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. This supplements or clarifies information in the text body. It is in the back and there may be more than one per topic. For example: experiment details - complicated formulas - interview questions and answers - long quotes - maps - photos - tests - v






2. 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






3. Explaining what the term does not mean.






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






5. Use these to show the meaning of a process or concept.






6. 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






7. Show steps in a process.






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






9. Written in short proposal format; used frequently in organizations for minor spending requests.






10. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






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






12. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






19. What is the background of the audience? Global? - What is the reader's experience - What is the attitude of the audience on subject? - What are the needs/interests/expectations of the audience? - Will multiple audiences/skill levels read this?






20. Data organized visually for easy comparison






21. Used when requesting large amounts of money






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






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






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






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






26. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: The reason for conducting the test or investigation - Problems - Results and Conclusion






27. 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.






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






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






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






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






32. Included before full report; combines main points of a report or proposal; often persuasive






33. 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?






34. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






35. Use a synonym or clarifying phrase to explain the meaning of an unfamiliar word; easy to set up links in electronic documents.






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

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37. ______ ______ ______ 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






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






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






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






42. 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






43. Are reduced images of pictures.






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






45. 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.






46. 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






47. 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.






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






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






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