Reading and Written Comprehension Flashcards

Which of the following sentences is written most clearly and correctly for an official police report?

Answer: The two suspects fled the scene on foot heading northbound on Oak Street.

The second option uses correct grammar, provides specific directional detail, and is written in clear, professional language.

Read this report sentence: 'The officer observed the vehicle driving erratically and it's brake lights was not working.' What are the TWO errors in this sentence?

Answer: 'it's' should be 'its'; 'was' should be 'were'

'It's' (it is) should be the possessive 'its,' and 'was' should be 'were' to agree with the plural subject 'brake lights.'

A report states: 'At approximately 1430 hours, this officer responded to a call at the intersection of Pine and Elm. The caller stated that a male subject was acting in a disorderly manner. Upon arrival, I contacted the subject and identified him as John Doe, DOB 01/15/1990.' What is the main purpose of this report paragraph?

Answer: To establish the timeline, location, and initial contact with the subject

The paragraph establishes when and where the officer responded, the nature of the call, and the initial identification of the subject.

Which sentence contains the most precise and objective language suitable for a law enforcement report?

Answer: The suspect appeared agitated, clenching his fists and raising his voice.

The second option uses objective behavioral observations (clenching fists, raising voice) rather than assumptions or subjective feelings.

A training manual states: 'Reports should be written in the first person, past tense, and should describe events in chronological order unless otherwise required by the reporting format.' Which report opening best follows these guidelines?

Answer: On 06/15/2026, I responded to 301 Harbor Drive in reference to a burglary report.

The third option uses first person ('I'), past tense ('responded'), and begins with a specific date and location — all consistent with the stated guidelines.

Read the following: 'The victim stated she heard glass breaking around midnight. She did not see anyone but called police immediately.' Which inference is best supported by this statement?

Answer: The victim reported the sound promptly after hearing it

The statement says she 'called police immediately' after hearing the glass break, directly supporting that she reported it promptly.

An evidence log entry reads: 'Item #4 — One (1) black semi-automatic handgun, serial number filed off, recovered from the center console of the vehicle.' Which detail about this item is NOT included in the log entry?

Answer: The caliber of the firearm

The log describes the firearm's color (black), type (semi-automatic), and serial number condition, but does not state the caliber.