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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. 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






2. External proposal written and submitted without request






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






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






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






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






7. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.






8. 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






9. Explaining what the term does not mean.






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






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






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






13. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: Is the plan likely to be successful? - What are the benefits and risks of the plan? - What are other options? - Is funding available? - How would the employees be affected?






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






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






16. 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






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






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






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






20. Begins with either the cause of the effect; useful in reports discussing problems and solutions






21. Used when requesting large amounts of money






22. Written to express disappointment with a product or service and to request a refund - replacement - or an apology






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






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






31. Show how the phases of a project relate to each other






32. 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






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






34. 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.






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






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






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






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






39. 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






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






41. 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.






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






43. 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.






44. Defining through __________ involves comparing two seemingly different objects that share a common characteristic.






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






46. Audience consists of laypersons with no training in the subject matter; data needs to be translated into simple language that can be easily understood e.g.; a physician giving a report to a patient's spouse regarding lab results - symptoms - and trea






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






48. 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.






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






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