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OSP Trooper Exam study materials
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OSP Trooper Exam practice questions

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Question 1Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper's report reads: "The driver stated he had two beers before driving, however he failed all field sobriety tests." Which revision best corrects the sentence structure for a formal report?

  1. The driver stated he had two beers before driving, he however failed all field sobriety tests.
  2. The driver stated he had two beers before driving however he failed all field sobriety tests.
  3. The driver stated he had two beers before driving; however, he failed all field sobriety tests. Correct answer.
  4. The driver stated he had two beers before driving, however he failed all field sobriety tests.

Explanation

Two independent clauses joined by a conjunctive adverb such as "however" require a semicolon before the adverb and a comma after it. The original comma splice is the error being corrected. Option 0 applies that punctuation rule correctly.

Question 2Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

In a trooper's narrative, which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

  1. The suspects' license was suspended, and the officer's reports were filed separately.
  2. The suspect's license was suspended, and the officers reports were filed separately.
  3. The suspect's license was suspended, and the officers' reports were filed separately. Correct answer.
  4. The suspects license was suspended, and the officers reports were filed separately.

Explanation

A singular possessor takes an apostrophe before the s (suspect's), and a plural possessor ending in s takes an apostrophe after the s (officers'). Option 0 follows both rules. The other options either omit required apostrophes or misplace them.

Question 3Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper is summarizing a witness statement for a report. Which sentence maintains an objective, factual tone appropriate for official documentation?

  1. The witness seemed like a shady character who could not be trusted.
  2. The witness appeared nervous and gave a rambling account of the incident. Correct answer.
  3. The witness was obviously lying through his teeth about the whole thing.
  4. The witness gave a confusing story that made no sense at all.

Explanation

Official reports should describe observable behavior and avoid conclusory or judgmental language. "Appeared nervous" and "rambling account" are observable descriptions rather than accusations. The other options insert opinions about truthfulness or character that are inappropriate in a factual narrative.

Question 4Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper writes: "I observed the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and initiated a traffic stop." Which revision is most precise for an official report?

  1. I saw the car moving quickly so I stopped it.
  2. I observed the vehicle traveling at approximately 85 mph in a posted 65 mph zone and initiated a traffic stop. Correct answer.
  3. I observed the vehicle going really fast and pulled it over.
  4. I observed the vehicle speeding excessively and decided to stop it.

Explanation

Precise reports state measurable facts such as estimated speed and the posted limit, which support enforcement action. Vague terms like "high rate of speed" or "really fast" are less defensible in court. Option 0 supplies specific, verifiable detail.

Question 5Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

Which sentence in a trooper's report uses correct subject-verb agreement?

  1. The list of witnesses were attached to the case file.
  2. The list of witnesses was attached to the case file. Correct answer.
  3. The list of witnesses have been attached to the case file.
  4. The lists of witnesses was attached to the case file.

Explanation

The subject is "list," which is singular, so the verb must be singular ("was"). The prepositional phrase "of witnesses" does not change the number of the subject. Option 0 correctly matches the singular subject with a singular verb.

Question 6Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper's report states: "The victim, who was visibly shaken, provided a written statement." What is the grammatical function of the clause "who was visibly shaken"?

  1. It is a nonrestrictive relative clause that adds descriptive information. Correct answer.
  2. It is an independent clause that could stand alone as a sentence.
  3. It is a restrictive relative clause that identifies which victim is meant.
  4. It is an adverbial clause modifying the verb "provided."

Explanation

The clause is set off by commas and provides extra description about an already-identified victim, making it nonrestrictive. Restrictive clauses are not set off by commas because they identify the noun. The clause cannot stand alone, and it modifies the noun "victim," not the verb.

Question 7Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

In a probable-cause narrative, which transition word best signals that the next sentence describes a result of the preceding action?

  1. Similarly
  2. Consequently Correct answer.
  3. Nevertheless
  4. Meanwhile

Explanation

"Consequently" indicates a cause-and-effect relationship, showing the next statement follows as a result. "Meanwhile" signals concurrent time, "similarly" signals comparison, and "nevertheless" signals contrast. Only "consequently" conveys the intended result.

