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Test your basic knowledge |
DSST Technical Writing
Start Test
Study First
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.
Conclusion
Partition
Subordination
Incident or trouble reports
2. These kinds of reports answer the following questions: The reason for conducting the test or investigation - Problems - Results and Conclusion
Cause and Effect
Laboratory Reports
Pictograms
Widow
3. The purpose of a ____ is to: Summarize information - Interpret Findings - Recommend action
Conclusion
Data Validity
Although
Instructions
4. The extent to which data has been verified to be accurate
The functional resume format
Use Manuals
Procedures
Data Validity
5. Appear on the top of every page in a document to indicate the page number and document title.
Headers
Usability testing
Subordination
Columns
6. Most appropriate when a writer needs to define a multiple-meaning term with precision.
Sentence definitions
Drawings
Captions
Tone
7. Explain how each element of a complex item works - which is especially beneficial to laypersons attempting to understand a technical subject.
Lists
Executive Summary
Training Manuals
Analysis of parts
8. The _______ is the left-hand column of a table - and it lists the items being compared.
Executive Summary
Operator's Manuals
Stub
Gantt charts
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
Audience Analysis Questions
Semi Technical
Expanded Definition
Feasibility Reports
10. Illustrate relationships in systems - such as components in an electronic device
Unsolicited proposal
Tables
Diagrams
15 to 20
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.
Passive voice and helping verbs
Descriptive Abstract
Transitional phrases
15 to 20
12. They are different from Memos - since they correspond to people outside of the organization instead of inside.
Audience Analysis Questions
Parenthetical Definition
Letters
Feasibility Report Structure
13. External proposal written in response to a request for proposals (RFP) or an invitation for bids (IFB)
Memorandum Structure
Solicited Proposal
Negative definitions
Pie charts
14. Explain how an item or process works
Proposal
The functional resume format
Operation
Visuals
15. Increase the wordiness of a sentence
Passive voice and helping verbs
Chunking
Parenthetical Definition
Analogy
16. Too brief and general to convey the complexity of a term with multiple meanings.
Spatial pattern
Use Manuals
Parenthetical definition
Precise
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.
Progress Reports
Sequential pattern
Subordination
Usability testing
18. Explain policies - and proposals persuade readers to follow a plan of action.
Schematic diagrams
Directives
Procedures
Use Manuals
19. ______ are documents that help people how to understand how to assemble - use - and repair products.
Full-block style
Sequential pattern
Manuals
Glossary
20. Single words or short lines carried over to the top of a column or page
Relative pronouns
Instructions
Widows
Sentence Definition
21. Show trends and changes over time - cost - size - rates - and other variables.
Conclusion
Executive Summary
Line Graphs
Columns
22. Indicate organizational structure and help readers find information; type size or font should differ from main text.
Sentence Definition
Cover panel
Precise
Headings
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
Pictograms
Audience Analysis Questions
Collaborative writing
Negative definitions
24. Involves dividing an idea into different parts and explaining each part separately.
Spatial pattern
Use Manuals
Partition
Chunking
25. Used for writing step-by-step instructions.
Contractions
Lists
Sales Proposal
Sequential pattern
26. ___________ - such as 'who -' are more likely to decrease clarity in a document.
Relative pronouns
Partition
Sentence outlines
Diagrams
27. Letter format most appropriate with letterhead stationery - all letter elements are aligned to the left margin - and company letterhead is commonly used.
Expanded Definition
Full-block style
Justification
Precise
28. Use images or icons to represent quantities; useful for non-experts to grasp ideas.
Pictograms
Thumbnails
Descriptive Abstract
Precise
29. External proposal written to request funding for a project or study.
Grant or Research Proposal
Stub
Headings
Sequential pattern
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
Feasibility Report Structure
Non Technical
Visuals
Incident or trouble reports
31. Margins ________ on the left are easier to read; fully ______ is appropriate for multiple columns.
Operator's Manuals
Background
Justification
Although
32. Use a synonym or clarifying phrase to explain the meaning of an unfamiliar word; easy to set up links in electronic documents.
Although
Grant or Research Proposal
Parenthetical Definition
Executive Summary
33. Written to ask about a product - service or procedure; brief - direct and clearly worded so the reader understands what is needed.
Non Technical
Inquiry Letters
Incident or trouble reports
Memos
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.
Proposal
Informative Abstract
Instructions
Tone
35. Titles or brief statements that describe a visual.
Contractions
Descriptive Abstract
Captions
Operation
36. When using a ______________ - center the return address - date - and closing - and align body paragraphs to the left.
Flowcharts
Formal Internal Proposal
Modified-block style
Tutorials
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.
Sentence Definition
Unsolicited proposal
Cover panel
Training Manuals
38. A ____________ is the final document or product that will be submitted once a project is completed.
Pictograms
Deliverable
White space
Parenthetical Definition
39. Included before full report; combines main points of a report or proposal; often persuasive
Pie charts
Executive Summary
Widow
Directives
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
Process Description
Titles and headings
Laboratory Reports
Widow
41. Using '______________' to link the two sentences best contrasts the information.
Modified-block style
Laboratory Reports
Color
Although
42. Informal written communications used in business between colleagues. The provide a record trail of decisions that can be used legally.
Thumbnails
Sentence outlines
Brochure
Memos
43. Written for repair technicians; contain troubleshooting charts for diagnosing problems
Service Manuals
Justification
Instructions
Sales Proposal
44. Used when writing about one subject that is similar to another.
Headings
Procedures
Although
Comparison
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.
Cover panel
Although
Orphan
Inquiry Letters
46. This document contains: Name and contact information - Job Objective - Qualifications and Summary - Education and Work Experience - Awards - Skills and Activities - References
Job Application Letters
Precise
Tables
Resume
47. Detailed - usually multipage commercial document containing descriptions of product/servive/project for marketing purposes.
Brochure
Closing Summary
Process Description
Headers
48. Included either at the beginning of the conclusion or at the end of the body; reviews main points and findings
Relative pronouns
Conclusion
Headings
Closing Summary
49. _______________ terms are clearer than general ones.
Full-block style
Precise
Usability testing
Stub
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.
Feasibility Report Structure
Informative Abstract
Tutorials
Directives