NJ Reading Comprehension 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read: 'Civil service employees in New Jersey are protected against arbitrary dismissal. They may only be removed for just cause, following a formal disciplinary process.' What does 'just cause' imply?
- Dismissal can happen at any time without reason
- There must be a valid, documented reason for dismissal (Correct answer)
- Employees may resign voluntarily
- The governor must approve all dismissals
Correct answer: There must be a valid, documented reason for dismissal
The passage states employees can only be removed for just cause, which means there must be a legitimate, documented reason for termination.
Question 2: Read: 'State job announcements list minimum qualifications, including education and experience requirements. Candidates who do not meet these minimums will be disqualified before the exam.' What happens to unqualified candidates?
- They are placed on a waiting list
- They may take the exam but their scores are not counted
- They are disqualified before the exam is administered (Correct answer)
- They receive a lower exam score
Correct answer: They are disqualified before the exam is administered
The passage clearly states that candidates not meeting minimum qualifications are disqualified before they even take the exam.
Question 3: Read: 'The New Jersey Merit System ensures that hiring decisions are based on ability rather than personal connections or political affiliation.' What is the main purpose of the Merit System?
- To protect politicians' appointments
- To ensure hiring is based on ability and qualifications (Correct answer)
- To speed up the hiring process
- To increase the number of government jobs
Correct answer: To ensure hiring is based on ability and qualifications
The passage directly states the Merit System ensures hiring is based on ability, not personal connections or politics.
Question 4: Read: 'Employees who receive a rating of 'needs improvement' on two consecutive annual reviews may be subject to demotion or termination.' What must occur for an employee to face termination under this policy?
- One unsatisfactory review
- Two consecutive 'needs improvement' ratings (Correct answer)
- Three separate incidents
- A single major policy violation
Correct answer: Two consecutive 'needs improvement' ratings
According to the passage, demotion or termination becomes possible only after two consecutive 'needs improvement' performance ratings.
Question 5: Read: 'Civil service examinations may be written, oral, or performance-based, depending on the requirements of the position.' What determines the type of exam used?
- The candidate's preference
- The date the exam is scheduled
- The requirements of the specific position (Correct answer)
- The number of applicants
Correct answer: The requirements of the specific position
The passage states the exam type depends on the requirements of the position being filled.
Question 6: Read: 'Applicants must submit their applications by the closing date listed in the job announcement. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.' What can be inferred about the closing date?
- It can be extended upon request
- It is a strict deadline with no exceptions (Correct answer)
- It applies only to mailed applications
- Late applicants may be placed on a secondary list
Correct answer: It is a strict deadline with no exceptions
The phrase 'under any circumstances' makes clear the closing date is an absolute deadline with no exceptions permitted.
NJ Reading Comprehension 1
Read: 'Civil service employees in New Jersey are protected against arbitrary dismissal.
They may only be removed for just cause, following a formal disciplinary process.' What does 'just cause' imply?