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






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






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






4. 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?






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






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






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






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






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






10. The extent to which data has been verified to be accurate






11. 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.






12. 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






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






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

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






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. 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.






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






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






20. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






21. 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.






22. 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






23. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






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






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






26. Margins ________ on the left are easier to read; fully ______ is appropriate for multiple columns.






27. ______ ______ ______ 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






28. 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






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






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






31. External proposal written and submitted without request






32. External proposal written in response to a request for proposals (RFP) or an invitation for bids (IFB)






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






34. 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






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






36. Show steps in a process.






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






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






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






40. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






41. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






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






43. 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






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






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






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






47. 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






48. Charts that show parts of a whole






49. 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.






50. 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.