Free DSST Technical Writing Practice Test (2026)

Question 1

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Accepted Answer

The list of approved vendors is on the shared drive.

Answer

The list of approved vendors are on the shared drive.

Answer

The lists of approved vendors is on the shared drive.

Answer

The list of approved vendors were on the shared drive.

Question 2

In a set of instructions, where should a warning about a step that could cause injury appear?

Accepted Answer

Immediately before the step it applies to

Answer

In an appendix at the end of the document

Answer

Immediately after the step it applies to

Answer

Only in the table of contents

Question 3

A short letter that accompanies a formal report, identifies it and explains why it is being sent is called

Accepted Answer

a letter of transmittal

Answer

a cover page

Answer

an appendix

Answer

a letter of inquiry

Question 4

A writer finds a striking statistic about battery failure rates on an anonymous blog and wants to use it in a product report. What is the most responsible step?

Accepted Answer

Verify the figure against a credible primary source before using it

Answer

Use it, because readers will not check

Answer

Round it to sound more believable

Answer

Use it without citation to avoid drawing attention to it

Question 5

A writer learns that most readers of a product's help content will view it on mobile phones while working. Which planning decision best fits this context of use?

Accepted Answer

Use short, task-based topics with brief steps

Answer

Write long, unbroken paragraphs of background

Answer

Put all help content in one long PDF file

Answer

Use small type so more text fits

Question 6

In this list, which item breaks parallel structure? 'Before the trip: check the oil, inflate the tires, the brakes should be tested, and refill the washer fluid.'

Accepted Answer

the brakes should be tested

Answer

check the oil

Answer

inflate the tires

Answer

refill the washer fluid

Question 7

In a standard lab report, which section interprets the results, explains their significance and compares them with earlier findings?

Accepted Answer

Discussion

Answer

Methods

Answer

Results

Answer

Abstract

Question 8

A web-based manual includes a photo showing where to plug in a cable. What should the writer add so that readers using screen readers get the same information?

Accepted Answer

Alternative text that describes the photo's content

Answer

A larger version of the same photo

Answer

A brighter color border around the photo

Answer

A caption that says only 'Figure 3'

Question 9

Midway through a six-month project, a team writes to its sponsor describing work completed, work remaining and any problems. This document is

Accepted Answer

a progress report

Answer

a feasibility report

Answer

a recommendation report

Answer

a lab report

Question 10

An abstract that briefly states a study's purpose, methods, main results and conclusions, so that it can stand in for the paper, is

Accepted Answer

an informative abstract

Answer

a descriptive abstract

Answer

a table of contents

Answer

a glossary

Question 11

A company asks whether building a second warehouse is technically, financially and legally practical before it commits. Which document answers this question?

Accepted Answer

A feasibility report

Answer

A progress report

Answer

An incident report

Answer

A trip report

Question 12

A writer surveys 200 employees about how they use the company's help desk. In the research process, this survey is

Accepted Answer

primary research

Answer

secondary research

Answer

a literature review

Answer

an annotated bibliography

Question 13

A grant proposal includes a section explaining how the project's success will be measured and reported. This section is usually called the

Accepted Answer

evaluation plan

Answer

statement of need

Answer

budget justification

Answer

letter of transmittal

Question 14

A long recommendation report will go to senior managers who may read only its first page. What should that page contain?

Accepted Answer

An executive summary of findings and recommendations

Answer

A full list of the references consulted

Answer

A detailed account of the methodology

Answer

Copies of all the raw data that were collected

Question 15

Which type of graphic best shows how a company's monthly energy use changed over three years?

Accepted Answer

A line graph

Answer

A pie chart

Answer

An organizational chart

Answer

An exploded diagram

Question 16

A city agency publishes a request for proposals (RFP), and a contractor responds with a plan and a price. The contractor's document is

Accepted Answer

a solicited proposal

Answer

an unsolicited proposal

Answer

an internal progress report

Answer

a white paper

Question 17

A safety report will be read by plant engineers, by managers who need only the conclusions and by technicians who will carry out the fixes. How should the writer handle this mixed audience?

Accepted Answer

Layer it: a summary for managers, detailed sections for specialists

Answer

Write only for the engineers and let the others ask questions

Answer

Leave out all the technical details so that everyone understands

Answer

Write three separate reports with different conclusions

Question 18

Which task belongs to revising rather than copyediting?

Accepted Answer

Checking that the content is accurate and fits readers' needs

Answer

Correcting comma errors throughout the draft

Answer

Fixing inconsistent capitalization of product names

Answer

Correcting misspelled words and typing errors

Question 19

Which design choice most improves the readability of a long technical document?

Accepted Answer

Clear headings, short paragraphs and lists

Answer

Centering all of the text on every page

Answer

Writing everything in capital letters

Answer

Using five different fonts for variety

Question 20

A software company publishes an authoritative report that explains an industry problem and argues for the company's approach to solving it, to inform and persuade potential customers. This document is

Accepted Answer

a white paper

Answer

a memo

Answer

a specification

Answer

a lab report

Question 21

Which sentence uses the active voice?

Accepted Answer

The technician replaced the faulty valve.

Answer

The faulty valve was replaced by the technician.

Answer

The faulty valve was replaced.

Answer

The faulty valve has been replaced by staff.

Question 22

How does a process description differ from a set of instructions?

Accepted Answer

A process description explains how something works; instructions explain how to do it.

Answer

A process description always uses numbered commands addressed to the reader.

Answer

A process description must always include a parts list and a tool list.

Answer

There is no real difference, because the two terms mean the same thing.

Question 23

Which revision of 'Due to the fact that the server was down, at this point in time we are unable to process orders' is the most concise?

Accepted Answer

Because the server was down, we cannot process orders now.

Answer

Owing to the fact that the server was down, we are currently unable to process orders.

Answer

Since the server was in a down state, at present we are not able to process orders.

Answer

Due to the server being down at this time, processing of orders cannot be done by us now.

Question 24

Before drafting a 60-page manual with four writers, what should the team leader set up first?

Accepted Answer

A shared style sheet and a schedule

Answer

A final proofreading checklist only

Answer

The page layout of the front cover

Answer

A list of words the writers must avoid

Question 25

Which sentence best follows the principles of clear technical writing?

Accepted Answer

Tighten the four bolts to 25 N·m.

Answer

The bolts should be tightened to an appropriate degree of firmness.

Answer

It is recommended that bolt tightening be performed to a suitable level.

Answer

Tighten the bolts pretty firmly, but not too much.

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