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






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






3. 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.






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






5. 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.






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






7. 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.






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






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






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


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






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






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






14. Organization Name __________ To: Name/Title of addressee From: Name/Title of sender with handwritten initials Date: For record keeping purposes Subject: Key words Introductory Paragraph: purpose and background Body Paragraph(s): details - explanation






15. Show steps in a process.






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






17. 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.






18. Charts that show parts of a whole






19. 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.






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






21. 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?






22. 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.






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






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






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






26. External proposal written and submitted without request






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






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






29. Explaining what the term does not mean.






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






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






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






33. 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






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






35. ______ ______ ______ 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






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






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






38. Included before full report; summarized version of report






39. 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)






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






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






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






43. 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.






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






45. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






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






47. 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






48. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






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






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