Deductive Reasoning (Questions
with answers 1–15)
1. A communications procedure states: "If a caller reports an emergency occurring at the
location where the caller is currently present, the caller's location must be confirmed
before the call is processed." A caller says, "Someone is breaking into my apartment right
now." What should logically occur first?
A. Confirm the caller's location
B. Ask the caller to describe the suspect's clothing
C. Determine whether the caller has previously reported the suspect
D. Ask the caller to estimate the suspect's age
Answer: A
Rationale: The stated rule requires confirmation of location when the caller is reporting an
emergency occurring where the caller is present. The caller's statement establishes that
condition. Therefore, location confirmation logically comes before the additional descriptive
questions.
2. A dispatch rule states that when an incident involves two distinct locations, the
dispatcher must identify both locations before selecting the appropriate response. A caller
reports that a vehicle was stolen from one location and is now being seen at another.
What follows from the rule?
A. Select the response based only on the current vehicle location
B. Identify both locations
C. Ask the caller to follow the vehicle
D. Ignore the original location
Answer: B
Rationale: The rule specifically requires both locations to be identified when an incident
involves two distinct locations. The scenario establishes exactly that situation. Choosing only
one location would disregard the stated requirement.
3. A written procedure says: "When information is incomplete, obtain the missing
information before finalizing the record." A caller provides an address but omits the
apartment number needed by the procedure. What is the appropriate conclusion?
A. Finalize the record with the incomplete address
B. Delete the address
C. Obtain the missing apartment number
D. Substitute the caller's telephone number
,Answer: C
Rationale: The procedure directly states that missing information must be obtained before
the record is finalized. Because the apartment number is identified as necessary and is
absent, it must be obtained.
4. Suppose a procedure requires that an incident be classified as "Priority 1" whenever all
three conditions are present: an immediate threat, a known location, and a person
currently at risk. A caller reports all three conditions. What classification follows?
A. Priority 3
B. Priority 2
C. Unclassified
D. Priority 1
Answer: D
Rationale: The rule establishes three required conditions for Priority 1 classification. The
scenario explicitly states that all three are present. Therefore, applying the general rule to
this particular situation produces Priority 1.
5. A procedure says that when a caller reports an incident involving a dangerous object,
the communications technician must first establish the object's location and whether it is
currently accessible. Which action follows the rule?
A. Establish the object's location and accessibility
B. Ask about the caller's employment
C. Determine the caller's previous emergency history
D. Ask whether the caller has contacted the media
Answer: A
Rationale: Both elements identified in the procedure—location and accessibility—must be
established. The other questions are not part of the stated rule and therefore cannot
logically replace the required information.
6. A guideline states that an incident should be routed to the specialized unit whenever
the reported circumstances meet that unit's stated criteria. A caller describes
circumstances that clearly satisfy every listed criterion. What is the logical response?
A. Route the incident to a general unit automatically
B. Route the incident according to the specialized-unit criteria
C. Wait until the caller identifies the responding officer
D. Close the incident without routing it
Answer: B
Rationale: The guideline directs routing to the specialized unit whenever its criteria are met.
The scenario states that all criteria are satisfied, so routing according to those criteria is the
logical response.
, 7. A technician receives the following information: "The incident occurred at 125 Main
Street, near the intersection with Oak Avenue, and the suspect fled east." Which
information is most important to record accurately for locating the incident?
A. The suspect's direction only
B. The nearby intersection only
C. The complete street address
D. The caller's opinion of the suspect
Answer: C
Rationale: Accurate location information is fundamental to dispatching emergency
resources. The complete street address is the primary location identifier.
8. A caller says, "Someone broke into my apartment, but I am outside now." Which
question should be prioritized?
A. "How long have you lived there?"
B. "What color are your curtains?"
C. "Are you currently in a safe location?"
D. "What is your landlord's name?"
Answer: C
Rationale: Problem sensitivity requires recognizing immediate risks. Establishing whether
the caller is safe helps determine the urgency and appropriate response.
9. A written procedure states: "First verify the location. Second obtain the nature of the
emergency. Third obtain information about persons involved. Fourth transmit the
information." Which action should occur immediately after verifying the location?
A. Transmit the information
B. Obtain the nature of the emergency
C. End the call
D. Obtain unrelated background information
Answer: B
Rationale: The procedure explicitly requires the nature of the emergency to be obtained
second.
10. A caller gives an address as "18 West 42nd Street," then later says "I mean 18 East
42nd Street." What should the technician recognize?
