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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. Consist of brief phrases that indicate a document's method of development - and they are primarily used for short documents like letters and memos.
Topic outlines
Passive voice and helping verbs
Modified-block style
Appendix
2. 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.
Solicited Proposal
Transitional phrases
Glossary
Sentence definitions
3. Show trends and changes over time - cost - size - rates - and other variables.
Line Graphs
Tone
Relative pronouns
Feasibility Report Structure
4. Indicate organizational structure and help readers find information; type size or font should differ from main text.
Instructions
Use Manuals
Headings
Memos
5. ____________________ in a sentence indicates the relationship between ideas; structuring a sentence with effective ______________ improves conciseness.
Subordination
Although
Feasibility Reports
Expanded Definition
6. Describing the terms origin - such as Greek or Latin words
Etymology
Service Manuals
Background
Expanded Definition
7. 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.
Parenthetical Definition
Procedures
Headers
Justification
8. The _____________ explains what an organization wants to do and justifies the proposal with primary and secondary research.
Headings
Plan of work
Full-block style
Memos
9. Included before full report; summarized version of report
Tutorials
Visuals
Informative Abstract
Etymology
10. Single words or short lines carried over to the top of a column or page
Widows
Semi Technical
Sequential pattern
Informative Abstract
11. 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?
Process Description
The functional resume format
Widow
Data Validity Questions
12. Are reduced images of pictures.
Thumbnails
Training Manuals
Expanded Definition
Glossary
13. Too brief and general to convey the complexity of a term with multiple meanings.
Parenthetical definition
Tables
Semi Technical
The functional resume format
14. 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
Use Manuals
Headers
High Technical
Memorandum Structure
15. Using '______________' to link the two sentences best contrasts the information.
Titles and headings
Although
Bar graphs
Analogy
16. 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.
Sales Proposal
Appendix
Cover panel
Passive voice and helping verbs
17. Use images or icons to represent quantities; useful for non-experts to grasp ideas.
Pictograms
Deliverable
Widows
Justification
18. Often include section topic - date - page number - and title of document.
Headers and footers
Feasibility Reports
Sentence outlines
Solicited Proposal
19. 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
Memos
Collaborative writing
Sentence Definition
Tables
20. Written in short proposal format; used frequently in organizations for minor spending requests.
Subordination
Comparison
Routine Internal Proposal
Justification
21. 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
Directives
Descriptive Abstract
Diagrams
Semi Technical
22. Margins ________ on the left are easier to read; fully ______ is appropriate for multiple columns.
Justification
Comparison
Analogy
Progress Reports
23. This document contains: Name and contact information - Job Objective - Qualifications and Summary - Education and Work Experience - Awards - Skills and Activities - References
Flowcharts
Widow
Memos
Resume
24. 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.
Memorandum Structure
Service Manuals
Parenthetical definition
15 to 20
25. A word on a line by itself at the end of a column
Chunking
Justification
Orphan
Widow
26. Used for writing step-by-step instructions.
Sequential pattern
Titles and headings
Progress Reports
Expanded Definition
27. When using a ______________ - center the return address - date - and closing - and align body paragraphs to the left.
Modified-block style
Descriptive Abstract
Closing Summary
Spatial pattern
28. 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.
Relative pronouns
Sentence Definition
Feasibility Reports
Instructions
29. Follows a sequence of events; useful for explanations of how something is done or how an accident occurred.
Columns
Chronological pattern
Audience Analysis Questions
Sentence definitions
30. ___________ - such as 'who -' are more likely to decrease clarity in a document.
Relative pronouns
Collaborative writing
Formal Internal Proposal
Full-block style
31. Increase the wordiness of a sentence
High Technical
Passive voice and helping verbs
Drawings
Pie charts
32. 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
White space
Diagrams
Collaborative writing
Justification
33. Letter format most appropriate with letterhead stationery - all letter elements are aligned to the left margin - and company letterhead is commonly used.
Justification
Full-block style
Cause and Effect
Bar graphs
34. Discuss history - development - and applications for the term - unless readers are only attempting to perform a task related to the term.
Background
Analogy
Tutorials
Grant or Research Proposal
35. 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
Titles and headings
Thumbnails
Widow
Passive voice and helping verbs
36. Useful in highlighting sections of a document to draw reader attention
Visuals
Color
Cause and Effect
Comparison
37. Describes the physical appearance of an object or area beginning at one point and ending at another; useful for product or mechanism descriptions
Operator's Manuals
Routine Internal Proposal
Job Application Letters
Spatial pattern
38. External proposal written in response to a request for proposals (RFP) or an invitation for bids (IFB)
Widows
Procedures
Routine Internal Proposal
Solicited Proposal
39. They are different from Memos - since they correspond to people outside of the organization instead of inside.
Letters
Bar graphs
Contractions
Partition
40. Most appropriate when a writer needs to define a multiple-meaning term with precision.
Sentence definitions
Operation
Subordination
Precise
41. Informal written communications used in business between colleagues. The provide a record trail of decisions that can be used legally.
Memos
Gantt charts
The functional resume format
Thumbnails
42. Commonly used to outline longer documents like reports - proposals - and manuals.
Semi Technical
Although
Grant or Research Proposal
Sentence outlines
43. Written to accompany a resume when seeking an internship or employment; explains how skills and experience match a specific job position.
Sentence Definition
Columns
Job Application Letters
Lists
44. Written to ask about a product - service or procedure; brief - direct and clearly worded so the reader understands what is needed.
Columns
Topic outlines
Progress Reports
Inquiry Letters
45. Appear on the top of every page in a document to indicate the page number and document title.
Titles and headings
Analogy
Parenthetical Definition
Headers
46. Involves dividing an idea into different parts and explaining each part separately.
Partition
Routine Internal Proposal
Usability testing
Instructions
47. A single line carried over the top of a column
Widow
Formal Internal Proposal
Sentence outlines
Parenthetical definition
48. Show steps in a process.
Widow
Sentence Definition
Sentence definitions
Flowcharts
49. External proposal that may be short or long depending on the size of the potential sale
15 to 20
Sales Proposal
Cause and Effect
Deliverable
50. The _______ is the left-hand column of a table - and it lists the items being compared.
Although
Stub
Sentence Definition
Proposal