Chapter 3

Question 1

True or false? In technical writing, attracting aa reader’s attention, maintaining their interest level, and entertaining them is more important than content.

Answer 1

false

Question 2

A(n) ______ is a short document primarily intended to summarize material covered in a training session and to promote recall

Answer 2

reference sheet, handout

Question 3

True or false? All users prefer online documents to printed documents because accessing necessary information is easier online

Answer 3

false

Question 4

A document that is organized as a step by step introduction to the features of a computer program is called a:

a. reference manual
b. technical manual
c. tutorial manual
d. troubleshooting manual

Answer 4

c. tutorial manual

Question 5

True or false? Effectively written user documents should result in lower volume of support calls and emails.

Answer 5

true

Question 6

Which of the following document formats often contain hyperlinks to related topics?

a. online help systems
b. newsletters
c. user manuals
d. troubleshooting guides

Answer 6

a. online help systems

Question 7

True or false? Good technical documents should provide a reader with everything they would ever want to know about a topic.

Answer 7

false

Question 8

A(n) _____ is an attempt to relate something a reader may be familiar with to something they need to know about.

Answer 8

analogy

Question 9

What is the correct sequence of the following steps in the technical writing process? (1) proofread the document, (2) generate a list of ideas, (3) arrange for an outside reviewer, (4) write a first draft

a. 1 - 2 - 3 - 4
b. 2 - 4 - 3 - 1
c. 4 - 2 - 1 - 3
d. 2 - 1 - 4 - 3

Answer 9

b. 2 - 4 - 3 - 1

Question 10

True or false? An outside review of a technical document serves the same purpose as a beta test of a software package

Answer 10

true

Question 11

True or false? Changes in case, font, indentation, and centering are format elements used to help the reader of a document understand its structure

Answer 11

true

Question 12

The information on a webpage should be expected to have all of the following characteristics of features except:

a. complete coverage
b. concise writing
c. links to other information
d. well organized

Answer 12

a. complete coverage

Question 13

True or false? a technical writer should use the same word to refer to an object or a concept throughout a document rather than a variety of different words that are synonyms.

Answer 13

true

Question 14

A reading level that is appropriate for most technical documentation is:

a. 4th to 5th grade
b. 7th to 8th grade
c. 10th to 12th grade
d. college level

Answer 14

c. 10th to 12 grade

Question 15

Whether to use the form “Plug-n-Play” or “Plug-and-Play” in a document would likely be specified in a(n) _____

Answer 15

style sheet

Question 16

True or false? The following example of a list illustrated good parallel structure:

1. Move the mouse pointer to the button of your choice
2. Next, click the button on the mouse
3. You then click on “OK”

Answer 16

false

Question 17

To avoid jargon, a technical writer might substitute a word(s) such as _____ for head crash in the following sentence: “Users frequently lose their data when there is a head crash on the file server.”

Answer 17

drive error, disk error

Question 18

______ is a method used to generate a list of potential ideas or topics to include in a document.

Answer 18

brainstorming

Question 19

A document organization style in which all the information on a topic is pulled together in one place is called:

a. reference format
b. hierarchical format
c. tutorial format
d. sequential format

Answer 19

a. reference format

Question 20

True or false? Because the default font in most word processors is a sans serif typeface, technical writers should use the default in the body text to improve a document’s readability.

Answer 20

false

Question 21

True or false? A hyperlink in a document is a word or phrase that uses fancy Word Art to draw attention to the text.

Answer 21

false

Question 22

The sentence “When confronted with questions, the trainer had the patience of Job.”

a. jargon
b. an idiom
c. an acronym
d. a dangling phrase

Answer 22

b. an idiom