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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. Written for trained operators of construction - computer - or manufacturing equipment for use on the job; includes instructions and safety information.
2. 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?
Spatial pattern
Thumbnails
Audience Analysis Questions
First-level and second-level
3. Explain policies - and proposals persuade readers to follow a plan of action.
Sentence outlines
Directives
Captions
Instructions
4. Describing the terms origin - such as Greek or Latin words
Etymology
Schematic diagrams
Headers
Partition
5. Explain how each element of a complex item works - which is especially beneficial to laypersons attempting to understand a technical subject.
Grant or Research Proposal
Emphatic pattern
Analysis of parts
Precise
6. Defining through __________ involves comparing two seemingly different objects that share a common characteristic.
Laboratory Reports
Cause and Effect
Analogy
Captions
7. Written to express disappointment with a product or service and to request a refund - replacement - or an apology
Memorandum Structure
Appendix
Parenthetical definition
Claim Letters
8. This document contains: Name and contact information - Job Objective - Qualifications and Summary - Education and Work Experience - Awards - Skills and Activities - References
Resume
Chunking
Tone
Parallel sentences
9. 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
The functional resume format
Cover panel
White space
Headers and footers
10. Used when extensive details are required about an item; may be a paragraph or numerous pages depending on the audience and purpose.
High Technical
Modified-block style
Expanded Definition
Lists
11. 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
Feasibility Report Structure
Justification
Memorandum Structure
Stub
12. 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
Titles and headings
Inquiry Letters
Sentence definitions
The functional resume format
13. Letter format most appropriate with letterhead stationery - all letter elements are aligned to the left margin - and company letterhead is commonly used.
Full-block style
Topic outlines
Diagrams
Contractions
14. Show trends and changes over time - cost - size - rates - and other variables.
Parenthetical Definition
Line Graphs
Service Manuals
The functional resume format
15. 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.
Training Manuals
Tutorials
Sentence outlines
Columns
16. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.
Captions
Routine Internal Proposal
Resume
Emphatic pattern
17. 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.
Grant or Research Proposal
Unsolicited proposal
Transitional phrases
Audience Analysis Questions
18. 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
Negation
Headers and footers
Collaborative writing
Diagrams
19. ______ ______ ______ 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
Resume
Pie charts
Process Description
Feasibility Report Structure
20. 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.
The functional resume format
Color
Drawings
Analysis of parts
21. ____________________ in a sentence indicates the relationship between ideas; structuring a sentence with effective ______________ improves conciseness.
Although
Subordination
Feasibility Reports
Comparison
22. They are different from Memos - since they correspond to people outside of the organization instead of inside.
Instructions
Cover panel
Letters
Diagrams
23. These are sentences clarity is increased by creating lists/clauses with similar grammer. (for example - every item on a list has 'a' before it)
Although
Parallel sentences
Progress Reports
Gantt charts
24. Written to describe events like safety emergencies - equipment problems - and workplace accidents.
Headings
Emphatic pattern
Sales Proposal
Incident or trouble reports
25. Used for writing step-by-step instructions.
Tutorials
Widow
Letters
Sequential pattern
26. Included either at the beginning of the conclusion or at the end of the body; reviews main points and findings
Parenthetical Definition
Closing Summary
Process Description
Sales Proposal
27. Explaining what the term does not mean.
Negation
Solicited Proposal
Operation
Modified-block style
28. 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
Lists
Closing Summary
Glossary
Stub
29. Written in short proposal format; used frequently in organizations for minor spending requests.
Analogy
Routine Internal Proposal
Headers
Bar graphs
30. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: The reason for conducting the test or investigation - Problems - Results and Conclusion
Non Technical
Laboratory Reports
Columns
Justification
31. 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.
Tone
Orphan
Background
Descriptive Abstract
32. A word on a line by itself at the end of a column
Color
Stub
Partition
Orphan
33. ______ are documents that help people how to understand how to assemble - use - and repair products.
Manuals
Parenthetical definition
Headers
Non Technical
34. Single words or short lines carried over to the top of a column or page
Parenthetical definition
Operator's Manuals
Operation
Widows
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)
Executive Summary
Process Description
Letters
Topic outlines
36. 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
Passive voice and helping verbs
Procedures
High Technical
Topic outlines
37. A single line carried over the top of a column
Captions
Sentence Definition
Data Validity Questions
Widow
38. Emphasizes important information; reasons or examples are arranged in decreasing or increasing order of imporance; used when making recommendations or proposals.
Emphatic pattern
Lists
Procedures
Cover panel
39. Show steps in a process.
Flowcharts
Titles and headings
Comparison
Descriptive Abstract
40. Included before full report; summarized version of report
Sequential pattern
Executive Summary
High Technical
Informative Abstract
41. Included on the title page; summarizes in a few sentences the scope and purpose of the document.
Training Manuals
Descriptive Abstract
Audience Analysis Questions
Deliverable
42. Show how components of a principle - process - or system function together - useful to people assembling and installing things.
Schematic diagrams
Gantt charts
Lists
Drawings
43. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.
Widows
Justification
Resume
Tables
44. 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.
Diagrams
Collaborative writing
Instructions
Justification
45. External proposal written in response to a request for proposals (RFP) or an invitation for bids (IFB)
Solicited Proposal
Memorandum Structure
Comparison
Transitional phrases
46. Consist of brief phrases that indicate a document's method of development - and they are primarily used for short documents like letters and memos.
Topic outlines
Justification
Negation
Training Manuals
47. 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?
Contractions
Feasibility Report Structure
Feasibility Reports
Cover panel
48. Used when requesting large amounts of money
Etymology
Manuals
Service Manuals
Formal Internal Proposal
49. Use images or icons to represent quantities; useful for non-experts to grasp ideas.
Relative pronouns
Headers and footers
Full-block style
Pictograms
50. Describes the physical appearance of an object or area beginning at one point and ending at another; useful for product or mechanism descriptions
Schematic diagrams
Spatial pattern
Drawings
Parallel sentences