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CHAPTER 13. Descriptions
True/False Questions
1. The main purpose of all technical descriptions is to stimulate consumer
interest in products.
2. Except for promotional writing, descriptions should be objective.
3. Ethical communicators do not express personal opinions, even when a
product may be unsafe or unsound.
4. Users of any technical description need as much information as possible.
5. Any item can be described in many ways.
6. Customers are the primary audience for specifications.
7. Use prose sparingly when writing specifications; short lists are preferable.
8. Specifications are a type of description.
9. The title of a description should be clear and limited.
10. Consistency is not a key feature of specifications.
Fill-in-the-blank Questions
11. Descriptions based on feelings are considered
descriptions based on fact are . , whereas
12. The two broad categories of descriptions are
descriptions. descriptions and
13. The three types of organizational patterns (or sequences) for descriptions are
, , and .
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Multiple-choice Questions
14. When creating specifications to meet your audience
(a) always avoid specialized industry language.
(b) you can use specialized language when your audience is primarily technical experts.
(c) avoid referring to outside sources of information for more details.
(d) always avoid specialized industry language and references to outside sources of
information for more details.
(e) None of these answers are correct.
15. The most precise technical descriptions are
(a) creative.
(b) vividly subjective.
(c) visionary.
(d) objective.
(e) All of these answers are correct.
16. Specifications help ensure
(a) quality.
(b) consistency.
(c) safety.
(d) only quality and safety.
(e) quality, consistency, and safety.
17. Visuals in descriptions
(a) are rarely needed to facilitate understanding.
(b) can stand alone without labels or captions.
(c) can clarify your prose description for the reader.
(d) should be used only for non-technical audiences.
(e) should always be placed in appendices and never in the text.
18. When planning a complex description,
(a) create an outline.
(b) determine the technical level of the audience.
(c) decide what not to include.
(d) create an outline and determine the technical level of the audience.
(e) create an outline, determine the technical level of the audience, and decide what not to
include.
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19. When writing specifications,
(a) use consistent terminology.
(b) always provide a brief introduction and summary.
(c) avoid referring to other specifications.
(d) limit the use of lists.
(e) use consistent terminology and avoid referring to other specifications.
20. Which of the following statements about sequences is most accurate?
(a) To describe how something works, use a spatial sequence.
(b) To describe how something is assembled, use a chronological sequence.
(c) To describe how something looks, use a spatial sequence. (d)
Never use more than one sequence to describe something. (e)
Always use more than one sequence to describe something.
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CHAPTER 13 ANSWER KEY