APCAT - Alberta Police Cognitive Ability English Grammar and Structure Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following sentences contains a misplaced modifier, creating ambiguity?
- After chasing the suspect through the woods, the officer was covered in mud.
- The suspect, covered in mud, was apprehended by the officer.
- Covered in mud, the officer apprehended the suspect after a chase. (Correct answer)
- The officer, who was covered in mud, finally apprehended the suspect.
Correct answer: Covered in mud, the officer apprehended the suspect after a chase.
This sentence contains a misplaced modifier. The phrase 'Covered in mud' should describe the noun immediately following it. In this sentence, it is unclear whether the officer or the suspect was covered in mud. The other sentences are structured clearly to avoid this ambiguity by placing the modifier next to the noun it describes.
Question 2: Choose the sentence that contains an error in subject-verb agreement.
- A list of potential witnesses were submitted to the lead investigator. (Correct answer)
- The evidence from the car, including fingerprints and fibers, is being analyzed.
- Neither of the drivers admits fault for the collision.
- Every officer and sergeant has to complete the mandatory training.
Correct answer: A list of potential witnesses were submitted to the lead investigator.
The subject of this sentence is 'list' (singular), not 'witnesses'. Therefore, the verb should also be singular: 'was submitted'. The other sentences show correct subject-verb agreement ('evidence...is', 'Neither...admits', 'Every officer...has').
Question 3: An officer is writing a report about multiple pieces of evidence. Which sentence demonstrates a pronoun error?
- The knife and the wallet were placed in separate bags; they were sealed and labeled.
- The laptop was seized because its serial number matched the one reported stolen.
- Each piece of evidence was logged before it was sent to the lab.
- The forensics team collected the samples, but it has not been analyzed yet. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The forensics team collected the samples, but it has not been analyzed yet.
This sentence has a pronoun-antecedent agreement error. The antecedent (the noun the pronoun refers to) is 'samples' (plural), but the pronoun used is 'it' (singular). The correct pronoun would be 'they' ('...but they have not been analyzed yet.'). The other sentences use pronouns that correctly agree with their antecedents.
Question 4: Select the word that correctly completes the following sentence: "The detective's primary goal was to ________ a confession from the suspect without using coercion."
- illicit
- elicit (Correct answer)
- allicit
- illissit
Correct answer: elicit
The correct word is 'elicit,' which means to evoke or draw out a response or information. The word 'illicit' means forbidden by law or custom. The other options are misspellings.
Question 5: Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct and properly punctuated for a formal report?
- The suspect fled the scene, he was last seen running west.
- The witness provided a statement however it was inconsistent with the physical evidence.
- Upon arrival, the officer secured the perimeter; this is standard procedure for preserving evidence. (Correct answer)
- The victim was shaken but unhurt, she refused medical attention.
Correct answer: Upon arrival, the officer secured the perimeter; this is standard procedure for preserving evidence.
This sentence correctly uses a semicolon to connect two closely related independent clauses. A semicolon can be used where a period could also be used. Options A and D are comma splices, where a comma incorrectly joins two independent clauses. Option B is a run-on sentence that is also missing correct punctuation around the conjunctive adverb 'however'.
Question 6: Which sentence is written in the active voice and is most appropriate for a clear, direct police report?
- Constable Evans interviewed the witness at the scene. (Correct answer)
- The firearm was located by the officer under the driver's seat.
- After a brief struggle, the suspect was subdued.
- A warning for speeding was issued to the driver by Constable McKay.
Correct answer: Constable Evans interviewed the witness at the scene.
This sentence is in the active voice because the subject, 'Constable Evans,' is performing the action of the verb ('interviewed'). The other options are in the passive voice, where the subject of the sentence is receiving the action (e.g., 'The firearm was located...'). Active voice is generally preferred for police reports because it is more direct and clearly states who performed the action.
APCAT - Alberta Police Cognitive Ability English Grammar and Structure Questions and Answers
Which of the following sentences contains a misplaced modifier, creating ambiguity?