LADWP METER READER EXAM CLASS 1611 NEWEST EVALUATED EXAM
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALE
Question 1: A meter reader arrives at a property where the meter display is partially obscured
by glare. The reading appears to be 018742, but the last digit cannot be confirmed. What is the
best action?
A. Estimate the final digit based on the previous reading
B. Enter the reading that appears most likely
C. Reposition yourself or use an appropriate viewing aid to obtain a definite reading
D. Skip the meter permanently and report it unreadable
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Reposition yourself or use an appropriate viewing aid to obtain a
definite reading
Rationale: The priority is accurate recording. A meter reader should use available viewing
techniques, angles, or equipment rather than guessing or permanently skipping the
location.
Question 2: A water meter shows a current reading of 48,620 units. The previous reading was
47,985 units. What is the consumption?
A. 535 units
B. 625 units
C. 635 units
D. 1,605 units
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 635 units
Rationale: Utility consumption is calculated by subtracting the previous reading from the
current reading ($48,620 - 47,985 = 635$).
Question 3: While reading a meter, you notice that the current consumption is dramatically
higher than the customer's normal pattern. The meter itself appears intact. What should you do
first?
A. Change the meter reading to match the historical average
B. Tell the customer they definitely have a leak
C. Ignore the difference because the meter is functioning
,D. Accurately record the reading and report the unusual condition according to procedure
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Accurately record the reading and report the unusual condition
according to procedure
Rationale: The reader must never alter a legitimate reading or diagnose a problem without
authorization. Unusual conditions must be accurately documented and reported.
Question 4: A meter reader must inspect 42 meters during a 7-hour workday. If 1 hour is
reserved for required non-reading duties, approximately how many meters must be read per
hour during the remaining time?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 7
Rationale: Subtracting 1 non-reading hour leaves 6 hours of work time ($42 \div 6 = 7$
meters per hour).
Question 5: A meter is located behind a locked gate. No authorized person is available, and
entering the property would require bypassing the lock. What is the proper response?
A. Climb over the gate
B. Force the gate open
C. Report the access problem according to procedure and do not bypass the lock
D. Ask a nearby resident to unlock it without verification
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Report the access problem according to procedure and do not bypass
the lock
Rationale: Meter readers must not defeat security measures, climb fences, or enter
restricted property without proper authorization.
Question 6: A meter reading was entered as 72,915 instead of 72,195. What is the numerical
magnitude of this entry error?
A. 700
B. 720
C. 750
,D. 800
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 720
Rationale: Subtracting the correct value from the erroneous entry yields the difference
($72,915 - 72,195 = 720$).
Question 7: A walking route requires 8 miles of field travel in 6 hours. At a uniform pace, what is
the average speed in miles per hour?
A. 1.2
B. 1.33
C. 1.5
D. 1.8
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 1.33
Rationale: Dividing total distance by total time ($8 \div 6$) results in approximately $1.33$
miles per hour.
Question 8: A reader encounters a meter that cannot be safely accessed because of an
aggressive loose animal near the service point. What is the correct protocol?
A. Attempt to coax the animal away using food
B. Throw items at the animal to clear a path
C. Enter quickly while making loud noises
D. Follow the procedure for inaccessible meters and document the hazard
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Follow the procedure for inaccessible meters and document the hazard
Rationale: Personal safety is paramount. Dangerous obstacles like aggressive animals must
be documented according to utility safety guidelines without risking personal injury.
Question 9: What is the primary core responsibility of a utility Meter Reader?
A. Repairing damaged electrical transformers
B. Installing underground water mains
C. Accurately reading and recording utility meter information
D. Approving customer billing adjustments
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Accurately reading and recording utility meter information
, Rationale: The job description centers on systematic, precise inspection, reading, and data
collection for water and electric service points.
Question 10: Which skill or attribute is most critical when recording field meter values?
A. Accuracy
B. High walking speed at the expense of checking digits
C. Memorizing customer names and phone numbers
D. Estimating values when numbers are difficult to see
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Accuracy
Rationale: Precision and accuracy directly impact customer billing integrity and prevent
costly billing disputes.
Question 11: A previous meter reading was 24,680 and the current reading is 25,125. What is
the consumption difference?
A. 345 units
B. 445 units
C. 455 units
D. 545 units
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 445 units
Rationale: Simple subtraction yields the difference: $25,125 - 24,680 = 445$ units.
Question 12: Which electronic device is typically utilized by field personnel for data entry and
routing tasks?
A. Hand-held computer
B. Electric welding machine
C. Hydraulic pipe jack
D. High-pressure cleaning washer
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Hand-held computer
Rationale: Modern meter readers utilize handheld data collection terminals or mobile
devices to log readings and cross-reference account details.
Question 13: A meter display shows 18,742. Which format represents the standard whole-unit
reading recorded for billing when fractional dials are excluded?
