NFST Reading Comprehension Skills Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage in a firefighting training manual states: 'It is imperative that firefighters maintain situational awareness at all times. This involves the perception of environmental elements and events, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status in the near future.' Based on this text, which of the following is the MOST accurate summary of situational awareness?
- Following orders from a superior officer without question.
- Understanding the current situation, what it means, and what might happen next. (Correct answer)
- Knowing the location of all team members within a structure.
- Memorizing the layout of a building before entry.
Correct answer: Understanding the current situation, what it means, and what might happen next.
The correct answer accurately paraphrases the three key components mentioned in the passage: perception ('understanding the current situation'), comprehension ('what it means'), and projection ('what might happen next'). The other options are elements of firefighting but do not encompass the full definition of situational awareness as described in the text.
Question 2: You are preparing for the NFST and read a study guide that advises: 'When answering reading comprehension questions, you must base your answers solely on the information provided in the passage. Do not use outside knowledge or personal experience, even if you believe the information in the text is incorrect.' A question asks about the primary extinguishing agent for a Class C fire based on a provided text. You know from your training that the correct agent is a non-conductive one, but the passage incorrectly suggests using water. How should you answer?
- Answer based on your prior training because it is more accurate.
- Skip the question and report the error to the test administrator.
- Choose the answer that reflects the incorrect information presented in the passage. (Correct answer)
- Select an answer that combines information from the passage and your own knowledge.
Correct answer: Choose the answer that reflects the incorrect information presented in the passage.
Exams like the NFST test your ability to read and comprehend the provided text. The instructions explicitly state to use only the information given in the passage. Therefore, even if the information is factually incorrect from a real-world perspective, the correct answer on the test is the one supported by the passage itself.
Question 3: A department Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) reads: 'Upon arrival at a motor vehicle accident, the first-arriving unit shall establish command, conduct a 360-degree size-up of the scene, and ensure apparatus placement protects the scene and personnel. Initial actions should prioritize life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation, in that order.' Which of the following is the highest priority for the first-arriving unit according to this SOP?
- Establishing a water supply.
- Preserving the vehicle from further damage.
- Placing the fire engine to block traffic.
- Checking on the occupants of the vehicles. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Checking on the occupants of the vehicles.
The SOP explicitly states that initial actions should prioritize 'life safety, incident stabilization, and property conservation, in that order.' Checking on the occupants of the vehicles directly addresses the highest priority, which is life safety. Apparatus placement is also a key action but is done to protect the scene and personnel, which supports the overall goal of life safety.
Question 4: A passage describes the 'THIEVES' pre-reading strategy, which involves previewing a chapter's Title, Headings, Introduction, Every first sentence, Visuals, End-of-chapter questions, and Summary. What is the primary purpose of using a strategy like THIEVES?
- To memorize the entire content of the chapter before reading it.
- To find the answers to the test questions without reading the main text.
- To create a mental framework and improve comprehension of the material. (Correct answer)
- To decrease the amount of time it takes to read the chapter.
Correct answer: To create a mental framework and improve comprehension of the material.
The THIEVES method is a pre-reading strategy designed to activate prior knowledge and create a mental map of the material before a detailed reading. This process helps to improve overall understanding and retention of the information. While it may impact reading time, its main goal is to enhance comprehension.
Question 5: An article on fire dynamics states: 'The incipient stage of a fire is the earliest phase, characterized by a small, localized fire with limited heat and smoke production. This stage often goes unnoticed and can extinguish on its own if the fuel source is depleted. However, if conditions are favorable, it will transition to the growth stage.' The word 'incipient' in this context most nearly means:
- Final
- Uncontrolled
- Initial (Correct answer)
- Dangerous
Correct answer: Initial
The passage describes the 'incipient' stage as the 'earliest phase' of a fire. This directly indicates that 'incipient' means initial or beginning. The other words describe later or different characteristics of a fire.
Question 6: Which of the following is an effective strategy for managing time on the reading comprehension section of the NFST, according to common test-taking advice?
- Reading the passage multiple times before looking at any questions.
- Answering questions based on the title of the passage alone.
- Spending an equal amount of time on every single question.
- Briefly reading the questions first to know what information to look for in the passage. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Briefly reading the questions first to know what information to look for in the passage.
A widely recommended strategy for reading comprehension tests is to speed-read the questions (but not the answers) before reading the passage. This helps you identify key information to look for, making your reading more focused and efficient.
NFST Reading Comprehension Skills Questions and Answers
A passage in a firefighting training manual states: 'It is imperative that firefighters maintain situational awareness at all times.
This involves the perception of environmental elements and events, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status in the near future.' Based on this text, which of the following is the MOST accurate summary of situational awareness?