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Chicago Firefighter practice questions

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Question 1General Written Ability

A firefighter writes an incident narrative: 'Engine 42 arrived at 0300 hours and reported heavy smoke showing from the rear of the structure.' Which part of this sentence is the complete predicate?

  1. at 0300 hours
  2. heavy smoke showing from the rear of the structure
  3. Engine 42
  4. arrived at 0300 hours and reported heavy smoke showing from the rear of the structure Correct answer.

Explanation

The complete predicate includes the verb or verb phrase plus all words that modify or complete it. Here both verbs (arrived, reported) and their objects and modifiers together form the complete predicate. The subject is 'Engine 42,' and the other choices are only fragments of the predicate.

Question 2General Written Ability

Read this sentence from a fire prevention report: 'The inspector noted that the exit signs were burned out, the extinguishers were missing, and the alarm panel was disabled.' The sentence uses which grammatical structure?

  1. A run-on sentence joined without punctuation
  2. A compound-complex sentence with subordinate clauses
  3. A sentence fragment
  4. A series of parallel clauses Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence lists three items in a series, and each item is a clause with its own subject and verb (signs were, extinguishers were, panel was). Because the items share the same grammatical form, they are parallel clauses. Parallel structure keeps a list readable and shows the items are equally important.

Question 3General Written Ability

A firefighter must write a memo to a battalion chief requesting replacement of a damaged nozzle. Which sentence uses the most appropriate formal tone for that audience?

  1. I am requesting approval to replace the damaged nozzle assigned to our company. Correct answer.
  2. The nozzle is totally shot and we need a new one ASAP.
  3. It would be super helpful if we could maybe get a replacement nozzle.
  4. Our nozzle is broken, so could you get us a new one soon?

Explanation

Formal writing to a superior states the request clearly, uses standard wording, and avoids slang or hedging. The chosen sentence names the action requested (approval to replace) and the item involved without casual language. The other options use slang, vague timeframe, or excessive hedging.

Question 4General Written Ability

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to set off an introductory phrase?

  1. After the alarm sounded, the crew assembled at the apparatus bay. Correct answer.
  2. After the alarm, sounded the crew assembled at the apparatus bay.
  3. After the alarm sounded the crew assembled at the apparatus bay.
  4. After the alarm sounded the crew, assembled at the apparatus bay.

Explanation

An introductory dependent phrase should be followed by a comma before the main clause begins. In the correct sentence, the comma follows 'sounded' and separates the opening phrase from the independent clause. Commas placed elsewhere break the sentence into confusing pieces.

Question 5General Written Ability

In the sentence 'The lieutenant ordered the probationary firefighter to inspect the SCBA,' what is the grammatical role of 'the probationary firefighter'?

  1. Subject
  2. Direct object Correct answer.
  3. Indirect object
  4. Object complement

Explanation

'Ordered' is a transitive verb whose direct object is the person or thing receiving the action, here 'the probationary firefighter.' The infinitive phrase 'to inspect the SCBA' is an object complement that completes the meaning of 'ordered.' The subject is 'the lieutenant.'

Question 6General Written Ability

Which word in this sentence is used as a preposition? 'The crew worked through the night to contain the fire.'

  1. through Correct answer.
  2. contain
  3. night
  4. worked

Explanation

A preposition shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another word in the sentence. 'Through' links 'the night' to the verb 'worked,' showing when the work occurred. The other words are a verb, a noun, and part of an infinitive.

Question 7General Written Ability

A firefighter writes: 'The hydrant was inspected by the crew, and the valve was found to be seized.' Which revision removes unnecessary passive voice while keeping the meaning?

  1. The hydrant was inspected, and the valve was seized.
  2. Inspecting the hydrant, the valve was found to be seized.
  3. The valve was found to be seized after the hydrant was inspected.
  4. The crew inspected the hydrant and found the valve seized. Correct answer.

Explanation

Active voice names the actor first and makes the sentence shorter and clearer. 'The crew inspected the hydrant and found the valve seized' keeps both facts and puts the crew as the subject. The other revisions retain passive constructions or create a dangling modifier.

