validity Questions
Process Description
8. 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
Parallel sentences
Semi Technical
Spatial pattern
Precise
9. 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.
Semi Technical
Titles and headings
Chunking
Full-block style
10. 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
Brochure
Etymology
White space
Relative pronouns
11. 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
Memos
Emphatic pattern
Gantt charts
Progress Reports
12. Involves dividing an idea into different parts and explaining each part separately.
Parenthetical definition
Negation
Justification
Partition
13. 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.
Conclusion
Table of Contents
Drawings
Justification
14. 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
Drawings
High Technical
Grant or Research Proposal
Brochure
15. Discuss history - development - and applications for the term - unless readers are only attempting to perform a task related to the term.
Columns
Training Manuals
Background
Laboratory Reports
16. Too brief and general to convey the complexity of a term with multiple meanings.
Parenthetical definition
Gantt charts
Topic outlines
Informative Abstract
17. 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.
Transitional phrases
Visuals
Spatial pattern
Feasibility Report Structure
18. They are different from Memos - since they correspond to people outside of the organization instead of inside.
Although
Pie charts
Job Application Letters
Letters
19. Boldface - italics - capital letters - font style - and font size are common ways to show readers the difference between _________________ headings.
Gantt charts
First-level and second-level
Stub
Negation
20. Most appropriate when a writer needs to define a multiple-meaning term with precision.
Cover panel
Sentence definitions
Informative Abstract
Full-block style
21. Sentences with an average of ____________ words are appropriate for technical writing. Sentences of fewer than 15 words are too short and choppy - and ones longer than 20 words are cumbersome and confusing.
15 to 20
Plan of work
Procedures
Headers and footers
22. Consist of brief phrases that indicate a document's method of development - and they are primarily used for short documents like letters and memos.
Comparison
Letters
Topic outlines
Claim Letters
23. Margins ________ on the left are easier to read; fully ______ is appropriate for multiple columns.
Resume
Process Description
Orphan
Justification
24. 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
Glossary
15 to 20
Subordination
Justification
25. ______ ______ ______ is as follows: Introduction: background information and purpose statement - Body: Review of options being considered based on criteria like costs and staff - Conclusion: Interpretations of findings - Recommendation: Author's opin
Relative pronouns
Operator's Manuals
Feasibility Report Structure
Plan of work
26. External proposal that may be short or long depending on the size of the potential sale
Instructions
Sales Proposal
Visuals
Closing Summary
27. When using a ______________ - center the return address - date - and closing - and align body paragraphs to the left.
Semi Technical
Modified-block style
Operation
Tables
28. External proposal written to request funding for a project or study.
Analysis of parts
Grant or Research Proposal
Manuals
Diagrams
29. Use a synonym or clarifying phrase to explain the meaning of an unfamiliar word; easy to set up links in electronic documents.
Laboratory Reports
Color
Parenthetical Definition
Although
30. Use comparison to define - but they are less likely to be used for terms with multiple meanings.
Lists
Claim Letters
Table of Contents
Negative definitions
31. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: The reason for conducting the test or investigation - Problems - Results and Conclusion
Visuals
Laboratory Reports
Transitional phrases
Background
32. Emphasizes important information; reasons or examples are arranged in decreasing or increasing order of imporance; used when making recommendations or proposals.
Glossary
Brochure
Gantt charts
Emphatic pattern
33. Written to express disappointment with a product or service and to request a refund - replacement - or an apology
Claim Letters
Sentence outlines
Brochure
Etymology
34. A single line carried over the top of a column
Spatial pattern
Bar graphs
Comparison
Widow
35. Writers developing a formal document should avoid _______________ - but thee occasional use in semiformal or informal documents is acceptable.
Appendix
Tables
Feasibility Report Structure
Contractions
36. 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.
Solicited Proposal
Although
Sentence Definition
Transitional phrases
37. Show how components of a principle - process - or system function together - useful to people assembling and installing things.
Claim Letters
15 to 20
Schematic diagrams
Titles and headings
38. 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
Diagrams
Deliverable
Incident or trouble reports
Use Manuals
39. External proposal written in response to a request for proposals (RFP) or an invitation for bids (IFB)
Headings
Precise
Claim Letters
Solicited Proposal
40. Explain policies - and proposals persuade readers to follow a plan of action.
Directives
Training Manuals
Subordination
Flowcharts
41. ___________ - such as 'who -' are more likely to decrease clarity in a document.
Process Description
Titles and headings
Relative pronouns
Captions
42. Letter format most appropriate with letterhead stationery - all letter elements are aligned to the left margin - and company letterhead is commonly used.
Chunking
Partition
Full-block style
Columns
43. 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?
Tables
Emphatic pattern
Process Description
Feasibility Reports
44. 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)
Process Description
Justification
Visuals
Lists
45. Data organized visually for easy comparison
Job Application Letters
Justification
Tables
Sentence outlines
46. Informal written communications used in business between colleagues. The provide a record trail of decisions that can be used legally.
Topic outlines
Memos
15 to 20
Use Manuals
47. Use images or icons to represent quantities; useful for non-experts to grasp ideas.
Pictograms
Executive Summary
Captions
Negation
48. Show how the phases of a project relate to each other
Analysis of parts
Audience Analysis Questions
Justification
Gantt charts
49. Show real or imaginary objects; highlight specific parts; use exploded view to show how parts fit together.
Drawings
Justification
Feasibility Reports
Audience Analysis Questions
50. Used in in presenting steps - materials - and recommendations
Procedures
First-level and second-level
Background
Lists