California POST Test Grammar and Punctuation 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
- The officer found the stolen wallet near the dumpster.
- The officer nearly drove twenty miles to the scene. (Correct answer)
- The officer drove nearly twenty miles to the scene.
- Near the dumpster, the officer found the stolen wallet.
Correct answer: The officer nearly drove twenty miles to the scene.
'Nearly' modifies 'drove' in option A, implying the officer almost drove but didn't; it should precede 'twenty miles.'
Question 2: Select the correctly punctuated sentence involving a direct quotation.
- The sergeant said, "complete your report by Friday."
- The sergeant said "Complete your report by Friday."
- The sergeant said, "Complete your report by Friday." (Correct answer)
- The sergeant said: "complete your report by Friday."
Correct answer: The sergeant said, "Complete your report by Friday."
A direct quotation following a comma begins with a capital letter and is enclosed in quotation marks.
Question 3: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The detective could ___ the pressure of the investigation.'?
- bare
- beer
- bear (Correct answer)
- bare
Correct answer: bear
'Bear' means to endure or tolerate and is the correct word in this context.
Question 4: Which sentence has correct comma placement with an introductory clause?
- After the chase ended officers secured the perimeter.
- After the chase ended, officers secured the perimeter. (Correct answer)
- After the chase, ended officers secured the perimeter.
- After the chase ended officers, secured the perimeter.
Correct answer: After the chase ended, officers secured the perimeter.
A comma is required after an introductory subordinate clause before the main clause.
Question 5: Identify the sentence with a parallel structure error.
- The recruit was trained to write reports, conduct interviews, and testify in court.
- The recruit was trained to write reports, conducting interviews, and testify in court. (Correct answer)
- The recruit's duties include writing reports, conducting interviews, and testifying in court.
- Writing reports, conducting interviews, and testifying in court are core skills.
Correct answer: The recruit was trained to write reports, conducting interviews, and testify in court.
Mixing infinitives ('to write,' 'testify') with a gerund ('conducting') breaks parallel structure.
Question 6: Which option shows correct capitalization in a sentence?
- The California department of Justice investigated the case.
- The california Department of Justice investigated the case.
- The California Department of Justice investigated the case. (Correct answer)
- The California Department Of Justice investigated the case.
Correct answer: The California Department of Justice investigated the case.
The full proper name 'California Department of Justice' is capitalized, but prepositions like 'of' are not.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses 'affect' versus 'effect'?
- The new policy will effect how officers file reports.
- The new policy will affect how officers file reports. (Correct answer)
- The affect of the policy was immediate.
- The new policy will have an affect on morale.
Correct answer: The new policy will affect how officers file reports.
'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is typically the noun meaning result.
California POST Test Grammar and Punctuation 4
Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?