New Jersey Civil Service Exam Written Expression and Grammar 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?
- If I was the supervisor, I would change the policy.
- If I were the supervisor, I would change the policy. (Correct answer)
- If I am the supervisor, I will change the policy.
- If I be the supervisor, I would change the policy.
Correct answer: If I were the supervisor, I would change the policy.
The subjunctive mood requires 'were' (not 'was') in hypothetical or contrary-to-fact if-clauses.
Question 2: Select the sentence with correct parallel structure.
- The report was clear, concise, and it had accuracy.
- The report was clear, concise, and accurate. (Correct answer)
- The report was clearly, concise, and accurate.
- The report was clear, conciseness, and accurate.
Correct answer: The report was clear, concise, and accurate.
Parallel structure requires matching grammatical forms; all three adjectives (clear, concise, accurate) must be in the same form.
Question 3: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The committee will _____ the policy next month'?
- altar
- alter (Correct answer)
- alture
- altir
Correct answer: alter
'Alter' means to change or modify; 'altar' is a religious table or platform.
Question 4: Choose the sentence with the correct use of a colon.
- She ordered: coffee, tea, and juice.
- The meeting covered three topics: budget, staffing, and scheduling. (Correct answer)
- The supervisor stated: that the report was late.
- Please bring: the following items.
Correct answer: The meeting covered three topics: budget, staffing, and scheduling.
A colon is used after a complete independent clause to introduce a list or explanation.
Question 5: Which option correctly combines these two sentences: 'The employee was late. The employee missed the briefing.'
- The employee was late, but missed the briefing.
- The employee was late; therefore, they missed the briefing. (Correct answer)
- The employee was late, they missed the briefing.
- The employee was late or they missed the briefing.
Correct answer: The employee was late; therefore, they missed the briefing.
'Therefore' with a semicolon correctly shows a cause-and-effect relationship between two independent clauses.
Question 6: Identify the misplaced modifier: 'Running to the exit, the alarm was triggered by the officer.'
- The alarm was triggered incorrectly.
- 'Running to the exit' should modify 'officer,' not 'alarm.' (Correct answer)
- The sentence needs a comma after 'officer.'
- The word 'triggered' should be 'activated.'
Correct answer: 'Running to the exit' should modify 'officer,' not 'alarm.'
The participial phrase 'Running to the exit' must be placed next to the noun it modifies, 'officer,' not 'alarm.'
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses 'fewer' vs. 'less'?
- There were less applicants this year.
- There were fewer applicants this year. (Correct answer)
- There were least applicants this year.
- There were little applicants this year.
Correct answer: There were fewer applicants this year.
'Fewer' is used with countable nouns (applicants), while 'less' is used with uncountable quantities.
New Jersey Civil Service Exam Written Expression and Grammar 2
Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?