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. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






2. 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.






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






4. Written for trained operators of construction - computer - or manufacturing equipment for use on the job; includes instructions and safety information.

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






6. Data organized visually for easy comparison






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






8. Useful in highlighting sections of a document to draw reader attention






9. 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.






10. Show steps in a process.






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






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






13. 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






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






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






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






17. 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






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






19. Show trends and changes over time - cost - size - rates - and other variables.






20. Written in short proposal format; used frequently in organizations for minor spending requests.






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






22. They are different from Memos - since they correspond to people outside of the organization instead of inside.






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






24. 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






25. Are reduced images of pictures.






26. 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?






27. Included before full report; summarized version of report






28. 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.






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






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






31. 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?






32. Used when requesting large amounts of money






33. 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






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






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






36. Letter format most appropriate with letterhead stationery - all letter elements are aligned to the left margin - and company letterhead is commonly used.






37. External proposal written and submitted without request






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






39. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






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






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






42. Emphasizes important information; reasons or examples are arranged in decreasing or increasing order of imporance; used when making recommendations or proposals.






43. Illustrate relationships in systems - such as components in an electronic device






44. Explaining what the term does not mean.






45. A single line carried over the top of a column






46. 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.






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






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






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






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