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






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






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






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






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






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






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






8. 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






9. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






10. 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.






11. 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.






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






13. 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






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






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






16. 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






17. 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






18. A formal document longer than ten pages usually includes a table of contents to simplify the process of locating information. It's included after the title and abstract - but before the list of tables - forward and preface.






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






20. 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.






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






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






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






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






25. ______ ______ ______ 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






26. 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






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






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






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






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






31. 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.






32. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






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






34. 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.






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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