Polytechnic Technical Communication 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the difference between a memo and a formal report?
- A memo is a brief internal communication; a report is a detailed formal document (Correct answer)
- A memo is longer and more detailed than a report
- A report is used internally; a memo is used externally
- They are the same format with different names
Correct answer: A memo is a brief internal communication; a report is a detailed formal document
Memos are short, informal documents for internal communication, while reports are comprehensive, structured documents for formal analysis.
Question 2: What does a flowchart represent in technical documentation?
- A step-by-step process or decision sequence using symbols and arrows (Correct answer)
- A comparison between two technologies
- A list of hardware components
- A financial breakdown of a project
Correct answer: A step-by-step process or decision sequence using symbols and arrows
Flowcharts use standardized symbols (ovals for start/end, rectangles for processes, diamonds for decisions) to map a process or algorithm.
Question 3: What is plagiarism in academic and technical writing?
- Using someone else's work or ideas without proper attribution (Correct answer)
- Citing too many sources in a document
- Using technical jargon excessively
- Repeating the same information in multiple sections
Correct answer: Using someone else's work or ideas without proper attribution
Plagiarism is the act of presenting another person's work, ideas, or expressions as one's own without giving credit.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a table of contents in a technical document?
- To help readers navigate to specific sections quickly (Correct answer)
- To summarize all findings in a list
- To show the author's research process
- To replace the introduction section
Correct answer: To help readers navigate to specific sections quickly
A table of contents lists all sections with page numbers so readers can locate specific information efficiently.
Question 5: What is the difference between precision and accuracy in technical measurements?
- Precision is repeatability; accuracy is closeness to the true value (Correct answer)
- Precision is closeness to true value; accuracy is repeatability
- They are synonyms in technical contexts
- Precision applies to digital; accuracy applies to analog measurements
Correct answer: Precision is repeatability; accuracy is closeness to the true value
Accuracy describes how close a measurement is to the true value, while precision describes how repeatable measurements are.
Question 6: What is the purpose of an abstract in a scientific or technical paper?
- To provide a brief summary of the paper's purpose, methods, results, and conclusions (Correct answer)
- To introduce the topic and provide background information
- To list all references cited in the paper
- To describe the experimental apparatus in detail
Correct answer: To provide a brief summary of the paper's purpose, methods, results, and conclusions
An abstract is a condensed summary (typically 150–300 words) that allows readers to quickly determine the relevance of the paper.
Polytechnic Technical Communication 2
What is the difference between a memo and a formal report?