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CA POST practice questions

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Question 1Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning to set apart or divide?

  1. Seperate
  2. Separate Correct answer.
  3. Separete
  4. Sepperate

Explanation

The middle syllable of the word is 'par', giving the pattern s-e-p-a-r-a-t-e. The word contains one p and two a's split by that middle syllable. There is no doubled consonant.

Question 2Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the past tense of the verb meaning to happen?

  1. Occured
  2. Occurred Correct answer.
  3. Occurrid
  4. Ocurred

Explanation

The base word is 'occur', which ends in a single vowel followed by a consonant, so the final r doubles before the -ed ending. The base word also keeps its double c.

Question 3Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word for the person accused in a criminal case?

  1. Defendent
  2. Defendaunt
  3. Defandant
  4. Defendant Correct answer.

Explanation

The noun is built from 'defend' plus the suffix -ant, giving d-e-f-e-n-d-a-n-t. The second syllable keeps the e of 'defend', and there is no u in the word.

Question 4Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning repeated unwelcome behavior directed at a person?

  1. Harasment
  2. Harassment Correct answer.
  3. Harrassment
  4. Harassmant

Explanation

The noun is formed from the verb 'harass' plus -ment, and 'harass' has a single r followed by a double s. The suffix is spelled -ment with an e.

Question 5Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word for a written statement sworn to under oath?

  1. Afidavit
  2. Affidavit Correct answer.
  3. Affidavitt
  4. Affadavit

Explanation

The word begins with a double f and ends with a single t: a-f-f-i-d-a-v-i-t. The second syllable is 'fi', not 'fa'.

Question 6Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word for a court order requiring a person to appear or produce evidence?

  1. Subpoena Correct answer.
  2. Subpena
  3. Suppoena
  4. Subpoeana

Explanation

The spelling is s-u-b-p-o-e-n-a. The second syllable is 'poe', which keeps the o, and the third letter is a b.

Question 7Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning required or essential?

  1. Neccessary
  2. Necessary Correct answer.
  3. Necesary
  4. Necessery

Explanation

The word has one c and a double s: n-e-c-e-s-s-a-r-y. The final syllable is -ary, not -ery.

Question 8Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning a special right or benefit granted to a person or group?

  1. Priviledge
  2. Privilige
  3. Privilage
  4. Privilege Correct answer.

Explanation

The word is p-r-i-v-i-l-e-g-e, with no d before the g. The middle syllable contains an e, and the word ends in -ege.

Question 9Spelling

Which sentence uses the correct word?

  1. The new reporting policy will effact how officers document use-of-force incidents.
  2. The new reporting policy will afect how officers document use-of-force incidents.
  3. The new reporting policy will effect how officers document use-of-force incidents.
  4. The new reporting policy will affect how officers document use-of-force incidents. Correct answer.

Explanation

Affect is the verb meaning to influence or bring about a change in something. Effect is normally a noun meaning result, and as a verb it means to bring something about rather than to influence.

Question 10Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning the work required to keep equipment in good working condition?

  1. Maintenance Correct answer.
  2. Maintenence
  3. Maintainence
  4. Maintainance

Explanation

Although the verb is 'maintain', the noun drops the i from the second syllable and ends in -ance: m-a-i-n-t-e-n-a-n-c-e. The middle syllable is 'ten'.

Question 11Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning the act of opposing or withstanding something?

  1. Resistance Correct answer.
  2. Resistense
  3. Resistence
  4. Resistanse

Explanation

The noun is formed from 'resist' plus the suffix -ance, producing r-e-s-i-s-t-a-n-c-e. The final element is spelled with a c.

Question 12Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning arousing distrust or likely to be involved in wrongdoing?

  1. Suspicous
  2. Suspicious Correct answer.
  3. Suspisious
  4. Suspecious

Explanation

The word is s-u-s-p-i-c-i-o-u-s, built from 'suspicion' plus -ous. It keeps both the c and the i that appear in the base word.

Question 13Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning a person one knows only slightly?

  1. Acquaintance Correct answer.
  2. Aquaintance
  3. Acquiantance
  4. Acquaintence

Explanation

The word is a-c-q-u-a-i-n-t-a-n-c-e, ending in -ance. It begins with 'acq' and keeps the i in the syllable 'quai'.

Question 14Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning to strengthen a statement with additional supporting evidence?

