IN State Police 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 the author advances about the topic; every supporting detail should relate to it, while a single example or fact generally cannot serve as the main idea.

Valid inference

A conclusion that must follow from stated evidence rather than merely being plausible; an answer requiring an unstated assumption is not a valid inference for a reading question.

EXCEPT question strategy

Three answer choices are supported by the passage and one is not; eliminate each choice you can verify as true, and the remaining unsupported choice is the answer.

Author tone

The attitude conveyed through word choice and emphasis; factual verbs and neutral wording suggest an objective tone, while evaluative adjectives such as reckless or admirable signal judgment.

Pronoun reference

The noun a pronoun replaces; choose the nearest preceding noun that agrees in number and gender and produces a sentence consistent with the passage's meaning.

Comma splice

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

Subject-verb agreement

The verb must match the grammatical subject in number; ignore prepositional phrases between them, and treat each, every, either, and neither as singular.

Dangling modifier

An introductory descriptive phrase that does not logically modify the subject immediately following the comma, as in Walking to the car, the keys were dropped.

Its versus it's

Its is the possessive form meaning belonging to it; it's is a contraction of it is or it has, so test by substituting the expanded phrase.

Parallel structure

Items joined by and, or, or a correlative pair must share the same grammatical form, such as three verbs, three nouns, or three prepositional phrases.

Affect versus effect

Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence; effect is usually a noun meaning a result. Specialized uses exist, including effect as a verb meaning to bring about.

Percent change

Subtract the original value from the new value, divide by the original value, and multiply by 100; a positive result is an increase and a negative result a decrease.

Part from percent

To find a part, multiply the whole by the percent divided by 100; to find the whole, divide the part by the percent divided by 100.

Average formula

Average equals the sum of all values divided by the count; therefore sum equals average times count, and a missing value equals the target sum minus known values.

Distance formula

Distance equals rate multiplied by time; rearrange to rate equals distance divided by time, or time equals distance divided by rate, keeping units consistent.

Combined work rate

If one worker completes a job in a hours and another in b hours, their combined rate is 1/a plus 1/b jobs per hour, and combined time is the reciprocal.

Independent probability

For independent events, multiply their individual probabilities to find the chance both occur; for mutually exclusive events, add probabilities because they cannot occur together.

Contrapositive

From if P then Q, the valid contrapositive is if not Q then not P. The converse if Q then P and inverse if not P then not Q are not logically equivalent.

Sufficient condition

A condition whose presence guarantees the outcome, as the if clause in if P then Q; it is enough for Q but may not be necessary.

Necessary condition

A condition required for the outcome, as Q in if P then Q; the outcome cannot occur without it, but its presence does not guarantee the outcome.

Correlation versus causation

A statistical association does not prove one variable causes another; alternative explanations include reverse causation, a common cause, coincidence, or selection effects.

Weaken an argument

Identify the conclusion and evidence, then choose the option that makes the evidence less supportive, often by revealing an unstated assumption, alternative cause, or counterexample.

Change blindness

Failure to notice a change in a scene when attention is not directed to it; systematic comparison or a checklist reduces missed differences.

Serial position effect

Recall is usually strongest for items at the beginning and end of a list; middle items are recalled least well because they receive less rehearsal and distinctiveness.

Chunking

Grouping separate items into meaningful units, such as digits into phone-number groups, which increases the amount held in working memory.

Weapon focus

A stress response in which attention narrows toward a visible weapon, reducing memory for other details such as the person's face or clothing.

Eyewitness confidence

A witness's certainty is not a reliable measure of accuracy; confidence can rise after post-event information, repeated questioning, or feedback without improving memory.

Procedural justice

Treating people with voice, neutrality, respect, and trustworthy motives increases voluntary compliance and cooperation, even when the outcome is unfavorable.

De-escalation

When there is no immediate threat, slowing the pace, increasing distance, using a calm tone, and avoiding unnecessary commands can reduce tension and the need for force.

Active listening

A communication technique using open questions, paraphrasing, reflecting feelings, and summarizing to confirm understanding and show the speaker is being heard.

Least intrusive response

Choose the option that resolves a situation lawfully with the least force, coercion, or restriction needed, escalating only when the situation requires it.

Interpreter use

For limited English proficiency or hearing disability, use a qualified interpreter rather than a family member or bystander; avoid using children and confirm confidentiality.