EIAT and NEIEP Test EIAT Verbal/Reading Comprehension 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A specification reads: 'All wiring devices shall be listed and marked with their ratings.' A device is listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory but has no visible rating markings. Does it comply?
- Yes, listing alone is sufficient for compliance.
- No, both listing and marking are required. (Correct answer)
- Yes, if the rating is in the installation manual instead.
- No, only devices rated above 20A need markings.
Correct answer: No, both listing and marking are required.
The specification uses 'and,' requiring both conditions—listed AND marked—to be satisfied simultaneously.
Question 2: What does the word 'redundant' most likely mean in this sentence: 'Installing a second disconnect switch on this circuit is redundant, as the primary switch already meets code'?
- Necessary and required
- Unnecessarily repetitive or excessive (Correct answer)
- Technically incorrect
- Dangerously unsafe
Correct answer: Unnecessarily repetitive or excessive
Redundant means more than what is needed; the second switch duplicates a function already fulfilled.
Question 3: A passage describes the function of a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI): 'A GFCI monitors the current flowing in a circuit; if it detects a difference of as little as 4 to 6 milliamps between the hot and neutral conductors, it interrupts power within 1/40th of a second.' What triggers a GFCI to trip?
- Voltage that exceeds the rated capacity of the circuit
- A current imbalance between the hot and neutral conductors (Correct answer)
- A short circuit between the hot and ground wires only
- An overloaded neutral conductor with no fault to ground
Correct answer: A current imbalance between the hot and neutral conductors
The passage explicitly states the GFCI trips when it detects a current difference between the hot and neutral conductors.
Question 4: Select the sentence that uses a comma correctly.
- The inspector, reviewed the wiring diagram before approving the work.
- Before energizing the panel the crew double-checked all connections.
- After the conduit was installed, the crew pulled the wire through it. (Correct answer)
- The apprentice tightened the lugs and, then tested the circuit.
Correct answer: After the conduit was installed, the crew pulled the wire through it.
A comma after an introductory dependent clause ('After the conduit was installed') is grammatically correct.
Question 5: A memo states: 'Employees are encouraged, but not required, to attend the optional safety seminar on Friday.' An employee does not attend. Has he violated company policy?
- Yes, because safety seminars are mandatory for all employees.
- No, because attendance is explicitly optional. (Correct answer)
- Yes, if his supervisor instructed him to attend.
- No, only if he submits a written excuse in advance.
Correct answer: No, because attendance is explicitly optional.
The memo uses 'encouraged, but not required,' which means attendance is voluntary and skipping it is not a policy violation.
Question 6: Which of the following is an example of an inference rather than a stated fact?
- The circuit is rated at 20 amperes.
- The breaker tripped three times last week.
- The repeated tripping likely indicates a wiring fault. (Correct answer)
- The panel was last inspected in March.
Correct answer: The repeated tripping likely indicates a wiring fault.
An inference is a logical conclusion drawn from evidence, not a directly stated fact; 'likely indicates' signals a conclusion.
Question 7: The sentence reads: 'Neither the journeyman nor the apprentices was prepared for the code change.' What correction should be made?
- Change 'nor' to 'or'
- Change 'was' to 'were' (Correct answer)
- Change 'prepared' to 'preparing'
- No correction is needed
Correct answer: Change 'was' to 'were'
With 'neither…nor,' the verb agrees with the closest subject; since 'apprentices' is plural, the verb should be 'were.'
EIAT and NEIEP Test EIAT Verbal/Reading Comprehension 4
A specification reads: 'All wiring devices shall be listed and marked with their ratings.' A device is listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory but has no visible rating markings.
Does it comply?