NYC Written Comprehension and Expression 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of an indirect or bureaucratic phrase that should be simplified in official writing?
- Submit the form by Friday.
- In the event that you are unable to attend, please notify your supervisor. (Correct answer)
- The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday.
- Review the attached document before signing.
Correct answer: In the event that you are unable to attend, please notify your supervisor.
'In the event that' is an unnecessarily wordy way to say 'if,' and plain language guidelines recommend replacing such phrases in official writing.
Question 2: A paragraph in a report reads: 'Officer Williams responded to the scene. The complainant stated that the window was broken. Glass was observed on the ground.' What element is missing that would improve this report paragraph?
- A concluding sentence summarizing the incident
- More adjectives to describe the scene vividly
- The names of witnesses who were present
- A transition showing the sequence of events (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A transition showing the sequence of events
Adding transitions (such as 'Upon arrival' or 'Subsequently') would clarify the order and relationship of events in the report.
Question 3: Choose the sentence that uses subject-verb agreement correctly.
- The list of required documents are on the desk.
- Neither the manager nor the employees was notified.
- Each of the officers submits a daily report. (Correct answer)
- The team of supervisors were unable to agree.
Correct answer: Each of the officers submits a daily report.
'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun and always takes a singular verb, so 'submits' is correct.
Question 4: A memo instructs: 'All staff must acknowledge receipt of this policy by signing and returning the attached form within five business days of receipt.' An employee receives the memo on a Tuesday. What is the latest day they may return the form?
- The following Monday
- The following Tuesday (Correct answer)
- The following Wednesday
- The following Friday
Correct answer: The following Tuesday
Five business days from Tuesday (not counting Tuesday itself as the first day): Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Monday, Tuesday — the following Tuesday.
Question 5: Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
- The clerk filed the documents carefully in the cabinet.
- The supervisor only approved three of the ten requests. (Correct answer)
- Carefully reviewed by the team, the proposal was approved.
- The officer with the most experience led the training.
Correct answer: The supervisor only approved three of the ten requests.
'Only' should be placed immediately before what it modifies — 'only three' — but here it ambiguously modifies 'approved,' suggesting the supervisor did nothing else.
Question 6: What does the word 'pursuant' mean in the phrase 'pursuant to departmental regulations'?
- In opposition to
- In addition to
- In accordance with (Correct answer)
- As an exception to
Correct answer: In accordance with
'Pursuant to' is a formal legal and administrative term meaning 'in accordance with' or 'as authorized or required by.'
Question 7: A supervisor's written feedback states: 'Your reports are thorough but prolix.' What should the employee work on improving?
- Accuracy of the facts included
- The length and conciseness of the writing (Correct answer)
- The formatting and visual layout
- The use of technical terminology
Correct answer: The length and conciseness of the writing
'Prolix' means excessively long and wordy; the supervisor is saying the reports are thorough but need to be more concise.
NYC Written Comprehension and Expression 5
Which of the following is an example of an indirect or bureaucratic phrase that should be simplified in official writing?