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






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






3. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






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






5. 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.






6. Included before full report; combines main points of a report or proposal; often persuasive






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






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






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






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






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






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






13. Dividing information into manageable pieces so that the document is easier for readers to follow and understand - Writers use various sequencing methods to do this.






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






15. Explain how an item or process works






16. 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?






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






18. Show how the phases of a project relate to each other






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






20. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






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






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






23. Data organized visually for easy comparison






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






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






26. 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






27. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






35. ___________ - such as 'who -' are more likely to decrease clarity in a document.






36. 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.






37. 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






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






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






40. 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






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






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






43. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






44. ______ ______ ______ 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






45. External proposal written and submitted without request






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






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






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






49. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






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.