Question 8General Written Ability

Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?

  1. The fire was extinguished; because the overhaul began.
  2. The fire was extinguished; the overhaul began immediately. Correct answer.
  3. The fire was extinguished; and the overhaul began.
  4. The fire was extinguished; immediately.

Explanation

A semicolon joins two closely related independent clauses that could stand alone as separate sentences. 'The fire was extinguished' and 'the overhaul began immediately' are both independent clauses. A semicolon should not be followed by a conjunction, a dependent clause, or a single adverb.

Question 9General Written Ability

A firefighter's report reads: 'Upon arrival, smoke was seen coming from the second-floor windows.' What is the problem with this sentence?

  1. It contains a comma splice.
  2. It contains a dangling modifier because the firefighter, not the smoke, arrived. Correct answer.
  3. It uses the wrong verb tense.
  4. It contains a double negative.

Explanation

An introductory phrase must modify the subject of the main clause. Here 'upon arrival' describes the firefighter, but the subject of the main clause is 'smoke,' creating a dangling modifier. Rewriting it as 'Upon arrival, the firefighter saw smoke...' fixes the problem.

Question 10General Written Ability

Which sentence correctly uses 'affect' or 'effect'?

  1. The heat had a serious effect on the structural steel. Correct answer.
  2. The heat seriously effected the structural steel.
  3. The heat had a serious affect on the structural steel.
  4. The heat was an affect on the structural steel.

Explanation

'Effect' is usually a noun meaning a result, while 'affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence. The sentence needs a noun after 'a serious,' so 'effect' is correct. The verb form would be 'affected.'

Question 11General Written Ability

Read this sentence: 'The battalion chief, along with two company officers, was assigned to review the report.' Why is 'was' correct rather than 'were'?

  1. The verb agrees with 'two company officers.'
  2. The verb agrees with the singular subject 'battalion chief.' Correct answer.
  3. 'Along with' makes the sentence plural.
  4. The sentence requires the subjunctive mood.

Explanation

A phrase beginning with 'along with,' 'as well as,' or 'together with' does not change the number of the subject. The true subject is the singular 'battalion chief,' so the singular verb 'was' is required. The intervening phrase is set off by commas and is treated as parenthetical.

Question 12General Written Ability

A firefighter writes: 'The department requires that every new member complete the physical agility test before assignment.' Which mood is used by 'complete'?

  1. Conditional
  2. Subjunctive Correct answer.
  3. Indicative
  4. Imperative

Explanation

After verbs of requirement such as 'requires that,' formal English uses the subjunctive mood, which takes the base form of the verb regardless of subject. 'Complete' rather than 'completes' signals the subjunctive. The indicative would be 'completes.'

Question 13General Written Ability

Which sentence uses a colon correctly?

  1. The kit contained a hose: a nozzle, and a wrench.
  2. The kit: contained a hose, a nozzle, and a wrench.
  3. The kit contained: a hose, a nozzle, and a wrench.
  4. The kit contained the following items: a hose, a nozzle, and a wrench. Correct answer.

Explanation

A colon introduces a list only after an independent clause that can stand alone. 'The kit contained the following items' is complete, so the colon is correct. A colon should not separate a verb from its object or interrupt a list.

Question 14General Written Ability

In the sentence 'The captain, who had twenty years of service, briefed the new recruits,' what type of clause is 'who had twenty years of service'?

  1. Nonrestrictive relative clause Correct answer.
  2. Noun clause
  3. Independent clause
  4. Restrictive relative clause

Explanation

A nonrestrictive clause adds extra information about a specific person already identified and is set off by commas. Because 'the captain' is already specific, the clause is not essential to identify him. Restrictive clauses, by contrast, are not set off by commas.

Question 15General Written Ability

Which sentence most clearly expresses cause and effect?

  1. The fire spread quickly, and the roof collapsed.
  2. The fire spread quickly, so the roof may have collapsed.
  3. The fire spread quickly; the roof collapsed.
  4. Because the fire spread quickly, the roof collapsed. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Because' explicitly marks the first clause as the cause of the second. The other sentences show sequence or possibility but do not state a definite causal relationship. Precise cause-and-effect wording matters in incident reports that may be reviewed later.

