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. A word on a line by itself at the end of a column






2. Consist of brief phrases that indicate a document's method of development - and they are primarily used for short documents like letters and memos.






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






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






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






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






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






8. Describing the terms origin - such as Greek or Latin words






9. When using a ______________ - center the return address - date - and closing - and align body paragraphs to the left.






10. 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






11. ______ ______ ______ 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






12. 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






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






14. Used when writing about one subject that is similar to another.






15. _______ are documents written to persuade readers to take some type of action.






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






17. Discuss history - development - and applications for the term - unless readers are only attempting to perform a task related to the term.






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

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






20. 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






21. Used in in presenting steps - materials - and recommendations






22. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






23. 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.






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






25. 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.






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






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






28. Written to express disappointment with a product or service and to request a refund - replacement - or an apology






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






30. Written to accompany a resume when seeking an internship or employment; explains how skills and experience match a specific job position.






31. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






37. Charts that show parts of a whole






38. Defining through __________ involves comparing two seemingly different objects that share a common characteristic.






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






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






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






42. Sentences with an average of ____________ words are appropriate for technical writing. Sentences of fewer than 15 words are too short and choppy - and ones longer than 20 words are cumbersome and confusing.






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






44. Written for repair technicians; contain troubleshooting charts for diagnosing problems






45. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






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






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






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






49. Use these to show the meaning of a process or concept.






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