Ohio Civil Service Exam Reading Comprehension 3

Question 1

Passage: 'Ohio Revised Code mandates that public meetings of governmental bodies be open to the public. Exceptions include discussions of personnel matters, pending litigation, and collective bargaining negotiations, which may be held in executive session.' A city council wishes to discuss a lawsuit filed against the city. May they meet privately?

Accepted Answer

Yes, pending litigation is listed as a permitted exception for executive session.

Answer

The passage explicitly lists pending litigation as a permitted exception allowing an executive session.

Question 2

Passage: 'An inference is a conclusion drawn from evidence rather than directly stated information. Effective readers identify what a text implies in addition to what it explicitly says.' Which of the following best demonstrates making an inference?

Accepted Answer

Concluding a policy is ineffective because it has been revised three times in two years.

Answer

Concluding the policy is ineffective from the frequency of revisions is a conclusion drawn from evidence, not directly stated — that is an inference.

Question 3

Passage: 'When completing an incident report, employees should record only facts they personally witnessed. Hearsay or unverified information should be labeled as such and not presented as established fact.' An employee writes: 'The client fell because he was intoxicated.' The employee did not witness the cause. What is wrong with this statement?

Accepted Answer

The employee presented an unverified conclusion as an established fact.

Answer

The employee stated a cause (intoxication) they did not witness as fact rather than labeling it as unverified, violating the policy.

Question 4

Passage: 'The tone of a document refers to the writer's attitude toward the subject or audience. In government communications, a neutral and objective tone is preferred to maintain impartiality and public trust.' Which sentence best reflects an appropriate tone for an official government notice?

Accepted Answer

'The new parking ordinance will take effect on September 1 and applies to all downtown zones.'

Answer

The second option is neutral, factual, and objective — consistent with the preferred tone for government communications described in the passage.

Question 5

Passage: 'Context clues are words or phrases near an unfamiliar word that help the reader determine its meaning. These clues may include definitions, examples, synonyms, or contrasting ideas.' In the sentence 'The supervisor's demeanor was austere, unlike her colleague's warm and approachable manner,' what does 'austere' most likely mean?

Accepted Answer

Strict and serious

Answer

The contrast with 'warm and approachable' suggests austere means the opposite — strict and serious.

Ohio Civil Service Exam Practice Test

Ohio Civil Service Exam Practice Test

Ohio Civil Service Exam Reading Comprehension 3