California State Jobs Exam Reading Comprehension Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A memo: 'Effective March 1, all employees must submit time sheets electronically. Paper submissions no longer accepted except for documented system outages.' Main purpose?
- Announce closure of paper processing
- Notify employees of transition to electronic submission (Correct answer)
- Explain how to use the system
- Request feedback on the policy
Correct answer: Notify employees of transition to electronic submission
The memo's primary purpose is to inform about the change from paper to electronic.
The core communication is the mandatory transition to electronic time sheets beginning March 1.
Question 2: Policy: 'Employees with 5+ years service AND satisfactory performance are eligible for mentorship.' Which qualifies?
- 3 years, excellent performance
- 6 years, unsatisfactory performance
- 7 years, satisfactory performance (Correct answer)
- 5 years, no rating on file
Correct answer: 7 years, satisfactory performance
Both conditions must be met. Only 7 years with satisfactory performance satisfies both.
Option A fails on years. Option B fails on performance. Option D has no rating (not the same as satisfactory). Only C meets both.
Question 3: 'While satisfaction improved 12%, wait times increased 8 minutes.' What does this suggest?
- Satisfaction and wait times are correlated
- Improvements occurred despite longer waits (Correct answer)
- Wait times caused improvement
- Data contains an error
Correct answer: Improvements occurred despite longer waits
The word 'while' indicates contrast: satisfaction improved even though waits worsened.
The word 'while' introduces a contrast. Other factors likely drove satisfaction improvement despite longer waits.
Question 4: Directive: 'Supervisors shall ensure safety equipment is inspected monthly. Documented on Form ST-7. Retained 3 years.' What is required?
- Personally inspect all equipment
- Ensure monthly inspections occur and are properly documented and retained (Correct answer)
- Submit Form ST-7 to their supervisor
- Replace equipment every 3 years
Correct answer: Ensure monthly inspections occur and are properly documented and retained
The directive requires ensuring inspections, documentation, and retention.
Three requirements: (1) ensure monthly inspections, (2) document on Form ST-7, (3) retain for three years.
Question 5: Email: 'Due to budget constraints, essential maintenance prioritized. Cosmetic improvements deferred until funding secured.' What can be inferred?
- All maintenance canceled
- Essential maintenance continues while non-essential is postponed (Correct answer)
- Department has no budget
- Cosmetic improvements will never be completed
Correct answer: Essential maintenance continues while non-essential is postponed
Essential = prioritized (continuing). Cosmetic = deferred (postponed, not canceled).
'Deferred until funding secured' means postponed temporarily, not canceled. The department still has budget for essential work.
Question 6: Regulation: 'No outside employment that conflicts with state duties, unless prior written approval obtained.' What exception exists?
- Any job that doesn't pay well
- Outside employment allowed if prior written approval obtained (Correct answer)
- No exceptions
- Exception only for part-time employees
Correct answer: Outside employment allowed if prior written approval obtained
The 'unless' clause provides the exception: prior written approval.
The key word 'unless' introduces an exception. Conflicting outside employment may be permitted with advance written authorization.
California State Jobs Exam Reading Comprehension Skills 2
A memo: 'Effective March 1, all employees must submit time sheets electronically.
Paper submissions no longer accepted except for documented system outages.' Main purpose?