Question 8Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper needs to record that a suspect refused to sign a citation. Which sentence most clearly and objectively conveys this fact?

  1. The suspect was being difficult about the paperwork.
  2. The suspect got all worked up and wouldn't cooperate at all.
  3. The suspect copped an attitude and refused.
  4. The suspect refused to sign the citation after being advised of the consequences. Correct answer.

Explanation

Objective report writing names the specific action and notes that required advisement occurred. "Refused to sign the citation" is precise and neutral. The other options use slang or vague characterizations that weaken the report's professionalism.

Question 9Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper's report contains this sentence: "Approaching the vehicle, the odor of alcohol was detected." What is the structural problem?

  1. It contains a faulty parallel structure between two verbs.
  2. It contains a dangling modifier because the odor is not the one approaching the vehicle. Correct answer.
  3. It contains a comma splice joining two independent clauses.
  4. It contains an unclear pronoun reference for "it."

Explanation

The introductory participial phrase "Approaching the vehicle" must modify the subject of the main clause. As written, it appears to modify "the odor," which cannot approach a vehicle. The sentence needs the actor (the trooper) as the subject.

Question 10Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper must choose the sentence that correctly uses a colon in a report heading context. Which is correct?

  1. The following items were recovered, a wallet, a phone, and a set of keys.
  2. The following items were recovered; a wallet, a phone, and a set of keys.
  3. The following items were recovered: a wallet, a phone, and a set of keys. Correct answer.
  4. The following items were recovered a wallet, a phone, and a set of keys.

Explanation

A colon correctly introduces a list after a complete independent clause. The clause before the colon must be able to stand alone, which it does here. Commas, semicolons, or no punctuation fail to properly introduce the list.

Question 11Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper is writing a summary of an interview. Which sentence best avoids a pronoun-reference problem?

  1. When the officer questioned the driver, they noticed a strong odor of alcohol.
  2. When the officer questioned the driver, it noticed a strong odor of alcohol.
  3. When the officer questioned the driver, he noticed a strong odor of alcohol.
  4. When the officer questioned the driver, the officer noticed a strong odor of alcohol. Correct answer.

Explanation

Repeating the noun "officer" removes ambiguity about who noticed the odor. The pronoun "he" could refer to either the officer or the driver, and "they" and "it" are unclear or incorrect. Clear reports avoid ambiguous pronoun references.

Question 12Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly for a list of trooper duties?

  1. Troopers are responsible for patrolling highways, investigating crashes, and to enforce traffic laws.
  2. Troopers are responsible for patrol of highways, investigating crashes, and traffic law enforcement.
  3. Troopers are responsible for patrolling highways, investigating crashes, and enforcing traffic laws. Correct answer.
  4. Troopers are responsible for patrolling highways, crash investigation, and enforcing traffic laws.

Explanation

Items in a series should share the same grammatical form. Option 0 uses three parallel gerund phrases (patrolling, investigating, enforcing). Mixing gerunds with infinitives or noun phrases breaks parallelism.

Question 13Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper writes: "The vehicle was impounded. It had expired registration." Which revision best combines the sentences while preserving the logical relationship?

  1. The vehicle was impounded although it had expired registration.
  2. The vehicle was impounded; it had expired registration, however.
  3. The vehicle was impounded because it had expired registration. Correct answer.
  4. The vehicle was impounded, it had expired registration.

Explanation

The expired registration is the reason for the impound, a cause-and-effect relationship best expressed by "because." Option 0 combines the clauses clearly and preserves that logic. The other options create a comma splice, signal contrast, or misuse punctuation.

Question 14Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper's report describes a suspect as "a tall male." For which purpose is this description least useful?

  1. Recording that a person was present.
  2. Establishing a general impression of the scene.
  3. Providing a specific, identifying physical description in the report. Correct answer.
  4. Noting an initial observation before further detail.

Explanation

Effective reports include specific, identifying details such as height, build, clothing, and distinguishing features. "Tall" is relative and does not uniquely identify anyone. The phrase is acceptable as a general note but weak as an identifying description.

Question 15Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

Which sentence correctly uses "affect" or "effect" in a law-enforcement context?

