TEST PREPARATION GUIDE

Placement Exercise
Section 5: Written Expression
Test Preparation Guide 1
Section 5: Written Expression

CON EDISON
TEST PREPARATION GUIDE
INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Con Edison Test Preparation Guide. The purpose of this Guide is to help you
prepare for Con Edison aptitude placement exercises.

The aptitude placement exercises in Con Edison generally consist of four to six sections, each of
which measures important underlying abilities necessary to complete Con Edison training
programs and to perform the work we do. Section 5 focuses on the ability of written
expression.

Questions included in this Guide are not the actual questions contained in the Con Edison
aptitude placement exercises. However these questions will enable you to apply and practice
questions similar in format, content, and ability to those that do appear in the aptitude
placement exercises. Your performance on the questions in this guide will provide you with
information about your strengths as well as those abilities that you wish to practice further.

Please view the questions in this guide as one source of practice and further study. Your local
library or bookstore is likely to contain other aptitude test practice resources. We encourage
you to take advantage of these other test preparation resources as well.

Section 5: Written Expression

The questions in Section 5 of the Test Preparation Guide are designed to measure the ability of
written expression. This ability is defined1 as follows:

Written Expression: Write clear, accurate, factually correct messages, emails,

standard forms, and basic reports of work performed.

This ability is essential to perform the position you have applied for. Section 5 questions are
designed to measure your capacity to perform tasks requiring this ability. Some example tasks
that require this ability are:

1
These definitions are based on information appearing in the Threshold Traits Analysis Technical Manual (Revised
in Progress), © Lopez and Associates, Inc. 2016 All Rights Reserved.

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Test Preparation Guide 2
Section 5: Written Expression

 Prepare records detailing tests, repairs, and maintenance.

 Fill in information on standard Company paper or electronic forms (e.g., service
tickets, work orders, requisition forms, maintenance records, etc.).
 Prepare written reports or records that may be required for later reasons.
 Maintain a written log of values obtained for monitors, gauges or instrumentation.
 Write down and read back switching orders to operating authorities.
 Write appropriate emails to communicate with supervisors, technical personnel, and
others to assist in performing required work.

The ability of written expression is first necessary for all new employees to learn how to
perform these tasks on the job.

IMPORTANT
The information in this Test Preparation Guide is for
exercise purposes only and is not intended to replicate
exact Con Edison work practices, diagrams, or
procedures.

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Test Preparation Guide 3
Section 5: Written Expression

SENTENCE COMPLETION

Items 1 – 2 require you to determine the word that best completes the sentence. The example
shows you how to complete the items in this section.

Example:

The word that best completes the sentence below is:

“When operating equipment, computer display screens must be ________

constantly.”

A. monitored
B. changed
C. ignored
D. overlooked

To answer the Example, you must read the sentence and input the word that best completes
the sentence. In this case, it is most likely that a computer display screen would be watched or
monitored in some way. Since “monitored” is presented as choice A, you would select choice A
as your answer.

Now complete items 1 – 2 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 4
Section 5: Written Expression

1. The word that best completes the sentence below is:

The system was tested and checked for ________ operation.

A. extensive
B. difficult
C. widespread
D. proper

2. The word that best completes the sentence below is:

The material should be ________ in the storage container until it can be properly disposed of.

A. circulated
B. salvaged
C. deposited
D. oriented

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Test Preparation Guide 5
Section 5: Written Expression

SPELLING

Items 3 – 4 require you to determine the correct spelling of a word. The examples show you
how to complete the items in this section.

Example 1:

From the options in the table below, the word spelled incorrectly is:

A B C D
Dangerus Caution Protection Safety

A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D

To answer the Example item, you must examine the words listed above and determine which
word is spelled incorrectly. The only word that is spelled incorrectly is choice A “Dangerus.”
The correct spelling of the word is “Dangerous.” Therefore, you would select choice A as your
answer.

Example 2:

From the options in the table below, the word spelled correctly is:

A B C D
Eratic Ajust Controll Corrosion

A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D

To answer the Example item, you must examine the words listed above and determine which
word is spelled correctly. The only word that is spelled correctly is choice D “Corrosion.” The
correct spellings of the remaining words are “Erratic,” “Adjust” and “Control.” Therefore, you
would select choice D as your answer.

Now complete items 3 – 4 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 6
Section 5: Written Expression

3. From the options in the table below, the word spelled incorrectly is:

A B C D
Purify Analisis Compressor Vacuum

A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D

4. From the options in the table below, the word spelled correctly is:

A B C D
Pneumatic Paralel Phaze Pressurrize

A. A
B. B
C. C
D. D

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Test Preparation Guide 7
Section 5: Written Expression

VOCABULARY

Items 5 – 6 require you to determine words that have the same meaning. The example shows
you how to complete the items in this section.

