New Jersey Civil Service Exam Written Communication and Grammar 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the best revision of this wordy sentence: 'Due to the fact that the budget was reduced, we were unable to hire new staff'?
- We were unable to hire new staff due to the fact that budget was reduced.
- Because the budget was reduced, we could not hire new staff. (Correct answer)
- The budget was reduced and so we could not hire new staff members at all.
- Staff could not be hired because of the fact the budget was reduced by us.
Correct answer: Because the budget was reduced, we could not hire new staff.
Replacing 'due to the fact that' with 'because' and using active voice produces a cleaner sentence.
Question 2: In a formal government letter, which salutation is most appropriate when the recipient's name is unknown?
- Hey there,
- To Whom It May Concern: (Correct answer)
- Hi,
- Dear Friend,
Correct answer: To Whom It May Concern:
'To Whom It May Concern:' is the standard formal salutation when the recipient's name is not known.
Question 3: Which sentence correctly uses an apostrophe?
- The department's records are confidential. (Correct answer)
- The departments' record's are confidential.
- The departments records are confidential.
- The department's record's are confidential.
Correct answer: The department's records are confidential.
Use 's after a singular noun to show possession; 'records' is a simple plural with no apostrophe needed.
Question 4: Which transition word best shows contrast between two ideas in a civil service report?
- Furthermore
- Therefore
- However (Correct answer)
- Similarly
Correct answer: However
'However' introduces a contrasting idea, while the others indicate addition, conclusion, or similarity.
Question 5: A government notice reads: 'Applications that are submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed.' What is the correct interpretation?
- Late applications may be reviewed at the supervisor's discretion.
- Applications submitted on the deadline day will not be reviewed.
- No application submitted after the deadline will be considered. (Correct answer)
- Only some late applications will be rejected.
Correct answer: No application submitted after the deadline will be considered.
'Will not be reviewed' is absolute and applies to all applications received after the deadline.
Question 6: Which version of the sentence uses parallel structure correctly?
- The officer must write reports, to interview witnesses, and filing documents.
- The officer must write reports, interview witnesses, and file documents. (Correct answer)
- The officer must write reports, interviewing witnesses, and to file documents.
- The officer must be writing reports, interview witnesses, and filed documents.
Correct answer: The officer must write reports, interview witnesses, and file documents.
Parallel structure requires all items in a list to use the same grammatical form—here, base verbs.
New Jersey Civil Service Exam Written Communication and Grammar 2
Which of the following is the best revision of this wordy sentence: 'Due to the fact that the budget was reduced, we were unable to hire new staff'?