Question 1

What are the three types of descriptions discussed in Chapter 20?

Accepted Answer

Object, me

Question 2

Chapter 20 lists three steps in writing definitions. One is analyzing the writing situation. What are the other two steps?

Accepted Answer

Determining the kind

Question 3

What are two common ways of concluding a set of instructions?

Accepted Answer

A)  with a summary of the steps in the process 
B)  with a list of resources for additional information about the task 
C)  with maintenance tips 
D)  with a troubleshooting guide 
A)  with a summary of the steps in the process 
B)  with a list of resources for additional information about the task 
C)  with maintenance tips 
D)  with a troubleshooting guide

Question 4

What are the four signal words commonly used to indicate the levels of seriousness in comments?

Accepted Answer

The four signal word

Question 5

What technique is used to clarify the term inflammable in the definition "An inflammable substance is not a substance that cannot catch fire. To the contrary, an inflammable substance catches fire quite easily"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What technique is used to clarify the...

Question 6

What technique is used in the definition "RADAR originally stood for 'radio detection and ranging,' but these days it is rarely used as an acronym and instead appears as the noun radar"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What technique is used in the definition...

Question 7

Descriptions are rarely incorporated into longer documents; instead, they usually appear as separate documents.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

many companies are uneasy about using instructional videos and rely on printed documentation instead.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Read the following instruction steps for creating an automated index of web files. Then indicate which instruction steps are NOT CORRECTLY written.
1) Open Windows Explorer to c:\ program files\autoindex\ .
2) Copy the folders containing your web files to the folder named "indexer." If autoindex does not contain an indexer folder, you must reinstall the software. See the installation booklet.
3) Type the appropriate path, for instance, c:\ program files\autoindex\ indexer\ indexer.exe webfolder1, webfolder2, etc.
4) Indexer now has a folder called IndexSearch. The executable file, index.exe, may be run to view the searchable index of your web files.

Accepted Answer

A)  step 1 
B)  steps 2 and 3 
C)  steps 3 and 4 
D)  steps 2 and 4 
A)  step 1 
B)  steps 2 and 3 
C)  steps 3 and 4 
D)  steps 2 and 4

Question 10

A writer is drafting the conclusion of a lengthy process description explaining to consumers how a company's new voice-recognition product works. Which of the following elements would be least appropriate for the conclusion?

Accepted Answer

A)  a brief review of the uses of voice-recognition technology 
B)  a sales message summarizing the benefits of the product 
C)  a short summary of the principal steps in the process 
D)  a brief discussion of the implications of the process 
A)  a brief review of the uses of voice-recognition technology 
B)  a sales message summarizing the benefits of the product 
C)  a short summary of the principal steps in the process 
D)  a brief discussion of the implications of the process

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the definition "A conjunctive adverb is an adverb that has a conjunctive function between two clauses"?

Accepted Answer

A)  This is a simple, but effective, sentence definition. 
B)  This is a circular definition. 
C)  This sentence definition describes its item with clear distinguishing characteristics. 
D)  This is a stipulative definition. 
A)  This is a simple, but effective, sentence definition. 
B)  This is a circular definition. 
C)  This sentence definition describes its item with clear distinguishing characteristics. 
D)  This is a stipulative definition.

Question 12

You are writing a manual for a deep fryer designed for home cooks. Which statement would be appropriately set off with Note as a signal word?

Accepted Answer

A)  Corn balls will be very hot when removed from the oil. 
B)  The fry zone is very hot when the power is on. To avoid serious burns, do not touch the fry zone while it is heated. 
C)  The fry basket can hold 4-6 small doughnuts at a time. 
D)  Do not attempt to fix the deep fryer while it is connected to a power source. 
A)  Corn balls will be very hot when removed from the oil. 
B)  The fry zone is very hot when the power is on. To avoid serious burns, do not touch the fry zone while it is heated. 
C)  The fry basket can hold 4-6 small doughnuts at a time. 
D)  Do not attempt to fix the deep fryer while it is connected to a power source.

Question 13

Part of the challenge of deciding where to put a definition lies in the fact that several places are viable options.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

there is no absolute distinction between a set of instructions and a manual.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

A set of instructions is a type of definition.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which of the critiques listed below applies to the following description of a process?
"Getting a College Degree"
First, you must apply to schools you want to attend. Pick good schools to apply to.
Next, you must enroll at a college.
After you have enrolled, you must pick a degree program. Take every course you need.
After you take all of your courses, you will have a degree. Congratulations!

Accepted Answer

A)  This description has an effective introduction. 
B)  This description lacks effective detail on substeps. 
C)  This description has an effective conclusion. 
D)  This description challenges readers to learn new vocabulary. 
A)  This description has an effective introduction. 
B)  This description lacks effective detail on substeps. 
C)  This description has an effective conclusion. 
D)  This description challenges readers to learn new vocabulary.

Question 17

what is an effective way to conclude a description?

Accepted Answer

A)  with a restatement of key points from the introduction 
B)  with a summary of major points and in some cases, a brief description of how the parts or process steps work together 
C)  with information on maintenance or troubleshooting 
D)  with distinguishing characteristics 
A)  with a restatement of key points from the introduction 
B)  with a summary of major points and in some cases, a brief description of how the parts or process steps work together 
C)  with information on maintenance or troubleshooting 
D)  with distinguishing characteristics

Question 18

You are a technical writer for Landson Toy Company. Landson has just designed a new, more durable swing set for 6- to 10-year-olds. Which of the following should you include in the Introduction to the swing-set installation guide?

