PELLET B Writing Ability: Sentence Clarity 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence is most clearly written for a police report?
- The suspect was seen by the officer running through the parking lot.
- The officer observed the suspect running through the parking lot. (Correct answer)
- Running through the parking lot, the suspect was seen by the officer.
- The parking lot had a suspect running through it, seen by the officer.
Correct answer: The officer observed the suspect running through the parking lot.
Option B uses active voice with clear subject-verb-object structure.
Clear report writing requires active voice and unambiguous structure. Option A is ambiguous about who was running. Option C has an awkward structure. Option D is unnecessarily complex. Option B clearly states: officer observed the suspect running. Active voice prevents misinterpretation.
Question 2: Choose the sentence with correct punctuation and grammar:
- The officer whom was first on scene, secured the perimeter.
- The officer, who was first on scene secured the perimeter.
- The officer who was first on scene secured the perimeter. (Correct answer)
- The officer who was first on scene, secured the perimeter.
Correct answer: The officer who was first on scene secured the perimeter.
Option C correctly uses 'who' (subject of clause) with no unnecessary commas since the clause is restrictive.
'Who' is correct as the subject of 'was first on scene.' The clause is restrictive (identifies which officer), so no commas. Option A uses 'whom' incorrectly and has an unnecessary comma. Options B and D have misplaced commas.
Question 3: Which revision improves: 'Due to the fact that the suspect resisted arrest, additional officers were called to assist with the apprehension of the suspect.'?
- Because the suspect resisted arrest, additional officers were called to assist. (Correct answer)
- The suspect resisted and so due to that additional officers were called to assist with apprehending.
- Additional officers were called because the suspect needed to be apprehended by them.
- Due to resistance, officers came.
Correct answer: Because the suspect resisted arrest, additional officers were called to assist.
Option A replaces wordy 'due to the fact that' with 'because' and eliminates redundancy.
'Due to the fact that' is three words where 'because' suffices. The redundant 'of the suspect' is removed. Option B is even wordier. Option C restructures awkwardly. Option D loses important detail. Concise writing is valued in police reports.
Question 4: Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?
- Searching the vehicle, drugs were found by the officer.
- Having been read his Miranda rights, the officer began the interrogation.
- While patrolling the neighborhood, Officer Garcia noticed a broken window. (Correct answer)
- Arriving at the scene, the evidence was collected immediately.
Correct answer: While patrolling the neighborhood, Officer Garcia noticed a broken window.
Option C correctly matches: Officer Garcia was patrolling and Officer Garcia noticed.
Dangling modifiers occur when the implied subject of an introductory phrase does not match the main clause subject. Options A (drugs were not searching), B (officer was not read rights), and D (evidence did not arrive) all have danglers. Option C correctly matches Garcia as both the patroller and the noticer.
Question 5: Select the most appropriate sentence for a formal police report:
- The guy totally lied about where he was.
- The subject provided a statement later determined to be inconsistent with evidence. (Correct answer)
- The dude was making stuff up during the interview.
- Suspect was caught lying through his teeth about his alibi.
Correct answer: The subject provided a statement later determined to be inconsistent with evidence.
Option B uses formal, objective language appropriate for official documentation.
Reports are legal documents. Option B is ideal: 'subject' (formal), 'provided a statement' (factual), 'inconsistent with evidence' (objective finding). Options A and C use slang. Option D uses idioms and conclusory language. Informal language undermines credibility.
Question 6: Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?
- The officer documented the scene, interviewed witnesses, and collecting evidence.
- The officer documented the scene, interviewed witnesses, and collected evidence. (Correct answer)
- The officer documented the scene, interviewing witnesses, and evidence was collected.
- The officer was documenting, interviewed, and has collected evidence.
Correct answer: The officer documented the scene, interviewed witnesses, and collected evidence.
Option B maintains parallel structure with three past-tense verbs: documented, interviewed, collected.
Parallel structure requires matching grammatical forms. Option B: documented, interviewed, collected (all simple past). Option A mixes past tense with gerund. Option C mixes structures. Option D uses three different tenses. Consistent parallel structure improves report readability.
PELLET B Writing Ability: Sentence Clarity 2
Which sentence is most clearly written for a police report?