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






2. 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.






3. 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.






4. 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.






5. 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)






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






7. When using a ______________ - center the return address - date - and closing - and align body paragraphs to the left.






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






9. 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






10. 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.






11. Show real or imaginary objects; highlight specific parts; use exploded view to show how parts fit together.






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






13. 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.






14. Included on the title page; summarizes in a few sentences the scope and purpose of the document.






15. Explaining what the term does not mean.






16. 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






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






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






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






20. 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






21. ______ ______ ______ 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






22. 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






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






24. Included before full report; summarized version of report






25. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






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






27. ______ are documents that help people how to understand how to assemble - use - and repair products.






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






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






30. Explain how an item or process works






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






32. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons






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






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






35. It emphasizes abilities and skills rather than work history. This type of resume is appropriate for people who are changing careers or who have limited work experience. Education and references are included but not stressed.






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






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






38. Are reduced images of pictures.






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






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






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






42. A ____________ is the final document or product that will be submitted once a project is completed.






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






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






45. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






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






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






48. Show steps in a process.






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






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