  1. Corroborate Correct answer.
  2. Corrobarate
  3. Corroborrate
  4. Coroborate

Explanation

The word is c-o-r-r-o-b-o-r-a-t-e, with a double r in the first two syllables and a single r later. Both o's in the middle syllables are correct.

Question 15Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning not allowable as evidence in a court proceeding?

  1. Inadmissible Correct answer.
  2. Inadmissibel
  3. Inadmissable
  4. Inadmisible

Explanation

The word is the prefix in- plus 'admissible', which ends in the suffix -ible. The base word keeps its double s.

Question 16Spelling

Which sentence is spelled correctly throughout?

  1. The officer's report describbed the suspect's vehicle as a dark sedan.
  2. The officer's report described the suspect's vehicle as a dark sedan. Correct answer.
  3. The officer's report descibed the suspect's vehicle as a dark sedan.
  4. The officer's report discribed the suspect's vehicle as a dark sedan.

Explanation

The past tense of 'describe' is d-e-s-c-r-i-b-e-d: it keeps the base word 'describe' and adds only a d. No letters are dropped or doubled.

Question 17Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning an incident or event?

  1. Occurance
  2. Occurrence Correct answer.
  3. Occurrance
  4. Occurence

Explanation

The noun is formed from 'occur' plus -ence, giving o-c-c-u-r-r-e-n-c-e. It keeps the double c and double r of the verb and ends in -ence.

Question 18Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning a preliminary survey or exploration of an area?

  1. Reconaisance
  2. Reconnaisance
  3. Reconnaissence
  4. Reconnaissance Correct answer.

Explanation

The word is r-e-c-o-n-n-a-i-s-s-a-n-c-e: it has a double n, a double s, and ends in -ance. The 'ai' appears between the n and the double s.

Question 19Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the rank held by an officer who supervises a watch or unit?

  1. Lieutenant Correct answer.
  2. Lieutenent
  3. Leutenant
  4. Leiutenant

Explanation

The word is l-i-e-u-t-e-n-a-n-t. The i comes before the e at the start, and the second a is retained near the end.

Question 20Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning an unlawful physical attack on another person?

  1. assualt
  2. assault Correct answer.
  3. assalt
  4. asault

Explanation

Assault is spelled a-s-s-a-u-l-t: double s, then the vowel pair a-u, then l-t. The a-u sequence is fixed even though the second syllable is unstressed.

Question 21Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word for a court order authorizing police to make an arrest or conduct a search?

  1. warent
  2. warrent
  3. warrant Correct answer.
  4. warrrant

Explanation

Warrant is spelled w-a-r-r-a-n-t: double r and the ending -ant. The final syllable's schwa sound can tempt writers to use -ent, but the standard spelling uses a.

Question 22Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning to move through an area regularly to watch for trouble?

  1. patroll
  2. patrole
  3. patrol Correct answer.
  4. pattrol

Explanation

Patrol is spelled p-a-t-r-o-l with a single t and a single final l. The final l doubles only when a suffix beginning with a vowel, such as -ed or -ing, is added.

Question 23Spelling

Choose the correctly spelled word to complete the sentence: The officer placed the suspect in ___ pending booking.

  1. custady
  2. custodey
  3. custidy
  4. custody Correct answer.

Explanation

Custody is spelled c-u-s-t-o-d-y, ending in -ody. The middle syllable is -to-, not -ta- or -ti-.

Question 24Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning the unlawful entry into a building with intent to commit a crime?

  1. burgalary
  2. burglarey
  3. burglary Correct answer.
  4. burglery

Explanation

Burglary is formed from burglar plus -y and ends in -ary. It contains no extra syllable between burglar and the ending.

Question 25Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word for a serious crime typically punishable by imprisonment of more than one year?

  1. feloney
  2. felany
  3. fellony
  4. felony Correct answer.

Explanation

Felony is spelled f-e-l-o-n-y with one l and the ending -ony. The second syllable uses o, not e or a.

Question 26Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning the state of having or holding something, such as contraband?

  1. possessiion
  2. posession
  3. possession Correct answer.
  4. posesion

Explanation

Possession is spelled p-o-s-s-e-s-s-i-o-n: double s after po and double s before -ion. Both doubled pairs are required.

Question 27Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning a statement given by a witness under oath?

  1. testomony
  2. testamony
  3. testimoney
  4. testimony Correct answer.