Question 16General Written Ability

A firefighter writes: 'The report was reviewed by the safety officer, and it was determined that the equipment had not been maintained.' Which revision is clearest and most direct?

  1. The safety officer reviewed the report and determined that the equipment had not been maintained. Correct answer.
  2. Reviewing the report, the equipment had not been maintained.
  3. It was determined by the safety officer that the report had not been maintained.
  4. The report was reviewed, and it was determined that the equipment had not been maintained.

Explanation

Naming the actor as the subject and using active verbs produces a clear, direct sentence. The chosen revision keeps both actions (reviewed, determined) and the finding intact. The other options hide the actor, drop information, or create a dangling modifier.

Question 17General Written Ability

Which sentence uses 'its' and 'it's' correctly?

  1. The engine lost its pressure, and it's being serviced today. Correct answer.
  2. The engine lost its pressure, and its being serviced today.
  3. The engine lost it's pressure during the drill.
  4. Its important that the crew checks the pump.

Explanation

'Its' is the possessive form, while 'it's' is the contraction of 'it is' or 'it has.' The correct sentence uses 'its' to show possession of pressure and 'it's' for 'it is being serviced.' Mixing the two forms is a common writing error.

Question 18General Written Ability

A firefighter's report states: 'The occupant stated that he was asleep when the smoke alarm activated, however he did not evacuate until neighbors knocked.' What is the error?

  1. Incorrect subject-verb agreement
  2. A sentence fragment
  3. A comma splice between two independent clauses Correct answer.
  4. A dangling modifier

Explanation

'However' is a conjunctive adverb, not a coordinating conjunction, so it cannot join two independent clauses with only a comma. The sentence needs a semicolon before 'however' or a period and a new sentence. This is a comma splice.

Question 19General Written Ability

Which sentence best combines these two ideas into one clear sentence? Idea 1: The crew advanced the hose line. Idea 2: The crew extinguished the fire.

  1. The crew advanced the hose line; the crew extinguished the fire.
  2. The crew advanced the hose line, and the crew extinguished the fire.
  3. The crew advanced the hose line and extinguished the fire. Correct answer.
  4. Advancing the hose line, the fire was extinguished by the crew.

Explanation

The clearest combination shares the repeated subject and joins the two verbs with 'and,' producing a compact compound predicate. The other options repeat the subject unnecessarily or introduce passive voice and a dangling modifier. Concise sentences are easier to read in time-sensitive reports.

Question 20General Written Ability

Read this sentence: 'Not only did the sprinkler system fail to activate, but the standpipe was also blocked.' Which rhetorical structure does the sentence use?

  1. Direct quotation
  2. Subordinate clause of condition
  3. Correlative conjunction showing paired emphasis Correct answer.
  4. Simple listing of unrelated facts

Explanation

'Not only...but also' is a pair of correlative conjunctions that links two related points and emphasizes both. The inverted word order after 'not only' is standard in formal English. Recognizing this structure helps a reader see that both failures are being stressed.

Question 21General Written Ability

A firefighter writes: 'Having completed the inspection, the report was filed by the inspector.' Which revision corrects the dangling modifier?

  1. The report, having completed the inspection, was filed by the inspector.
  2. Having completed the inspection, the inspector filed the report. Correct answer.
  3. The report was filed by the inspector having completed the inspection.
  4. Having completed the inspection, the report was filed.

Explanation

The introductory participial phrase must modify the subject of the main clause. Since the inspector completed the inspection, 'the inspector' must be the subject. The revision does this and also uses active voice, making the sentence clearer and more direct.

Question 22General Written Ability

Which sentence uses a dash correctly for emphasis?

  1. The cause of the delay-was clear the apparatus had a flat tire.
  2. The cause of the delay was clear the apparatus-had a flat tire.
  3. The cause-of the delay was clear the apparatus had a flat tire.
  4. The cause of the delay was clear-the apparatus had a flat tire. Correct answer.

