Steno Theory and Writing Systems Flashcards
7 cards from real CART practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Steno Theory and Writing Systems flashcards as text
What is an 'untranslate' in a CART provider's realtime output?
Answer: A steno outline that appears as raw steno strokes in the transcript because it has no matching dictionary entry
An untranslate occurs when the CAT software cannot find a dictionary entry for a steno outline, so it displays the raw steno strokes instead of an English word, reducing readability.
What is the function of the asterisk (*) key on a stenotype machine?
Answer: To delete the previous stroke from the transcript or to create an alternate outline
The asterisk key serves a dual purpose: it can delete (undo) the most recently written stroke during realtime writing, and it is also used to create alternate outlines that avoid conflicts with existing entries.
How does a CART provider typically handle an unfamiliar proper noun spoken during a live session?
Answer: Write a phonetic outline or use an asterisk-flagged stroke to mark the location for post-editing
Experienced CART providers write the closest phonetic approximation and may flag the stroke with the asterisk key, allowing them to maintain pace and correct the term after the event without disrupting the session.
What distinguishes a 'write-out' from a 'brief form' in steno theory?
Answer: A write-out spells a word phonetically across multiple strokes, while a brief form is an abbreviated outline that captures the same word in fewer strokes
Write-outs follow standard phonetic steno rules across multiple strokes, while brief forms sacrifice phonetic transparency for speed by abbreviating the word into a shorter, often memorized outline.
When preparing a job-specific dictionary for a medical CART assignment, which entries would be MOST critical to include?
Answer: Anatomical terms, drug names, medical procedures, and the names of physicians who will be speaking
Medical CART assignments involve highly specialized and often phonetically unusual terminology that is unlikely to be in a standard theory dictionary, making pre-entry of these terms essential for accuracy.
Why must a CART-certified provider maintain a realtime writing speed of at least 225 words per minute with high accuracy?
Answer: This speed threshold ensures the provider can keep pace with natural and fast speech without losing words, preserving the full meaning of communication for the consumer
Average conversational speech ranges from 120–180 WPM and can spike higher; a 225+ WPM skill base provides the buffer needed to handle fast speakers and maintain the accuracy that makes CART a meaningful accessibility service.
In steno theory, what is the primary reason a CART provider would create multiple outlines for the same word?
Answer: To avoid a conflict where one outline is already assigned to a different word, ensuring each word translates correctly in context
Multiple outlines for the same word are created when the preferred outline is already in use by another word (a conflict), so an alternate conflict-free outline is added to ensure correct translation.