Multiple Choice Questions: Technical Writing

1. Its objective is to present and explain a subject matter in a clear, objective, accurate, concise, and
unemotional manner.
a. Technical writing
b. Document reading
c. Discussion
d. All of the above

2. It uses a relatively high concentration of certain complex and important writing techniques particularly
description of a mechanism, description of process, clarification, cause and effect, comparison and
contrast, analogy and interpretation.
a. Technical writing
b. Document reading
c. Discussion
d. All of the above

3. The following are the primary purposes of technical writing.

a. It is written to make another person understand or to do something. It is designed to fulfill a need
to tell and a need to know.
b. It will explain how certain systems failed. This system may include education, socioeconomic,
political and the needed change.
c. It will show how a business or an industry succeeds.
d. All of the above

4. You are writing a manual to train assembly line workers on how to identify and resolve problems with
a new robot. It is likely that some types of problems will be experienced with more frequency and
severity than others. Where should you include specific, important details about these kinds of
problems?
a. In the middle of the document.
b. In a graphic with labeled components.
c. At the end of the document.
d. At the beginning of the document.

5. The technical paper must be organized around a central theme. The reader should understand the
main purpose after reading the paper. The purpose maybe is to describe a thing, to report on a
specific problem or project, or to analyze and solve a problem.
a. Knowing the Purpose of Each Technical Report
b. Using Correct Format
c. Writing Objectively
d. Knowing the Subject Matter

6. A technical writer must have a thorough knowledge of the subject he is to write about. If the report is
on the result of a technical experiment, the writer who writes the report should explain what the
problem is all about, what causes the problem and how the problem is solved.
a. Knowing the Purpose of Each Technical Report
b. Using Correct Format
c. Writing Objectively
d. Knowing the Subject Matter

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7. A good technical writer must emphasize the facts and the data. The impersonal style is basic to an
effective technical writer. He represents facts, figures and statistics skillfully woven around the subject
matter or central theme and written in an impersonal manner.
a. Knowing the Purpose of Each Technical Report
b. Using Correct Format
c. Writing Objectively
d. Knowing the Subject Matter

8. The style of a report attract the attention of the readers first. Companies require neatly-typed
communications, reports and project proposals and feasibility studies. The current trends require that
such communication be computerized or typed.
a. Knowing the Purpose of Each Technical Report
b. Using Correct Format
c. Writing Objectively
d. Knowing the Subject Matter

9. Carol is an elementary school teacher who was asked to give a speech to business leaders. Without
providing definitions to terms, Carol included phrases and terms like 'differentiated instruction,'
'Bloom's Taxonomy,' and 'Praxis scores.' What did Carol do wrong?
a. She used workplace dialogue.
b. She used employee speak.
c. She used executive wording.
d. She used professional jargon.

10. A technical writer should undertake comprehensive research work; accumulate the required data
through interviews, surveys, referrals and related publications. He must have to present facts and
figures as gathered and required, using only those that are pertinent to the report. A good technical
writer also acknowledges the help he receives from others and cities sources of reference materials.
a. Adopting Ethical Standards
b. Using Correct Format
c. Writing Objectively
d. Knowing the Subject Matter

11. Fletcher wants to repair his brother's broken bicycle. He searches online and finds a diagram of the
bike that he can use to help him. What kind of document has Fletcher LIKELY found?
a. End-user document
b. Traditional technical document
c. Technical Marketing Communication
d. Traditional Manufacturing document

12. Style is the writer’s way of writing, a manner in which he expresses his thoughts and feelings in a
language. Below are guidelines for clear technical writing, except:
a. Be selective, focus on the essential information and the significant details.
b. Develop a clean, direct style; avoid inflated language and scrambling sentences.
c. Not to use examples and comparisons to clarify descriptions and explanations.
d. Repeat words and phrases for clarify or emphasis or to ease transitions, but avoid needless
repetitions.

