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






2. 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?






3. 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?






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






5. Are reduced images of pictures.






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






7. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






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






9. 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






10. External proposal that may be short or long depending on the size of the potential sale






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






12. 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.






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






14. Explaining what the term does not mean.






15. ______ ______ ______ 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






16. External proposal written to request funding for a project or study.






17. Explain how each element of a complex item works - which is especially beneficial to laypersons attempting to understand a technical subject.






18. Included before full report; summarized version of report






19. Show steps in a process.






20. 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.






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

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






23. 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






24. 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






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






26. It emphasizes abilities and skills rather than work history. This type of resume is appropriate for people who are changing careers or who have limited work experience. Education and references are included but not stressed.






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






28. Data organized visually for easy comparison






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






30. Explain policies - and proposals persuade readers to follow a plan of action.






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






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






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






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






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






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






37. 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.






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






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






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






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






42. External proposal written and submitted without request






43. 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.






44. Discuss history - development - and applications for the term - unless readers are only attempting to perform a task related to the term.






45. Begins with either the cause of the effect; useful in reports discussing problems and solutions






46. 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.






47. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






48. 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?






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






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