Ultimate Technical Writing Trivia Quiz!

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Questions: 15 | Attempts: 15,051

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Ultimate Technical Writing Trivia Quiz! - Quiz

Hey, check out this amazing 'Technical writing quiz' that is prepared by us to test your technical writing skills. Technical writing is a form of writing communication used in technical and occupational fields, such as computer hardware and software, finance, consumer electronics, and biotechnology. Good technical writing is focused and clear. The information must be presented well so it is easy to understand, considering technical writing is used in various real-life situations. This quiz will tell you all about technical writing. Go for it.


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    How is technical writing different from novel-, poetry- or journal-writing?

    • A.

      Technical writing uses a lot of figurative language.

    • B.

      Technical writing mainly records personal experience.

    • C.

      Technical writing requires a dialogue between writer and reader.

    • D.

      Technical writing requires no action on the part of the reader.

    Correct Answer
    C. Technical writing requires a dialogue between writer and reader.
    Explanation
    Technical writing requires a dialogue between the writer and the reader because it aims to convey information in a clear and concise manner. Unlike novel, poetry, or journal writing, technical writing focuses on providing instructions, explanations, or descriptions that are easily understandable by the reader. The writer needs to anticipate the reader's questions or concerns and address them effectively, creating a two-way communication between them. This ensures that the information is accurately conveyed and any potential confusion or misunderstandings are minimized.

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  • 2. 

    Journal writing would be an example of what type of writing?

    • A.

      Expository writing

    • B.

      Fictional writing

    • C.

      Expressive writing

    • D.

      Technical writing

    Correct Answer
    C. Expressive writing
    Explanation
    Expressive writing refers to the type of writing that focuses on personal thoughts, feelings, and emotions. It allows the writer to express themselves and explore their inner thoughts and experiences. Journal writing, where individuals often write about their personal experiences, reflections, and emotions, falls under the category of expressive writing. This type of writing is different from expository writing, which aims to inform or explain, fictional writing, which involves creating imaginary stories, and technical writing, which is focused on providing specific instructions or information.

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  • 3. 

    When writing a technical document, which of the following should you do?

    • A.

      Always describe things in technical terms.

    • B.

      Write for your readers.

    • C.

      Describe things exactly as they're described to you by subject matter experts.

    • D.

      Include everything you've learned.

    Correct Answer
    B. Write for your readers.
    Explanation
    When writing a technical document, it is important to prioritize the needs and understanding of the readers. Instead of using complex technical terms, the document should be written in a clear and concise manner that is easily understandable by the target audience. It is also essential to consider the readers' background knowledge and adjust the level of detail accordingly. Writing for the readers ensures effective communication and enhances the usability of the technical document.

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  • 4. 

    Choose the type of writing that is NOT considered technical communication.

    • A.

      Travel report

    • B.

      Maintenance procedures

    • C.

      Resume

    • D.

      Newspaper editorial

    Correct Answer
    D. Newspaper editorial
    Explanation
    A newspaper editorial is not considered technical communication because it is not focused on providing technical or specialized information. Technical communication typically involves conveying complex information in a clear and concise manner, such as in travel reports, maintenance procedures, and resumes. However, a newspaper editorial is more opinion-based and aims to persuade or influence readers rather than providing technical or factual information.

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  • 5. 

    Why is consistency in your technical documentation important? 

    • A.

      It helps readers learn complex or new information more quickly.

    • B.

      It allows you to be more creative when writing your document.

    • C.

      It makes it easier for you to write your document.

    • D.

      All business managers require it.

    Correct Answer
    A. It helps readers learn complex or new information more quickly.
    Explanation
    Consistency in technical documentation is important because it helps readers learn complex or new information more quickly. When information is presented consistently, readers can easily understand and follow the content without confusion. Consistency also helps in creating a cohesive and organized document, making it easier for readers to navigate and locate specific information. It ensures that the document is structured in a logical manner, using consistent terminology, formatting, and style. This ultimately enhances the readability and comprehension of the document, enabling readers to grasp the information more efficiently.

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  • 6. 

    How do training guides differ from user manuals?

    • A.

      Training guides have pictures; user manuals don't.

    • B.

      Training guides don't cover as much information as user manuals.

    • C.

      Training guides are read from front to back; user manuals are used to look up information.

    • D.

      Training guides typically are better organized than user manuals.

    Correct Answer
    C. Training guides are read from front to back; user manuals are used to look up information.
    Explanation
    Training guides are designed to be read sequentially from beginning to end, providing step-by-step instructions and guidance for users to learn a particular skill or process. On the other hand, user manuals are reference documents that users can consult to find specific information or instructions when needed. User manuals are not meant to be read cover to cover but rather serve as a resource for quick lookup. Therefore, the statement that training guides are read from front to back while user manuals are used to look up information accurately explains the difference between the two.

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  • 7. 

    What is the number one rule of technical writing?

    • A.

      Be consistent.

    • B.

      Be innovative.

    • C.

      Use technical terms.

    • D.

      Use few graphics.

    Correct Answer
    A. Be consistent.
    Explanation
    The number one rule of technical writing is to be consistent. Consistency ensures that the information presented is clear and easy to understand. It helps to avoid confusion and ensures that the reader can follow the content smoothly. By maintaining a consistent style, format, and tone throughout the document, technical writers can establish credibility and professionalism. Additionally, consistency in the use of terminology and language helps to convey information accurately and precisely.

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  • 8. 

    What two items work together to create the tone of a document?

    • A.

      Spelling and punctuation

    • B.

      Theme and topic

    • C.