Explanation

A dash can set off or introduce an emphatic explanation after a complete clause. In the correct sentence, the dash follows a complete clause and introduces the specific reason. Dashes placed inside a clause or between a subject and verb create confusion.

Question 23General Written Ability

A report contains this sentence: 'The investigator concluded the fire originated in the kitchen, the point of origin was confirmed by burn patterns.' Which description best identifies the error and the fix?

  1. Fragment; add a subject to the second clause.
  2. Faulty parallelism; change 'originated' to 'originating.'
  3. Comma splice; replace the comma with a semicolon or period. Correct answer.
  4. Dangling modifier; move 'the investigator' to the end.

Explanation

Two independent clauses joined by only a comma create a comma splice. The fix is to use a semicolon, a period, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction. Both clauses here have their own subject and verb, confirming they are independent.

Question 24General Written Ability

Which sentence maintains consistent verb tense throughout?

  1. The crew entered the building, locates the stairwell, and advanced to the third floor.
  2. The crew enters the building, located the stairwell, and had advanced to the third floor.
  3. The crew entered the building, located the stairwell, and advanced to the third floor. Correct answer.
  4. The crew entered the building, locates the stairwell, and had advanced to the third floor.

Explanation

Consistent tense means all verbs describing the same sequence of events use the same tense. The correct sentence uses past tense for all three actions. Mixing present, past, and past perfect forms confuses the timeline of the incident.

Question 25General Written Ability

Read this sentence: 'The chief's directive-that all members check their PPE before every shift-was posted in the apparatus bay.' What is the function of the clause 'that all members check their PPE before every shift'?

  1. It is an independent clause.
  2. It is a relative clause modifying 'members.'
  3. It is an adverbial clause of time.
  4. It is an appositive clause that explains the content of the directive. Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause is set off by dashes and restates what the directive is, making it an appositive clause. It does not modify a noun within the clause but explains the noun 'directive.' Appositive clauses commonly follow words like 'directive,' 'fact,' or 'idea.'

Question 26General Written Ability

A company officer is writing an incident narrative and wants a word that means a fire was set deliberately. Which term should the officer use in the report?

  1. Incendiary Correct answer.
  2. Accidental
  3. Spontaneous
  4. Undetermined

Explanation

In fire investigation terminology, an incendiary fire is one that was intentionally set. The other terms describe different cause classifications used on the same form, so the officer must choose the term matching the finding rather than a general word for fire.

Question 27General Written Ability

A report line reads: 'The first-arriving engine company stretched a line to the front door.' In fire service usage, what does 'stretched a line' mean here?

  1. Ran a rope guideline
  2. Deployed a hose line Correct answer.
  3. Connected a hydrant wrench
  4. Extended a ladder

Explanation

'Stretching a line' is standard fireground language for deploying and advancing a hose line to a position where water can be applied. It refers to the hose itself, not to ladders, ropes, or tools.

Question 28General Written Ability

Which sentence uses the correct word to describe a building that is still burning when crews arrive?

  1. The structure was fully involved when the first alarm assignment arrived. Correct answer.
  2. The structure was fully evolved when the first alarm assignment arrived.
  3. The structure was fully devolved when the first alarm assignment arrived.
  4. The structure was fully revolved when the first alarm assignment arrived.

Explanation

'Fully involved' is the standard phrase meaning fire has spread throughout a structure. The other options are near-sounding words with unrelated meanings, so only the first sentence uses the correct fire service term.

Question 29General Written Ability

A firefighter writes: 'The alarm sounded, the crew donned their gear, and they boarded the apparatus.' What is the grammatical structure of this sentence?

  1. A complex sentence with one dependent clause
  2. A compound-complex sentence with two dependent clauses
  3. A simple sentence with a compound subject
  4. A compound sentence with three independent clauses Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence joins three independent clauses with commas and a coordinating conjunction, which makes it compound. A complex sentence would require at least one dependent clause, and a simple sentence would have only one clause.

Question 30General Written Ability

A firefighter's memo states: 'Each of the new recruits have completed the mask fit test.' Which revision corrects the subject-verb agreement?

