SUBJECTS
|
BROWSE
|
CAREER CENTER
|
POPULAR
|
JOIN
|
LOGIN
Business Skills
|
Soft Skills
|
Basic Literacy
|
Certifications
About
|
Help
|
Privacy
|
Terms
|
Email
Search
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. ______ ______ ______ 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
Partition
Proposal
Feasibility Report Structure
Process Description
2. 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
15 to 20
Plan of work
Justification
Use Manuals
3. 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.
Relative pronouns
Tutorials
Analogy
Sentence Definition
4. Too brief and general to convey the complexity of a term with multiple meanings.
Parenthetical definition
Emphatic pattern
Bar graphs
Glossary
5. 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
Incident or trouble reports
Parenthetical Definition
Brochure
6. This document contains: Name and contact information - Job Objective - Qualifications and Summary - Education and Work Experience - Awards - Skills and Activities - References
Proposal
Resume
Chunking
Parenthetical definition
7. Most appropriate when a writer needs to define a multiple-meaning term with precision.
Flowcharts
Sentence definitions
Schematic diagrams
Operation
8. Use a synonym or clarifying phrase to explain the meaning of an unfamiliar word; easy to set up links in electronic documents.
Service Manuals
Sentence definitions
Parenthetical Definition
Stub
9. Involves dividing an idea into different parts and explaining each part separately.
Although
Letters
Partition
Data Validity
10. 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?
White space
Data Validity Questions
Feasibility Reports
Tables
11. Margins ________ on the left are easier to read; fully ______ is appropriate for multiple columns.
Feasibility Report Structure
Columns
Chronological pattern
Justification
12. Defining through __________ involves comparing two seemingly different objects that share a common characteristic.
Pictograms
Sentence Definition
Parenthetical Definition
Analogy
13. Show trends and changes over time - cost - size - rates - and other variables.
Line Graphs
Pictograms
Tutorials
Appendix
14. Illustrate relationships in systems - such as components in an electronic device
Flowcharts
Diagrams
Solicited Proposal
Bar graphs
15. 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.
Sentence Definition
Use Manuals
Parallel sentences
Although
16. Charts that show parts of a whole
Informative Abstract
Headers
Procedures
Pie charts
17. The attitude expressed by a writer. Use formal or semi when writing for superiors/professionals - Use semi or informal when writing for colleagues and subordinates - Use informal when conversational style is desired. Avoid profanity or slang.
Tutorials
Sentence Definition
Parenthetical Definition
Tone
18. Begins with either the cause of the effect; useful in reports discussing problems and solutions
Headers and footers
Cause and Effect
Formal Internal Proposal
Thumbnails
19. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.
Table of Contents
Diagrams
Brochure
Precise
20. Appear on the top of every page in a document to indicate the page number and document title.
Headings
Headers
Data Validity Questions
Background
21. 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
Operator's Manuals
High Technical
Parallel sentences
Descriptive Abstract
22. ___________ - such as 'who -' are more likely to decrease clarity in a document.
Negation
Relative pronouns
Semi Technical
Headings
23. 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
Widow
Transitional phrases
Progress Reports
24. Consist of brief phrases that indicate a document's method of development - and they are primarily used for short documents like letters and memos.
First-level and second-level
Justification
Topic outlines
Expanded Definition
25. 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.
Widows
15 to 20
Deliverable
Chunking
26. 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.
Captions
Gantt charts
15 to 20
Parenthetical definition
27. Written for repair technicians; contain troubleshooting charts for diagnosing problems
Service Manuals
Formal Internal Proposal
Conclusion
Parenthetical definition
28. Explain how an item or process works
Stub
Operation
Descriptive Abstract
Analogy
29. 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
First-level and second-level
Memorandum Structure
Subordination
Precise
30. Written to accompany a resume when seeking an internship or employment; explains how skills and experience match a specific job position.
Resume
Subordination
Memos
Job Application Letters
31. Show how the phases of a project relate to each other
Procedures
Manuals
Sales Proposal
Gantt charts
32. Describes the physical appearance of an object or area beginning at one point and ending at another; useful for product or mechanism descriptions
The functional resume format
Diagrams
Informative Abstract
Spatial pattern
33. A single line carried over the top of a column
Titles and headings
Emphatic pattern
Widow
First-level and second-level
34. Useful in highlighting sections of a document to draw reader attention
Emphatic pattern
Parenthetical definition
Visuals
Color
35. Major teaching tool in vocational jobs; used to train people in a procedure or skill and often paired with audiovisual information
Titles and headings
Justification
Full-block style
Training Manuals
36. Used when extensive details are required about an item; may be a paragraph or numerous pages depending on the audience and purpose.
Claim Letters
Informative Abstract
Expanded Definition
Drawings
37. Written to describe events like safety emergencies - equipment problems - and workplace accidents.
Modified-block style
Informative Abstract
Tutorials
Incident or trouble reports
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
Modified-block style
Spatial pattern
Orphan
Collaborative writing
39. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.
Justification
Letters
Operator's Manuals
Memorandum Structure
40. The extent to which data has been verified to be accurate
Headings
Diagrams
Data Validity
Proposal
41. Informal written communications used in business between colleagues. The provide a record trail of decisions that can be used legally.
Memos
Unsolicited proposal
Gantt charts
Semi Technical
42. Explaining what the term does not mean.
Procedures
Negative definitions
Relative pronouns
Negation
43. Boldface - italics - capital letters - font style - and font size are common ways to show readers the difference between _________________ headings.
Background
Pie charts
First-level and second-level
Diagrams
44. 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
Background
White space
Training Manuals
45. The purpose of a ____ is to: Summarize information - Interpret Findings - Recommend action
Precise
Cover panel
Conclusion
Appendix
46. The _____________ explains what an organization wants to do and justifies the proposal with primary and secondary research.
Analogy
Plan of work
Sentence definitions
High Technical
47. Show real or imaginary objects; highlight specific parts; use exploded view to show how parts fit together.
Sentence Definition
Closing Summary
Drawings
Justification
48. 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.
Partition
Non Technical
Chunking
Usability testing
49. They are different from Memos - since they correspond to people outside of the organization instead of inside.
Negation
Etymology
Letters
Captions
50. 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
Headers
Progress Reports
Topic outlines
Transitional phrases