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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. Begins with either the cause of the effect; useful in reports discussing problems and solutions
Comparison
Cause and Effect
Bar graphs
Modified-block style
2. Commonly used to outline longer documents like reports - proposals - and manuals.
Gantt charts
Sentence outlines
Flowcharts
Usability testing
3. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.
Letters
Precise
Tutorials
Descriptive Abstract
4. Often include section topic - date - page number - and title of document.
Relative pronouns
Tone
Precise
Headers and footers
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.
Chunking
Tutorials
Executive Summary
Spatial pattern
6. Included before full report; combines main points of a report or proposal; often persuasive
Executive Summary
Use Manuals
Feasibility Reports
Analogy
7. Most appropriate when a writer needs to define a multiple-meaning term with precision.
Laboratory Reports
Use Manuals
Sentence definitions
Justification
8. Written to express disappointment with a product or service and to request a refund - replacement - or an apology
Relative pronouns
High Technical
Claim Letters
Comparison
9. Indicate organizational structure and help readers find information; type size or font should differ from main text.
Resume
Non Technical
Headings
Emphatic pattern
10. Appear on the top of every page in a document to indicate the page number and document title.
Solicited Proposal
Grant or Research Proposal
Descriptive Abstract
Headers
11. Used for writing step-by-step instructions.
Visuals
Sequential pattern
Progress Reports
Procedures
12. External proposal written to request funding for a project or study.
Conclusion
Tutorials
Grant or Research Proposal
Lists
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.
Schematic diagrams
Chunking
Justification
Letters
14. The _______ is the left-hand column of a table - and it lists the items being compared.
Unsolicited proposal
Stub
Schematic diagrams
Collaborative writing
15. Explain how an item or process works
Use Manuals
Operation
Informative Abstract
Directives
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?
White space
Chronological pattern
Feasibility Reports
Cover panel
17. ______ are documents that help people how to understand how to assemble - use - and repair products.
Manuals
Gantt charts
Background
Flowcharts
18. Show how the phases of a project relate to each other
Plan of work
Passive voice and helping verbs
Operation
Gantt charts
19. The purpose of a ____ is to: Summarize information - Interpret Findings - Recommend action
Operation
Non Technical
Procedures
Conclusion
20. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.
Training Manuals
Resume
Laboratory Reports
Captions
21. Show how components of a principle - process - or system function together - useful to people assembling and installing things.
Table of Contents
Etymology
Schematic diagrams
Cause and Effect
22. Using '______________' to link the two sentences best contrasts the information.
Usability testing
Chunking
Letters
Although
23. Data organized visually for easy comparison
Tables
Incident or trouble reports
Directives
Negation
24. Included on the title page; summarizes in a few sentences the scope and purpose of the document.
Plan of work
Bar graphs
Descriptive Abstract
Columns
25. Detailed - usually multipage commercial document containing descriptions of product/servive/project for marketing purposes.
Brochure
Columns
Audience Analysis Questions
Data Validity
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
Claim Letters
Collaborative writing
Stub
Feasibility Report Structure
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
Diagrams
Use Manuals
Tables
Background
28. Use images or icons to represent quantities; useful for non-experts to grasp ideas.
Diagrams
Pictograms
Justification
Cover panel
29. Single ___ for larger typeface; double for smaller typeface. Avoid orphans and widows.
Columns
Sentence outlines
Tone
Spatial pattern
30. External proposal that may be short or long depending on the size of the potential sale
Transitional phrases
Gantt charts
Etymology
Sales Proposal
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)
Parallel sentences
Grant or Research Proposal
Semi Technical
15 to 20
32. Use a synonym or clarifying phrase to explain the meaning of an unfamiliar word; easy to set up links in electronic documents.
Contractions
Comparison
Color
Parenthetical Definition
33. A word on a line by itself at the end of a column
Incident or trouble reports
Analogy
Pictograms
Orphan
34. Used in in presenting steps - materials - and recommendations
Titles and headings
Data Validity
Lists
Modified-block style
35. ___________ - such as 'who -' are more likely to decrease clarity in a document.
Sentence outlines
Operator's Manuals
Drawings
Relative pronouns
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.
Incident or trouble reports
Flowcharts
Claim Letters
Usability testing
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
Topic outlines
Contractions
White space
Feasibility Report Structure
38. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: The reason for conducting the test or investigation - Problems - Results and Conclusion
Bar graphs
Expanded Definition
Laboratory Reports
Data Validity Questions
39. Use comparison to define - but they are less likely to be used for terms with multiple meanings.
Widows
Negative definitions
Data Validity Questions
Semi Technical
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
White space
Data Validity Questions
Titles and headings
Brochure
41. Discuss history - development - and applications for the term - unless readers are only attempting to perform a task related to the term.
Cover panel
Line Graphs
Background
Executive Summary
42. The _____________ explains what an organization wants to do and justifies the proposal with primary and secondary research.
Usability testing
Plan of work
Grant or Research Proposal
Proposal
43. Increase the wordiness of a sentence
Unsolicited proposal
Grant or Research Proposal
Stub
Passive voice and helping verbs
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
Feasibility Report Structure
Negative definitions
Procedures
Proposal
45. External proposal written and submitted without request
Bar graphs
Pictograms
Schematic diagrams
Unsolicited proposal
46. Describing the terms origin - such as Greek or Latin words
Visuals
Headings
Etymology
Process Description
47. Written for repair technicians; contain troubleshooting charts for diagnosing problems
Procedures
Topic outlines
Service Manuals
Bar graphs
48. Involves dividing an idea into different parts and explaining each part separately.
Analogy
Partition
Sentence Definition
Precise
49. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.
Relative pronouns
Grant or Research Proposal
Justification
Precise
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.
Headings
White space
Routine Internal Proposal
Cover panel