CSR Stenography Theory & Machine Shorthand Systems 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In machine shorthand, what is the term for a single depression of steno keys that produces one or more sounds?
- Stroke (Correct answer)
- Brief
- Chord
- Stack
Correct answer: Stroke
A stroke is the fundamental unit of machine shorthand — a single motion that produces one or more phonetic elements.
Question 2: Which side of the steno keyboard contains the keys representing initial consonant sounds that begin syllables?
- Right side
- Number bar row
- Left side (Correct answer)
- Center vowel row
Correct answer: Left side
The left bank of a stenotype keyboard holds the initial consonant keys (S, T, K, P, W, H, R) that form the beginning sounds of syllables.
Question 3: What is a 'brief' in machine shorthand?
- A short legal filing submitted to the court
- An abbreviated steno outline used for a frequently written word or phrase (Correct answer)
- A single phonetic keystroke
- A conflict between two identical outlines
Correct answer: An abbreviated steno outline used for a frequently written word or phrase
A brief (or briefing) is a shortened steno outline that allows reporters to write common words or phrases with fewer strokes, boosting speed.
Question 4: When a court reporter presses multiple steno keys simultaneously in one motion to form an outline, this is called a:
- Chord (Correct answer)
- Sequence
- Stack
- Run
Correct answer: Chord
Pressing multiple steno keys at once in a single stroke is called a chord, which is the standard method for producing steno outlines.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of the number bar on a steno machine?
- To mark the beginning of a new exhibit
- To produce numbers when pressed simultaneously with designated letter keys (Correct answer)
- To activate the machine's CAT software
- To flag a correction in the steno notes
Correct answer: To produce numbers when pressed simultaneously with designated letter keys
The number bar, pressed simultaneously with specific letter keys (1–0 positions), produces numerical digits in the steno output.
Question 6: In machine shorthand, the term 'theory' refers to which of the following?
- An unproven hypothesis about transcription speed
- A comprehensive system of rules governing how sounds and words are represented on the steno keyboard (Correct answer)
- A list of approved legal abbreviations
- A speed-building drill set
Correct answer: A comprehensive system of rules governing how sounds and words are represented on the steno keyboard
A steno theory is a complete rule system (e.g., StenEd, Phoenix Theory, Magnum Steno) that defines how phonetic sounds map to steno outlines.
Question 7: In machine shorthand, what is a 'conflict'?
- A dispute between counsel captured in the record
- A situation where two different words produce the same steno outline (Correct answer)
- An illegible section of paper tape
- A mismatch between audio and written notes
Correct answer: A situation where two different words produce the same steno outline
A conflict occurs when two distinct words share the same steno outline, requiring the reporter to create an alternate stroke for one of them.
CSR Stenography Theory & Machine Shorthand Systems 1
In machine shorthand, what is the term for a single depression of steno keys that produces one or more sounds?