🇺🇸 Police Officer Selection Test (POST) · subject

Police Officer Selection Test (POST) Reading Comprehension Syllabus

The Reading Comprehension syllabus for Police Officer Selection Test (POST) in full: 3 chapters, 12 topics and 25 sub-topics, every one listed below, plus 51 Reading Comprehension flashcards with answers.

3Chapters

12Topics

25Sub-topics

51Flashcards

Reading Comprehension syllabus: all 3 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

Foundational Reading Skills
4 topics
- Determining Main Idea and Central Point
  - Identifying the topic versus the main idea
  - Locating topic sentences in police reports and bulletins
  - Distinguishing stated versus implied main ideas
- Identifying Supporting Details
  - Major versus minor details
  - Matching details to the claims they support
- Author's Purpose and Tone
  - Informative versus persuasive passages
  - Recognizing neutral, objective report-writing tone
- Vocabulary in Context
  - Using context clues to define unfamiliar words
  - Common law-enforcement terminology
Comprehending Procedural and Technical Text
4 topics
- Reading Police Procedures and Policies
  - Following multi-step procedural instructions
  - Interpreting conditional rules (if/then/unless)
- Interpreting Statutes and Ordinances
  - Applying a definition to a fact scenario
  - Identifying which elements of an offense are met
- Reading Tables, Schedules, and Forms
  - Extracting data from booking and incident forms
  - Cross-referencing rows and columns
- Understanding Maps and Diagrams
  - Reading street grids and directions of travel
  - Interpreting crime-scene diagrams
Critical Reading and Inference
4 topics
- Drawing Logical Inferences
  - Conclusions supported by the passage
  - Avoiding unsupported assumptions
- Fact versus Opinion
  - Identifying verifiable statements
  - Recognizing bias in witness accounts
- Cause and Effect Relationships
  - Sequencing events in a narrative
  - Distinguishing correlation from causation
- Comparing and Contrasting Information
  - Reconciling conflicting witness statements
  - Identifying agreement across sources

Police Officer Selection Test (POST) Reading Comprehension flashcards — 51 questions with answers

What is the 'main idea' of a passage?
The central point or overall message the author wants to convey about the topic — the single most important idea that all other sentences support.
How does a 'topic' differ from a 'main idea'?
The topic is the general subject (a word or phrase, e.g., 'patrol procedures'); the main idea is the specific point the author makes about that topic, stated as a complete thought.
Where is the main idea most often located in a paragraph?
In the topic sentence — usually the first or last sentence — though it can also be implied and must be inferred from the details.
What is the difference between a stated and an implied main idea?
A stated main idea is written directly in a topic sentence; an implied main idea is not written out and must be inferred by combining the supporting details.
What test confirms you have correctly identified the main idea?
Every other sentence in the passage should support, explain, or provide evidence for it; if a sentence does not, the main idea is too narrow or wrong.
What are 'supporting details' in a passage?
The facts, examples, statistics, reasons, descriptions, and explanations that develop, prove, or clarify the main idea.
What is the difference between major and minor supporting details?
Major details directly explain or prove the main idea; minor details add extra information about a major detail (examples or elaboration that could be removed without losing the point).
Name common signal words that introduce supporting details.
'For example,' 'for instance,' 'such as,' 'in addition,' 'furthermore,' 'specifically,' 'first/second/third,' and 'because.'
When a police report question asks for a specific detail, what reading strategy is best?
Scanning — quickly locating the exact fact (name, time, address, number) in the text rather than reading every word.
What is the 'author's purpose'?
The author's reason for writing — generally to inform, to persuade, to instruct, to entertain, or to describe.
Which author's purpose dominates police procedures, statutes, and policy manuals?
To inform and to instruct — they explain facts and direct the reader to perform actions in a specific way.
What is 'tone' in a passage?
The author's attitude toward the subject or audience, conveyed through word choice (e.g., objective, formal, critical, sympathetic, urgent, sarcastic).
What tone is expected in official police and legal documents?
A neutral, objective, formal tone — factual and impersonal rather than emotional or opinionated.
How can you identify an author's tone?
By analyzing connotative word choice, descriptive language, and the emotional charge of the words the author selects.
What does 'vocabulary in context' require you to do?
Determine a word's meaning from the surrounding words and sentences rather than from a dictionary or its most common meaning.
Name the four main types of context clues.
Definition/explanation clues, synonym/restatement clues, antonym/contrast clues, and example/inference clues.
What contrast signal words hint that a nearby word means the opposite?
'But,' 'however,' 'unlike,' 'although,' 'whereas,' 'on the other hand,' and 'in contrast.'
Why is context essential for interpreting multiple-meaning words like 'charge,' 'book,' or 'cell'?
These words have different meanings in different settings; only the surrounding text reveals which meaning applies (e.g., 'book' a suspect vs. read a book).
In policing, what is a 'procedure'?
A required, step-by-step sequence of actions an officer must follow to perform a task correctly and lawfully.
How does a 'policy' differ from a 'procedure'?
A policy is a broad principle or rule stating what should be done and why; a procedure gives the specific steps explaining how to carry out that policy.

