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






2. 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.






3. 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)






4. These are sentences clarity is increased by creating lists/clauses with similar grammer. (for example - every item on a list has 'a' before it)






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






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






7. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






13. External proposal written and submitted without request






14. 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.






15. 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






16. Data organized visually for easy comparison






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






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






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






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






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






22. Written to describe events like safety emergencies - equipment problems - and workplace accidents.






23. Commonly used to outline longer documents like reports - proposals - and manuals.






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






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






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






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






28. Letter format most appropriate with letterhead stationery - all letter elements are aligned to the left margin - and company letterhead is commonly used.






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






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. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






32. 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






33. ______ ______ ______ 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






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






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






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






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






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






39. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






40. Reduces costs by minimizing customer calls and the need to release document updates. Product sales and customer satisfaction also benefitsfrom this - although this enhances product safety - it does not eliminate a firm's legal responsibilities.






41. Charts that show parts of a whole






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






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






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






45. 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.






46. Included before full report; summarized version of report






47. 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






48. 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.






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






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