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. 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?






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






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






4. Follows a sequence of events; useful for explanations of how something is done or how an accident occurred.






5. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






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






7. Charts that show parts of a whole






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






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






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






11. This document contains: Name and contact information - Job Objective - Qualifications and Summary - Education and Work Experience - Awards - Skills and Activities - References






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






13. 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






14. 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.






15. Included either at the beginning of the conclusion or at the end of the body; reviews main points and findings






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






17. 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.






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






19. Margins ________ on the left are easier to read; fully ______ is appropriate for multiple columns.






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






21. 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






22. Show real or imaginary objects; highlight specific parts; use exploded view to show how parts fit together.






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






24. Included before full report; summarized version of report






25. 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






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






27. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






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






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






30. Data organized visually for easy comparison






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






32. 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.






33. Explaining what the term does not mean.






34. 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)






35. 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






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






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






38. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons






39. 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






40. 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.






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






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






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






44. Major teaching tool in vocational jobs; used to train people in a procedure or skill and often paired with audiovisual information






45. 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






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






47. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






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






49. Used when extensive details are required about an item; may be a paragraph or numerous pages depending on the audience and purpose.






50. 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.