Question 1

Which of the following is an accepted method of defining terms?

Accepted Answer

A) a parenthetical definition. 
B) a circular definition. 
C) an oblique definition. 
D) a non-sequiteur. 
A) a parenthetical definition. 
B) a circular definition. 
C) an oblique definition. 
D) a non-sequiteur. A

Question 2

All effective definitions require the following element or characteristic:

Accepted Answer

A) plain English that readers can understand. 
B) personal judgements about the defined subject. 
C) three alternative views of the item. 
D) a description of how the item operates. 
A) plain English that readers can understand. 
B) personal judgements about the defined subject. 
C) three alternative views of the item. 
D) a description of how the item operates. A

Question 3

"A smartphone is a mobile phone that offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary basic feature phone" is an example of

Accepted Answer

A) an extended definition. 
B) a categorical definition. 
C) a circular definition. 
D) an operational definition. 
A) an extended definition. 
B) a categorical definition. 
C) a circular definition. 
D) an operational definition. B

Question 4

In a hypertext document, a term can be most effectively defined in

Accepted Answer

A) a parenthetical or clarifying phrase. 
B) a sentence definition. 
C) a "popup note" that appears when a reader clicks on a highlighted term. 
D) a side bar. 
A) a parenthetical or clarifying phrase. 
B) a sentence definition. 
C) a "popup note" that appears when a reader clicks on a highlighted term. 
D) a side bar.

Question 5

Expanded definitions

Accepted Answer

A) use only categorical sentence definitions. 
B) may be as long as an entire paragraph or even longer. 
C) define terms that readers have likely not encountered previously. 
D) expand the term's category to include sub-categories. 
A) use only categorical sentence definitions. 
B) may be as long as an entire paragraph or even longer. 
C) define terms that readers have likely not encountered previously. 
D) expand the term's category to include sub-categories.

Question 6

The specific strategies of expanding a definition you choose will depend on

Accepted Answer

A) the amount of space in your report. 
B) the needs of your audience. 
C) the information you have. 
D) the time you have. 
A) the amount of space in your report. 
B) the needs of your audience. 
C) the information you have. 
D) the time you have.

Question 7

Preferably, a definition should be placed

Accepted Answer

A) as a footnote on the page where it first appears. 
B) in a glossary of terms. 
C) in the section where its meaning is essential for the readers to understand material in that section and in subsequent sections. 
D) wherever space allows its placement. 
A) as a footnote on the page where it first appears. 
B) in a glossary of terms. 
C) in the section where its meaning is essential for the readers to understand material in that section and in subsequent sections. 
D) wherever space allows its placement.

Question 8

Which of the following expresses a categorical definition?

Accepted Answer

A) Invigilators observe examination candidates to prevent cheating. 
B) The invigilator (the exam supervisor)caught three students exchanging answers. 
C) An invigilator is someone who watches examination candidates to prevent cheating. 
D) any or all of a, b, and c 
A) Invigilators observe examination candidates to prevent cheating. 
B) The invigilator (the exam supervisor)caught three students exchanging answers. 
C) An invigilator is someone who watches examination candidates to prevent cheating. 
D) any or all of a, b, and c

Question 9

Expanded definitions should be placed

Accepted Answer

A) in the introduction, if readers need that definition to understand the entire document. 
B) in an appendix, if the definition serves only as a reference. 
C) near the beginning of a document section, if that definition clarifies that section's discussion. 
D) any or all of a, b, and c 
A) in the introduction, if readers need that definition to understand the entire document. 
B) in an appendix, if the definition serves only as a reference. 
C) near the beginning of a document section, if that definition clarifies that section's discussion. 
D) any or all of a, b, and c

Question 10

"A smartphone mobile phone offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary basic feature phone" is an example of

Accepted Answer

A) an extended definition. 
B) a categorical definition. 
C) a circular definition. 
D) an operational definition. 
A) an extended definition. 
B) a categorical definition. 
C) a circular definition. 
D) an operational definition.

Question 11

An expanded definition could include

Accepted Answer

A) a quotation that expresses the writer's reaction to the term. 
B) your judgement of the relative importance of the defined item. 
C) an etymological description of the term's origin. 
D) a circular definition placed in an historical context. 
A) a quotation that expresses the writer's reaction to the term. 
B) your judgement of the relative importance of the defined item. 
C) an etymological description of the term's origin. 
D) a circular definition placed in an historical context.

