School Safety Agent Exam Written Expression 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence is written in the clearest, most direct style for a written report?
- The student refused to comply with the directive to return to class. (Correct answer)
- Due to the fact that the student was not willing to go back, compliance was not achieved.
- The student, who was not listening and being difficult, wouldn't go back to class.
- Compliance efforts were undertaken but ultimately resulted in non-compliance by the student.
Correct answer: The student refused to comply with the directive to return to class.
Direct, simple sentences are clearer and more professional in reports than wordy or informal alternatives.
Question 2: An agent writes: 'Between you and I, the situation was handled poorly.' What is the grammatical error?
- The pronoun 'I' should be 'me' because it follows the preposition 'between.' (Correct answer)
- The word 'poorly' is an incorrect adjective and should be replaced with 'bad.'
- 'Situation' should be replaced with 'incident' in formal writing.
- The phrase 'between you and I' is informal but grammatically correct.
Correct answer: The pronoun 'I' should be 'me' because it follows the preposition 'between.'
Prepositions are followed by object pronouns; 'between you and me' is grammatically correct, not 'between you and I.'
Question 3: A supervisor asks for a written summary of an altercation. What should the summary focus on?
- Observable facts including who was involved, what occurred, and what actions were taken. (Correct answer)
- The agent's interpretation of why the altercation started.
- Background information about the students involved.
- How the incident compares to previous incidents at the school.
Correct answer: Observable facts including who was involved, what occurred, and what actions were taken.
Summaries should focus on observable facts: parties involved, sequence of events, and actions taken.
Question 4: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The principal, along with three teachers, _____ the meeting.'
- attended (Correct answer)
- attend
- were attending
- have attended
Correct answer: attended
The subject is 'principal' (singular); phrases beginning with 'along with' do not change the subject's number.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a chain-of-custody note in a written report?
- To document who handled the evidence and when, ensuring accountability. (Correct answer)
- To explain why the evidence was collected during the incident.
- To record the names of all witnesses present at the time of the incident.
- To summarize the supervisor's review of the evidence after the incident.
Correct answer: To document who handled the evidence and when, ensuring accountability.
Chain-of-custody documentation tracks every person who handled evidence and when, to maintain integrity.
Question 6: What does it mean to write in an 'objective' tone?
- Reporting only facts that can be observed or verified, without personal opinion. (Correct answer)
- Writing clearly so that any reader can understand the report.
- Using formal vocabulary and proper grammar throughout.
- Presenting both sides of an incident fairly before drawing conclusions.
Correct answer: Reporting only facts that can be observed or verified, without personal opinion.
Objective writing presents only verifiable facts and observations, excluding personal opinions or assumptions.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of an incomplete sentence (fragment)?
- After the student was escorted to the office. (Correct answer)
- The officer filed the report at the end of the shift.
- All staff were notified of the policy change.
- The safety agent secured the main entrance.
Correct answer: After the student was escorted to the office.
A sentence fragment lacks a main clause; 'After the student was escorted to the office' has no independent clause.
School Safety Agent Exam Written Expression 4
Which sentence is written in the clearest, most direct style for a written report?