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

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2. Data organized visually for easy comparison






3. External proposal that may be short or long depending on the size of the potential sale






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






14. 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






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






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






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






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






19. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons






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






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






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






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






24. Charts that show parts of a whole






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. 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






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






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






29. 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.






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






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






32. 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.






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






34. 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






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






36. 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.






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






38. 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.






39. Show steps in a process.






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






41. 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.






42. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: What has been accomplished since the last progress report? - What tasks still need to be accomplished? - Have there been any unanticipated problems? - What is the expected timetable for completio






43. 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?






44. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






45. 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?






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






47. 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.






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






49. 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.






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