FCTC Verbal Reasoning 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A memo reads: 'Shift supervisors are RESPONSIBLE for confirming apparatus readiness at the start of each shift, while mechanics are accountable for repairs.' Who should check that a truck is ready before a shift begins?
- The mechanics
- The shift supervisor (Correct answer)
- Any available firefighter
- The fire chief
Correct answer: The shift supervisor
The memo assigns responsibility for confirming apparatus readiness to shift supervisors, not mechanics.
Question 2: Which word is closest in meaning to 'CORROBORATE'?
- Contradict
- Confirm (Correct answer)
- Conceal
- Complicate
Correct answer: Confirm
Corroborate means to confirm or support a statement or finding with additional evidence.
Question 3: Read: 'The ladder company shall respond to all structure fires within city limits EXCEPT when already committed to another incident.' The ladder company is currently on scene of a vehicle fire. A structure fire is dispatched. What should occur?
- The ladder company responds immediately to the structure fire
- The ladder company remains on the vehicle fire scene (Correct answer)
- The ladder company splits crew between both calls
- The ladder company responds only if the structure fire is in their district
Correct answer: The ladder company remains on the vehicle fire scene
Since the ladder company is already committed to another incident, the exception applies and they should remain on scene.
Question 4: Choose the best meaning of AMBIGUOUS as used here: 'The witness gave an ambiguous account of where the fire started.'
- Detailed and precise
- Open to more than one interpretation (Correct answer)
- False and misleading
- Lengthy and comprehensive
Correct answer: Open to more than one interpretation
Ambiguous means unclear or capable of being understood in more than one way.
Question 5: A training bulletin states firefighters must 'ADHERE to established ventilation protocols.' What does ADHERE most nearly mean in this context?
- Question
- Modify
- Comply with (Correct answer)
- Summarize
Correct answer: Comply with
Adhere means to follow or comply with a rule, standard, or instruction.
Question 6: Which of the following best summarizes this passage: 'Rapid intervention teams (RITs) are designated crews standing by during fire operations specifically to rescue trapped or incapacitated firefighters. Their deployment is triggered only when a mayday is declared.'
- RITs fight fires alongside the primary crew
- RITs are rescue crews activated when a firefighter declares a mayday (Correct answer)
- RITs respond to all emergencies involving civilians
- RITs replace incident commanders during large fires
Correct answer: RITs are rescue crews activated when a firefighter declares a mayday
The passage defines RITs as standby rescue teams specifically activated by a mayday declaration.
Question 7: Select the correctly spelled word to complete this sentence: 'The fire investigator documented every ______ piece of evidence at the scene.'
- Pertanent
- Pertinent (Correct answer)
- Pertinent
- Pertanant
Correct answer: Pertinent
Pertinent is the correct spelling, meaning relevant or applicable to a matter at hand.
FCTC Verbal Reasoning 5
A memo reads: 'Shift supervisors are RESPONSIBLE for confirming apparatus readiness at the start of each shift, while mechanics are accountable for repairs.' Who should check that a truck is ready before a shift begins?