Reading Comprehension and Clarity Flashcards
7 cards from real 911 Operator Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Reading Comprehension and Clarity flashcards as text
A caller reports: 'There's smoke coming from the building next to the park on Elm Street — not the school, the other one.' What is the most critical information still needed?
Answer: The exact address or building identifier
While occupancy status is also important, pinpointing the exact address is the first priority so units can be dispatched to the correct location.
Which sentence is written with the greatest clarity for a dispatch log?
Answer: Caller reports a physical altercation at 4th Ave and Main St involving two adult males.
An effective dispatch log entry includes specific location, nature of incident, and subject description without vague qualifiers.
A dispatcher reads: 'Unit 7 is en route to the reported disturbance at 220 Oak Ave ETA 4 minutes.' What does 'en route' mean in this context?
Answer: The unit is traveling toward the incident location
'En route' is standard radio/dispatch terminology meaning a unit is actively traveling to a destination.
A protocol script reads: 'If the patient is unconscious and not breathing, proceed to Card 9.' The caller says the patient is unconscious but breathing normally. Which action is correct?
Answer: Do not proceed to Card 9 because both conditions are not met
Protocol conditions must both be met; since breathing is normal, the specific Card 9 criteria are not satisfied.
Which of the following best demonstrates 'active listening' during a 911 call?
Answer: Repeating key details back to the caller to confirm accuracy
Repeating or paraphrasing key information confirms accuracy and reassures the caller that their message is understood.
A written incident report states: 'The complainant alleged the suspect fled northbound on Route 9 in a blue sedan.' What does 'alleged' indicate?
Answer: The information is from the complainant and not yet confirmed
'Alleged' signals that the claim comes from a source and has not been independently verified, which is important for accurate reporting.
A caller gives the following address: 'It's 14... no wait, 40 Birch Lane.' How should the dispatcher handle this correction?
Answer: Record 40 Birch Lane and verbally confirm it with the caller
The dispatcher should use the caller's corrected information and confirm it verbally to ensure accuracy before dispatch.