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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. A word on a line by itself at the end of a column
Tone
Conclusion
Orphan
Visuals
2. Show steps in a process.
Cause and Effect
Flowcharts
Partition
Relative pronouns
3. 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.
Table of Contents
Relative pronouns
Closing Summary
Job Application Letters
4. 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
Semi Technical
Chronological pattern
Sentence outlines
5. 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
Process Description
Progress Reports
Passive voice and helping verbs
Memos
6. 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.
Parallel sentences
Transitional phrases
Plan of work
Conclusion
7. Often include section topic - date - page number - and title of document.
Diagrams
Descriptive Abstract
Partition
Headers and footers
8. Using '______________' to link the two sentences best contrasts the information.
Semi Technical
Inquiry Letters
Drawings
Although
9. _______ are documents written to persuade readers to take some type of action.
Sentence outlines
Proposal
Semi Technical
Justification
10. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.
Directives
Plan of work
Although
Captions
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.
Full-block style
Color
Widow
Tone
12. Detailed - usually multipage commercial document containing descriptions of product/servive/project for marketing purposes.
Usability testing
Orphan
Negative definitions
Brochure
13. Show real or imaginary objects; highlight specific parts; use exploded view to show how parts fit together.
Drawings
Audience Analysis Questions
Transitional phrases
Contractions
14. Commonly used to outline longer documents like reports - proposals - and manuals.
Sentence outlines
Stub
Laboratory Reports
Informative Abstract
15. 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
Subordination
Brochure
Contractions
Glossary
16. External proposal written in response to a request for proposals (RFP) or an invitation for bids (IFB)
Solicited Proposal
Relative pronouns
Service Manuals
Feasibility Reports
17. External proposal written and submitted without request
Unsolicited proposal
Parenthetical definition
Sentence definitions
Flowcharts
18. Illustrate relationships in systems - such as components in an electronic device
Memos
Diagrams
Parenthetical Definition
Justification
19. This document contains: Name and contact information - Job Objective - Qualifications and Summary - Education and Work Experience - Awards - Skills and Activities - References
Training Manuals
Modified-block style
Resume
Tables
20. Explaining what the term does not mean.
First-level and second-level
Non Technical
Full-block style
Negation
21. Explain how an item or process works
Operation
Relative pronouns
Partition
Schematic diagrams
22. Margins ________ on the left are easier to read; fully ______ is appropriate for multiple columns.
Justification
Although
15 to 20
Data Validity
23. Defining through __________ involves comparing two seemingly different objects that share a common characteristic.
Lists
Feasibility Reports
Closing Summary
Analogy
24. Show how the phases of a project relate to each other
Informative Abstract
Gantt charts
Parenthetical definition
Claim Letters
25. Single words or short lines carried over to the top of a column or page
15 to 20
Widows
Visuals
Formal Internal Proposal
26. Single ___ for larger typeface; double for smaller typeface. Avoid orphans and widows.
Columns
The functional resume format
Conclusion
Resume
27. Most appropriate when a writer needs to define a multiple-meaning term with precision.
Sentence definitions
Columns
Non Technical
Chunking
28. A single line carried over the top of a column
Executive Summary
Widow
Modified-block style
Bar graphs
29. 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.
Full-block style
Procedures
Grant or Research Proposal
Sentence definitions
30. The extent to which data has been verified to be accurate
Data Validity
Informative Abstract
Resume
Justification
31. 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.
Cover panel
Precise
Orphan
Progress Reports
32. 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?
Audience Analysis Questions
Sequential pattern
Captions
Operation
33. Written as a self-study guide for the users of a product; intended to guide first-time users through the steps involved in operating a product.
Brochure
Tutorials
Color
Columns
34. Informal written communications used in business between colleagues. The provide a record trail of decisions that can be used legally.
Memos
Thumbnails
First-level and second-level
Columns
35. They are different from Memos - since they correspond to people outside of the organization instead of inside.
Letters
Closing Summary
Parenthetical Definition
Usability testing
36. Useful in highlighting sections of a document to draw reader attention
Feasibility Report Structure
Parallel sentences
Color
Parenthetical definition
37. Used when extensive details are required about an item; may be a paragraph or numerous pages depending on the audience and purpose.
Sentence Definition
Expanded Definition
Brochure
Topic outlines
38. ____________________ in a sentence indicates the relationship between ideas; structuring a sentence with effective ______________ improves conciseness.
Subordination
Topic outlines
Progress Reports
Use Manuals
39. External proposal that may be short or long depending on the size of the potential sale
Audience Analysis Questions
Progress Reports
Sales Proposal
Color
40. Show trends and changes over time - cost - size - rates - and other variables.
Flowcharts
Line Graphs
Sentence outlines
Inquiry Letters
41. Describes the physical appearance of an object or area beginning at one point and ending at another; useful for product or mechanism descriptions
Claim Letters
Spatial pattern
Parenthetical Definition
Sales Proposal
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
Analysis of parts
White space
Headers and footers
Audience Analysis Questions
43. External proposal written to request funding for a project or study.
Line Graphs
Grant or Research Proposal
Chronological pattern
Negation
44. Included before full report; summarized version of report
Informative Abstract
Diagrams
Line Graphs
Color
45. ______ ______ ______ 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
Data Validity
Routine Internal Proposal
Feasibility Report Structure
Sentence Definition
46. Included before full report; combines main points of a report or proposal; often persuasive
Executive Summary
Diagrams
Contractions
Appendix
47. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.
Justification
Negative definitions
Semi Technical
The functional resume format
48. Explain how each element of a complex item works - which is especially beneficial to laypersons attempting to understand a technical subject.
Passive voice and helping verbs
Directives
Analysis of parts
15 to 20
49. 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
Semi Technical
Widow
The functional resume format
Full-block style
50. Charts that show parts of a whole
Non Technical
Pie charts
15 to 20
Proposal