APCAT APCAT - Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Written Communication Accuracy 2

Question 1

Which sentence is most appropriate for an official police report?

Accepted Answer

The suspect displayed aggressive behaviour and refused to comply with verbal commands.

Answer

Police reports must use formal, objective, and precise language. Option B is professional and factual.

Question 2

Which version of the following sentence is most accurate and clear for a police report?

Accepted Answer

The vehicle was travelling at an estimated speed of 80 km/h in a posted 60 km/h zone.

Answer

Police reports require specific, quantified, factual descriptions rather than vague or colloquial language.

Question 3

Identify the best-written statement for a witness account section of a report.

Accepted Answer

Witness Ms. Diarra stated that the suspect was wearing a red jacket and was approximately 185 cm tall.

Answer

Option B names the witness, specifies what was stated, and quantifies the description with a specific height estimate.

Question 4

Which phrase correctly uses passive voice appropriately in a police report context?

Accepted Answer

The victim was struck in the face by the suspect.

Answer

Option B is precise, formal, and appropriate — specifying location of injury and perpetrator.

Question 5

An officer writes: 'I seen the suspect run toward the alley.' What is the grammatical error in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

'Seen' should be 'saw' — 'seen' requires an auxiliary verb like 'had'

Answer

'Seen' is a past participle that requires an auxiliary verb (I had seen / I have seen). Without one, the simple past 'saw' is correct.

APCAT - Alberta Police Cognitive Ability Test Practice Test