MCOLES Language Skills 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly punctuates a direct quote in a police report?
- The suspect stated that, he did not know the victim.
- The suspect stated, I don't know her.
- The suspect stated, "I don't know her." (Correct answer)
- The suspect stated: I don't know her.
Correct answer: The suspect stated, "I don't know her."
Direct quotations require quotation marks around the exact words spoken, with proper comma placement before the quote.
Question 2: What does 'subpoena' mean?
- A written confession signed by a suspect
- A legal document ordering someone to appear or produce evidence (Correct answer)
- A formal arrest warrant issued by a judge
- A sworn statement given voluntarily
Correct answer: A legal document ordering someone to appear or produce evidence
A subpoena is a legal order compelling a person to testify in court or produce documents as evidence.
Question 3: Which version of this sentence is most clear and concise for a police report?
- At approximately that point in time, the individual who was driving proceeded to exit the vehicle.
- The driver then exited the vehicle. (Correct answer)
- The person operating the automobile did at that time choose to get out.
- It was at this moment when the driver of the car made the decision to exit.
Correct answer: The driver then exited the vehicle.
Concise, direct language is preferred in police reports; option B delivers the same information without unnecessary words.
Question 4: The word 'perpetrator' most closely means:
- A witness to a crime
- A victim of a crime
- A person who commits a crime (Correct answer)
- An officer investigating a crime
Correct answer: A person who commits a crime
A 'perpetrator' is a person who carries out or commits a crime or harmful act.
Question 5: Which sentence contains a correctly used apostrophe?
- The officer's report was thorough and accurate. (Correct answer)
- The officers' were briefed before the shift.
- The suspects vehicle was searched.
- The department's received new equipment.
Correct answer: The officer's report was thorough and accurate.
An apostrophe correctly shows possession; 'officer's report' indicates the report belonging to one officer.
Question 6: When documenting an injury in a police report, an officer should write:
- 'The victim looked like she was in serious pain.'
- 'The victim had a large bruise on her left forearm, approximately 3 inches in diameter.' (Correct answer)
- 'The victim was badly hurt and needed help right away.'
- 'The victim appeared to have a really bad injury.'
Correct answer: 'The victim had a large bruise on her left forearm, approximately 3 inches in diameter.'
Specific, measurable, objective descriptions are required in police reports rather than subjective interpretations.
Question 7: What does 'in lieu of' mean?
- In addition to
- Because of
- Instead of (Correct answer)
- In support of
Correct answer: Instead of
'In lieu of' is a phrase meaning 'instead of' or 'in place of,' commonly used in legal and official documents.
MCOLES Language Skills 5
Which sentence correctly punctuates a direct quote in a police report?