Example:

The circuit breaker opens when the current exceeds a predetermined value.

A. surpasses
B. diminishes
C. meets
D. achieves

To answer the Example, you must determine which word means the same as the bolded,
underlined word in the sentence. The word “exceeds” means the same as the word
“surpasses” which is choice A. Therefore, you would select choice A as your answer.

Now complete items 5 – 6 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 8
Section 5: Written Expression

5. The status of all equipment must be noted in the log.

A. condition
B. type
C. location
D. pressure

6. Machine A is more efficient when Variable X is increased.

A. expensive
B. constant
C. ingenious
D. productive

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Test Preparation Guide 9
Section 5: Written Expression

PARAGRAPH WRITING

Items 7 – 8 require you to write paragraphs. The example shows you how to complete the
items in this section.

Example:

The paragraph containing a logical and ordered sequence of events is:

A. At 8:00 PM there was a small fire in the yard. This fire was put out by the operator.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

B. This fire was put out by the operator. At 8:00 PM there was a small fire in the yard.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

C. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. At 8:00 PM there was a small
fire in the yard. This fire was put out by the operator.

D. This fire was put out by the operator. The cause of the fire has not yet been
determined. At 8:00 PM there was a small fire in the yard.

To answer the Example, you must determine which paragraph contains the most logically
ordered information. The most logical sequence of events appears in choice A. Therefore, you
would select choice A as your answer.

Now complete items 7 – 8 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 10
Section 5: Written Expression

7. The paragraph containing a logical and ordered sequence of events is:

A. Repair work was completed and the power was restored after two hours. The
emergency generator was started 15 minutes later. Power was lost at 4:35
AM.

B. The emergency generator was started 15 minutes later. Power was lost at 4:35
AM. Repair work was completed and the power was restored after two hours.

C. Power was lost at 4:35 AM. Repair work was completed and the power was
restored after two hours. The emergency generator was started 15 minutes
later.

D. Power was lost at 4:35 AM. The emergency generator was started 15 minutes
later. Repair work was completed and the power was restored after two hours.

8. The paragraph containing a logical and ordered sequence of events is:

A. Flooding on major roadways delayed the technician from reaching the work
site. A thunderstorm warning was placed in effect at 10:00 AM. Upon arrival,
the technician repaired the equipment. Heavy rain began soon thereafter.

B. A thunderstorm warning was placed in effect at 10:00 AM. Flooding on major

roadways delayed the technician from reaching the work site. Heavy rain
began soon thereafter. Upon arrival, the technician repaired the equipment.

C. A thunderstorm warning was placed in effect at 10:00 AM. Heavy rain began
soon thereafter. Flooding on major roadways delayed the technician from
reaching the work site. Upon arrival, the technician repaired the equipment.

D. Heavy rain began soon thereafter. A thunderstorm warning was placed in

effect at 10:00 AM. Flooding on major roadways delayed the technician from
reaching the work site. Upon arrival, the technician repaired the equipment.

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Test Preparation Guide 11
Section 5: Written Expression

REPORT WRITING

Items 9 – 10 require you to write reports that accurately state all of the facts of the situation.
You must determine which report contains the most accurate and complete set of facts
regarding the situation described. The example shows you how to complete the items in this
section.

Example:

Facts of the Situation

 Work Site: 708 Southern Avenue
 Work Performed: Technician reported to work site at 7:30 AM. Protective
equipment was not available. Repair work postponed until tomorrow.

The most accurate and complete report of the situation is:

A. Upon reporting to the work site at 708 Southern Avenue at 7:30 AM, the technician
discovered that the protective equipment was not available. The repair work was
postponed until tomorrow.

B. When the technician arrived at the work site at 7:30 AM, he learned that the
protective equipment was not available. He should have checked before leaving
the yard. The repair work has been postponed until tomorrow.

C. The technician reported to 708 Southern Avenue, the work site, at 7 AM. The
protective equipment was not available at this time and the repair work was
postponed until tomorrow.

D. The work site at 708 Southern Avenue did not have all necessary protective
equipment. The repair work has been postponed until tomorrow.

The most accurate and complete report is choice A because it is the only report to accurately
state all of the facts and do so without making additional assumptions about the situation.
Therefore, you would select choice A as your answer.

Now complete items 9 – 10 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 12
Section 5: Written Expression

9. Facts of the Situation

 Work Site: 65-85 Water Street
 Work Performed: Digging at location exposed Material A. Material A
removed and placed in a protective container.

