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. 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?






2. Explaining what the term does not mean.






3. 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






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






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






6. Show how components of a principle - process - or system function together - useful to people assembling and installing things.






7. 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.






8. 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






9. 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






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






11. 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






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






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






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. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






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






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






18. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






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






20. ______ ______ ______ 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






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






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






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






24. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






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






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






27. 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






28. Show steps in a process.






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






30. Translate numbers into shapes or colors; show camprisons






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






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






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






34. External proposal written and submitted without request






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






36. 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.






37. Data organized visually for easy comparison






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






39. 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.






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






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






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






43. 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)






44. Explain how an item or process works






45. Left ____________ improves the flow of a document.






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






47. Boldface - italics - capital letters - font style - and font size are common ways to show readers the difference between _________________ headings.






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






49. 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.






50. 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.