  1. Each of the new recruits having completed the mask fit test.
  2. Each of the new recruits were completing the mask fit test.
  3. Each of the new recruits complete the mask fit test.
  4. Each of the new recruits has completed the mask fit test. Correct answer.

Explanation

The subject is 'each,' which is singular, so the verb must be 'has.' The phrase 'of the new recruits' is a prepositional phrase and does not change the number of the subject.

Question 31General Written Ability

Which sentence correctly uses a comma to set off an introductory phrase in an incident report?

  1. After the ventilation hole was cut, the interior crew reported improved visibility. Correct answer.
  2. After the ventilation hole was cut the interior crew reported improved visibility.
  3. After, the ventilation hole was cut the interior crew reported improved visibility.
  4. After the ventilation hole, was cut the interior crew reported improved visibility.

Explanation

An introductory dependent phrase is followed by a comma before the main clause begins. Placing the comma after the full introductory phrase keeps the main clause intact and readable.

Question 32General Written Ability

A report sentence reads: 'The captain ordered the crew to vent the roof.' What is the function of 'to vent the roof' in this sentence?

  1. It is a gerund phrase acting as the subject.
  2. It is a participial phrase modifying 'crew.'
  3. It is a prepositional phrase modifying 'captain.'
  4. It is an infinitive phrase acting as the object of 'ordered.' Correct answer.

Explanation

'To vent' is an infinitive, and the whole phrase completes the meaning of the verb 'ordered' by naming what was ordered. It is not a prepositional, gerund, or participial phrase.

Question 33General Written Ability

Which sentence uses 'then' and 'than' correctly in a fire service context?

  1. The crew checked the water supply more thoroughly then the backup crew.
  2. The crew checked the water supply then advanced the line than the backup crew.
  3. The crew checked the water supply and then advanced the line. Correct answer.
  4. The crew checked the water supply and than advanced the line.

Explanation

'Then' indicates sequence in time, while 'than' is used for comparisons. Only the first sentence uses 'then' to show that advancing the line followed the water supply check.

Question 34General Written Ability

A narrative reads: 'The crew entered the structure. The crew encountered heavy smoke. The crew found the victim.' Which revision best combines these ideas while keeping the sequence clear?

  1. Entering the structure, heavy smoke was encountered and the victim found.
  2. The crew entered the structure, and heavy smoke, and the victim were found.
  3. The crew entered the structure; heavy smoke; the victim was found.
  4. The crew entered the structure, encountered heavy smoke, and found the victim. Correct answer.

Explanation

A series of parallel verbs joined to one subject keeps the sequence of actions clear and avoids repetition. The other versions create dangling modifiers or misuse semicolons between sentence fragments.

Question 35General Written Ability

A report states: 'The sprinkler head activated, therefore the fire was controlled.' Which revision best fixes the punctuation of this cause-and-effect statement?

  1. The sprinkler head activated therefore the fire was controlled.
  2. The sprinkler head activated, therefore, the fire was controlled.
  3. The sprinkler head activated; therefore, the fire was controlled. Correct answer.
  4. The sprinkler head activated: therefore the fire, was controlled.

Explanation

A conjunctive adverb such as 'therefore' joining two independent clauses takes a semicolon before it and a comma after it. A comma alone creates a comma splice, and omitting punctuation creates a run-on.

Question 36General Written Ability

A firefighter writes: 'Responding to the alarm, the apparatus was checked by the driver.' What is wrong with this sentence?

  1. The sentence lacks a subject.
  2. The verb 'was checked' is in the wrong tense.
  3. The introductory phrase dangles because it describes the driver, not the apparatus. Correct answer.
  4. The sentence contains a comma splice.

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase must modify the subject of the main clause. Here the apparatus did not respond to the alarm, so the modifier dangles and the sentence should name the driver as the subject.

Question 37General Written Ability

A report contains: 'The investigator determined the fire started in the utility room, the appliance was later removed.' Which revision best corrects the sentence?

  1. The investigator determined the fire started in the utility room the appliance, was later removed.
  2. The investigator determined, the fire started in the utility room the appliance was later removed.
  3. The investigator determined the fire started in the utility room; the appliance was later removed. Correct answer.
  4. The investigator determined the fire started in the utility room, the appliance was later removed.

