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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. 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.






2. Used when extensive details are required about an item; may be a paragraph or numerous pages depending on the audience and purpose.






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






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






5. Data organized visually for easy comparison






6. Written to accompany a resume when seeking an internship or employment; explains how skills and experience match a specific job position.






7. Used when requesting large amounts of money






8. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons






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






10. 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.






11. Explaining what the term does not mean.






12. 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






13. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






14. Boldface - italics - capital letters - font style - and font size are common ways to show readers the difference between _________________ headings.






15. 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.






16. 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.






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






18. 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.






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






20. 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.






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






22. 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?






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






24. Emphasizes important information; reasons or examples are arranged in decreasing or increasing order of imporance; used when making recommendations or proposals.






25. Single ___ for larger typeface; double for smaller typeface. Avoid orphans and widows.






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






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






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






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






30. 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






31. Show how components of a principle - process - or system function together - useful to people assembling and installing things.






32. 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






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






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






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






36. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






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






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






39. 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)






40. Show trends and changes over time - cost - size - rates - and other variables.






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






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






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






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






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






46. 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






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






48. Explain how an item or process works






49. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






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