A. The discrepancy may materially affect the response
B. The second statement should automatically be ignored
C. Both addresses should be treated as identical
D. The caller should be disconnected
with answers 1–15)
1. A communications procedure states: "If a caller reports an emergency occurring at the
location where the caller is currently present, the caller's location must be confirmed
before the call is processed." A caller says, "Someone is breaking into my apartment right
now." What should logically occur first?
A. Confirm the caller's location
B. Ask the caller to describe the suspect's clothing
C. Determine whether the caller has previously reported the suspect
D. Ask the caller to estimate the suspect's age
Answer: A
Rationale: The stated rule requires confirmation of location when the caller is reporting an
emergency occurring where the caller is present. The caller's statement establishes that
condition. Therefore, location confirmation logically comes before the additional descriptive
questions.
2. A dispatch rule states that when an incident involves two distinct locations, the
dispatcher must identify both locations before selecting the appropriate response. A caller
reports that a vehicle was stolen from one location and is now being seen at another.
What follows from the rule?
A. Select the response based only on the current vehicle location
B. Identify both locations
C. Ask the caller to follow the vehicle
D. Ignore the original location
Answer: B
Rationale: The rule specifically requires both locations to be identified when an incident
involves two distinct locations. The scenario establishes exactly that situation. Choosing only
one location would disregard the stated requirement.
3. A written procedure says: "When information is incomplete, obtain the missing
information before finalizing the record." A caller provides an address but omits the
apartment number needed by the procedure. What is the appropriate conclusion?
A. Finalize the record with the incomplete address
B. Delete the address
C. Obtain the missing apartment number
D. Substitute the caller's telephone number
,Answer: C
Rationale: The procedure directly states that missing information must be obtained before
the record is finalized. Because the apartment number is identified as necessary and is
absent, it must be obtained.
4. Suppose a procedure requires that an incident be classified as "Priority 1" whenever all
three conditions are present: an immediate threat, a known location, and a person
currently at risk. A caller reports all three conditions. What classification follows?
A. Priority 3
B. Priority 2
C. Unclassified
D. Priority 1
Answer: D
Rationale: The rule establishes three required conditions for Priority 1 classification. The
scenario explicitly states that all three are present. Therefore, applying the general rule to
this particular situation produces Priority 1.
5. A procedure says that when a caller reports an incident involving a dangerous object,
the communications technician must first establish the object's location and whether it is
currently accessible. Which action follows the rule?
A. Establish the object's location and accessibility
B. Ask about the caller's employment
C. Determine the caller's previous emergency history
D. Ask whether the caller has contacted the media
Answer: A
Rationale: Both elements identified in the procedure—location and accessibility—must be
established. The other questions are not part of the stated rule and therefore cannot
logically replace the required information.
6. A guideline states that an incident should be routed to the specialized unit whenever
the reported circumstances meet that unit's stated criteria. A caller describes
circumstances that clearly satisfy every listed criterion. What is the logical response?
A. Route the incident to a general unit automatically
B. Route the incident according to the specialized-unit criteria
C. Wait until the caller identifies the responding officer
D. Close the incident without routing it
Answer: B
Rationale: The guideline directs routing to the specialized unit whenever its criteria are met.
The scenario states that all criteria are satisfied, so routing according to those criteria is the
logical response.
, 7. A technician receives the following information: "The incident occurred at 125 Main
Street, near the intersection with Oak Avenue, and the suspect fled east." Which
information is most important to record accurately for locating the incident?
A. The suspect's direction only
B. The nearby intersection only
C. The complete street address
D. The caller's opinion of the suspect
Answer: C
Rationale: Accurate location information is fundamental to dispatching emergency
resources. The complete street address is the primary location identifier.
8. A caller says, "Someone broke into my apartment, but I am outside now." Which
question should be prioritized?
A. "How long have you lived there?"
B. "What color are your curtains?"
C. "Are you currently in a safe location?"
D. "What is your landlord's name?"
Answer: C
Rationale: Problem sensitivity requires recognizing immediate risks. Establishing whether
the caller is safe helps determine the urgency and appropriate response.
9. A written procedure states: "First verify the location. Second obtain the nature of the
emergency. Third obtain information about persons involved. Fourth transmit the
information." Which action should occur immediately after verifying the location?
A. Transmit the information
B. Obtain the nature of the emergency
C. End the call
D. Obtain unrelated background information
Answer: B
Rationale: The procedure explicitly requires the nature of the emergency to be obtained
second.
10. A caller gives an address as "18 West 42nd Street," then later says "I mean 18 East
42nd Street." What should the technician recognize?
A. The discrepancy may materially affect the response
B. The second statement should automatically be ignored
C. Both addresses should be treated as identical
D. The caller should be disconnected