Accepted Answer

A)  a list of the tools the user needs to assemble the swing set 
B)  the reasons the user should carry out the instructions 
C)  the safety precautions the user must take 
D)  a list of parts included with the swing set for assembly 
A)  a list of the tools the user needs to assemble the swing set 
B)  the reasons the user should carry out the instructions 
C)  the safety precautions the user must take 
D)  a list of parts included with the swing set for assembly

Question 19

It is important to revise, edit, and proofread instructions to ensure that readers can complete the task described safely.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

The partitioning technique for creating an extended definition often appears in tandem with another technique.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

What are the three types of descriptions discussed in Chapter 20?

Chapter 20 lists three steps in writing definitions. One is analyzing the writing situation. What are the other two steps?

What are two common ways of concluding a set of instructions?

What are the four signal words commonly used to indicate the levels of seriousness in comments?

What technique is used to clarify the term inflammable in the definition "An inflammable substance is not a substance that cannot catch fire. To the contrary, an inflammable substance catches fire quite easily"?

What technique is used in the definition "RADAR originally stood for 'radio detection and ranging,' but these days it is rarely used as an acronym and instead appears as the noun radar"?

Descriptions are rarely incorporated into longer documents; instead, they usually appear as separate documents.

many companies are uneasy about using instructional videos and rely on printed documentation instead.

A writer is drafting the conclusion of a lengthy process description explaining to consumers how a company's new voice-recognition product works. Which of the following elements would be least appropriate for the conclusion?

Which of the following best describes the definition "A conjunctive adverb is an adverb that has a conjunctive function between two clauses"?

You are writing a manual for a deep fryer designed for home cooks. Which statement would be appropriately set off with Note as a signal word?

Part of the challenge of deciding where to put a definition lies in the fact that several places are viable options.

there is no absolute distinction between a set of instructions and a manual.

A set of instructions is a type of definition.

what is an effective way to conclude a description?

You are a technical writer for Landson Toy Company. Landson has just designed a new, more durable swing set for 6- to 10-year-olds. Which of the following should you include in the Introduction to the swing-set installation guide?

It is important to revise, edit, and proofread instructions to ensure that readers can complete the task described safely.

The partitioning technique for creating an extended definition often appears in tandem with another technique.

Introduction to Technical Communication

Understanding Ethical and Legal Considerations

Writing Technical Documents

Writing Collaboratively

Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose

Researching Your Subject

Organizing Your Information

Communicating Persuasively

Emphasizing Important Information

Writing Correct and Effective Sentences

Designing Print and Online Documents

Creating Graphics

Reviewing, Evaluating, and Testing Documents and Web Sites

Writing Correspondence

Writing Job-Application Materials

Writing Proposals

Writing Informational Reports

Writing Recommendation Reports

Writing Lab Reports

Making Oral Presentations

Filters

Exam 20: Writing Definitions, Descriptions, and Instructions

What are the three types of descriptions discussed in Chapter 20?

Chapter 20 lists three steps in writing definitions. One is analyzing the writing situation. What are the other two steps?

What are two common ways of concluding a set of instructions?

What are the four signal words commonly used to indicate the levels of seriousness in comments?

What technique is used to clarify the term inflammable in the definition "An inflammable substance is not a substance that cannot catch fire. To the contrary, an inflammable substance catches fire quite easily"?

What technique is used in the definition "RADAR originally stood for 'radio detection and ranging,' but these days it is rarely used as an acronym and instead appears as the noun radar"?

Descriptions are rarely incorporated into longer documents; instead, they usually appear as separate documents.

many companies are uneasy about using instructional videos and rely on printed documentation instead.

A writer is drafting the conclusion of a lengthy process description explaining to consumers how a company's new voice-recognition product works. Which of the following elements would be least appropriate for the conclusion?

Which of the following best describes the definition "A conjunctive adverb is an adverb that has a conjunctive function between two clauses"?

You are writing a manual for a deep fryer designed for home cooks. Which statement would be appropriately set off with Note as a signal word?

Part of the challenge of deciding where to put a definition lies in the fact that several places are viable options.

there is no absolute distinction between a set of instructions and a manual.

A set of instructions is a type of definition.

what is an effective way to conclude a description?

You are a technical writer for Landson Toy Company. Landson has just designed a new, more durable swing set for 6- to 10-year-olds. Which of the following should you include in the Introduction to the swing-set installation guide?

It is important to revise, edit, and proofread instructions to ensure that readers can complete the task described safely.

The partitioning technique for creating an extended definition often appears in tandem with another technique.

Introduction to Technical Communication

Understanding Ethical and Legal Considerations

Writing Technical Documents

Writing Collaboratively

Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose

Researching Your Subject

Organizing Your Information

Communicating Persuasively

Emphasizing Important Information

Writing Correct and Effective Sentences

Designing Print and Online Documents

Creating Graphics

Reviewing, Evaluating, and Testing Documents and Web Sites

Writing Correspondence

Writing Job-Application Materials

Writing Proposals

Writing Informational Reports

Writing Recommendation Reports

Writing Lab Reports

Making Oral Presentations

Filters