Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1. Chapter 1 identifies nine measures of excellence in technical communication. Which pair in the following list
might seem contradictory?
a. accuracy and correctness
b. conciseness and clarity
c. comprehensiveness and conciseness
d. accessibility and professional appearance
ANSWER: c
2. Chapter 1 defines technical communication as a process encompassing which of the following?
a. documents and activities
b. documentation and analysis
c. process and analysis
d. diagramming and activities
ANSWER: a
3. When you are communicating technical information on the job, your audience tends to be the same every
time.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: b
4. Chapter 1 states that effective technical communication is honest. The chapter then presents three reasons it is
important to be honest when communicating. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons listed in
Chapter 1?
a. It's the right thing to do.
b. If readers bring your dishonesty to the attention of your supervisor, your career may suffer.
c. Readers can get hurt if you are dishonest.
d. You and your organization could face serious legal charges if you are dishonest.
ANSWER: b
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Chapter 01 14e - Markel
5. According to Chapter 1, what is the biggest difference between technical communication and the kinds of
writing you do in other college courses?
a. Technical communication makes greater use of jargon.
b. Technical communication makes greater use of images and graphics.
c. Technical communication has a somewhat different focus on purpose and audience.
d. Technical communication follows different style conventions.
ANSWER: c
6. Which of these abilities is NOT likely to help you as a workplace communicator?
a. the ability to perform research
b. the ability to analyze information
c. the ability to speak and write clearly
d. the ability to deflect attention
ANSWER: d
7. Technical communication involves knowing where to find trustworthy information.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: a
8. Which quality in the original below is evident in the revised version of the following paragraph?
Original: During our monthly meeting last month, we all came to the conclusion that overtime procedures are
inadequate and that new procedures need to be initiated. I discussed this problem with our chief accountant,
who was sympathetic and agreed to consider any changes we would like to make to the present procedures.
Please bring your suggested changes to this month's departmental meeting scheduled for 2:30 P.M. next
Wednesday afternoon.
Revision: During last month's meeting, we concluded that our overtime procedures need revision. Our chief
accountant has agreed to consider any changes we would like to make to the present procedures. Please
bring your suggested changes to this month's departmental meeting scheduled for 2:30 P.M. next Wednesday.
a. conciseness
b. accuracy
c. comprehensiveness
d. correctness
ANSWER: a
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Chapter 01 14e - Markel
9. Social-media posts can be examples of technical documents.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: a
10. Which of the following is NOT one of the four basic modes of communication?
a. speaking
b. reading
c. writing
d. typing
ANSWER: d
11. Chapter 1 states that technical communicators use design to increase readability and make their documents
more effective. Which of the following is an example of a design feature?
a. easy-to-understand vocabulary
b. typography
c. definitions of key terms
d. effective topic sentences
ANSWER: b
12. Chapter 1 identifies six sets of factors to consider when communicating technical information. Which of the
following is NOT on this list?
a. image-related factors
b. setting-related factors
c. purpose-related factors
d. audience-related factors
ANSWER: a
13. Chapter 1 identifies skills and qualities shared by successful workplace communicators. Which of the following
is NOT on this list?
a. ability to perform research
b. ability to write code
c. ability to analyze information
d. ability to speak and write clearly
ANSWER: b
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14. You are in charge of creating a podcast of an interview with the CEO of your company. The audio file will be
posted on the company's website. You decide to make a transcript available so that audience members who
are hard of hearing will be able to read the interview. Which measure of excellence in technical communication
does this decision primarily reflect?
a. accuracy
b. accessibility
c. usability
d. clarity
ANSWER: b
15. Accessibility is a measure of how easily a document can be downloaded.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: b
16. Technical communication primarily involves those whose main job is to produce documentation such as
reports and manuals.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: b
17. Chapter 1 identifies common reasons for creating technical documents. Which reason in the following list is
NOT mentioned in the chapter?
a. to help others carry out a task
b. to change attitudes about a technology or an issue
c. to establish common knowledge in the marketplace
d. to help others make a decision
ANSWER: c
18. Generosity and honesty are characteristics of effective technical communicators.
a. True
b. False
ANSWER: a
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