FCTC Written Test flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Main idea

The central claim that the entire passage supports. Correct answers to main-idea questions cover the whole text, while true-but-narrow details are distractors.

Forced inference

A conclusion the text requires rather than merely permits. If an answer choice needs outside knowledge or a guess, it is wrong even when it sounds plausible.

Scope words

Qualifiers such as all, most, some, none, always, and never. They decide many answers because a choice that widens or narrows the passage's claim is incorrect.

Comma splice

Two independent clauses joined only by a comma. Correct it with a period, a semicolon, or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction such as and, but, or so.

Restrictive versus nonrestrictive clause

A restrictive clause identifies which one and takes that with no commas. A nonrestrictive clause adds extra information and takes which with commas, so commas can change meaning.

Parallel structure

Items in a list or comparison share the same grammatical form: all nouns, all gerunds, or all infinitives. Mixing forms creates faulty parallelism and unclear writing.

Active voice

The actor appears first and performs the verb, as in the captain ordered evacuation. Preferred in incident reports because it names responsibility clearly and directly.

Order of operations

Parentheses first, then exponents, then multiplication and division left to right, then addition and subtraction left to right. This sequence determines the single correct value of an expression.

Percent change formula

Percent change equals new value minus old value, divided by old value, times one hundred. Divide by the original amount, not the new one.

Dividing fractions

To divide by a fraction, multiply by its reciprocal: a over b divided by c over d equals a over b times d over c.

Distance, rate, time

Distance equals rate multiplied by time, so time equals distance divided by rate. Convert units, such as minutes to hours, before dividing.

Finding a missing value from a mean

Total equals mean multiplied by count. Subtract the known values from the total to find the missing one.

Lever mechanical advantage

Effort arm length divided by load arm length. A longer effort arm reduces the force needed but increases the distance the effort moves.

Movable pulley advantage

Mechanical advantage equals the number of rope segments supporting the load. A single movable pulley halves the effort; a fixed pulley only changes direction.

Gear ratio

Teeth on the driven gear divided by teeth on the driver. Meshed gears turn in opposite directions, and the smaller gear rotates faster.

Hydraulic pressure principle

Pressure is transmitted equally throughout a confined fluid, and pressure equals force divided by area. A larger output piston therefore produces greater force.

Bimetallic strip bending

Two bonded metals expand at different rates when heated, so the strip bends toward the metal with the lower expansion rate. Used in thermal switches and detectors.

Cube net opposite faces

Faces separated by exactly one face in a straight strip end up opposite each other when folded. Opposite faces never share an edge.

Paper fold hole count

Each fold doubles the number of holes punched through all layers, unless a punch lies exactly on a fold line, which merges two holes into one.

Mental rotation strategy

Track one distinctive feature, such as a notch or handle, through the rotation instead of trying to hold the whole shape in mind.

Mirror versus rotation

A mirror image reverses handedness, so no rotation can make it match the original. A rotated shape keeps the same handedness and can be turned back into place.

Life safety priority

In any emergency, protect people first, then stabilize the incident, then conserve property. This order resolves most situational judgment questions.

Chain of command

Report problems to your immediate supervisor. Bypass the chain only when waiting would risk injury or death.

Behavior-based feedback

Describe the specific observed behavior and its impact rather than judging character. Specific feedback is easier to accept and to act on.

Reporting unfit-for-duty members

If a coworker appears impaired or unfit, prevent them from working and notify a supervisor. Covering for them endangers the crew and the public.

Fire tetrahedron

Four elements sustain combustion: fuel, oxygen, heat, and an uninhibited chemical chain reaction. Removing any one element stops the fire.

Fire classes

A is ordinary combustibles, B is flammable liquids, C is energized electrical, D is combustible metals, and K is cooking oils. Extinguishers must match the class.

PASS technique

Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side. Aiming at the base removes fuel from the flame.

Two-in, two-out

Entry into an immediately dangerous to life or health atmosphere requires at least two members inside and two outside, unless a known rescue is already underway.

Hierarchy of controls

Elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then personal protective equipment. PPE is the last line of defense, not the first.

Lockout/tagout

De-energize equipment and apply locks and tags before work so energy cannot be restored unexpectedly. Treat downed or unknown lines as energized.

Near-miss reporting

An event that could have caused harm but did not. Reporting near misses reveals hazards before they injure anyone, so they are treated as valuable safety data.