ServSafe Alcohol Test - Primary and Advanced (4) — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a dram shop case, who can be sued?
- The business, business owner, and employees (Correct answer)
- The employees of the business
- The business
- The business owner
Correct answer: The business, business owner, and employees
Dram shop laws hold establishments, their owners, and individual employees liable for injuries or damages caused by intoxicated patrons to whom they illegally served alcohol. This broad liability encourages responsible alcohol service practices and ensures that all parties involved in serving alcohol are accountable for their actions. This legal framework aims to prevent harm caused by over-serving.
Question 2: Which of these is not a reliable indicator of intoxication?
- slowed time of reaction
- difficulty with motor control
- lack of judgment
- increased good humor (Correct answer)
Correct answer: increased good humor
While increased good humor can sometimes accompany initial alcohol consumption, it is not a reliable or consistent indicator of intoxication. People can be in a good mood for many reasons unrelated to alcohol, and it doesn't necessarily correlate with their Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) or level of impairment. Other indicators like slowed reaction time, difficulty with motor control, and lack of judgment are more direct and dependable signs of alcohol's effects.
Question 3: At the door, Jerry is verifying IDs. Which of these would be a red flag for a fake ID?
- The back of the ID is blank. (Correct answer)
- There is a “ghost photo” in addition to the main photo.
- The back of the ID has a bar code.
- An image appears when the ID is held at an angle.
Correct answer: The back of the ID is blank.
Most legitimate IDs, especially driver's licenses and state identification cards, have security features or information printed on the back, such as barcodes, magnetic strips, or additional text. A completely blank back is highly unusual and often indicates a poorly made counterfeit ID. Other options like ghost photos or images appearing at an angle are typically legitimate security features.
Question 4: A visibly pregnant guest requests an alcoholic beverage. You have to ____.
- serve her, but make the drink virgin
- serve her what she ordered (Correct answer)
- refuse her service and call the police
- refuse her service and call a manager
Correct answer: serve her what she ordered
It is illegal and discriminatory to refuse service to a pregnant guest based solely on her pregnancy. While excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy is discouraged, it is not the establishment's legal right or responsibility to dictate a guest's choices or serve a 'virgin' drink without her request. As long as she is not showing signs of intoxication, she should be served what she orders.
Question 5: Which of these qualifies as "one drink"?
- 6 ounces of wine (12% alcohol)
- 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol) (Correct answer)
- 1.5 ounces 100 proof liquor
- 16 ounces of beer
Correct answer: 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol)
A standard 'one drink' equivalent contains approximately 0.6 ounces of pure alcohol. This translates to 12 ounces of regular beer (5% alcohol), 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol), or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof (40% alcohol) distilled spirits. Therefore, 5 ounces of 12% wine is considered a standard drink.
Question 6: Which of the following statements about purchasing alcohol is correct?
- An establishment must accept a photo ID in any condition.
- The legal age to purchase is between 18 and 21, depending on the state.
- A friend of a person can verify his age for ID purposes.
- The legal age to purchase is the same in every state. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The legal age to purchase is the same in every state.
The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 mandated that all states raise their minimum drinking age to 21. States that did not comply faced a reduction in federal highway funds. As a result, the legal age to purchase and consume alcohol is uniformly 21 across all 50 United States.
Question 7: You're not sure if a guest's identification is valid. What's the most effective approach to double-check?
- ask the guest to tell you his or her address (Correct answer)
- ask the guest to tell you his or her donor registration status
- ask the guest to tell you his or her eye color
- ask the guest to state his or her last name
Correct answer: ask the guest to tell you his or her address
When verifying an ID, asking for information that is printed on the ID but not immediately obvious (like an address) is an effective way to check if the person is the legitimate owner. A person using a fake ID or someone else's ID might hesitate or be unable to provide this specific detail accurately, helping to confirm the ID's authenticity and the person's identity.
Question 8: You've chosen to stop serving a guest who has become drunk. <br> Which of the following statements best expresses this?
- “I’m sorry, but you’ve had way too much to drink and I can no longer serve you."
- “I’m sorry, I have to stop serving you. You’ve drunk way too much tonight and could be a danger to yourself or others."
- "After this next drink I can no longer serve you, sorry."
- “I’m sorry, but I can no longer serve you alcohol tonight.” (Correct answer)
Correct answer: “I’m sorry, but I can no longer serve you alcohol tonight.”
When refusing service, it's crucial to be polite, firm, and non-judgmental. This statement is direct, focuses on the action (stopping service), and avoids making personal accusations or judgments about the guest's behavior or level of intoxication, which can escalate the situation. It maintains professionalism and minimizes confrontation.
