NYC Written Comprehension and Expression 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence most clearly and concisely conveys the intended meaning?
- Due to the fact that there was a lack of sufficient staffing resources, the project was unable to be completed by the deadline.
- The project missed the deadline because of insufficient staffing. (Correct answer)
- The deadline for the project was not met on account of staff being not enough in number.
- Staffing insufficiency caused the project deadline to experience non-completion.
Correct answer: The project missed the deadline because of insufficient staffing.
The second option conveys the same information in the fewest, clearest words without redundancy or awkward phrasing.
Question 2: Read this instruction: 'Employees must complete Form A prior to submitting Form B, unless Form C has already been approved, in which case Form B may be submitted directly.' An employee has an approved Form C. What should they do?
- Complete Form A, then submit Form B.
- Submit Form B directly without completing Form A first. (Correct answer)
- Submit Form C again before submitting Form B.
- Complete both Form A and Form C before submitting Form B.
Correct answer: Submit Form B directly without completing Form A first.
The exception clause states that an approved Form C allows Form B to be submitted directly, bypassing the requirement for Form A.
Question 3: Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
- Running to catch the bus, Officer Chen dropped her radio.
- Having reviewed the file, the supervisor approved the request.
- Walking through the lobby, the security alarm suddenly went off. (Correct answer)
- After completing the training, the officer received certification.
Correct answer: Walking through the lobby, the security alarm suddenly went off.
In option C, the alarm cannot be 'walking through the lobby' — the modifier is left without a logical subject to modify.
Question 4: A report includes: 'The suspect fled northbound on Broadway before turning eastbound on 42nd Street, where he was apprehended.' Which word best replaces 'apprehended' for a general public notice?
- Detained
- Caught (Correct answer)
- Incapacitated
- Neutralized
Correct answer: Caught
'Caught' is the plainest, most universally understood term for a general public audience, while the others may be technical or alarming.
Question 5: Choose the correctly spelled word to complete the sentence: 'The manager gave her ________ approval for the project.'
- explicit (Correct answer)
- explict
- explisit
- explicite
Correct answer: explicit
'Explicit' is the correct spelling, meaning clearly and directly stated, leaving no room for confusion.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the topic sentence in a formal paragraph?
- To provide supporting evidence for the conclusion
- To introduce and state the main idea of the paragraph (Correct answer)
- To summarize the entire report
- To transition to the next paragraph
Correct answer: To introduce and state the main idea of the paragraph
The topic sentence introduces the main idea of the paragraph and signals to the reader what the paragraph will discuss.
Question 7: A civil service regulation reads: 'No employee shall engage in any outside employment that is incompatible with the proper discharge of official duties.' An employee wants to do freelance work unrelated to their government job on weekends. Based on this regulation, what must they consider?
- Whether the outside work is on government property
- Whether the outside work interferes with their official duties (Correct answer)
- Whether they will earn more than their government salary
- Whether the outside work involves similar skills to their government job
Correct answer: Whether the outside work interferes with their official duties
The regulation prohibits only outside employment that is 'incompatible with the proper discharge of official duties,' making interference the key consideration.
NYC Written Comprehension and Expression 3
Which sentence most clearly and concisely conveys the intended meaning?