13. Technical writing should use the natural word order, simple sentence structure and good short
sentences. Since technical subject matter requires the use of complex, technical vocabulary and the

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 expression of complex ideas, the use of shorter words and sentences, simple in structures, will help
a lot in the readability of difficulty material.
a. Sentence Structure and Length
b. Paragraph Structure and Length
c. Generalization
d. Scientific Attitude

14. In technical writing, the topic sentence should come first in the paragraph or at the very latest part
after whatever transitional sentences appear. Sometimes the writer does the opposite by giving the
details at the beginning and then concludes by stating the main idea. The use of one or more very
short paragraphs achieves an especially forceful effect.
a. Sentence Structure and Length
b. Paragraph Structure and Length
c. Generalization
d. Scientific Attitude

15. Judicious weighing of evidence is very important in a technical report. The best evidence is one which
is the most ample, the most pertinent and the simplest in explaining the facts with the least additional
evidence and most in harmony with the rest of the available evidence. The conclusion or
recommendation should include all evidences in which the judgement is made.
a. Sentence Structure and Length
b. Paragraph Structure and Length
c. Generalization
d. Scientific Attitude

16. It is necessary to describe the circumstances surrounding the report. Provide enough evidence, data
and samples to enable the reader to evaluate the generalizations for himself.
a. Sentence Structure and Length
b. Paragraph Structure and Length
c. Generalization
d. Scientific Attitude

17. A report writer must be tactful in the recording of data, statement or calculating mathematical figures.
He must check every statement in its final form. An error committed and an illogical statement written
can create confusion as well as doubts over the whole text. A writer should always aim to be
understood.
a. Accuracy
b. Brevity
c. Confidence
d. Dignity

18. Being brief is a courtesy to the reader. The reader should find it easy to group the main idea of the
report. In the same manner, accuracy of the statements can easily be maintained. The reader can
get the essence of your thinking in a compressed form.
a. Accuracy
b. Brevity
c. Confidence
d. Dignity

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19. A good report writer must have this quality. He cannot only communicate but he has to be also
decisive or sure of what he is writing about. After finishing the last page of his report, he is an authority.
a. Brevity
b. Confidence
c. Dignity
d. Facility

20. it is courtesy to your readers as professionals. This is an ethical standard. The writer must be certain
that all grammatical constructions are correct. In report writing, you need to be formal with words and
how these words are used. You should be sure that the ideas or information are well organized,
simplified, summarized and expressed in straightforward manner.
a. Brevity
b. Confidence
c. Dignity
d. Facility

21. This refers to the devices used by the writer, to make his report easy to read and understand. In most
cases, report writing depends more on pacing, sequence, arrangement and continuity of ideas as
well as information. A grammatical correction is important. He should make his writing straightforward,
logical and clear. The thought from one part to another should be clearly established, illustrated or
stated.
a. Accuracy
b. Brevity
c. Confidence
d. Facility

22. Which of the following is an example of an implicit communication?

a. Demonstration with vocal explanation
b. Detailed Email
c. Vocal directions
d. Gestures

23. While reviewing Tasha's document, Sarah found it difficult to understand all the data and to prioritize
which items were most important. What advice should Sarah give to Tasha?
a. Replace some paragraphs with pictures to represent key concepts.
b. Include bold headlines and visual aids to better guide the reader.
c. Use a template that the readers are familiar with and try to make the data fit within it.
d. Indicate at the beginning of the document that readers will need to concentrate in order to
understand the material.

24. A technical writing forum, commanded in complaining, hiring, firing, queries, acknowleding and
descriptions content, defined as:
a. online help screens
b. fliers
c. website
d. All of above

25. Benefits, including e-mail messages and cell phone messages, affiliated to communication channel;
a. Reports
b. Microsoft PowerPoint
c. PDA e-mail messages

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 d. Memo

26. To approach an easy access, document hold to be as:

a. Organized
b. Accurate
c. Detailed
d. All of above

27. How does the technical writing process differ from the essay writing process?
a. Colleagues frequently collaborate in preparing a document.
b. Analysis of audience needs and expectations is critical.
c. Research often involves discussion with technical experts.
d. Many workplace documents are carefully reviewed before being released.

28. In critical thinking, we do not:

a. accept an idea at face value and offer opinions.
b. test the effectiveness and limits of our ideas.
c. weigh alternatives and consider consequences.
d. discover new connections and new possibilities.

29. The writing process for technical documents includes all of the following EXCEPT:
a. working with ideas and information.
b. planning the document.
c. completing a single stage of the writing process, and then moving forward to the next
stage.
d. drafting the document.

30. Which if the following is a consideration for planning a document?

a. Who is my audience, and why will they use this document?
b. How will I organize?
c. Is the information gathered complete, accurate, reliable, and unbiased?
d. A and B

31. Examples of proofreading errors include all of the following EXCEPT:

a. sentence fragments.
b. errors in reasoning.
c. misspelled words.
d. incorrect abbreviations.

32. Which of the following tasks would NOT be an advisable guideline for proofreading?
a. Save proofreading for the final draft.
b. Proofread more than once.
c. Never rely on computerized writing aids.
d. Proofread immediately after you complete a document.

