California POST Test Identifying Writing Errors 4

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'fewer' vs. 'less'?
A) There were less officers on the night shift.
B) The report contained less errors than expected.
C) Fewer witnesses came forward than anticipated.
D) The investigation took less days than planned.

Accepted Answer

Fewer witnesses came forward than anticipated.

Answer

'Fewer' is used with countable nouns like 'witnesses,' while 'less' is used with uncountable quantities.

Question 2

Choose the option that correctly identifies the error: 'The jury reached their verdict after deliberating for two days.'
A) 'jury' is plural, so 'their' is wrong — use 'its.'
B) There is no error; collective nouns can take plural pronouns.
C) 'deliberating' should be 'deliberated.'
D) A comma is needed after 'verdict.'

Accepted Answer

'jury' is plural, so 'their' is wrong — use 'its.'

Answer

In formal American English, collective nouns like 'jury' are treated as singular, so the pronoun should be 'its,' not 'their.'

Question 3

Which sentence has a parallel structure error?
A) The officer secured the perimeter, interviewed witnesses, and filed the report.
B) The suspect was charged with theft, assault, and resisting arrest.
C) The recruits were trained to observe, to listen, and report accurately.
D) Officers must be honest, diligent, and professional.

Accepted Answer

The recruits were trained to observe, to listen, and report accurately.

Answer

The list mixes infinitives ('to observe,' 'to listen') with a base form ('report'), breaking parallel structure.

Question 4

Identify the correctly punctuated sentence:
A) The officer, asked the suspect, where he had been.
B) The officer asked the suspect where he had been.
C) The officer asked the suspect, where he had been.
D) The officer asked, the suspect where he had been.

Accepted Answer

The officer asked the suspect where he had been.

Answer

An indirect question ('where he had been') is embedded in the sentence and does not require a comma or question mark.

Question 5

Which word choice error appears in: 'The principle reason for the delay was the missing evidence log.'

Accepted Answer

'principle' should be 'principal.'

Answer

'Principle' is a noun meaning a rule or belief; 'principal' is the adjective meaning main or primary.

California POST Test Practice Test

California POST Test Practice Test

California POST Test Identifying Writing Errors 4