NYC - Civil Service Exam Civil Service Written Comprehension and Expression 1

Question 1

A department bulletin states: 'Personnel requesting leave during a holiday period must submit their request in writing at least 14 calendar days in advance and receive written confirmation from their direct supervisor before the leave may be taken.' An employee submits a written request 10 days before a holiday and receives verbal approval from their supervisor.
Which requirement(s) did the employee FAIL to meet?

Accepted Answer

The employee failed to meet the 14-day advance notice requirement and did not receive written confirmation.

Answer

The employee met all requirements.

Answer

The employee failed to submit the request in writing.

Answer

The employee failed only to receive written confirmation from a supervisor.

Question 2

Read this passage: 'City employees may use department vehicles only for official business. Personal errands, commuting to or from home, and any use not directly related to assigned duties are strictly prohibited.' Which of the following uses of a department vehicle would be PERMITTED under this policy?

Accepted Answer

Transporting city records from one borough office to another as part of an assigned task.

Answer

Driving a department van home after a late shift to avoid public transit.

Answer

Stopping at a grocery store while returning from an official site visit.

Answer

Giving a colleague a ride to a personal appointment during lunch.

Question 3

A notice reads: 'In the event of a building emergency, all staff must evacuate immediately using the nearest stairwell. Elevators must not be used. Staff should proceed to the designated assembly point and await further instructions from a fire safety warden.' Which action by a staff member VIOLATES this notice?

Accepted Answer

Using the elevator because the stairwell is crowded.

Answer

Taking the nearest stairwell to exit the building.

Answer

Waiting at the designated assembly point for a warden.

Answer

Following instructions given by the fire safety warden.

Question 4

Which sentence is written MOST clearly and appropriately for an official interoffice memorandum?

Accepted Answer

Please be advised that the weekly staff meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday, July 30, at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room B.

Answer

FYI the meeting got moved and everyone needs to be there or else.

Answer

So the thing is we're doing the meeting a different day now which is Thursday instead.

Answer

The meeting, which was previously scheduled, has now been changed to a different day and time than before.

Question 5

A policy directive states: 'Confidential personnel records may only be released to the employee named in the record, to that employee's designated legal representative, or pursuant to a valid court order. No other parties may access these records without written authorization from the Commissioner.' A records clerk receives a phone request from a manager asking to review a subordinate's personnel file for a performance review. What should the clerk do?

Accepted Answer

Deny the request, because managers are not among the parties authorized to access the records under this policy.

Answer

Release the file immediately, since the manager has supervisory authority over the employee.

Answer

Release the file only if the manager agrees to keep it confidential.

Answer

Ask the employee for verbal permission before releasing the file to the manager.

Question 6

Read the following two sentences and choose the version that BEST communicates the same information clearly and concisely: Original — 'Due to the fact that there was a significant amount of precipitation that occurred during the nighttime hours, it has become necessary for the department to make the determination that the outdoor event that had been planned will need to be cancelled.'

Accepted Answer

Because it rained heavily overnight, the department has cancelled the outdoor event.

Answer

The outdoor event is cancelled on account of rain which fell during the night and was heavy.

Answer

The event outside is not happening because of the rain that came down a lot last night.

Answer

It has been determined that due to rainfall, the event outdoors will not proceed as had been the plan.