Written Communication and Reading Comprehension Flashcards

Which of the following best explains why the Plain Writing Act of 2010 was enacted?

Answer: To mandate that federal agencies communicate clearly so the public can understand and use their information

The Plain Writing Act requires federal agencies to use clear language that the public can understand, find, and use, improving government transparency.

A hiring manager writes: 'Candidates whom lack the required experience will not advance.' What error does this sentence contain?

Answer: Use of 'whom' instead of 'who'

'Who' is the correct pronoun here because it is the subject of the subordinate clause ('who lack'), not the object; 'whom' is used for objects.

When summarizing a lengthy federal report, which strategy is most effective?

Answer: Identify and restate the main idea of each major section in your own words

Effective summarization involves identifying key ideas from each section and restating them concisely in your own words.

Which transition word or phrase would best connect these two sentences? 'The application was submitted on time. _____, it was missing two required attachments.'

Answer: However

'However' signals a contrast, appropriately connecting the positive fact (on-time submission) with the contrasting problem (missing attachments).

A federal employee receives an email asking them to clarify a policy. The best response should:

Answer: Acknowledge the question, explain the policy in plain language, and offer further assistance if needed

Effective federal communication involves acknowledging the inquiry, providing a clear explanation, and remaining available to help, reflecting strong customer service and communication skills.

Which of the following represents an inference that can logically be drawn from this passage: 'The agency's vacancy announcement received over 500 applications within the first week. The position requires a specialized certification held by fewer than 5% of applicants in the field.'

Answer: Most applicants for this position likely do not meet the certification requirement

If fewer than 5% of applicants in the field hold the required certification, it can be inferred that most of the 500+ applicants likely lack this credential.

In a federal job announcement, the section titled 'How You Will Be Evaluated' primarily serves to:

Answer: Explain the criteria and methods used to assess applicant qualifications

The 'How You Will Be Evaluated' section informs applicants of the specific competencies, ratings criteria, and assessment tools that will be used to rank their qualifications.