Question 12

Parenthetical definitions explain a term

Accepted Answer

A) as a clarifying phrase, usually at the end of a sentence. 
B) in a footnote, usually in a complete sentence. 
C) in a word or phrase, often as a synonym in brackets immediately following the term. 
D) in parentheses, at the end of the applicable paragraph. 
A) as a clarifying phrase, usually at the end of a sentence. 
B) in a footnote, usually in a complete sentence. 
C) in a word or phrase, often as a synonym in brackets immediately following the term. 
D) in parentheses, at the end of the applicable paragraph.

Question 13

Operational definitions

Accepted Answer

A) work well in proposals and progress reports because of the active verbs that contribute to the sense of an active and successful plan or activity. 
B) define things in terms of what they do. 
C) use fewer words than the equivalent categorical definitions. 
D) any or all of a, b, and c 
A) work well in proposals and progress reports because of the active verbs that contribute to the sense of an active and successful plan or activity. 
B) define things in terms of what they do. 
C) use fewer words than the equivalent categorical definitions. 
D) any or all of a, b, and c

Question 14

Effective definitions

Accepted Answer

A) convey the properties of an item that differentiate it from others. 
B) include the writer's informed opinion. 
C) use language that readers need to learn. 
D) should always use the categorical method of defining. 
A) convey the properties of an item that differentiate it from others. 
B) include the writer's informed opinion. 
C) use language that readers need to learn. 
D) should always use the categorical method of defining.

Question 15

Definitions are important because

Accepted Answer

A) they provide technical detail without lengthy descriptions. 
B) most readers of technical documents are nontechnical persons. 
C) clear writing depends on terms whose meaning is shared by the writer and reader. 
D) definitions supply the only method to guarantee that writers and readers understand one another. 
A) they provide technical detail without lengthy descriptions. 
B) most readers of technical documents are nontechnical persons. 
C) clear writing depends on terms whose meaning is shared by the writer and reader. 
D) definitions supply the only method to guarantee that writers and readers understand one another.

Question 16

Which of the following expresses an operational definition?

Accepted Answer

A) Invigilators observe examination candidates to prevent cheating. 
B) The invigilator (the exam supervisor)caught three students exchanging answers. 
C) An invigilator is someone who watches examination candidates to prevent cheating. 
D) any or all of a, b, and c 
A) Invigilators observe examination candidates to prevent cheating. 
B) The invigilator (the exam supervisor)caught three students exchanging answers. 
C) An invigilator is someone who watches examination candidates to prevent cheating. 
D) any or all of a, b, and c

Question 17

Definitions of term in the report's title belong in

Accepted Answer

A) the table of contents. 
B) a glossary. 
C) the introduction. 
D) the informative abstract. 
A) the table of contents. 
B) a glossary. 
C) the introduction. 
D) the informative abstract.

Question 18

Categorical definitions

Accepted Answer

A) use forms of the verb "to be" in a sentence structure. 
B) define terms by what they do or how they act. 
C) use two or more sentences that are usually set aside in a box. 
D) define the term simply by naming its relevant category. 
A) use forms of the verb "to be" in a sentence structure. 
B) define terms by what they do or how they act. 
C) use two or more sentences that are usually set aside in a box. 
D) define the term simply by naming its relevant category.

Exam 14: Email

Which of the following is an accepted method of defining terms?

All effective definitions require the following element or characteristic:

"A smartphone is a mobile phone that offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary basic feature phone" is an example of

In a hypertext document, a term can be most effectively defined in

Expanded definitions

The specific strategies of expanding a definition you choose will depend on

Preferably, a definition should be placed

Which of the following expresses a categorical definition?

Expanded definitions should be placed

"A smartphone mobile phone offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary basic feature phone" is an example of

An expanded definition could include

Parenthetical definitions explain a term

Operational definitions

Effective definitions

Definitions are important because

Which of the following expresses an operational definition?

Definitions of term in the report's title belong in

Categorical definitions

Introduction to Technical Communication

Meeting the Needs of Specific Audiences

Persuading Your Audience

Weighing the Ethical Issues

Teamwork and Global Considerations

An Overview of the Technical Writing Process

Thinking Critically About the Research Process

Evaluating and Interpreting Information

Summarizing Research Findings and Other Information

Organizing for Readers

Editing for a Professional Style and Tone

Designing Visual Information

Designing Pages and Documents

Workplace Memos and Letters

Résumés and Other Job-Search Materials

Technical Definitions

Technical Descriptions, Specifications, and Marketing Materials

Instructions and Procedures

Informal Reports

Formal Analytical Reports

Proposals

Oral Presentations and Video Conferencing

Blogs, Wikis, and Web Pages

Social Media

Filters