CODESP Clerical 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A clerk is proofreading a document and finds the sentence: 'The principle reason for the delay was inclement weather.' What is the error?
- 'Delay' should be 'delai'
- 'Principle' should be 'principal' (Correct answer)
- 'Inclement' should be 'inclimate'
- There is no error
Correct answer: 'Principle' should be 'principal'
'Principal' means 'main' or 'primary'; 'principle' is a noun meaning a rule or belief, so 'principal reason' is correct here.
Question 2: Using the coding system below, what is the correct code for a document classified as Confidential, Personnel, and Active? C = Confidential / G = General P = Personnel / F = Finance A = Active / I = Inactive
- GPA
- CFA
- CPI
- CPA (Correct answer)
Correct answer: CPA
Confidential = C, Personnel = P, Active = A, so the correct code is CPA.
Question 3: A timesheet shows an employee worked 8.5 hours on Monday, 7.75 hours on Tuesday, 8 hours on Wednesday, 6.25 hours on Thursday, and 9 hours on Friday. What are the employee's total hours for the week?
- 38.5
- 39
- 39.5 (Correct answer)
- 40
Correct answer: 39.5
8.5 + 7.75 + 8 + 6.25 + 9 = 39.5 hours.
Question 4: Which filing method arranges records by broad subject categories and subdivisions within each category?
- Alphabetic filing
- Numeric filing
- Subject filing (Correct answer)
- Geographic filing
Correct answer: Subject filing
Subject filing organizes records by topic or category name rather than by person's name, number, or location.
Question 5: A clerk receives a check for $1,247.50 and must verify it matches the written amount on the check. Which written amount matches?
- One thousand, two hundred forty-seven and 50/100 dollars (Correct answer)
- One thousand two hundred and forty-seven dollars and fifty cents
- Twelve hundred forty-seven dollars and 50/100
- One thousand, two hundred, forty-seven and 50/100 dollars
Correct answer: One thousand, two hundred forty-seven and 50/100 dollars
The standard legal format for check writing is 'One thousand, two hundred forty-seven and 50/100 dollars,' omitting 'and' before the cents fraction except at the decimal point.
Question 6: When a file cannot be found in its expected location, a clerk should FIRST:
- Report the file as lost to a supervisor immediately
- Check for the file under related cross-reference entries
- Create a new file with the same information
- Check the out-card or charge-out record to see who has the file (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Check the out-card or charge-out record to see who has the file
Checking the out-card or charge-out system identifies whether the file was legitimately removed by another person before assuming it is missing.
Question 7: A clerk is asked to send a letter to 125 people. Envelopes cost $4.80 per box of 50. How many boxes must be purchased, and what will the cost be?
- 2 boxes, $9.60
- 3 boxes, $14.40 (Correct answer)
- 3 boxes, $12.00
- 2 boxes, $14.40
Correct answer: 3 boxes, $14.40
125 envelopes ÷ 50 per box = 2.5 boxes, so 3 full boxes must be purchased; 3 × $4.80 = $14.40.
CODESP Clerical 3
A clerk is proofreading a document and finds the sentence: 'The principle reason for the delay was inclement weather.' What is the error?