  1. The new policy will effect how troopers document stops.
  2. The new policy will affect how troopers document stops. Correct answer.
  3. The new policy will have an affect on how troopers document stops.
  4. The new policy will affect an change in how troopers document stops.

Explanation

"Affect" is typically a verb meaning to influence, while "effect" is typically a noun meaning a result. Option 0 correctly uses "affect" as the verb. The other options confuse the two words or use an incorrect article.

Question 16Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper is deciding how to organize a narrative report. Which structure best supports a clear chronological account of events?

  1. List only the final charges without describing the events.
  2. Present events in the order they occurred, with clear time markers. Correct answer.
  3. Group details by the officer's personal reactions rather than by time.
  4. Begin with the conclusion and omit the sequence of events.

Explanation

Chronological organization with time markers helps readers follow what happened and when. Narratives are most defensible when the sequence of events is clear and complete. Omitting events or organizing by personal reaction undermines clarity.

Question 17Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

Which sentence best demonstrates concise writing appropriate for a trooper's report?

  1. The suspect fled on foot and was apprehended two blocks away. Correct answer.
  2. The suspect did flee on foot and was subsequently apprehended at a distance of two blocks away.
  3. The suspect, who fled on foot, was apprehended two blocks away from the location.
  4. At that point in time the suspect fled on foot and was apprehended.

Explanation

Concise writing removes redundant and inflated phrasing while preserving meaning. Option 0 states the facts directly without wordy additions. The other options add unnecessary words that slow the reader without adding information.

Question 18Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper's report states: "Neither the driver nor the passengers was wearing a seatbelt." Which revision corrects the agreement error?

  1. Neither the driver nor the passengers is wearing seatbelts.
  2. Neither the driver or the passengers were wearing seatbelts.
  3. Neither the driver nor the passengers was wearing seatbelts.
  4. Neither the driver nor the passengers were wearing seatbelts. Correct answer.

Explanation

With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject. Here the nearer subject "passengers" is plural, so the verb should be "were." Option 0 also correctly uses the plural "seatbelts" for multiple people.

Question 19Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

Which sentence uses commas correctly to set off a nonessential element in a report?

  1. The driver, who had no valid license, was cited and released. Correct answer.
  2. The driver who had no valid license, was cited and released.
  3. The driver, who had no valid license was cited and released.
  4. The driver who, had no valid license, was cited and released.

Explanation

A nonessential relative clause must be enclosed by commas on both sides. Option 0 places a comma before "who" and after "license," correctly setting off the clause. The other options omit one comma or misplace them.

Question 20Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper is summarizing multiple witness statements that conflict. Which sentence best reflects an accurate, neutral summary?

  1. All the witnesses agreed, more or less, on the color of the vehicle.
  2. The witnesses were confused and could not be believed about the vehicle.
  3. The witnesses clearly got the color wrong, so their statements are useless.
  4. Witness accounts differed regarding the color of the fleeing vehicle. Correct answer.

Explanation

A neutral summary acknowledges conflicting information without judging credibility. "Accounts differed regarding the color" accurately reports the conflict. The other options draw unsupported conclusions about truthfulness or misstate the agreement.

Question 21Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper writes: "Having secured the scene, the evidence was collected by the trooper." Which revision best corrects the modifier problem while keeping the meaning?

  1. The evidence, having secured the scene, was collected by the trooper.
  2. Having secured the scene, collection of the evidence was done by the trooper.
  3. Having secured the scene, the evidence was collected.
  4. Having secured the scene, the trooper collected the evidence. Correct answer.

Explanation

The introductory participial phrase must modify the actor who performed the action, which is the trooper. In the original, the phrase dangles because it appears to modify "the evidence." Option 0 makes the trooper the subject so the modifier attaches correctly.

Question 22Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper must choose the sentence that most precisely distinguishes two separate observations in a report. Which is best?

  1. The driver seemed impaired, and the driver looked bad overall.
  2. The driver's speech was slurred, and the driver's eyes were bloodshot and glassy. Correct answer.
  3. The driver was acting weird and looked impaired to the trooper.
  4. The driver was obviously intoxicated based on how the driver appeared.

