LEAB Written Expression and Grammar 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which word correctly completes the sentence? 'The officer had to ______ the situation before making an arrest.'
- access
- asses
- assess (Correct answer)
- asess
Correct answer: assess
'Assess' means to evaluate or appraise a situation, and is spelled with a double 's' twice.
Question 2: Which sentence correctly uses a colon?
- The officer needed: a flashlight, handcuffs, and a radio.
- The officer needed the following items: a flashlight, handcuffs, and a radio. (Correct answer)
- The items were: needed by the officer on duty.
- The officer: needed a flashlight, handcuffs, and a radio.
Correct answer: The officer needed the following items: a flashlight, handcuffs, and a radio.
A colon is correctly used after a complete independent clause to introduce a list.
Question 3: Choose the sentence free of redundancy.
- The witness repeated the same statement again.
- The report was returned back to the sergeant.
- The officer advanced forward toward the suspect.
- The victim described the attacker in detail. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The victim described the attacker in detail.
'Described in detail' contains no redundancy, unlike 'repeated again,' 'returned back,' or 'advanced forward.'
Question 4: Which sentence uses 'affect' and 'effect' correctly?
- The incident did not effect her testimony.
- Stress can affect an officer's judgment. (Correct answer)
- The new policy had a strong affect on morale.
- Lack of sleep effected the officer's performance.
Correct answer: Stress can affect an officer's judgment.
'Affect' is typically a verb meaning to influence, and 'effect' is typically a noun meaning a result.
Question 5: Which of the following is a run-on sentence?
- The suspect ran, but the officer caught him.
- After the chase, the suspect was apprehended.
- The suspect ran the officer gave chase immediately. (Correct answer)
- Both the suspect and his accomplice were arrested.
Correct answer: The suspect ran the officer gave chase immediately.
'The suspect ran the officer gave chase immediately' fuses two independent clauses without proper punctuation or a conjunction.
Question 6: Which version of the sentence is most concise and clear?
- Due to the fact that it was raining, the officer used his umbrella.
- Because it was raining, the officer used his umbrella. (Correct answer)
- In light of the rain conditions present, the officer made use of his umbrella.
- On account of the rain that was occurring, the umbrella was used by the officer.
Correct answer: Because it was raining, the officer used his umbrella.
'Because' is a concise replacement for the wordy phrase 'due to the fact that.'
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses 'who' vs. 'whom'?
- Who did the sergeant assign to the case? (Correct answer)
- The detective whom solved the case was promoted.
- Whom is responsible for filing the report?
- To who was the memo addressed?
Correct answer: Who did the sergeant assign to the case?
'Who' is correct as the subject of the clause; if you can substitute 'he/she,' use 'who.'
LEAB Written Expression and Grammar 3
Which word correctly completes the sentence? 'The officer had to ______ the situation before making an arrest.'