SAMERIT SYSTEM SERVICES - SAMPLE ELIGIBILITY WORKER I - ITEMS
READING AND UNDERSTANDING WRITTEN MATERIALS
DIRECTIONS:Read each question carefully. Select the best answer and darken the proper space on the answer sheet.
1. Through advertising, manufacturers exercise a high degree of control over consumers’desires.
However, the manufacturer assumes enormous risks in attempting to predict what consumers will want and in producing goods in quantity and distributing them in advance of final selection by the consumers. The paragraph best supports the statement that manufacturers
1. distribute goods directly to the consumers
2. can eliminate the riskof overproduction by advertising
3. can predict with great accuracy the success of any product they put on the market
4. must depend upon the final consumers for the success of their undertakings
2. In the relations of humans to nature, the procuring of food and shelter is fundamental. W ith the migration of humans to various climates, ever new adjustments to the food supply and to the climate became necessary.
The paragraph best supports the statement that the means by which humans supply their material needs are
1. varied
2. limited
3. accidental
4. inadequate
3. “Some fire-resistant buildings, although wholly constructed of materials that will not burn, may be completely gutted by the spread of fire through their contents by way of hallways and other openings. They may even suffer serious structural damage by the collapse of metal beams and columns.” The quotation best supports the statement that some fire-resistant buildings
1. will burn readily
2. can be damaged seriously by fire
3. have specially constructed halls and doors
4. afford less protection to their contents than would ordinary buildings

ANSWERS
SAMPLE ELIGIBILITY WORKER I – ITEMS
ANSWER KEY
READING AND UNDERSTANDING WRITTEN MATERIALS
1. (4) Since manufacturers are assuming risks in attempting to predict what consumers will want, their success depends on the ultimate purchases made by the consumers.
2. (1) Humans migrate to various climates and make adjustments to the food supply in each climate; obviously the means by which they supply their needs are varied. 3. (2) The paragraph presents the problems of fire in fire-resistant buildings. It suggests that the contents of the buildings may burn even though the structural materials themselves do not, and the ensuing fire may even cause the collapse of the buildings. The paragraph does not compare the problem of fire in fire- resistant buildings with that of fire in ordinary buildings.
4. (3) The search for truth has speeded the progress of civilization. Choice B is incorrect in its statement that “civilization did not begin until . . . .”
Civilization moved ahead slowly even before restrictions on learning were removed. 5. (2) Stridentmeans grating or harsh-sounding.
The sergeant barked out the orders in strident tones.
6. (3) To confineis to limit or to restrict.
If the child’s illness is contagious, we must confine him to his home.
7. (4) To accentuateis to stress, emphasize, or intensify.
Life is more pleasant when those we deal with accentuate the positive.
8. (4) Banalmeans insipid or commonplace.
His commentary was so banal that I had to stifle many yawns.9. (1) Vigilantmeans alert or watchful.
A worker must remain vigilant to avoid accidents on the job.
10. (1) Incidentalmeans happening in connection with something else or casual.
Having the windshield washed is incidental to filling the gas tank and checking the oil.SAMPLE ELIGIBILITY WORKER I – ITEMS ANSWER KEY
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION
Grammar
11. (1) “More preferable” is a redundancy. “Preferable” alone is quite adequate.
12. (3) The compound subject requires the plural form of the verb— constitute.
13. (2) This is an ambiguous statement. W as the judge praised for the fire?W as the clerk praised for the fire? It would be better to say, “The clerk