      Organization and coherence

    • D.

      Purpose and audience

    Correct Answer
    D. Purpose and audience
    Explanation
    The purpose and audience of a document determine the tone that should be used. The purpose refers to the reason for creating the document, while the audience refers to the intended readers or recipients. The tone of a document should be adjusted to match the purpose and audience in order to effectively convey the desired message and engage the readers. Therefore, purpose and audience work together to create the tone of a document.

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  • 9. 

    Select the false statement about writing:

    • A.

      Writing is an extension of your interpersonal communication skills at work.

    • B.

      Good writing tells your audience that you can think logically and communicate your thoughts clearly.

    • C.

      Your writing ability will never affect your job performance.

    • D.

      Poor writing reveals that you can neither think clearly nor communicate your thoughts effectively.

    Correct Answer
    C. Your writing ability will never affect your job performance.
  • 10. 

    Why should you use white space on your pages? 

    • A.

      So the pages in your document are more inviting and easier to read.

    • B.

      So you can fit more words on the page and make your document shorter.

    • C.

      So the printer can see more easily how the pages in your document are laid out.

    • D.

      So readers can see the page numbers more easily in your document.

    Correct Answer
    A. So the pages in your document are more inviting and easier to read.
    Explanation
    Using white space on your pages makes them more inviting and easier to read. White space helps to create a visually appealing layout by providing breathing room between elements and paragraphs. It improves readability by reducing clutter and allowing the eyes to focus on the content. It also helps to guide the reader's attention and make important information stand out. Overall, incorporating white space in your document enhances the user experience and makes it more enjoyable for readers.

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  • 11. 

    On average, what percentage of a documentation project's time is spent gathering information?

    • A.

      05-10%

    • B.

      15-20%

    • C.

      25-35%

    • D.

      40-60%

    Correct Answer
    D. 40-60%
    Explanation
    The correct answer is 40-60%. This is because gathering information is a crucial part of a documentation project. It involves research, interviews, and collecting data from various sources. It is a time-consuming process that requires careful attention to detail and thoroughness. Therefore, it is expected that a significant percentage of the project's time would be spent on gathering information.

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  • 12. 

    What does the term "graphics file format" refer to and why is it important?

    • A.

      It refers to the format used to create the original graphic. It's important to know this so you know what program to use to modify it.

    • B.

      It refers to the way information in a graphic is saved to a file. It's important to know which formats work best for specific types of graphics.

    • C.

      It refers to the color palette that is used in a graphic. It's important to know this so you can be sure the graphic is compatible with your printer.

    • D.

      It refers to the arrangement of the pixels in a graphic. It's important to know what this is so all of your graphics will print correctly in your document.

    Correct Answer
    B. It refers to the way information in a grapHic is saved to a file. It's important to know which formats work best for specific types of grapHics.
    Explanation
    The term "graphics file format" refers to the way information in a graphic is saved to a file. It is important to know this because different formats work best for specific types of graphics. Understanding the file format allows you to choose the appropriate format when saving or sharing graphics, ensuring that the quality and compatibility of the graphic are maintained. Additionally, knowing the file format helps in selecting the right software or program to open and modify the graphic effectively.

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  • 13. 

    How can you avoid using paragraph styles in Microsoft Word?

    • A.

      You can't. A paragraph style is attached to everything you type, whether you do anything or not.

    • B.

      By just typing and not applying any paragraph styles to any of your text.

    • C.

      By switching off the paragraph styles.

    • D.

      By manually formatting all of your text so that the paragraph styles are overridden.

    Correct Answer
    A. You can't. A paragrapH style is attached to everything you type, whether you do anything or not.
  • 14. 

    What do templates do?

    • A.

      Templates make sure that everyone does everything exactly the same way. Templates strictly control how a document is created and formatted.

    • B.

      Templates provide guidelines for the formatting of a document.

    • C.

      Templates basically write documents for you.

    • D.

      Templates can be used only for short, simple documents.

    Correct Answer
    B. Templates provide guidelines for the formatting of a document.
    Explanation
    Templates provide guidelines for the formatting of a document. This means that they offer a standardized structure and layout for creating documents, ensuring consistency and uniformity. Templates serve as a framework that users can follow to organize their content and apply consistent formatting styles such as fonts, headings, margins, and spacing. By using templates, individuals can save time and effort by not having to start from scratch and can easily create professional-looking documents that adhere to established formatting guidelines.

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  • 15. 

    Which of the following best describes the difference between proofreading and editing?

    • A.

      They're the same thing. There aren't any differences.

    • B.

      The purpose of proofreading is to find mechanical errors, while editing is done to polish the content and style of the document.

    • C.

      The purpose of proofreading is to make sure the content of the document is correct, while the purpose of editing is to make sure the formatting is correct.

    • D.

      The purpose of proofreading is to make sure the document is complete. The purpose of editing is to make sure all of the mechanics are complete.

    Correct Answer
    B. The purpose of proofreading is to find mechanical errors, while editing is done to polish the content and style of the document.
    Explanation
    Proofreading and editing are two distinct stages in the writing process. While proofreading focuses on identifying and correcting mechanical errors such as spelling, grammar, and punctuation, editing goes beyond that. Editing involves improving the overall quality and clarity of the content, refining the writing style, and ensuring coherence and consistency throughout the document. Therefore, the statement "The purpose of proofreading is to find mechanical errors, while editing is done to polish the content and style of the document" accurately describes the key difference between proofreading and editing.

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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • May 13, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Dec 16, 2011
    Quiz Created by
    Quizarru
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