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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. They are different from Memos - since they correspond to people outside of the organization instead of inside.
Claim Letters
Letters
Line Graphs
Passive voice and helping verbs
2. Explain how each element of a complex item works - which is especially beneficial to laypersons attempting to understand a technical subject.
Gantt charts
Diagrams
Partition
Analysis of parts
3. Use these to show the meaning of a process or concept.
Memos
Procedures
Visuals
Gantt charts
4. 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
Collaborative writing
First-level and second-level
Lists
Drawings
5. 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?
Audience Analysis Questions
Semi Technical
Informative Abstract
Comparison
6. Indicate organizational structure and help readers find information; type size or font should differ from main text.
Memorandum Structure
Formal Internal Proposal
Headings
Solicited Proposal
7. Letter format most appropriate with letterhead stationery - all letter elements are aligned to the left margin - and company letterhead is commonly used.
Cause and Effect
Glossary
Data Validity Questions
Full-block style
8. Used when requesting large amounts of money
Appendix
Formal Internal Proposal
Color
Descriptive Abstract
9. Use comparison to define - but they are less likely to be used for terms with multiple meanings.
Sentence outlines
Claim Letters
Transitional phrases
Negative definitions
10. Informal written communications used in business between colleagues. The provide a record trail of decisions that can be used legally.
Procedures
Memos
Claim Letters
Topic outlines
11. Written to accompany a resume when seeking an internship or employment; explains how skills and experience match a specific job position.
Job Application Letters
Emphatic pattern
Gantt charts
Background
12. 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.
Tutorials
Table of Contents
Pie charts
Inquiry Letters
13. Included either at the beginning of the conclusion or at the end of the body; reviews main points and findings
Closing Summary
Negation
Use Manuals
Columns
14. 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
Sentence definitions
Memorandum Structure
Progress Reports
Precise
15. 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.
Feasibility Reports
Passive voice and helping verbs
Modified-block style
Cover panel
16. Included on the title page; summarizes in a few sentences the scope and purpose of the document.
Widow
Captions
Descriptive Abstract
Negative definitions
17. Emphasizes important information; reasons or examples are arranged in decreasing or increasing order of imporance; used when making recommendations or proposals.
Glossary
Tables
Service Manuals
Emphatic pattern
18. 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.
Modified-block style
Relative pronouns
Tone
Directives
19. 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)
Process Description
Analysis of parts
Columns
Letters
20. Consist of brief phrases that indicate a document's method of development - and they are primarily used for short documents like letters and memos.
Laboratory Reports
The functional resume format
Headings
Topic outlines
21. Included before full report; combines main points of a report or proposal; often persuasive
Informative Abstract
Sequential pattern
Executive Summary
Formal Internal Proposal
22. 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.
Schematic diagrams
Precise
Transitional phrases
Non Technical
23. Explaining what the term does not mean.
Negation
Columns
Justification
Sequential pattern
24. Written to express disappointment with a product or service and to request a refund - replacement - or an apology
Brochure
Subordination
Semi Technical
Claim Letters
25. Illustrate relationships in systems - such as components in an electronic device
Analogy
Contractions
Diagrams
Use Manuals
26. The _______ is the left-hand column of a table - and it lists the items being compared.
Stub
Full-block style
Manuals
Job Application Letters
27. Written in short proposal format; used frequently in organizations for minor spending requests.
Emphatic pattern
Job Application Letters
Routine Internal Proposal
Orphan
28. 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
Chunking
High Technical
Use Manuals
Instructions
29. Too brief and general to convey the complexity of a term with multiple meanings.
Stub
Contractions
Relative pronouns
Parenthetical definition
30. 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.
Tutorials
Comparison
Sentence Definition
Justification
31. Margins ________ on the left are easier to read; fully ______ is appropriate for multiple columns.
Justification
Non Technical
The functional resume format
Collaborative writing
32. When using a ______________ - center the return address - date - and closing - and align body paragraphs to the left.
Chunking
Modified-block style
Service Manuals
Pie charts
33. 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
Captions
Negation
Partition
Non Technical
34. Included before full report; summarized version of report
Although
Informative Abstract
Background
Table of Contents
35. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: The reason for conducting the test or investigation - Problems - Results and Conclusion
Relative pronouns
Laboratory Reports
Use Manuals
Background
36. 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
Pictograms
Routine Internal Proposal
Titles and headings
Contractions
37. Used when extensive details are required about an item; may be a paragraph or numerous pages depending on the audience and purpose.
Transitional phrases
Feasibility Reports
High Technical
Expanded Definition
38. A document with an alphabetical list of definitions. It defines terms without breaking the flow. If a document has five or more technical terms it needs one of these. Insert after the appendix and bibiolography
Analogy
Data Validity Questions
Glossary
Conclusion
39. Discuss history - development - and applications for the term - unless readers are only attempting to perform a task related to the term.
Parenthetical Definition
Full-block style
Background
Lists
40. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.
Unsolicited proposal
Precise
Inquiry Letters
Training Manuals
41. Involves dividing an idea into different parts and explaining each part separately.
Captions
Partition
Feasibility Reports
Sentence definitions
42. Describes the physical appearance of an object or area beginning at one point and ending at another; useful for product or mechanism descriptions
Emphatic pattern
Negation
Routine Internal Proposal
Spatial pattern
43. The extent to which data has been verified to be accurate
Headers
Data Validity
Although
Precise
44. Appear on the top of every page in a document to indicate the page number and document title.
Cover panel
Lists
Parenthetical Definition
Headers
45. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.
Data Validity Questions
Instructions
Usability testing
Captions
46. 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
White space
Memos
Orphan
Chronological pattern
47. Writers developing a formal document should avoid _______________ - but thee occasional use in semiformal or informal documents is acceptable.
The functional resume format
Relative pronouns
Contractions
Tone
48. A word on a line by itself at the end of a column
Sales Proposal
Sentence definitions
Orphan
Partition
49. 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.
Instructions
Background
Memos
Letters
50. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons
Headers and footers
Bar graphs
Glossary
Semi Technical