Writing Clarity and Grammar Flashcards
7 cards from real LAPD practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Writing Clarity and Grammar flashcards as text
An officer's report states: 'Responding to the scene, a body was discovered.' How should this be corrected?
Answer: Responding to the scene, we discovered a body.
The introductory phrase 'responding to the scene' must be followed by the person who was responding, making 'we discovered' the correct fix.
Which sentence most effectively uses specific, concrete language in a police context?
Answer: The vehicle exceeded the posted speed limit of 35 mph, traveling an estimated 70 mph.
Specific facts like exact speed limits and estimated speeds provide measurable, court-ready details.
What error appears in this sentence: 'Each of the officers were required to submit their reports by 0800.'?
Answer: 'Were' should be 'was' — 'each' is singular
'Each' is an indefinite pronoun that takes a singular verb; the correct form is 'each … was required.'
An officer writes: 'I observed a male black, approximately 30 years old, six feet tall.' What is the issue with this description?
Answer: No issue — LAPD report style accepts this format
The description is grammatically acceptable; LAPD reports allow suspect descriptions in this format including observed physical characteristics.
Which sentence uses 'affect' and 'effect' correctly?
Answer: The injury affected the victim's ability to walk.
'Affect' is typically a verb meaning to influence; 'affected the victim's ability' is the correct usage.
In a police report narrative, what is the best way to handle uncertain information provided by a witness?
Answer: Attribute it clearly: 'The witness stated that …'
Attributing statements to their source ('the witness stated') preserves accuracy and distinguishes officer observations from third-party accounts.
Which version corrects the run-on sentence: 'The officer arrived at the scene the suspect had already fled'?
Answer: The officer arrived at the scene; the suspect had already fled.
A semicolon correctly separates two closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.