Explanation

Precise reports separate and specify observable indicators rather than summarizing them as impressions. Option 0 names two distinct, observable signs: slurred speech and bloodshot, glassy eyes. The other options rely on conclusory or vague language.

Question 23Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper's narrative says: "The suspect ran from the officer; he was later found hiding." Which issue most affects clarity for a reader reviewing the report?

  1. The pronoun "he" could refer to either the suspect or the officer. Correct answer.
  2. The sentence lacks a subject in the second clause.
  3. The verb tense shifts incorrectly within the sentence.
  4. The semicolon should be a comma because the clauses are related.

Explanation

The pronoun "he" has two possible antecedents, the suspect and the officer, which creates ambiguity. Clear reports specify the actor rather than relying on an unclear pronoun. The semicolon is correctly used, the tense is consistent, and the second clause does have a subject.

Question 24Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper must write a sentence that conveys uncertainty about a detail without appearing to assert it as fact. Which sentence best accomplishes this?

  1. The suspect definitely entered the store around 9:00 p.m. or so.
  2. The suspect entered the store at 9:00 p.m.
  3. The suspect may have entered the store at approximately 9:00 p.m., according to the witness. Correct answer.
  4. The suspect must have entered the store at 9:00 p.m.

Explanation

When a detail is uncertain, the report should signal that uncertainty and attribute it to its source. "May have" and "according to the witness" convey appropriate caution. Asserting the detail as certain or combining "definitely" with "or so" creates inconsistency.

Question 25Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper writes a report sentence: "The officer advised the suspect of his rights, searched the vehicle, and the tow truck was called." Which revision best fixes the faulty parallelism?

  1. The officer advised the suspect of his rights, searching the vehicle, and the tow truck was called.
  2. The officer advised the suspect of his rights, searched the vehicle, and the tow truck came.
  3. The officer advised the suspect of his rights, searched the vehicle, and called the tow truck. Correct answer.
  4. The officer advised the suspect of his rights, did a search of the vehicle, and the tow truck was called.

Explanation

Items in a series must share grammatical form. Option 0 uses three parallel past-tense verbs: advised, searched, and called. The original shifts from active verbs to a passive clause, breaking parallelism.

Question 26Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper's report includes the sentence: "The driver stated that he had consumed two beers, however his speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot." Which revision best corrects the punctuation while preserving the intended meaning in the narrative?

  1. The driver stated that he had consumed two beers, however, his speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot.
  2. The driver stated that he had consumed two beers: however his speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot.
  3. The driver stated that he had consumed two beers however his speech was slurred, and his eyes were bloodshot.
  4. The driver stated that he had consumed two beers; however, his speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot. Correct answer.

Explanation

"However" is a conjunctive adverb joining two independent clauses, so it must be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma. A comma alone between the clauses creates a comma splice, and a colon would wrongly signal that the second clause explains or lists the first.

Question 27Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper is drafting a narrative and wants one sentence to convey that a witness's account is unverified rather than established fact. Which sentence best accomplishes that purpose?

  1. The witness alleged that the suspect fled on foot toward the north alley. Correct answer.
  2. The witness said the suspect fled on foot, and the suspect fled on foot toward the north alley.
  3. The suspect fled on foot toward the north alley, according to the report.
  4. The witness proved that the suspect fled on foot toward the north alley.

Explanation

"Alleged" attributes the claim to the witness while signaling that the trooper has not confirmed it, which preserves neutrality in the report. The other versions either assert the flight as proven or restate it as fact in the trooper's own voice.

Question 28Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper's report reads: "The officer interviewed the clerk. The clerk described the customer. The customer had argued about the price." Which revision best improves cohesion while keeping the sequence of events clear?

  1. Interviewing the clerk, the customer had argued about the price as described.
  2. The officer interviewed the clerk; the customer had argued about the price, which the clerk described.
  3. The officer interviewed the clerk and the clerk described the customer and the customer had argued about the price.
  4. The officer interviewed the clerk, who described a customer who had argued about the price. Correct answer.

