POST Reading Comprehension Skills 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'The main idea of a paragraph is the central point the author wishes to convey, often found in the topic sentence, while supporting details provide evidence or examples.' Where is the main idea MOST commonly located according to this passage?
- In the concluding sentence
- In the topic sentence (Correct answer)
- Distributed evenly across all sentences
- Only in subheadings
Correct answer: In the topic sentence
The passage states the main idea is often found in the topic sentence.
Question 2: A department order reads: 'Officers are prohibited from making statements to the media regarding active investigations without written approval from the Public Information Officer (PIO) or a designee.' An officer is approached by a reporter at a crime scene. What must the officer obtain before making any statement?
- Verbal approval from their direct supervisor
- Written approval from the PIO or a designee (Correct answer)
- A written statement from the reporter
- Approval from the prosecuting attorney
Correct answer: Written approval from the PIO or a designee
The order requires written approval specifically from the PIO or a designee before any media statement.
Question 3: A crime report reads: 'The victim stated the vehicle was a dark-colored pickup truck, either black or dark blue, with a dent on the driver's side rear quarter panel and no visible rear license plate.' Which detail about the vehicle is UNCERTAIN according to the victim?
- That it was a pickup truck
- That the color was black or dark blue (Correct answer)
- That it had a dent on the rear quarter panel
- That the rear plate was missing
Correct answer: That the color was black or dark blue
The victim used the qualifier 'either black or dark blue,' indicating uncertainty about the exact color.
Question 4: A passage reads: 'Context clues are words or phrases surrounding an unfamiliar word that help determine its meaning.' In the sentence 'The officer's demeanor was amiable; he greeted everyone with a warm smile and a handshake,' what is the most likely meaning of 'amiable'?
- Aggressive
- Friendly (Correct answer)
- Suspicious
- Formal
Correct answer: Friendly
The surrounding context — warm smile and handshake — indicates that 'amiable' means friendly.
Question 5: An SOP states: 'When an officer uses force resulting in injury or complaint of pain, a supervisor must be notified immediately, and a use-of-force report must be completed before the officer goes off duty.' An officer's shift ends in 30 minutes and a suspect has just complained of wrist pain from handcuffing. What must happen before the officer leaves?
- Only supervisor notification is required before leaving
- Only the use-of-force report must be completed
- Both supervisor notification and a use-of-force report must be completed (Correct answer)
- Neither is required since the pain is minor
Correct answer: Both supervisor notification and a use-of-force report must be completed
The SOP requires both immediate supervisor notification AND completion of the use-of-force report before going off duty.
Question 6: A paragraph reads: 'Unlike eyewitness testimony, physical evidence does not change its story over time. However, it must be properly collected, stored, and documented to remain admissible in court.' What limitation of physical evidence is implied by this passage?
- Physical evidence is less reliable than eyewitness testimony
- Physical evidence can become inadmissible if improperly handled (Correct answer)
- Physical evidence changes over time just like testimony
- Physical evidence is only useful in the collection phase
Correct answer: Physical evidence can become inadmissible if improperly handled
The passage implies that improper collection, storage, or documentation can compromise physical evidence's admissibility in court.
Question 7: A field manual states: 'When summarizing a witness statement, officers must accurately reflect what was said without adding interpretation, opinion, or information not provided by the witness.' An officer writes: 'The witness stated she heard a loud bang at 11 PM. She was probably startled.' What is wrong with this summary?
- The time 11 PM is not precise enough
- The word 'probably' adds the officer's interpretation (Correct answer)
- The officer should have quoted the witness exactly
- The summary is too short to be useful
Correct answer: The word 'probably' adds the officer's interpretation
Adding 'She was probably startled' is the officer's interpretation — not information provided by the witness — which violates the summarizing standard.
POST Reading Comprehension Skills 5
A passage states: 'The main idea of a paragraph is the central point the author wishes to convey, often found in the topic sentence, while supporting details provide evidence or examples.' Where is the main idea MOST commonly located according to this passage?