ABST Core Knowledge and Fundamentals 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A guest presents an ID that appears altered or tampered with. What should a responsible server do?
- Accept it if the photo matches the guest's appearance
- Refuse to serve alcohol and, if policy requires, confiscate the ID (Correct answer)
- Accept it only for beer and wine, not spirits
- Ask the guest to return with a different form of ID and serve them in the meantime
Correct answer: Refuse to serve alcohol and, if policy requires, confiscate the ID
A tampered or suspicious ID should result in a refused sale; many establishments also have policies to retain and report such IDs.
Question 2: Which of the following is considered a 'third-party' liability situation under dram shop laws?
- A patron who injures themselves after leaving an establishment
- A pedestrian injured by a drunk driver who was over-served at a bar (Correct answer)
- A bartender who drinks on the job
- An underage employee who handles sealed bottles
Correct answer: A pedestrian injured by a drunk driver who was over-served at a bar
Third-party liability arises when an over-served patron harms someone else, such as a pedestrian hit by a drunk driver.
Question 3: What does 'alcohol by volume' (ABV) measure?
- The weight of alcohol in grams per liter
- The percentage of the total drink volume that is pure ethanol (Correct answer)
- The number of standard drinks in the bottle
- The fermentation duration of the beverage
Correct answer: The percentage of the total drink volume that is pure ethanol
ABV expresses the proportion of ethanol in the total liquid volume as a percentage, allowing comparison of strength across different beverages.
Question 4: A patron tells a server, 'Don't worry, I live right around the corner.' The server should:
- Serve the guest since walking distance eliminates driving risk
- Still refuse service if the guest appears intoxicated, regardless of transportation plans (Correct answer)
- Allow one more drink since proximity reduces risk
- Ask the manager to confirm before refusing
Correct answer: Still refuse service if the guest appears intoxicated, regardless of transportation plans
Proximity to home does not change the server's obligation to refuse service to a visibly intoxicated person, as harm can still occur even on foot.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the role of food in relation to alcohol consumption?
- Food eliminates the effects of alcohol already absorbed
- Food slows alcohol absorption by keeping it in the stomach longer (Correct answer)
- Only fatty foods reduce alcohol absorption
- Food has no meaningful effect on how quickly alcohol is absorbed
Correct answer: Food slows alcohol absorption by keeping it in the stomach longer
Eating food, especially before or during drinking, slows gastric emptying and delays the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.
Question 6: Under ABST guidelines, which approach is recommended when cutting off a guest?
- Make a public announcement to embarrass the guest into compliance
- Speak privately, calmly, and without accusation while offering alternatives like water or food (Correct answer)
- Simply stop bringing drinks without explanation
- Immediately call law enforcement
Correct answer: Speak privately, calmly, and without accusation while offering alternatives like water or food
Best practice is a calm, private, non-confrontational conversation that respects the guest's dignity while offering non-alcoholic alternatives.
Question 7: Which type of alcohol is found in all alcoholic beverages that are safe for human consumption?
- Methanol
- Isopropanol
- Ethanol (Correct answer)
- Butanol
Correct answer: Ethanol
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) is the only type of alcohol safe for human consumption and is the active ingredient in all legal alcoholic beverages.
ABST Core Knowledge and Fundamentals 3
A guest presents an ID that appears altered or tampered with.
What should a responsible server do?