POST Writing Ability 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses 'affect' vs. 'effect'?
- The injury did not effect her ability to testify.
- The new policy will effect all patrol officers.
- The weather affected the visibility at the scene. (Correct answer)
- Stress can have a negative affect on performance.
Correct answer: The weather affected the visibility at the scene.
'Affect' is typically a verb meaning to influence; 'effect' is typically a noun meaning result.
Question 2: A sergeant reviewing a report finds: 'Me and my partner responded to the call.' What is the error?
- Incorrect verb tense
- Wrong pronoun case — should be 'My partner and I' (Correct answer)
- Incorrect word order only
- No error; this is acceptable in reports
Correct answer: Wrong pronoun case — should be 'My partner and I'
When the pronoun is the subject of the sentence, 'I' must be used, not 'me.'
Question 3: Which sentence correctly uses the apostrophe?
- The officers report's were filed on time.
- The officers' reports were filed on time. (Correct answer)
- The officer's report's were filed on time.
- The officers reports were filed on time.
Correct answer: The officers' reports were filed on time.
For plural possessives, the apostrophe follows the 's': officers' (belonging to multiple officers).
Question 4: Which transition word best introduces a contrasting idea in a report narrative?
- Furthermore
- Therefore
- However (Correct answer)
- Additionally
Correct answer: However
'However' signals contrast or contradiction between ideas, making the narrative logical to readers.
Question 5: An officer writes: 'The victim had cuts on their arm that was bleeding.' What should be corrected?
- 'victim' should be 'subject'
- 'was' should be 'were' to agree with 'cuts' (Correct answer)
- 'their' should be 'his or her'
- 'cuts' should be 'lacerations'
Correct answer: 'was' should be 'were' to agree with 'cuts'
'Cuts' is plural, so the verb must be 'were,' not 'was,' to maintain subject-verb agreement.
Question 6: Which sentence uses correct paragraph structure for a report narrative?
- On 08/15/2026 at 0300 hrs I responded to 123 Main St for a burglary. At the scene I contacted the owner, Jane Smith, who stated she heard glass breaking. I observed a broken rear window and footprints leading to the alley. (Correct answer)
- I got a call about a break-in. There was a broken window. The lady said she heard something.
- At 0300 I went to the burglary. Windows broken. Owner upset. Footprints in alley.
- On the date and time above, responding to the scene in question, noting the observations as described hereinafter.
Correct answer: On 08/15/2026 at 0300 hrs I responded to 123 Main St for a burglary. At the scene I contacted the owner, Jane Smith, who stated she heard glass breaking. I observed a broken rear window and footprints leading to the alley.
Effective report paragraphs include the time, location, actions taken, and observations in complete sentences.
Question 7: Which of the following is the best revision of: 'Due to the fact that the road was wet, the vehicle lost control'?
- Because the road was wet, the vehicle lost control. (Correct answer)
- Due to the wetness factor of the road, the vehicle in question lost control.
- The vehicle lost control on account of the wet road conditions present.
- The road being wet caused the vehicle to lose control of itself.
Correct answer: Because the road was wet, the vehicle lost control.
'Because' is a concise and direct replacement for the wordy phrase 'due to the fact that.'
POST Writing Ability 4
Which sentence correctly uses 'affect' vs. 'effect'?