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALE
Question 1: A meter reader arrives at a property where the meter display is partially obscured
by glare. The reading appears to be 018742, but the last digit cannot be confirmed. What is the
best action?
A. Estimate the final digit based on the previous reading
B. Enter the reading that appears most likely
C. Reposition yourself or use an appropriate viewing aid to obtain a definite reading
D. Skip the meter permanently and report it unreadable
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Reposition yourself or use an appropriate viewing aid to obtain a
definite reading
Rationale: The priority is accurate recording. A meter reader should use available viewing
techniques, angles, or equipment rather than guessing or permanently skipping the
location.
Question 2: A water meter shows a current reading of 48,620 units. The previous reading was
47,985 units. What is the consumption?
A. 535 units
B. 625 units
C. 635 units
D. 1,605 units
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 635 units
Rationale: Utility consumption is calculated by subtracting the previous reading from the
current reading ($48,620 - 47,985 = 635$).
Question 3: While reading a meter, you notice that the current consumption is dramatically
higher than the customer's normal pattern. The meter itself appears intact. What should you do
first?
A. Change the meter reading to match the historical average
B. Tell the customer they definitely have a leak
C. Ignore the difference because the meter is functioning
,D. Accurately record the reading and report the unusual condition according to procedure
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Accurately record the reading and report the unusual condition
according to procedure
Rationale: The reader must never alter a legitimate reading or diagnose a problem without
authorization. Unusual conditions must be accurately documented and reported.
Question 4: A meter reader must inspect 42 meters during a 7-hour workday. If 1 hour is
reserved for required non-reading duties, approximately how many meters must be read per
hour during the remaining time?
A. 5
B. 6
C. 7
D. 8
CORRECT ANSWER: C. 7
Rationale: Subtracting 1 non-reading hour leaves 6 hours of work time ($42 \div 6 = 7$
meters per hour).
Question 5: A meter is located behind a locked gate. No authorized person is available, and
entering the property would require bypassing the lock. What is the proper response?
A. Climb over the gate
B. Force the gate open
C. Report the access problem according to procedure and do not bypass the lock
D. Ask a nearby resident to unlock it without verification
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Report the access problem according to procedure and do not bypass
the lock
Rationale: Meter readers must not defeat security measures, climb fences, or enter
restricted property without proper authorization.
Question 6: A meter reading was entered as 72,915 instead of 72,195. What is the numerical
magnitude of this entry error?
A. 700
B. 720
C. 750
,D. 800
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 720
Rationale: Subtracting the correct value from the erroneous entry yields the difference
($72,915 - 72,195 = 720$).
Question 7: A walking route requires 8 miles of field travel in 6 hours. At a uniform pace, what is
the average speed in miles per hour?
A. 1.2
B. 1.33
C. 1.5
D. 1.8
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 1.33
Rationale: Dividing total distance by total time ($8 \div 6$) results in approximately $1.33$
miles per hour.
Question 8: A reader encounters a meter that cannot be safely accessed because of an
aggressive loose animal near the service point. What is the correct protocol?
A. Attempt to coax the animal away using food
B. Throw items at the animal to clear a path
C. Enter quickly while making loud noises
D. Follow the procedure for inaccessible meters and document the hazard
CORRECT ANSWER: D. Follow the procedure for inaccessible meters and document the hazard
Rationale: Personal safety is paramount. Dangerous obstacles like aggressive animals must
be documented according to utility safety guidelines without risking personal injury.
Question 9: What is the primary core responsibility of a utility Meter Reader?
A. Repairing damaged electrical transformers
B. Installing underground water mains
C. Accurately reading and recording utility meter information
D. Approving customer billing adjustments
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Accurately reading and recording utility meter information
, Rationale: The job description centers on systematic, precise inspection, reading, and data
collection for water and electric service points.
Question 10: Which skill or attribute is most critical when recording field meter values?
A. Accuracy
B. High walking speed at the expense of checking digits
C. Memorizing customer names and phone numbers
D. Estimating values when numbers are difficult to see
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Accuracy
Rationale: Precision and accuracy directly impact customer billing integrity and prevent
costly billing disputes.
Question 11: A previous meter reading was 24,680 and the current reading is 25,125. What is
the consumption difference?
A. 345 units
B. 445 units
C. 455 units
D. 545 units
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 445 units
Rationale: Simple subtraction yields the difference: $25,125 - 24,680 = 445$ units.
Question 12: Which electronic device is typically utilized by field personnel for data entry and
routing tasks?
A. Hand-held computer
B. Electric welding machine
C. Hydraulic pipe jack
D. High-pressure cleaning washer
CORRECT ANSWER: A. Hand-held computer
Rationale: Modern meter readers utilize handheld data collection terminals or mobile
devices to log readings and cross-reference account details.
Question 13: A meter display shows 18,742. Which format represents the standard whole-unit
reading recorded for billing when fractional dials are excluded?