Question 9: In order to purchase alcohol in all 50 states, what age must a person be?
- 20 years old
- 21 years old (Correct answer)
- 18 years old
- 19 years old
Correct answer: 21 years old
The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 established 21 as the legal minimum age for purchasing and possessing alcoholic beverages in all 50 states. This federal mandate ensures consistency across the country regarding alcohol sales and consumption.
Question 10: What should you do if a customer enters your establishment while intoxicated?
- Serve the guest no more than 1 alcoholic drink.
- Use physical force to stop him from entering.
- Make sure he gets home safely. (Correct answer)
- Take his car keys.
Correct answer: Make sure he gets home safely.
Serving an already intoxicated person is illegal and can lead to severe liability for the establishment. If an intoxicated person enters, the priority is to prevent them from consuming more alcohol and to ensure their safe departure, often by arranging a ride or calling a taxi, rather than using force or taking keys without consent.
Question 11: When a guests face goes red after having a few drinks the cause is?
- Loss of body heat. (Correct answer)
- Slowed reactions
- Impaired motor skills.
- Increased heart rate.
Correct answer: Loss of body heat.
Alcohol is a vasodilator, meaning it causes blood vessels to widen. This increased blood flow to the skin can make a person's face appear red and feel warm, leading to a sensation of warmth but actually resulting in a faster loss of body heat. This physiological effect is a common indicator of alcohol consumption.
Question 12: When should a staff member start looking for indicators of intoxication among visitors?
- Any time a guest has consumed more than 1 drink per hour.
- When a guest prepares to leave the establishment.
- When a guest first arrives at the establishment. (Correct answer)
- After a guest orders his or her second drink.
Correct answer: When a guest first arrives at the establishment.
Responsible alcohol service begins the moment a guest enters the establishment. Staff should observe guests for signs of intoxication upon arrival, as some may already be impaired. This proactive approach allows staff to manage potential issues early and prevent over-serving, ensuring a safer environment for everyone.
Question 13: Two visitors who were delighted to be at your establishment are now getting into a fight. You don’t sense any immediate risk to you or other guests. What ought you to do?
- Notify your manager to determine what to do. (Correct answer)
- Step between the 2 guests to stop the argument.
- Call the police.
- Let the situation resolve itself.
Correct answer: Notify your manager to determine what to do.
In situations involving guest conflict, the primary responsibility of staff is to ensure safety and avoid escalating the situation. Intervening directly can be dangerous. Notifying a manager allows for a coordinated and appropriate response, as managers are typically trained to handle such incidents and can involve security or law enforcement if necessary.
Question 14: What should you say to customers when you have to cease serving them?
- Sorry sir, but I'm not able to serve you any more alcohol this evening. (Correct answer)
- Sorry sir, but you've had enough and I will not be able to serve you any more alcohol.
- Sorry sir, but you're having trouble talking, so we think you've had enough.
- Sorry sir, but you might hurt someone if we gave you another drink, so we can't serve you anymore tonight.
Correct answer: Sorry sir, but I'm not able to serve you any more alcohol this evening.
This statement is polite, firm, and focuses on the server's inability to serve more alcohol, rather than directly accusing the guest of being drunk or making judgmental comments. It avoids confrontation by keeping the language neutral and professional, which is key to de-escalating potentially difficult situations and maintaining guest respect.
Question 15: What should you do if your manager asks you to keep serving a customer who you believe is drunk?
- Ask the manager to serve the guest instead. (Correct answer)
- Tell your manager that you refuse to serve the guest.
- Call the police.
- Serve the guest as your manager has directed.
Correct answer: Ask the manager to serve the guest instead.
As a server, you have a legal and ethical responsibility not to serve intoxicated individuals. If you believe a guest is drunk and your manager instructs you to serve them, you should refuse to do so yourself. Asking the manager to serve them shifts the responsibility to the manager, acknowledging your concern and upholding your duty to responsible alcohol service.
Question 16: Which statement regarding alcohol laws is accurate?
- Only the local liquor authority has the responsibility for monitoring and enforcing liquor laws
- Violation of liquor laws will not result in an establishment losing its liquor license.
- Local liquor laws can be stricter than state liquor laws. (Correct answer)
- Obtaining a liquor license is the right of every operation.
Correct answer: Local liquor laws can be stricter than state liquor laws.
While state laws set a baseline for alcohol regulation, local jurisdictions (cities, counties) often have the authority to implement additional, stricter regulations. These can include specific hours of sale, zoning restrictions for establishments, or even local dry laws, provided they do not contradict state law but rather enhance it.
ServSafe Alcohol Test - Primary and Advanced (4)
In a dram shop case, who can be sued?