Explanation

Testimony is spelled t-e-s-t-i-m-o-n-y, keeping the i of the second syllable and the ending -mony. It is related to the root for witness, not to money.

Question 28Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning an agreement between two or more people to commit an unlawful act?

  1. conspiricy
  2. conspirasy
  3. conspiracey
  4. conspiracy Correct answer.

Explanation

Conspiracy ends in -acy, and the base conspire becomes conspir- before the suffix. The vowel before -cy is a.

Question 29Spelling

Choose the correctly spelled word to complete the sentence: The district attorney's office handles the ___ of felony cases.

  1. prossecution
  2. prosicution
  3. prosecusion
  4. prosecution Correct answer.

Explanation

Prosecution is built from prosecute plus -ion, keeping a single c and the -tion ending. The vowel after pro is e.

Question 30Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning a judgment that a defendant is not guilty?

  1. acquital
  2. acquitall
  3. acquittal Correct answer.
  4. acqittal

Explanation

Acquittal doubles the t before -al because the final syllable of acquit is stressed. It also keeps the u after q.

Question 31Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning goods that are illegal to possess or transport?

  1. contrabanned
  2. contrabband
  3. contrband
  4. contraband Correct answer.

Explanation

Contraband is spelled c-o-n-t-r-a-b-a-n-d with a single b in the middle and a single final d. It does not double the b or add -ed.

Question 32Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning having carried out an act, as in a crime that was ___?

  1. commitied
  2. commited
  3. committed Correct answer.
  4. comitted

Explanation

Committed doubles the final t before -ed because the stress falls on the last syllable of commit. It also keeps the double m.

Question 33Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning an event or incident that happens?

  1. occurrance
  2. occurrence Correct answer.
  3. occurence
  4. occurance

Explanation

Occurrence doubles both the c and the r and ends in -ence. The ending -ance is a common misspelling.

Question 34Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning a person under the age of legal adulthood?

  1. juveneil
  2. juvenile Correct answer.
  3. juvinile
  4. juvenille

Explanation

Juvenile is spelled j-u-v-e-n-i-l-e with one l and the ending -ile. The middle vowel is e, not i.

Question 35Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning related to the enforcement of rules or conduct standards within an organization?

  1. disiplinary
  2. disiplinery
  3. disciplinery
  4. disciplinary Correct answer.

Explanation

Disciplinary keeps the discipl- root of discipline and adds -ary. The ending is -ary, not -ery.

Question 36Spelling

Choose the correctly spelled word to complete the sentence: The suspect was questioned during a recorded ___ at the station.

  1. interrogation Correct answer.
  2. interogation
  3. interrogattion
  4. interagation

Explanation

Interrogation doubles the r and ends in -tion, following interrogate. The middle vowel is o, not a.

Question 37Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning close observation of a person or place, often by police?

  1. surveilance
  2. surveillance Correct answer.
  3. surveilence
  4. surveilllance

Explanation

Surveillance is spelled s-u-r-v-e-i-l-l-a-n-c-e: it keeps the i of surveil, doubles the l, and ends in -ance. It comes from French surveiller.

Question 38Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word for the police rank that may supervise a watch or unit?

  1. leutenant
  2. lieutenant Correct answer.
  3. lieutennant
  4. liutenant

Explanation

Lieutenant begins l-i-e-u, preserving the lieu element, then adds -tenant. The vowels are not transposed or dropped.

Question 39Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word for a lesser criminal offense, generally punishable by fine or short jail time?

  1. misdemeanner
  2. misdemeenor
  3. misdemenor
  4. misdemeanor Correct answer.

Explanation

Misdemeanor combines mis- and demeanor; the root supplies -mean- and the ending is -or. It has one m after the de- element and one n before the o.

Question 40Spelling

Which is the correct spelling of the word meaning the fraudulent taking of money entrusted to one's care?

  1. embezzzlement
  2. embesslement
  3. embezelment
  4. embezzlement Correct answer.

Explanation

Embezzlement has a double z and a single l: e-m-b-e-z-z-l-e-m-e-n-t. The -ment ending is added to embezzle.

Question 41Vocabulary

Which of the following best defines probable cause to arrest?

  1. The heightened standard of proof that a prosecutor must satisfy in order to obtain a criminal conviction at trial
  2. A sworn written statement of facts presented to a judge to support a request for a warrant
  3. An unarticulated hunch that a person may have been involved in some kind of wrongdoing
  4. A reasonable belief based on articulated facts that a crime occurred and this person committed it Correct answer.