Explanation

Two independent clauses that are not joined by a coordinating conjunction need a semicolon or a period. A comma alone creates a comma splice, which obscures where one complete thought ends.

Question 38General Written Ability

Which sentence uses a colon correctly in a fire service document?

  1. The inspection revealed three deficiencies; missing extinguishers, blocked exits, and expired alarms.
  2. The inspection revealed: three deficiencies, missing extinguishers, blocked exits, and expired alarms.
  3. The inspection revealed three deficiencies: missing extinguishers, blocked exits, and expired alarms. Correct answer.
  4. The inspection revealed three deficiencies, missing extinguishers, blocked exits, and expired alarms.

Explanation

A colon introduces a list after a complete independent clause. The clause before the colon must be able to stand alone, and the items that follow should be parallel.

Question 39General Written Ability

A sentence reads: 'The battalion chief, along with the company officers, was briefed on the new response policy.' Why is 'was' correct?

  1. The sentence is passive, so the verb must be singular.
  2. 'Along with' makes the subject plural.
  3. The subject is 'battalion chief,' which is singular, and the phrase 'along with' does not change it. Correct answer.
  4. The verb agrees with 'company officers' because it is closest to the verb.

Explanation

Parenthetical phrases such as 'along with' and 'as well as' do not change the number of the subject. The true subject is the singular 'battalion chief,' so the singular verb 'was' is correct.

Question 40General Written Ability

A report line reads: 'The safety officer reviewed the SCBA logs and found that two units had expired cylinders.' Which statement best describes the relationship between the two actions?

  1. The finding resulted from the review, so the actions are linked in sequence and cause. Correct answer.
  2. The two actions are unrelated and should be in separate paragraphs.
  3. The finding happened before the review.
  4. The sentence describes a condition that never occurred.

Explanation

The coordinating conjunction 'and' links a review action to a finding that resulted from it, so the sentence expresses sequence with an implied causal link. Recognizing that relationship helps a writer decide whether to keep the ideas in one sentence.

Question 41General Written Ability

A report reads: 'Having completed the inspection, the report was filed by the inspector.' Which revision corrects the dangling modifier?

  1. The report, having completed the inspection, was filed by the inspector.
  2. Having completed the inspection, the inspector filed the report. Correct answer.
  3. Having completed the inspection, the report was filed.
  4. Having completed the inspection, filing of the report occurred.

Explanation

The introductory phrase must modify the person who performed the action, which is the inspector. Making the inspector the subject of the main clause attaches the modifier correctly.

Question 42General Written Ability

A firefighter writes: 'The department requires that every new member complete the agility test before assignment.' Why is 'complete' correct rather than 'completes'?

  1. 'Before' forces the base form of the following verb.
  2. The verb is in the subjunctive mood after 'requires that,' so the base form is used. Correct answer.
  3. The subject 'every new member' is plural.
  4. The sentence is a question in disguise.

Explanation

Clauses beginning with 'that' after verbs of demand or requirement take the subjunctive mood, which uses the base form of the verb regardless of the subject's number. 'Complete' is therefore correct even though 'every new member' is singular.

Question 43General Written Ability

Which sentence uses a dash correctly to emphasize information in an incident summary?

  1. One factor delayed entry-a locked security gate-and the crew adapted quickly. Correct answer.
  2. One factor-delayed entry a locked security gate-and the crew adapted quickly.
  3. One factor delayed entry, a locked security gate-and the crew adapted quickly.
  4. One factor delayed entry-a locked security gate, and the crew adapted quickly.

Explanation

A pair of dashes can set off an interrupting element that deserves emphasis, and both dashes must frame the same inserted phrase. The other versions leave one dash unpaired or place it where it breaks the sentence structure.

Question 44General Written Ability

A sentence reads: 'Neither the pump operator nor the hydrant connections was inspected before the drill.' Which revision corrects the agreement error?