Explanation

Relative pronouns ("who") link the short sentences into one coherent chain and make clear that the clerk is the one describing the customer. Stringing clauses with "and" is choppy, and the remaining revisions scramble the causal order of events.

Question 29Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper is writing an incident summary and must choose the sentence that uses a semicolon correctly to separate two closely related independent clauses. Which sentence is correct?

  1. The vehicle's registration was expired; the trooper issued a citation. Correct answer.
  2. The vehicle's registration was expired; because the trooper issued a citation.
  3. The vehicle's registration was expired; and the trooper issued a citation.
  4. The vehicle's registration was expired; issuing a citation.

Explanation

A semicolon may join two independent clauses that are closely related and not already linked by a coordinating conjunction. Adding "and" after the semicolon, beginning with a subordinator, or attaching a fragment all misuse the mark.

Question 30Reading Comprehension and Written Communication

A trooper's report contains this sentence: "After stopping the vehicle for a broken taillight, the driver's license was requested by the trooper." Which analysis best identifies the flaw and its correction?

  1. The sentence lacks a main clause; rewrite as "After stopping the vehicle for a broken taillight, which the trooper did before requesting the driver's license."
  2. The sentence misplaces its modifier because "broken" should modify the trooper; rewrite as "After stopping the broken vehicle, the taillight's license was requested."
  3. The introductory phrase dangles because its implied subject is the trooper, not the license; rewrite as "After stopping the vehicle for a broken taillight, the trooper requested the driver's license." Correct answer.
  4. The sentence is passive and therefore unclear; rewrite as "The driver's license was requested after the vehicle was stopped for a broken taillight."

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase must describe the subject of the main clause. Here the implied actor of "stopping the vehicle" is the trooper, but the main clause subject is "the driver's license," creating a dangling modifier. Naming the trooper as the subject repairs the sentence.

Question 31Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

In an Ohio State Highway Patrol crash report, the narrative should be written primarily in which grammatical form?

  1. Third person, past tense ("The trooper observed the vehicle swerve") Correct answer.
  2. First person, present tense ("I observe the vehicle swerve")
  3. Passive voice throughout ("The swerve was observed")
  4. Second person, imperative mood ("Observe the vehicle as it swerves")

Explanation

Official narratives are conventionally written in third person and past tense so the report reads as an objective record of completed events. First person and present tense make the account sound like personal commentary rather than a factual document, and passive voice obscures who acted.

Question 32Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

Which sentence from a trooper's report uses the correct past tense of the verb?

  1. The driver had saw the patrol car and slowed down.
  2. The driver saw the patrol car and slowed down. Correct answer.
  3. The driver has saw the patrol car and slowed down.
  4. The driver seen the patrol car and slowed down.

Explanation

"Saw" is the simple past tense of the irregular verb "see," which is the form needed for a completed event in a narrative. "Seen" and "saw" after a helping verb are common errors that undermine the report's credibility.

Question 33Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

A trooper writes: "The vehicle struck the guardrail, the airbags deployed." What is the best correction for this report sentence?

  1. The vehicle struck the guardrail the airbags deployed.
  2. The vehicle struck the guardrail, the airbags, deployed.
  3. The vehicle struck the guardrail, and the airbags deployed. Correct answer.
  4. The vehicle struck the guardrail; the airbags, deployed.

Explanation

Two independent clauses joined without a conjunction create a comma splice. Adding the coordinating conjunction "and" after the comma correctly links the clauses. A semicolon alone would also work, but not with the misplaced comma shown.

Question 34Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

In a crash report, which abbreviation is correctly punctuated for the phrase "and others" when listing multiple occupants?

  1. etc.
  2. et al. Correct answer.
  3. et. al.
  4. e.t.c.

Explanation

"Et al." is the standard abbreviation for "and others" and takes a period only after "al." because "et" is a complete Latin word, not an abbreviation. "Etc." means "and so forth" and is not used for listing people in this way.

Question 35Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

Which word correctly completes this report sentence: "The suspect fled ___ foot before the trooper arrived"?

