Ohio Civil Service Exam Reading Comprehension and Grammar 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Read the passage: 'Public records in Ohio are generally available for inspection under the Ohio Public Records Act. However, certain records, such as medical files and law enforcement investigation materials, are exempt from disclosure.' Which of the following records is EXEMPT from disclosure?
- Meeting minutes from a city council session
- Budget reports approved by the county
- Ongoing law enforcement investigation materials (Correct answer)
- Annual departmental expenditure reports
Correct answer: Ongoing law enforcement investigation materials
The passage explicitly lists law enforcement investigation materials as exempt from disclosure.
Question 2: Choose the sentence that uses apostrophes correctly:
- The departments report was submitted on time.
- The department's report was submitted on time. (Correct answer)
- The departments' report was submitted on time.
- The department's report's were submitted on time.
Correct answer: The department's report was submitted on time.
One department possesses the report, so 'department's' (singular possessive) is correct.
Question 3: Select the best word to replace 'got' in this sentence: 'The office got many complaints about parking.'
- received (Correct answer)
- took
- grabbed
- found
Correct answer: received
'Received' is a more precise and professional word meaning the office was the recipient of complaints.
Question 4: Read the paragraph: 'Employees who wish to appeal a performance rating must submit a written request within 15 calendar days of receiving the rating. Late requests will not be considered.' What is the time limit for filing an appeal?
- 30 business days
- 15 calendar days (Correct answer)
- 7 working days
- 15 business days
Correct answer: 15 calendar days
The paragraph clearly states the appeal must be filed within 15 calendar days of receiving the rating.
Question 5: Which sentence is written in the active voice?
- The report was filed by the analyst.
- Mistakes were made by the department.
- The analyst filed the report. (Correct answer)
- The policy had been approved by the board.
Correct answer: The analyst filed the report.
In 'The analyst filed the report,' the subject ('analyst') performs the action, making it active voice.
Question 6: Read the sentence: 'Despite the inclement weather, the office remained open and fully operational.' What does 'inclement' most likely mean?
- Unusually busy
- Severe or harsh (Correct answer)
- Unpredictable
- Mild and clear
Correct answer: Severe or harsh
'Inclement weather' refers to severe or unpleasant weather conditions such as storms or heavy snow.
Question 7: Identify the correctly punctuated sentence:
- We will review the application however a decision may take several weeks.
- We will review the application, however a decision may take several weeks.
- We will review the application; however, a decision may take several weeks. (Correct answer)
- We will review the application; however a decision may take several weeks.
Correct answer: We will review the application; however, a decision may take several weeks.
A conjunctive adverb like 'however' joining two independent clauses requires a semicolon before it and a comma after it.
Ohio Civil Service Exam Reading Comprehension and Grammar 4
Read the passage: 'Public records in Ohio are generally available for inspection under the Ohio Public Records Act.
However, certain records, such as medical files and law enforcement investigation materials, are exempt from disclosure.' Which of the following records is EXEMPT from disclosure?