Question 1

The detailed content of technical documents can usually be based on

Accepted Answer

A) similar documents produced by the writer's organization. 
B) technical notes, research notes, field notes, or project notes. 
C) a pre-set structure for such documents. 
D) the writer's feelings about the subject. 
A) similar documents produced by the writer's organization. 
B) technical notes, research notes, field notes, or project notes. 
C) a pre-set structure for such documents. 
D) the writer's feelings about the subject. B

Question 2

Writing in an unplanned, impromptu manner wastes time because

Accepted Answer

A) unplanned writing often leads to badly-constructed sentences and paragraphs. 
B) revising the content of a free-written draft takes more time than revising a list of topics and details. 
C) re-writing the order of sections or paragraphs is time-consuming. 
D) any or all of the above. 
A) unplanned writing often leads to badly-constructed sentences and paragraphs. 
B) revising the content of a free-written draft takes more time than revising a list of topics and details. 
C) re-writing the order of sections or paragraphs is time-consuming. 
D) any or all of the above. D

Question 3

Brainstorming works best when a writer of a technical document

Accepted Answer

A) has all the required data available in notes and test results. 
B) needs to generate some or all of the content to be included in the document. 
C) wants to use a creative writing style. 
D) has an archived document available to use as a template for the new document. 
A) has all the required data available in notes and test results. 
B) needs to generate some or all of the content to be included in the document. 
C) wants to use a creative writing style. 
D) has an archived document available to use as a template for the new document. B

Question 4

Efficient technical writers

Accepted Answer

A) use a discovery process that involves many re-writes. 
B) rely more on brainstorming than on pre-planning. 
C) use an organized step-by-step process that focuses on one task at a time. 
D) never use outlines because they waste extra time. 
A) use a discovery process that involves many re-writes. 
B) rely more on brainstorming than on pre-planning. 
C) use an organized step-by-step process that focuses on one task at a time. 
D) never use outlines because they waste extra time.

Question 5

Chapter 3 defines "single sourcing" as

Accepted Answer

A) finding and using a single source as the basis for a document's information and conclusions 
B) using one document source to produce multiple outputs on multiple formats 
C) choosing a particular software package to produce all of one's documents 
D) choosing a consistent approach to researching a given topic 
A) finding and using a single source as the basis for a document's information and conclusions 
B) using one document source to produce multiple outputs on multiple formats 
C) choosing a particular software package to produce all of one's documents 
D) choosing a consistent approach to researching a given topic

Question 6

Using an organized outline to create the first draft of a document usually

Accepted Answer

A) saves the writer significant composition time. 
B) wastes time because a task is repeated. 
C) constrains the writer from adding material that isn't in the outline. 
D) restricts the writer's ability to think laterally. 
A) saves the writer significant composition time. 
B) wastes time because a task is repeated. 
C) constrains the writer from adding material that isn't in the outline. 
D) restricts the writer's ability to think laterally.

Question 7

A technical or business writer can be productive within 30 seconds of starting, by

Accepted Answer

A) using an audience/purpose profile to determine the document's opening sentence, which forms the basis for the remaining document. 
B) plugging into a proven structure for a report or proposal. 
C) writing the conclusion section first. 
D) writing the Executive Summary first. 
A) using an audience/purpose profile to determine the document's opening sentence, which forms the basis for the remaining document. 
B) plugging into a proven structure for a report or proposal. 
C) writing the conclusion section first. 
D) writing the Executive Summary first.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of single sourcing?

Accepted Answer

A) a technical report is automatically restructured as a business proposal 
B) a report is sent to several recipients 
C) a writer revises a manual's phrasing so that its descriptions and instructions can be understood by a wide range of technical and non-technical readers 
D) a PDF version of a technical description is converted from a Word file and then automatically re-formatted for a company website 
A) a technical report is automatically restructured as a business proposal 
B) a report is sent to several recipients 
C) a writer revises a manual's phrasing so that its descriptions and instructions can be understood by a wide range of technical and non-technical readers 
D) a PDF version of a technical description is converted from a Word file and then automatically re-formatted for a company website

Question 9

At work, writing efficiently is just as important as

Accepted Answer

A) getting to work on time. 
B) producing documents that meet reader's needs and expectations. 
C) the writer's technical expertise. 
D) knowing where to place illustrations. 
A) getting to work on time. 
B) producing documents that meet reader's needs and expectations. 
C) the writer's technical expertise. 
D) knowing where to place illustrations.

