California POST Test Reading Comprehension Strategies 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage describes an event in this order: investigation, arrest, crime, trial. What was the actual chronological order of events?
- Investigation, arrest, crime, trial
- Crime, investigation, arrest, trial (Correct answer)
- Arrest, crime, investigation, trial
- Trial, crime, arrest, investigation
Correct answer: Crime, investigation, arrest, trial
Logically, the crime occurs first, prompting an investigation, leading to arrest, then trial.
Question 2: When reading a statute, the phrase 'shall not' indicates:
- An optional prohibition
- A recommended guideline
- A mandatory prohibition — the action is forbidden (Correct answer)
- An action that may be taken with supervisor approval
Correct answer: A mandatory prohibition — the action is forbidden
'Shall not' is mandatory legal language indicating an absolute prohibition.
Question 3: A witness statement reads: 'I think the car was blue, or maybe green. It happened so fast.' What does this statement indicate about the witness's account?
- The car was definitely blue
- The witness is lying about the color
- The witness's observation of color is uncertain (Correct answer)
- Green is the more likely color
Correct answer: The witness's observation of color is uncertain
Phrases like 'I think' and 'or maybe' signal uncertainty, not deception or confirmed fact.
Question 4: The main idea of a passage is best found by:
- Reading only the last sentence
- Identifying the point that most other sentences support or develop (Correct answer)
- Counting which topic is mentioned most often
- Choosing the most dramatic statement in the text
Correct answer: Identifying the point that most other sentences support or develop
The main idea is the central claim or point that the majority of supporting details relate to.
Question 5: A regulation reads: 'Sergeant approval is required before an officer initiates undercover operations.' An officer begins an undercover operation after informing, but not receiving approval from, their sergeant. Has the officer complied?
- Yes, informing the sergeant fulfills the requirement
- No, informing is not the same as receiving approval (Correct answer)
- Yes, undercover operations are officer-discretion decisions
- No, but only if the operation fails
Correct answer: No, informing is not the same as receiving approval
The regulation specifically requires approval, not merely notification — these are distinct actions.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of a fact rather than an opinion in a police report?
- The suspect appeared very dangerous
- The suspect seemed nervous during questioning
- The suspect was 6 feet tall with a scar on the left cheek (Correct answer)
- The suspect was probably involved in prior criminal activity
Correct answer: The suspect was 6 feet tall with a scar on the left cheek
Physical descriptors like height and visible features are objective, verifiable facts rather than judgments or interpretations.
Question 7: A passage argues: 'Community policing reduces crime by building trust.' A reader finds this claim lacks supporting data. What is the appropriate critical reading response?
- Accept the claim because it sounds reasonable
- Reject all policing strategies as ineffective
- Note the lack of evidence and withhold full acceptance of the claim (Correct answer)
- Assume the author has unstated evidence
Correct answer: Note the lack of evidence and withhold full acceptance of the claim
Critical readers require evidence before accepting claims, even when the claims seem plausible.
California POST Test Reading Comprehension Strategies 4
A passage describes an event in this order: investigation, arrest, crime, trial.
What was the actual chronological order of events?