  1. with
  2. in
  3. on Correct answer.
  4. by

Explanation

The fixed idiom for traveling as a pedestrian is "on foot." The other prepositions change the meaning or produce an unidiomatic phrase that would read as an error in an official report.

Question 36Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

A report states: "The trooper asked the driver where he was going?" What is the error?

  1. The pronoun should be "whom."
  2. A question mark is used after an indirect question. Correct answer.
  3. The sentence needs a semicolon.
  4. The verb tense is wrong.

Explanation

An indirect question-a statement reporting what someone asked-ends with a period, not a question mark. Only a direct quotation of the question would take a question mark.

Question 37Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

A trooper's report reads: "The driver's license was suspended, therefore the vehicle was towed." Which revision best fixes the punctuation problem?

  1. The driver's license was suspended, therefore, the vehicle was towed.
  2. The driver's license was suspended; therefore, the vehicle was towed. Correct answer.
  3. The driver's license was suspended therefore the vehicle was towed.
  4. The driver's license was suspended: therefore the vehicle was towed.

Explanation

"Therefore" is a conjunctive adverb, so when it joins two independent clauses it needs a semicolon before it and a comma after it. A plain comma before "therefore" produces a comma splice.

Question 38Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

In the sentence "The trooper, along with two deputies, ___ securing the scene," which verb form is correct?

  1. is Correct answer.
  2. are
  3. have been
  4. were

Explanation

The subject is the singular "trooper"; the phrase "along with two deputies" is a parenthetical interruption and does not change the number of the subject. The verb must therefore be singular, and present tense "is" fits the sentence as written.

Question 39Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

Which sentence uses the pronoun reference correctly for a report?

  1. The trooper told the driver that his license was expired.
  2. The trooper told the driver that they were expired.
  3. The trooper told the driver that it was expired.
  4. The trooper told the driver that the driver's license was expired. Correct answer.

Explanation

When two people are mentioned, a possessive pronoun such as "his" becomes ambiguous because it could refer to either person. Repeating the noun eliminates the ambiguity and keeps the record precise.

Question 40Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

A report sentence reads: "The trooper observed a black, four-door sedan." Why is the comma after "black" acceptable?

  1. It marks the start of a nonrestrictive clause.
  2. It separates the subject from its verb.
  3. It is required before every adjective in a series.
  4. It separates two coordinate adjectives of equal weight. Correct answer.

Explanation

Coordinate adjectives can be reversed or joined by "and" without changing meaning, so a comma is appropriate between them. The comma is optional here, but it is not an error because the adjectives are equal in rank.

Question 41Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

Which version of this report sentence uses parallel structure?

  1. The trooper secured the scene, was interviewing witnesses, and photographs the damage.
  2. The trooper secured the scene, interviewed witnesses, and was photographing the damage.
  3. The trooper secured the scene, interviewed witnesses, and photographed the damage. Correct answer.
  4. The trooper securing the scene, interviewing witnesses, and photographed the damage.

Explanation

Items in a series should share the same grammatical form. Three simple past-tense verbs in a row create parallelism; mixing participles, past tense, and present tense breaks the pattern.

Question 42Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

In a report, which sentence correctly uses "affect" or "effect"?

  1. The wet pavement had a negative effect on braking distance. Correct answer.
  2. The wet pavement had a negative affect on braking distance.
  3. The wet pavement effected the driver's braking distance.
  4. The wet pavement affectedly changed the braking distance.

Explanation

"Effect" as a noun means result or outcome, which is the intended meaning here. "Affect" is normally a verb meaning to influence, and "effect" as a verb means to bring about.

Question 43Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

A trooper writes: "The driver stated that he had been drinking; however he refused the field sobriety tests." What correction is needed?

  1. Add a comma after "however." Correct answer.
  2. Replace the semicolon with a comma.
  3. No correction is needed.
  4. Remove the semicolon before "however."

Explanation

A conjunctive adverb such as "however" that joins two independent clauses takes a semicolon before it and a comma after it. The missing comma after "however" is the error in this sentence.

Question 44Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier in a trooper's report?

  1. After stopping the vehicle, the license plate was checked.
  2. After stopping the vehicle, the trooper approached the driver. Correct answer.
  3. After stopping the vehicle, the driver's hands were visible.
  4. After stopping the vehicle, it was determined that the driver was impaired.