33. Which of the following is NOT a digital tool or program that supports the technical writing process?
a. Wikis.
b. PowerPoint.
c. instant messaging.
d. tracking systems in word processing programs.

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34. Which of the following is NOT a reason why proofreading is a writer's final step in document
preparation?
a. Proofreading is the responsibility of manager, not the writer.
b. Proofreading detects easily correctable sentence-level errors.
c. Basic errors make the writer look bad.
d. Proofreading improves the effectiveness of an engaging and informative document.

35. Which of the following is a consideration for evaluating and revising a document?
a. Is the content useful?
b. Is the organization sensible?
c. Does it advance my audience's goals?
d. All of the above.

36. Which of the following is a consideration when working with the ideas and information contained in
an effective technical document?
a. What do these facts mean?
b. Have I defined the issue accurately?
c. Is a balance of viewpoints represented?
d. B and C only.

37. Which is not the Role of the Technical Writer

a. A good technical writer possesses insights, perceptiveness, quick to determine probabilities and
the ability to adapt to requirements.
b. He ignore the developments that may affect his project.
c. The technical writer must understand the nature of his work. He should be able to help his
principals attain the target objectives.
d. He must possess the technical writing ability and technical expertise, he must also have the
capability to grasp, analyze and interpret unexpected events and situations that occurred during
the writing of the technical report.

38. 1st Statement: The technical writer should have the ability to state facts clearly and accurately to
organize a variety of elements into a unified structure, and to describe logical generalizations.

2nd Statement: Since the report is based on generalizations, it is necessary to describe the
circumstances surrounding the report. Provide enough evidence, data and samples to enable the
reader to evaluate the generalizations for himself.

a. Both statements are true

b. Both statements are false
c. Only the first statement is true
d. Only second first statement is true

39. This contains directions for work procedure or policies, or for the use of technical equipment or
appliances. Instruction relies on clear, specific, complete directions presented in sequential order.
Directions of complicated step-by-step procedures should be accompanied by graphic illustration.
a. Instructional Manual
b. Policy
c. Proposal
d. Circular

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40. This contains suggestions for actions, usually involving change or performance. It may be solve a
problem, suggest a new project site, revise a policy or initiate a researcher report project or terminate
a project.
a. Instructional Manual
b. Policy
c. Proposal
d. Memo

41. This contains an account of what has been accomplished on a project over a specific period of time
and what may be expected in the next period.
a. Instructional Manual
b. Policy
c. Progress report
d. Proposal

42. This is an important form of written communication circulated within the company and its branches
which is used to disseminate a message or information.
a. Memorandum
b. Trip Report
b. Printed Action Memo
c. Survey Report

43. This refers to all pictures , graphs, diagrams and other materials used in illustrating important details
in a report.
a. Graphic Aids
b. Specification
c. Printed Action Memo
d. Survey Report

44. This contains detailed information about performance courses, materials for construction, theory of
operations, sample calculations, table and operating data and information.
a. Memorandum
b. Trip Report
c. Graphic Aids
d. Specification

45. This is a thorough study of any subject. Some subjects of surveys are potential markets fro products,
labor policies, market punctuation, public opinions and community resources. Examples are poll
surveys on the study of a possible site for a new plant.
a. Graphic Aids
b. Specification
c. Printed Action Memo
d. Survey Report

46. An account of a business or professional trip. It records specific and significant places, events,
conversations and people met. It attempts to answer where, when , what ,why and how also. It may
have recommendation section.
a. Memorandum
b. Trip Report
c. Printed Action Memo
d. Survey Report

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47. The principles to be observed in organizing the material as cited by Alvarez (1980) are as follows:
a. To organize the material of a subject, first break it down into the component aspects.
b. To organize a report or paper, choose a suitable approach and make an outline that implements
it.
c. The basic unit of organization is the paragraph.
d. All of the above

48. The first step in technical writing

a. Plan
b. Publish
c. Write
d. Review

49. In technical writing steps, this might be as straightforward as emailing an approved document to your
manager, or uploading it to a content management system or intranet. On the other hand, it might
involve some fairly complicated logistics.
a. Plan
b. Publish
c. Write
d. Review

50. At this stage, engaging your subject matter experts means a lot of informal one-on-one discussions
– or even workshop-style if you have a large group of them. At this stage, you should be asking your
experts to contribute raw material, review and / or test what you’ve written and so on
a. Plan
b. Publish
c. Write
d. Review