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. Used when requesting large amounts of money






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






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






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






5. 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.






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






7. 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.






8. Explaining what the term does not mean.






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






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






11. Charts that show parts of a whole






12. Informal written communications used in business between colleagues. The provide a record trail of decisions that can be used legally.






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






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






15. 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






16. Audience consists of experts in the subject matter - data does not require lengthy explanation e.g.: a physician giving a report to a surgeon about a patient's lab results and symptoms






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






18. Consist of brief phrases that indicate a document's method of development - and they are primarily used for short documents like letters and memos.






19. 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?






20. Single words or short lines carried over to the top of a column or page






21. The purpose of a ____ is to: Summarize information - Interpret Findings - Recommend action






22. 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.






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






24. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: The reason for conducting the test or investigation - Problems - Results and Conclusion






25. _______ are documents written to persuade readers to take some type of action.






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






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






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






29. A ____________ is the final document or product that will be submitted once a project is completed.






30. 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






31. This supplements or clarifies information in the text body. It is in the back and there may be more than one per topic. For example: experiment details - complicated formulas - interview questions and answers - long quotes - maps - photos - tests - v






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






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






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






35. 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)






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






37. Show steps in a process.






38. 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.






39. Written for unskilled individuals. The steps required to complete a task safely and efficiently - such as installing a memory card into a laptop. i.e. printed manuals - user manuals.






40. Illustrate relationships in systems - such as components in an electronic device






41. Data organized visually for easy comparison






42. 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.






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






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


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






46. 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?






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






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






49. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






50. 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.