Explanation

Probable cause exists when the facts known to the officer, judged objectively, would lead a reasonable person to believe a crime has been committed and that the person to be arrested committed it. It is more than reasonable suspicion but far below the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard used at trial.

Question 42Vocabulary

At 2:00 a.m. an officer sees a man walking away from a closed business carrying a crowbar. Which term best describes the justification for briefly stopping and detaining the man?

  1. Preponderance of the evidence
  2. Reasonable suspicion Correct answer.
  3. Mere suspicion
  4. Probable cause to arrest

Explanation

Reasonable suspicion requires specific, articulable facts suggesting criminal activity is afoot and supports a brief investigative detention, not a full arrest. The hour, the closed business, and the crowbar together supply those articulable facts.

Question 43Vocabulary

A Miranda warning is required before custodial interrogation. Which circumstance most clearly constitutes custody for Miranda purposes?

  1. A traffic stop in which the driver is asked for a license and registration
  2. A witness voluntarily accompanying officers to the station and told he is free to leave
  3. A suspect handcuffed and told he is under arrest, then questioned by detectives Correct answer.
  4. A brief consensual conversation on a public sidewalk

Explanation

Custody exists when a reasonable person in the suspect's position would not feel free to leave, viewed under the totality of the circumstances. Formal arrest, handcuffing, and station-house questioning all point strongly toward custody.

Question 44Vocabulary

A crime that may be punished as either a felony or a misdemeanor, at the discretion of the prosecutor or the court, is called a:

  1. Infraction
  2. Wobbler Correct answer.
  3. Misdemeanor by operation of law
  4. Straight felony

Explanation

A wobbler is an offense that the law permits to be treated as either a felony or a misdemeanor, with the choice generally made by the prosecutor at charging or by the court at sentencing. The punishment actually imposed determines how the offense is classified.

Question 45Vocabulary

Under California law, an offense punishable only by a fine and not by incarceration is classified as a(n):

  1. Wobbler
  2. Infraction Correct answer.
  3. Felony
  4. Misdemeanor

Explanation

An infraction is the least serious offense classification in California and carries a fine only, with no jail or prison time. Many Vehicle Code violations are infractions.

Question 46Vocabulary

At which proceeding is a criminal defendant first informed of the charges, advised of constitutional rights, and asked to enter a plea?

  1. Sentencing hearing
  2. Arraignment Correct answer.
  3. Probation revocation hearing
  4. Preliminary hearing

Explanation

The arraignment is the initial court appearance at which the charges and rights are stated on the record and a plea is taken. In felony cases it normally precedes the preliminary hearing.

Question 47Vocabulary

In a felony case, the purpose of a preliminary hearing is for a magistrate to determine whether:

  1. The defendant should be sentenced to state prison
  2. The defendant's custodial statements were obtained in violation of Miranda v. Arizona
  3. The defendant is guilty of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt
  4. There is sufficient cause to believe the defendant committed the offense Correct answer.

Explanation

At a preliminary hearing the magistrate decides only whether probable cause-often phrased as sufficient cause-exists to believe the defendant committed the offense and should be held to answer. It is a screening proceeding, not a trial on guilt.

Question 48Vocabulary

After a defendant is held to answer at a preliminary hearing, the charging document filed by the prosecutor in superior court is called a(n):

  1. Indictment
  2. Information Correct answer.
  3. Complaint
  4. Citation

Explanation

In California the prosecutor files an information in superior court once the defendant has been held to answer. An indictment, by contrast, is returned by a grand jury.

Question 49Vocabulary

The administrative process of recording an arrestee's identity, charges, and property-typically including photographs and fingerprints-is known as:

  1. Arraignment
  2. Discovery
  3. Booking Correct answer.
  4. Bail review

Explanation

Booking is the intake process that documents who was arrested, on what offense, and with what property, and usually produces booking photographs and fingerprints. It follows arrest and precedes the first court appearance.

Question 50Vocabulary

The documented, unbroken record of every person who handled an item of evidence from seizure through trial is called the:

  1. Chain of custody Correct answer.
  2. Fruit of the poisonous tree
  3. Best evidence rule
  4. Corpus delicti

Explanation

Chain of custody documents each transfer and handler of an item of evidence from seizure to trial. Gaps in the record can affect the weight or admissibility of the item.