Multiple Choice: Please select the best answer and place the corresponding letter in the space provided that completes the statement or correctly answers the question.
1. In most academic writing, what is the writer's knowledge of the topic compared to that of the reader?
A. The same as
B. More than
C. Less than
D. Neither more than nor less than that of the reader
2. Which of the following is NOT an example of technical writing?
A. E-mail
B. Personal journal
C. Operation manual
D. Equipment evaluation
3. What is the first step in the outlining process?
A. Show relationships
B. Draft a final outline
C. Consult a list of sources
D. Record random ideas quickly
4. What is NOT one of the four main "technical levels" of your audience?
A. Editors
B. Managers
C. Experts
D. General readers
5. Writers recommend organizing information in most documents in which of the following groups?
A. Experts and operators
B. Managers and general readers
C. Both A and B
D. Neither A nor B
6. In documents longer than two pages readers pay special attention to sections such as:
A. Executive summaries
B. Introduction
C. Table of contents
D. All of the above
7. The ABC format is expressed visually as which of the following figures?
A. Square
B. Circle
C. Hourglass
D. Diamond
8. Which of the following report sections would NOT be considered an example of the generic term "abstract"?
A. Introductory summary
B. Executive summary of report
C. Report attachment
D. Executive summary of a formal report
9. Which of the following questions generally would NOT be answered by the final section of a technical document?
A. What major points have you made
B. What details support your major recommendation
C. What problem have you tried to solve
D. What will you do next
10. What section of a technical document is most intended to lead to the next step in the writer's relationship with the reader?
A. Abstract
B. Body
C. Attachments
D. Conclusion
11. Which of the following features is NOT one that could be considered part of page design?
A. Content of the abstract
B. White space
C. Headings
D. Lists
12. During the revision process, what feature of computers allow you to move sentences, paragraphs, graphics, or entire sections within a document without duplication?
A. Addition and deletion
B. Copy and paste
C. Search and change
D. Saving of the text
E. Cut and paste
13. Headings serve what main purpose(s)?
A. As a signpost for the readers
B. As a grabber to entice readers
C. As a place where the readers get relief from straight text
D. All of the above
14. Which of the following headings is not parallel in form to the others?
A. Scope of services
B. Introduction
C. Conclusion
D. Establish costs
15. In which of the following circumstance would you always use numbers with lists?
A. With a list of three items
B. With a list of sequential steps
C. With lists dealing with the software industry
D. All of the above
16. If you know that the decision maker reading your report will need an informal definition to understand a term you are using, what is the best location for the definition?
A. Glossary
B. Appendix
C. Footnote
D. In the text next to the term
17. Technical descriptions usually move in what direction?
A. From specific to general
B. From general to specific
C. Neither A nor B
D. Both A and B
18. Which of the following could be considered a purpose for process analysis?
A. Describing an experiment
B. Explaining how a machine works
C. Recording steps in developing a new product
D. All of the above
19. What type of graphic display is particularly useful for showing a complex process analysis?
A. Pie chart
B. Line graphs
C. Flow charts
D. Photographs
20. Instructions are often a part of what particular type of technical document?
A. Proposals
B. Manuals
C. Recommendation reports
D. Feasibility studies