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






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






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






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






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






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






7. Explain how an item or process works






8. 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.






9. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






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






11. Show steps in a process.






12. A ____________ is the final document or product that will be submitted once a project is completed.






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






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






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






16. 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.






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






18. Charts that show parts of a whole






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






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






21. Single ___ for larger typeface; double for smaller typeface. Avoid orphans and widows.






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






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






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






25. 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.






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






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






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






29. Data organized visually for easy comparison






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






31. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






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






33. 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)






34. Written for both skilled and unskilled users of a product; include instructions regarding setup - operation and maintenance as well as safety warning and trouble-shooting tips






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






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






37. Detailed - usually multipage commercial document containing descriptions of product/servive/project for marketing purposes.






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






39. 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






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






41. 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.






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






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






44. 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.






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






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






47. 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






48. The extent to which data has been verified to be accurate






49. Explain how each element of a complex item works - which is especially beneficial to laypersons attempting to understand a technical subject.






50. 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