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase must modify the subject of the main clause. Only in this option does the subject ("the trooper") perform the action of stopping the vehicle.

Question 45Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

In a report, which sentence uses the colon correctly?

  1. The trooper requested the following items: a flashlight, a radio, and a citation book. Correct answer.
  2. The trooper requested: backup from the neighboring post.
  3. The trooper requested backup: because the crowd was growing.
  4. The trooper requested backup, which was: needed immediately.

Explanation

A colon may introduce a list after a complete independent clause, which is the case here. Using a colon between a verb and its object, before a subordinate clause, or before a single word is incorrect.

Question 46Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

A trooper's narrative mixes tenses: "The vehicle approaches the intersection, then the driver failed to yield, and the crash occurs." Which revision is most consistent with standard report style?

  1. The vehicle approached the intersection, then the driver fails to yield, and the crash occurs.
  2. The vehicle approached the intersection, then the driver failed to yield, and the crash occurred. Correct answer.
  3. The vehicle approaches the intersection, then the driver fails to yield, and the crash occurs.
  4. The vehicle approaching the intersection, the driver failed to yield, and the crash occurred.

Explanation

Report narratives conventionally use past tense throughout, so all three verbs should be past tense. Consistency in tense keeps the sequence of events clear and avoids the impression that events occurred at different times.

Question 47Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

A report contains the sentence: "The trooper was dispatched to mile marker 42 on Interstate 71 for a single vehicle rollover crash with injuries reported by the caller." Which revision improves clarity most effectively?

  1. The trooper was dispatched for a crash, a rollover, single vehicle, with injuries, at mile marker 42, on Interstate 71, reported by the caller.
  2. The trooper was dispatched to mile marker 42 on Interstate 71 for a single-vehicle rollover crash; the caller reported injuries. Correct answer.
  3. The trooper was dispatched to mile marker 42 on Interstate 71 for a single vehicle rollover crash with injuries reported by the caller, which was true.
  4. The trooper was dispatched to mile marker 42 on Interstate 71 for a rollover crash with injuries reported by the caller involving a single vehicle.

Explanation

Separating the caller's report into its own clause removes the trailing modifier pileup and clarifies who reported the injuries. Splitting a long sentence at a logical boundary improves readability without losing detail.

Question 48Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

Which sentence demonstrates correct use of the apostrophe for a report about multiple drivers?

  1. The three drivers's statements were consistent.
  2. The three drivers' statements were consistent. Correct answer.
  3. The three driver's statements were consistent.
  4. The three drivers statements were consistent.

Explanation

A plural noun ending in "s" takes only an apostrophe to show possession. "Drivers'" correctly indicates that the statements belong to multiple drivers.

Question 49Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

A trooper drafts: "The suspect, who was visibly nervous, and who had bloodshot eyes, was asked to exit the vehicle." Which revision is most concise without changing meaning?

  1. The suspect, who was visibly nervous and had bloodshot eyes, was asked to exit the vehicle. Correct answer.
  2. The suspect who was visibly nervous and who had bloodshot eyes was asked to exit the vehicle.
  3. The suspect, visibly nervous with bloodshot eyes, was asked to exit the vehicle.
  4. The suspect was visibly nervous, bloodshot eyes, and asked to exit the vehicle.

Explanation

Combining the two relative clauses under one "who" removes the redundant repetition while preserving both observations. The result remains grammatical and keeps the nonrestrictive commas intact.

Question 50Report Writing and Grammar/Usage

Which sentence uses "lie" and "lay" correctly for a report describing evidence placement?

  1. The evidence was laying on the ground where the suspect did lie it.
  2. The evidence was lain on the ground where the suspect laid it.
  3. The evidence was lying on the ground where the suspect had laid it. Correct answer.
  4. The evidence was laying on the ground where the suspect had lain it.

Explanation

"Lie" is intransitive (to recline), with past participle "lying"; "lay" is transitive (to place something), with past participle "laid." The evidence reclines, so "lying" is correct, and the suspect placed it, so "had laid" is correct.