CUFE, M.Sc.

Spring 2014, Technical Writing

Petroleum and Metallurgy
Open Book Exam Time 2 hours
Q.1 Define the type(s) of style error in each of the following; then propose a correct
version.

6 points

1. In technical writing, use of total quality approach is very commendable.

Style error
Correction

2. The destruction of many bridge and roads was caused by the recent floods
resulted from the heavy rainfall.
Style error
Correction

3. To reduce wastes, the design of project should include environmental impact

assessment of such projects.
Style error
Correction

Q2. Read the following paragraph then answer subsequent questions. 15 points
The advent of online education in the first decade of the 21st century was the result
and response to a number of factors that were both internal and external to the field
of higher education. Traditional tertiary institutions that were privately endowed
raised tuition rates far in excess of the rate of inflation. This, in concert with a
larger demand for postsecondary education for working adults, helped facilitate the
introduction of online learning. However, it should be acknowledged that the
simplicity of using the internet as a platform, as well as its cost-effectiveness, was
seized upon by entrepreneur in the private sector. Now, online education is largely
in the hands of profit-making companies. The question now becomes whether the
democratization of education is worth the price of removing it from non-profit
research-based universities.
1.1 The title of this paragraph should be

Q2.2 What has helped the spread of online learning as it indicated in this
paragraph?
Technical Writing, Spring 2014, M. Sc. Petroleum & Metallurgy

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Q2.3 Summarize this paragraph in one sentence!

Q2.4 What is the way to develop?

Q2.5 What are the tools for variety used in this paragraph?

Q2.6 Emphasize the underlined phrase in a sentence of your own

Q 3. In writing an abstract you may develop a descriptive or an informative abstract.

You will find below two introductory sentences for your abstract. State which one is
an informative abstract and justify your answer explaining why you made this
choice your explanation should show difference between both types of paragraphs.
15 marks
(a) This report describes a major case study to evaluate the effectiveness of

using a formal method during software development. We describe the

background of the method used and discuss the claims made in favor of
these kinds of methods. We describe the experimental set-up and the
particular software under investigation. We present a range of results
indicating the circumstances under which formal methods may be effective.
We explain the measurements that were used, along with the rationale for
using them. We compare the results of the measurements at different lifecycle phases. We consider the different uses of the system. Finally, we
present a number of strong recommendations

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(b) VDM is one of the best-known formal methods used in software development.

We describe a case study to evaluate whether higher quality code results

from the use of VDM.

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The case study involved an air traffic control system developed over three
years. Some of the modules in the system were developed using VDM (160
modules making approximately 400 KLOC) while the rest of the modules (300
making approximately 700 KLOC) were developed informally.
We found that, prior to release, the fault density of formally developed
modules was not significantly different to the informally developed modules
(4 faults per KLOC being typical). However, the fault density in the 6 months
post-release was significantly lower for formally developed modules (on
average 0.6 faults per KLOC compared to 1.4 faults per KLOC). More faults
were found during the early development phases in the formally developed
modules.

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Q (4) state if the following sentences belong to the introduction, methodology

(body), results (body), or conclusion parts. Justify your answer. [15 marks]
a. The only way to be sure that you can write about a complex subject is to
thoroughly understand it. To do that, you must conduct adequate research,
whether that means conducting an extensive investigation for a major
proposalthrough interviewing, library and Internet research, and careful
note-takingor simply checking a company Web site and jotting down points
before you send an e-mail to a colleague.

..

b. Consider all sources of information when you begin your research and use
those that are appropriate and useful. The amount of research you will need
to do depends on the scope of your project. See also documenting sources.

..

c. If you do not clearly define the scope, you will spend needless hours on
research because you will not be sure what kind of information you need or
even how much.

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Q5. Select only one of the following topics

25 points

a. You are proposing a research project on a topic of your choice. You are
supposed to attach the report to a letter of transmittal. Write a solicited
business letter. Imagine the necessary situations and guess information the
letter requires.
b. Living close to the open air night club has been challenging. Rewrite this
sentence to render more specific and less vague. Then develop it into an
essay of at least three paragraphs
c. Write three paragraphs on the figure shown below. Your writing must
include an at least one introductory part and one concluding part.

Schematic Diagram of coal- fired power plant particulates separating process.

Your selection (

) a,

( ) b, or

)c

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