  1. Neither the pump operator nor the hydrant connections is inspected before the drill.
  2. Neither the pump operator or the hydrant connections was inspected before the drill.
  3. Neither the pump operator nor the hydrant connections were inspected before the drill. Correct answer.
  4. Neither the pump operator nor the hydrant connections has inspected before the drill.

Explanation

With 'neither...nor,' the verb agrees with the nearer subject. 'Hydrant connections' is plural and nearer to the verb, so the plural 'were' is required.

Question 45General Written Ability

A report states: 'The occupant stated that he was asleep when the smoke alarm activated, however he did not hear it.' Which revision best corrects the punctuation?

  1. The occupant stated that he was asleep when the smoke alarm activated however he did not hear it.
  2. The occupant stated that, he was asleep when the smoke alarm activated however he did not hear it.
  3. The occupant stated that he was asleep when the smoke alarm activated; however, he did not hear it. Correct answer.
  4. The occupant stated that he was asleep when the smoke alarm activated, however, he did not hear it.

Explanation

'However' is a conjunctive adverb, so it needs a semicolon before it and a comma after it when it joins two independent clauses. A comma alone creates a splice, and no punctuation creates a run-on.

Question 46General Written Ability

Which sentence uses 'affect' and 'effect' correctly in a fire prevention context?

  1. The new ordinance will effect how owners maintain exit signs, and its affect will be fewer violations.
  2. The new ordinance will affect how owners maintain exit signs, and its effect will be fewer violations. Correct answer.
  3. The new ordinance will affect how owners maintain exit signs, and its affect will be fewer violations.
  4. The new ordinance will effect how owners maintain exit signs, and its effect will be fewer violations.

Explanation

'Affect' is normally a verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is normally a noun meaning a result. The correct sentence uses the verb form for the influence and the noun form for the outcome.

Question 47General Written Ability

A sentence reads: 'The chief's directive-that all members check their PPE before every shift-was posted in the apparatus bay.' What is the grammatical function of the words between the dashes?

  1. An adverbial clause modifying 'posted'
  2. A participial phrase modifying 'members'
  3. An adjective clause modifying 'apparatus bay'
  4. A noun clause that restates and explains the directive Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause beginning with 'that' names the content of the directive, functioning as a noun clause in apposition to 'directive.' It does not modify the bay, the verb, or the members.

Question 48General Written Ability

A report contains: 'The fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system, the cause was determined to be electrical.' Which revision removes the faulty coordination while preserving both facts?

  1. The fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system, the cause being determined electrical.
  2. The fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system; the cause determined electrical.
  3. The fire was extinguished by the sprinkler system, and the cause was determined to be electrical. Correct answer.
  4. The fire extinguished by the sprinkler system, and the cause was determined to be electrical.

Explanation

Adding the coordinating conjunction 'and' after the comma correctly joins two independent clauses, which removes the comma splice while keeping both facts. The other revisions create fragments or drop required verbs.

Question 49General Written Ability

A narrative reads: 'Not only did the standpipe fail, but the stairwell door was also blocked.' Which statement best describes the rhetorical effect of this construction?

  1. It indicates the blocked door was less important than the standpipe failure.
  2. It suggests the standpipe failure caused the blocked door.
  3. It emphasizes that two serious deficiencies were present, giving the second equal weight. Correct answer.
  4. It presents the two deficiencies as alternatives rather than as coexisting.

Explanation

The 'not only...but also' correlative construction adds emphasis by presenting two items as jointly significant. It does not assert causation, rank one item lower, or present the items as alternatives.

Question 50General Written Ability

A firefighter writes: 'The report, which the safety officer reviewed, and that was forwarded to the chief, contained three errors.' What is the structural problem with this sentence?

  1. The two relative clauses are joined by 'and' in a way that makes the sentence tangled and hard to follow. Correct answer.
  2. The verb 'contained' does not agree with its subject.
  3. The sentence contains no relative clauses.
  4. The sentence is a fragment because it lacks a main verb.

Explanation

Stacking two relative clauses with 'and' between them interrupts the main clause and makes the sentence difficult to parse. A clearer version would place the clauses in a single smooth series or separate the ideas into two sentences.