The most accurate and complete report of the situation is:

A. When digging at 65-85 Water Street, the incompetent technician exposed

Material A. Material A was removed and placed in a protective container.

B. Digging work performed at 65-85 Water Street resulted in exposed Material A.

The technician removed Material A and then placed it in a protective container.

C. Material A exposed during digging at 65-85 Water Street. The technician then
placed Material A in a protective container.

D. Exposed Material A discovered at 65-85 Water Street. The technician removed

Material A and placed it in a protective container.

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Test Preparation Guide 13
Section 5: Written Expression

10. Facts of the Situation

 Work Site: 123 Green Street Substation
 Work Performed: Technician observed broken Part Z. Replacement Part Z’s
were not available. Installed Part T. Recorded work in log book.

The most accurate and complete report of the situation is:

A. The technician reported to the 123 Green Street Substation and discovered a
broken Part Z. Due to the unavailability of replacement Part Z’s, the technician
installed Part T. All work was recorded in the log book.

B. The technician reported to the 123 Green Street Substation and discovered that
the customer purposely broke the irreplaceable Part Z. The technician installed
Part T and recorded the work in the log book.

C. Upon arrival at the 123 Green Street Substation, the technician could not find a
Part T available to replace the broken one. So the technician installed Part Z
and recorded the work in the log book.

D. Part Z was broken at the 123 Green Street Substation. The technician called his
supervisor for a replacement part, but the supervisor did not have any
replacements on hand. So the technician installed a Part T and recorded the
work in the log book.

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Test Preparation Guide 14
Section 5: Written Expression

WRITING COMMENTS

Items 11 – 12 require you to write brief comments about situations. You must determine which
comment contains the shortest and most accurate description of the situation. The example
shows you how to complete the items in this section.

Example:

Facts of the Situation

 9 of the 10 tools in the package were delivered damaged.

An accurate and brief comment about this situation is:

A. Damaged tools were delivered.

B. The tools delivered were damaged. Please do not use these tools. We should
exchange them.
C. Manufacturer should replace these tools.
D. 9 tools damaged during use.

The shortest and most accurate comment is choice A. The remaining comments make
inferences about the situation, incorrectly state the facts, or are unnecessarily long. Therefore,
you would select choice A as your answer.

Now complete items 11 – 12 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 15
Section 5: Written Expression

11. Facts of the Situation

 Technician took readings on Main Unit at 11 AM and then again at 3 PM.
The readings were normal on both occasions.

An accurate and brief comment about this situation is:

A. Readings taken.
B. Main Unit readings tend to be normal.
C. 11 AM and 3 PM Main Unit readings taken and found normal.
D. Main Unit readings were normal in the morning and normal in the afternoon.
The technician will take the readings again tomorrow.

12. Facts of the Situation

 A contractor mistakenly cut through a cable at 9:30 AM. This mistake
resulted in a loss of power.

An accurate and brief comment about this situation is:

A. Contractor cut cable and power lost at 9:30 AM.

B. Useless contractor at work.
C. Power lost due to contractor error at 9 AM.
D. Retrain the contractor.

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Test Preparation Guide 16
Section 5: Written Expression

PUNCTUATION AND CAPITALIZATION

Items 13 – 14 require you to determine correct punctuation and capitalization for sentences.
The example shows you how to complete the items in this section.

Example:

The following sentence contains incorrect punctuation or capitalization:

Two Employees arrived at the work site on time.

The punctuation and/or capitalization error is:

A. “Employees” should not be capitalized.

B. a comma is required following “work site.”
C. “work site” should be capitalized.
D. a comma is required following “Employees.”

In the Example, the word “Employees” should not be capitalized. This error is described in
choice A. Therefore, you would select choice A as your answer.

Now complete items 13 – 14 as shown in the example.

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Test Preparation Guide 17
Section 5: Written Expression

13. The following sentence contains incorrect punctuation or capitalization:

Boxes of materials arrived June 29 and were checked unloaded and stored.

The punctuation and/or capitalization error is:

A. a comma is required following “June 29”.

B. a comma is required following “checked”.
C. “materials” should be capitalized.
D. a colon is required following “were”.

14. The following sentence contains incorrect punctuation or capitalization:

After noticing the fire, he screamed for “help.”

The punctuation and/or capitalization error is:

A. quotation marks are not required around “help”.

B. “help” should be completely written in capital letters.
C. an exclamation point is required at the end of the sentence.
D. the comma is not required after “fire”.

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Test Preparation Guide 18
Section 5: Written Expression

Test Preparation Guide

Section 5: Written Expression
Answer Key
1 D
2 C
3 B
4 A
5 A
6 D
7 D
8 C
9 B
10 A
11 C
12 A
13 B
14 A

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