NYC Reading Comprehension Skills 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A city ordinance reads: 'Noise levels in residential zones must not exceed 65 decibels between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM, and must not exceed 50 decibels at all other hours.' A contractor operates equipment at 60 decibels at 11:00 PM. This is:
- Permissible because 60 decibels is below the daytime limit
- A violation because 60 decibels exceeds the nighttime limit of 50 decibels (Correct answer)
- Permissible because contractors are exempt
- A violation only if a neighbor complains
Correct answer: A violation because 60 decibels exceeds the nighttime limit of 50 decibels
At 11:00 PM, the limit is 50 decibels, and 60 decibels exceeds that limit, making the activity a violation.
Question 2: A passage reads: 'The sanitation department prioritizes collection routes based on population density, frequency of complaints, and proximity to schools and hospitals.' Which factor is NOT mentioned as influencing route prioritization?
- Population density
- Frequency of complaints
- Distance from schools
- Cost of collection vehicles (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Cost of collection vehicles
The passage lists population density, complaints, and proximity to schools and hospitals—cost of collection vehicles is never mentioned.
Question 3: Read this excerpt: 'Officers must document all use-of-force incidents in writing within 24 hours. Reports submitted late require a written explanation from the officer's supervisor.' An officer files a use-of-force report 30 hours after the incident without a supervisor explanation. What has occurred?
- Only a minor procedural error
- A violation of the 24-hour rule requiring a supervisor explanation (Correct answer)
- Nothing, because the report was eventually filed
- A violation that requires the officer's suspension
Correct answer: A violation of the 24-hour rule requiring a supervisor explanation
The report was late (30 hours vs. 24-hour requirement), and no supervisor explanation was provided, violating both requirements.
Question 4: A sentence in a civil service manual reads: 'Candidates who are deemed ineligible may request reconsideration within fifteen days of receiving notification of their status.' The word 'reconsideration' as used here most nearly means:
- A formal appeal for re-evaluation of their eligibility (Correct answer)
- Withdrawal of the application
- An extension of the application deadline
- A request for a new examination date
Correct answer: A formal appeal for re-evaluation of their eligibility
In this context, 'reconsideration' means asking the agency to re-evaluate the eligibility determination.
Question 5: A passage states: 'The city's budget surplus was allocated primarily to infrastructure repair, with smaller portions directed toward public health initiatives and parks maintenance.' Which area received the largest share of the surplus?
- Public health initiatives
- Parks maintenance
- Infrastructure repair (Correct answer)
- Emergency services
Correct answer: Infrastructure repair
The passage says the surplus was allocated 'primarily' to infrastructure repair, indicating it received the largest share.
Question 6: An office directive reads: 'When a client is dissatisfied with a decision, staff must first attempt informal resolution. If informal resolution fails, staff must refer the matter to a supervisor before initiating any formal review process.' An employee skips informal resolution and immediately refers a complaint to a supervisor. This is:
- Acceptable because the supervisor will resolve it faster
- A procedural violation because informal resolution must be attempted first (Correct answer)
- Acceptable if the client agrees to skip the informal step
- A violation only if the supervisor objects
Correct answer: A procedural violation because informal resolution must be attempted first
The directive requires informal resolution to be attempted before supervisor referral, so skipping it violates the stated procedure.
Question 7: Read the following: 'Seniority is considered alongside performance ratings when determining promotion eligibility; however, performance ratings carry greater weight in the final decision.' What is the best conclusion from this statement?
- Seniority alone determines promotions
- Both seniority and performance matter, but performance is more decisive (Correct answer)
- Performance ratings are the only factor considered
- Employees with poor ratings can still be promoted based on seniority
Correct answer: Both seniority and performance matter, but performance is more decisive
The passage says both factors are considered but performance carries greater weight, making it more decisive.
NYC Reading Comprehension Skills 3
A city ordinance reads: 'Noise levels in residential zones must not exceed 65 decibels between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM, and must not exceed 50 decibels at all other hours.' A contractor operates equipment at 60 decibels at 11:00 PM.
This is: