NYC Written Comprehension and Expression 4

Question 1

Which of the following best defines 'passive voice' in writing?

Accepted Answer

A sentence in which the subject receives the action

Answer

In passive voice, the subject receives or is acted upon by the verb (e.g., 'The report was filed by the clerk').

Question 2

A notice states: 'Personnel are reminded that the use of city resources for personal purposes is strictly prohibited.' Which scenario clearly violates this notice?

Accepted Answer

An employee prints a personal letter on a city printer during work hours.

Answer

Using a city printer — a city resource — to print a personal letter is a direct violation of the prohibition on using city resources for personal purposes.

Question 3

Select the option that correctly uses a colon.

Accepted Answer

Please bring the following: identification, completed forms, and payment.

Answer

A colon is correctly used after a complete independent clause to introduce a list; options B, C, and D break the independent clause before a natural ending.

Question 4

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The new regulation will ________ the existing policy on overtime pay.'

Accepted Answer

supersede

Answer

'Supersede' is the correct spelling, despite the common misspelling with a 'c'; it comes from the Latin 'supersedere.'

Question 5

Read the following passage: 'The inspector found three violations during the audit. First, fire exits were blocked. Second, safety logs were incomplete. Third, emergency equipment had not been tested.' What is the best one-sentence summary of this passage?

Accepted Answer

An audit revealed three violations: blocked exits, incomplete safety logs, and untested emergency equipment.

Answer

Option B captures all three specific violations and the audit context in one concise sentence without adding unsupported information.

NYC - Civil Service Exam Practice Test

NYC - Civil Service Exam Practice Test

NYC Written Comprehension and Expression 4