Question 10

Writers of proposals

Accepted Answer

A) can productively use the same writing process as technical report writers. 
B) do not have to plan their documents because templates dictate content and structure. 
C) usually take a long time to produce even short proposals because the phrasing must be so precise and persuasive. 
D) must work in collaborative teams to produce effective proposals. 
A) can productively use the same writing process as technical report writers. 
B) do not have to plan their documents because templates dictate content and structure. 
C) usually take a long time to produce even short proposals because the phrasing must be so precise and persuasive. 
D) must work in collaborative teams to produce effective proposals.

Question 11

Writing with a word processor has the following advantage

Accepted Answer

A) a word processor helps identify errors in spelling and grammar. 
B) word processing software can automatically convert a list of topics into a cluster diagram. 
C) word processing software automatically evaluates clarity and conciseness. 
D) word processing software automatically arranges the chosen content into a logical outline. 
A) a word processor helps identify errors in spelling and grammar. 
B) word processing software can automatically convert a list of topics into a cluster diagram. 
C) word processing software automatically evaluates clarity and conciseness. 
D) word processing software automatically arranges the chosen content into a logical outline.

Question 12

Automated spell checkers and grammar checkers can identify when

Accepted Answer

A) correctly spelled words are used incorrectly. 
B) a word is spelled incorrectly. 
C) passive voice is used appropriately. 
D) sentences are too long. 
A) correctly spelled words are used incorrectly. 
B) a word is spelled incorrectly. 
C) passive voice is used appropriately. 
D) sentences are too long.

Question 13

Using detailed, well-planned outlines has the following main advantage

Accepted Answer

A) once an outline has been created, the writer no longer has to insert transitional phrases or paragraphs. 
B) detailed outlines help writers save time at each stage of the writing process. 
C) outlines provide a fixed structure, so that no new material can accidentally be inserted. 
D) detailed outlines provide the structure that allows technical writers to be creative. 
A) once an outline has been created, the writer no longer has to insert transitional phrases or paragraphs. 
B) detailed outlines help writers save time at each stage of the writing process. 
C) outlines provide a fixed structure, so that no new material can accidentally be inserted. 
D) detailed outlines provide the structure that allows technical writers to be creative.

Question 14

Single sourcing has the following important advantage

Accepted Answer

A) its complete range of features can be realized with Microsoft Word 
B) writers no longer have to plan documents 
C) reusing content saves time and money 
D) single sourcing software can automatically edit unclear or wordy phrasing 
A) its complete range of features can be realized with Microsoft Word 
B) writers no longer have to plan documents 
C) reusing content saves time and money 
D) single sourcing software can automatically edit unclear or wordy phrasing

Question 15

Technical writers and essay writers

Accepted Answer

A) both frequently engage in free-writing to discover the content of their documents. 
B) both rarely engage in free-writing to discover the content of their documents. 
C) essentially are both engaged in writing narratives. 
D) usually use quite different methods of generating content. 
A) both frequently engage in free-writing to discover the content of their documents. 
B) both rarely engage in free-writing to discover the content of their documents. 
C) essentially are both engaged in writing narratives. 
D) usually use quite different methods of generating content.

Question 16

In the writing process described in Chapter 3, cluster diagrams suit writers who

Accepted Answer

A) like to make neat lists of ideas and information. 
B) like to draw rather than write. 
C) think visually and are used to following hypertext links on the internet. 
D) any of a, b, or c. 
A) like to make neat lists of ideas and information. 
B) like to draw rather than write. 
C) think visually and are used to following hypertext links on the internet. 
D) any of a, b, or c.

Exam 3: Persuading Your Audience

The detailed content of technical documents can usually be based on

Writing in an unplanned, impromptu manner wastes time because

Brainstorming works best when a writer of a technical document

Efficient technical writers

Chapter 3 defines "single sourcing" as

Using an organized outline to create the first draft of a document usually

A technical or business writer can be productive within 30 seconds of starting, by

Which of the following is an example of single sourcing?

At work, writing efficiently is just as important as

Writers of proposals

Writing with a word processor has the following advantage

Automated spell checkers and grammar checkers can identify when

Using detailed, well-planned outlines has the following main advantage

Single sourcing has the following important advantage

Technical writers and essay writers

In the writing process described in Chapter 3, cluster diagrams suit writers who

Introduction to Technical Communication

Meeting the Needs of Specific Audiences

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

Email

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