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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






9. 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






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






11. 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.






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






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






14. Explain how an item or process works






15. Increase the wordiness of a sentence






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






17. 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.






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






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






20. Single words or short lines carried over to the top of a column or page






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






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






23. 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






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






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






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






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






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






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






30. ______ ______ ______ 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






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






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






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






34. 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.






35. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.






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






37. 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.






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






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






40. 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






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






42. Informal written communications used in business between colleagues. The provide a record trail of decisions that can be used legally.






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






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






45. 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.






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






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






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






49. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






50. 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.