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






2. Too brief and general to convey the complexity of a term with multiple meanings.






3. Explain how an item or process works






4. Follows a sequence of events; useful for explanations of how something is done or how an accident occurred.






5. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






6. 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.






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






8. Explaining what the term does not mean.






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






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






11. A single line carried over the top of a column






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






13. Written for trained operators of construction - computer - or manufacturing equipment for use on the job; includes instructions and safety information.

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






15. 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.






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






17. ______ ______ ______ 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






18. 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?






19. Illustrate relationships in systems - such as components in an electronic device






20. A word on a line by itself at the end of a column






21. Charts that show parts of a whole






22. 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






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)






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






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






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






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






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






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






31. Show steps in a process.






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






33. 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.






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






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






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






37. Appear on the top of every page in a document to indicate the page number and document title.






38. 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






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






40. The _________ of a brochure is its front page - and its purpose is to catch the attention of the audience. Usually contain a visual image and a small amount of text. Concepts and overviews appear inside the brochure.






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






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






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






44. Used when requesting large amounts of money






45. Used in in presenting steps - materials - and recommendations






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






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






48. 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






49. Describing the terms origin - such as Greek or Latin words






50. 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