Show the other 31 Reading Comprehension flashcards

When reading a procedure with numbered steps, what does the order signify?
A required chronological sequence — the steps must be performed in that exact order unless the text states an exception.
In procedural text, what is the difference between the words 'shall'/'must' and 'may'/'should'?
'Shall' and 'must' indicate a mandatory action; 'may' indicates permission/discretion, and 'should' indicates a recommendation that is not strictly required.
What is a 'statute'?
A written law formally enacted by a legislative body (such as a state legislature or Congress).
What is an 'ordinance'?
A law enacted by a local government, such as a city or county council, applying within that jurisdiction.
In legal text, what is the difference between conditions joined by 'and' versus 'or'?
'And' means all listed conditions must be met; 'or' means meeting any one of the listed conditions is sufficient.
What are the key 'elements' of an offense in a statute?
The specific conditions, acts, and mental states that all must be proven for conduct to violate the statute.
In statutes, what does an 'exception' clause (often signaled by 'except' or 'unless') do?
It removes certain situations from the rule, identifying cases where the statute does not apply.
When interpreting a definition section in a statute, how should defined terms be read?
Each defined term carries exactly the meaning given in the statute throughout the document, even if it differs from ordinary usage.
When reading a table, what tells you what the numbers represent?
The row and column headings (labels) — you read across the row and down the column to find the cell where they intersect.
How do you read a value in a schedule or timetable?
Locate the relevant row (e.g., location or item) and the relevant column (e.g., time or day) and find the entry where they meet.
What is the purpose of a 'key' or 'legend' on a table or form?
It explains the meaning of symbols, abbreviations, or codes used so the data can be interpreted correctly.
On a form, what does a field labeled 'N/A' indicate?
'Not applicable' — the item does not apply to this person or situation and is intentionally left without a substantive answer.
On a map, what does the 'scale' indicate?
The ratio between distance on the map and actual distance on the ground, used to estimate real-world distances.
On a standard map, which directions do up, down, right, and left correspond to?
Up = north, down = south, right = east, left = west (unless a compass rose shows otherwise).
What is the purpose of a map legend?
To explain what each symbol, color, or line on the map represents (e.g., streets, boundaries, buildings, landmarks).
On a diagram or floor plan, how do you determine the relationship between two items?
By reading their relative positions and any connecting lines, arrows, or labels that show direction, flow, or order.
What is an 'inference'?
A logical conclusion drawn from stated evidence combined with reasoning — information the text implies but does not state directly.
What is the difference between a valid inference and an assumption?
A valid inference is supported by evidence in the text; an assumption is taken for granted without textual support and may be unwarranted.
What is the key rule for choosing a correct inference on a reading test?
It must be supported by the passage — choose the conclusion that follows logically from the stated information, not the one that goes beyond it.
Why are inferences containing 'always,' 'never,' or 'all' often incorrect?
Such absolute/universal claims usually overstate what the evidence supports; correct inferences tend to be modest and directly grounded in the text.
What is a 'fact'?
A statement that can be objectively verified or proven true through evidence, observation, or records.
What is an 'opinion'?
A statement expressing a personal belief, judgment, feeling, or interpretation that cannot be objectively proven.
Name words that typically signal an opinion rather than a fact.
Judgment words like 'best,' 'worst,' 'should,' 'believe,' 'think,' 'beautiful,' 'probably,' and 'unfortunately.'
Why must an officer distinguish fact from opinion in reports?
Reports should record verifiable facts and observations; opinions and conclusions can bias the record and may be inadmissible or misleading.
What is a 'cause and effect' relationship?
A relationship in which one event (the cause) produces or leads to another event (the effect/result).
Name common signal words for cause and effect.
'Because,' 'since,' 'due to,' 'as a result,' 'therefore,' 'consequently,' 'so,' 'thus,' and 'leads to.'
In the sentence 'Because the road was icy, the car skidded,' identify the cause and the effect.
Cause: the road was icy; Effect: the car skidded.
Why must you avoid confusing correlation with causation when reading?
Two events occurring together does not prove one caused the other; the text must show an actual causal link, not just coincidence or sequence.
What does it mean to 'compare' versus to 'contrast' information?
Comparing identifies similarities between items; contrasting identifies their differences.
Name signal words for comparison and for contrast.
Comparison: 'similarly,' 'likewise,' 'both,' 'as well as,' 'in the same way.' Contrast: 'however,' 'but,' 'unlike,' 'whereas,' 'on the other hand,' 'in contrast.'
When a passage compares two procedures or statutes, what reading strategy helps organize the differences?
Mentally (or on paper) building a point-by-point comparison of each shared category, noting how each item differs on that point.

Police Officer Selection Test (POST) Reading Comprehension FAQ

What is in the Police Officer Selection Test (POST) Reading Comprehension syllabus?

Police Officer Selection Test (POST) Reading Comprehension is split into 3 chapters: Foundational Reading Skills, Comprehending Procedural and Technical Text and Critical Reading and Inference. Together they contain 12 topics and 25 sub-topics.

How many chapters are in Police Officer Selection Test (POST) Reading Comprehension?

3 chapters, containing 12 topics and 25 sub-topics. The largest chapter is Foundational Reading Skills, with 4 topics.

Are there flashcards for Police Officer Selection Test (POST) Reading Comprehension?

Yes — a 51-card Reading Comprehension deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.