Wonderlic Personnel Test Reading Comprehension 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the passage: 'The manager decided to implement a new policy requiring all employees to submit weekly progress reports. The goal was to improve communication between departments and identify bottlenecks early.' What is the PRIMARY purpose of the new policy?
- To reduce employee workload
- To improve interdepartmental communication and identify problems early (Correct answer)
- To increase the number of meetings held each week
- To evaluate individual employee performance for raises
Correct answer: To improve interdepartmental communication and identify problems early
The passage directly states the goal was to improve communication between departments and identify bottlenecks early.
Question 2: 'Although the project was completed three weeks ahead of schedule, the team discovered several minor errors in the final report that required correction.' Which statement best describes the situation?
- The project was a complete failure
- The project finished early but had some errors needing fixes (Correct answer)
- The team was penalized for finishing early
- The errors prevented the project from being completed
Correct answer: The project finished early but had some errors needing fixes
The passage states the project finished ahead of schedule but minor errors were found that required correction.
Question 3: 'Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, are becoming increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels. Many experts predict that within the next decade, renewable energy will be the dominant source of electricity in developed nations.' What can be inferred from this passage?
- Fossil fuels will be completely eliminated within five years
- Renewable energy is currently more expensive than fossil fuels
- The cost gap between renewable and fossil fuel energy is closing (Correct answer)
- Solar energy is the only viable renewable option
Correct answer: The cost gap between renewable and fossil fuel energy is closing
'Increasingly cost-competitive' implies renewables were previously more expensive but the gap is now narrowing.
Question 4: 'The quarterly audit revealed that inventory levels had fallen below the recommended threshold. The warehouse supervisor was directed to address the shortage immediately.' In this context, 'threshold' most nearly means:
- Temperature limit
- Minimum acceptable level (Correct answer)
- Maximum storage capacity
- Daily production target
Correct answer: Minimum acceptable level
A 'threshold' in inventory management refers to the minimum acceptable level that stock must not fall below.
Question 5: 'All employees must complete the mandatory safety training by the end of the quarter. Failure to comply will result in suspension of access privileges until training is completed.' What will happen to employees who do not complete the training on time?
- They will be terminated immediately
- They will receive a written warning
- Their access privileges will be suspended (Correct answer)
- They will be required to retake the training twice
Correct answer: Their access privileges will be suspended
The passage explicitly states that failure to comply results in suspension of access privileges until training is completed.
Question 6: 'Customer satisfaction scores improved significantly after the company introduced a 24-hour support line. However, operating costs also increased by 15% due to staffing requirements.' What is the main trade-off described in the passage?
- Better customer satisfaction but higher operating costs (Correct answer)
- Lower operating costs but decreased customer satisfaction
- Improved staffing efficiency and reduced costs
- Decreased complaints and fewer support staff needed
Correct answer: Better customer satisfaction but higher operating costs
The passage describes improved customer satisfaction as a benefit but a 15% increase in operating costs as the downside.
Question 7: 'The new software update is scheduled to roll out next Tuesday at 9 AM. Users are advised to save all work beforehand, as the system will be temporarily unavailable for approximately two hours during the installation.' How long will the system be unavailable?
- All day Tuesday
- Nine hours
- Approximately two hours (Correct answer)
- Until the following day
Correct answer: Approximately two hours
The passage explicitly states the system will be unavailable for approximately two hours during installation.
Read the passage: 'The manager decided to implement a new policy requiring all employees to submit weekly progress reports.
The goal was to improve communication between departments and identify bottlenecks early.' What is the PRIMARY purpose of the new policy?