Texas Civil Service Exam Grammar and Writing Ability 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses the correct verb tense?
- By the time backup arrived, the suspect already escaped.
- By the time backup arrived, the suspect had already escaped. (Correct answer)
- By the time backup arrives, the suspect had already escaped.
- By the time backup arrived, the suspect has already escaped.
Correct answer: By the time backup arrived, the suspect had already escaped.
The past perfect ('had escaped') is required to show an action completed before another past event.
Question 2: Identify the misspelled word in the following sentence: 'The liutenant recieved commendation for his exemplary service.'
- liutenant
- recieved
- commendation
- Both A and B (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both A and B
Both 'lieutenant' (not 'liutenant') and 'received' (i before e, following 'c' — the exception) are misspelled.
Question 3: Which sentence best uses transitional language to show contrast?
- The suspect cooperated fully. The investigation stalled.
- The suspect cooperated fully, additionally, the investigation stalled.
- The suspect cooperated fully; nevertheless, the investigation stalled. (Correct answer)
- The suspect cooperated fully because the investigation stalled.
Correct answer: The suspect cooperated fully; nevertheless, the investigation stalled.
'Nevertheless' signals contrast between the cooperation and the stalled investigation.
Question 4: Which word choice is most appropriate for a formal civil service report?
- The officer busted the suspect at the corner of Main and Elm.
- The officer collared the perp near Main and Elm Streets.
- The officer apprehended the suspect at the intersection of Main and Elm Streets. (Correct answer)
- The officer got the bad guy by Main and Elm.
Correct answer: The officer apprehended the suspect at the intersection of Main and Elm Streets.
'Apprehended' is formal and precise language appropriate for official civil service documentation.
Question 5: Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
- The officer carefully documented the evidence.
- The officer documented the evidence carefully.
- Carefully, the officer documented the evidence.
- The officer documented carefully the bloody evidence in the bag. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The officer documented carefully the bloody evidence in the bag.
Placing 'carefully' between the verb and its direct object creates an awkward, misplaced modifier.
Question 6: Select the sentence that correctly uses a hyphen.
- The well-trained recruits passed the examination.
- The recruits were well trained and passed the examination.
- The well trained recruits passed the examination.
- Both A and B are correct. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both A and B are correct.
Hyphenate compound modifiers before a noun (well-trained recruits) but not after a linking verb (were well trained).
Question 7: Which sentence demonstrates correct word division of a complex sentence?
- Although the paperwork was extensive the officer completed it before the deadline.
- Although the paperwork was extensive, the officer completed it before the deadline. (Correct answer)
- Although the paperwork was extensive; the officer completed it before the deadline.
- Although, the paperwork was extensive, the officer completed it before the deadline.
Correct answer: Although the paperwork was extensive, the officer completed it before the deadline.
A comma is placed after an introductory subordinate clause before the main clause.
Texas Civil Service Exam Grammar and Writing Ability 5
Which sentence uses the correct verb tense?