| This part of the written firefighter exam will | | | | with the XYZ process is to protecta. Children |
| consist of paragraphs you will be required to read | | | | from harmful odorsb. Surrounding vegetationc. |
| within a certain time limit. You will then be asked | | | | Wooden surfaces from weatheringd. Animals |
| specific questions about what you have just read. | | | | from splinters |
| For example, here is a paragraph of text that is | | | | Of the following, one that might be negatively |
| typical of what you might see on your test: | | | | affected by the XYZ process isa. Plants |
| "Weatherproofing wooden deck surfaces with the | | | | surrounding the treated areab. Someone with |
| XYZ process results in a surface that is far | | | | respiratory problemsc. Children walking on a |
| superior to those treated with other, less | | | | treated surfaced. Animals walking on a treated |
| effective methods. XYZ process-treated surfaces | | | | surface |
| are durable to heavy walking traffic, are resistant | | | | Here is a second example paragraph with its |
| to wear from heavy rains and run off from | | | | questions |
| overhanging roofs, are resistant to bleaching from | | | | "Most people first encounter grammar in |
| excess exposure to the sun, and maintain a | | | | connection with the study of their own language in |
| "fresh wood" look for several years. In addition to | | | | school. This kind of grammar is called pre-scripting |
| producing a wooden surface that is attractive and | | | | of grammar because it defines the role of the |
| durable, the XYZ process also has several safety | | | | various parts of speech (such as nouns, verbs, |
| and environmental benefits. Surfaces treated with | | | | adjectives, and so on).. The purpose of |
| the XYZ process are noncombustible, odorless, | | | | pre-scripting of grammar is to define the norms, |
| safe for children and pets, and free from splinters. | | | | or rules, a correct usage. This kind of grammar |
| Any wooden surface can be treated with the | | | | states how words and sentences are to be put |
| XYZ process and can be treated by anyone with | | | | together in a language so the speaker will be |
| access to a garden hose, a scrub brush, and a | | | | perceived as having good grammar. When people |
| paint brush. The application process is safe for | | | | are said to have good grammar, the inference is |
| surrounding vegetation, animal life, and anyone | | | | that they overpaid the rules of excepted usage |
| without major respiratory problems." | | | | associated with the language they speak." |
| And here are the questions regarding this | | | | 1. According to the preceding paragraph what is |
| paragraph. | | | | the purpose of grammar?a. It is actually not |
| 1. It is most accurate to state that the author in | | | | important in our languageb. It is the "glue" that |
| a preceding selection presentsa. Facts but reaches | | | | holds sentences togetherc. It indicates how to use |
| no conclusion concerning the value of the | | | | language properlyd. It obeys the rules of proper |
| process.b. A conclusion concerning the value of | | | | language. |
| the process unsupported by facts.c. Neither faxed | | | | 2. In the preceding paragraph, the author is |
| or conclusions but merely describes the processd. | | | | primarily concerned witha. The different parts of |
| A conclusion concerning the value of the process | | | | speechb. The purpose of pre-scripting of |
| and facts to support that conclusion. | | | | grammarc. Who has good grammard. The study |
| 2. If the XYZ process were used for a surface | | | | of grammar in school |
| other than a deck, it would be most useful fora. | | | | 3. According to the preceding paragraph, someone |
| Cement sidewalkb. Plastic mailboxc. Wooden | | | | who is considered to use the rules of pre-scripting |
| doord. Metal handrail | | | | of grammar properlya. Has studied his or her own |
| 3. The aspect of the XYZ process not discussed | | | | language in schoolb. Defines the various parts of |
| in the preceding paragraph isa. Resistance to wear | | | | speechc. Did well in language classd. Obeys the |
| from snow and iceb. Safety concerns for | | | | rules of excepted usage |
| animalsc. Effects on surrounding plantsd. How it | | | | If you can answer all these questions, |
| compares to other methods | | | | congratuations. You are on your way to success |
| 4. The main reason for treating wooden surfaces | | | | in this test. |