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ORIGINAL BRIEF — NOISE MEASUREMENT Measurements were taken on a day when the neighbouring room was empty. They show that the equipment is quiet under those conditions, but not what users would hear during a simultaneous activity. A second measurement on an ordinary day would help interpret the first result.
Why take a measurement on an ordinary day?
Every original question, with optional answers, explanations and official references. Open an answer to study, or take the test above for instant feedback.
ORIGINAL BRIEF — NOISE MEASUREMENT Measurements were taken on a day when the neighbouring room was empty. They show that the equipment is quiet under those conditions, but not what users would hear during a simultaneous activity. A second measurement on an ordinary day would help interpret the first result.
Why take a measurement on an ordinary day?
Correct answer: To examine conditions missing from the first measurement
The first reading lacks simultaneous activity next door. Another day can add that condition; the brief does not allege a defective instrument.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL TEXT — PAINT CONTAINERS The containers are closed, (A) ____ their labels are still unreadable. We need to (B) ____ the colours before storing them.
Which word marks the contrast in blank A about the containers?
Correct answer: but
The sentence contrasts a completed action with an unresolved label problem. A contrast connector fits, whereas the other choices present a cause or result.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL NOTICE — COMMUNITY DISPLAY The display cases in the north corridor will be cleaned on Tuesday between 8 and 11 a.m. Please remove loose objects from the cases by Monday afternoon. Wall-mounted posters can remain in place. Items left in the cases will be placed in labelled trays at reception, not discarded.
What should exhibitors remove before the display cases are cleaned?
Correct answer: Loose objects inside the display cases
The request concerns loose objects in the cases. Wall-mounted posters are expressly allowed to remain; the notice does not request furniture removal.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL TEXT — REUSABLE CUPS The reusable cups have arrived. (A) ____, the washing station is not ready, so please keep the cups in storage for now. We will (B) ____ everyone when the station can be used.
Which word best completes blank B about the washing station?
Correct answer: notify
Notify means inform someone, which fits telling everyone when the station is usable. The other verbs do not express that communication.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL BRIEF — VISIT LENGTH Shorter visits allowed more groups to attend, but several guides report too little time for questions. We could retain this format for introductory visits and offer a longer session to groups seeking more depth. One format may not meet both needs.
How is the recommendation about visit lengths best described?
Correct answer: Exploratory and attentive to a trade-off
Could and may present a possible compromise between capacity and depth. The text recognizes both benefits and limits rather than condemning one format.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL NOTICE — DEMONSTRATION TOOLS Demonstration tools may be borrowed for Saturday’s session. Write down your name and the tool number before taking one. Models marked with a red dot must stay on site. All other tools must be returned to the counter before 5 p.m.
Which tool cannot be taken away for the session?
Correct answer: A model marked with a red dot
The red dot identifies the models that must remain on site. Recording a tool number does not remove that restriction.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL EMAIL — SESSION LIST Hi Zoé, The attached table lists confirmed sessions. Grey rows are still under discussion and must not appear in the public announcement. For today, check only that each confirmed session has a location. If one is missing, flag the row without choosing a location yourself. Hugo
Which rows must be excluded from the public announcement?
Correct answer: Grey rows still under discussion
Grey rows are provisional and explicitly excluded from publication. The restriction does not apply to all confirmed sessions.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL EMAIL — WORKSHOP CAPTIONS Dear June, Thank you for sending the workshop captions. Before uploading them, please correct the spelling of the two speakers’ names using the attached list. Keep the time codes unchanged; they were checked yesterday. Once the names are corrected, send the file to Ben for approval. Upload it only after he has approved it. Tessa
Which part of the caption file must June leave unchanged?
Correct answer: The time codes
The message explicitly says to keep the time codes unchanged because they were checked. The speakers’ names, in contrast, need correction.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL NOTICE — TEMPORARY LOCKERS Temporary lockers are for workshop visitors. Staff should use their usual storage spaces. Keys are available at reception and must be returned there the same day. No belongings may remain in these lockers overnight.
Which use of a temporary locker follows the notice?
Correct answer: A visitor stores belongings and removes them that day
The lockers are for visitors and must be emptied the same day, with the key returned. The other options conflict with eligibility or overnight restrictions.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL EMAIL — AUDIO WALK CHECK Hi Priya, Please test tracks 2 and 5 on the outdoor audio walk before Thursday’s preview. Track 1 has already been checked, and track 4 is being rewritten. Note any place where the recorded direction does not match the path. You do not need to comment on the music. Send your notes to Ellis rather than the whole project list. Rowan
What should Priya report to Ellis?
Correct answer: Directions that do not match the path
The relevant issue is a mismatch between recorded directions and the route. Music comments are explicitly unnecessary; the other tasks are not requested.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL EMAIL — RECIPE FOLDER Hi Émile, Add the plant-based recipes to Saturday’s folder, but keep the ingredient list separate. Léa will check that list to prepare the allergen display. Wait for her confirmation before printing the display. You may still print the recipe sheets that have already been approved. Clara
Which document must wait for Léa’s confirmation before printing?
Correct answer: The allergen display
The instruction to wait concerns the display being prepared from the ingredient list. Approved recipe sheets can already be printed.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL NOTICE — ROUTE REHEARSAL The route rehearsal starts at 9 a.m. in the hall. Only facilitators should arrive at 8:30 to set up markers. Observers are asked to note unclear sections without interrupting the first rehearsal. A discussion will follow at 10 a.m.
Who is asked to arrive at 8:30 for the rehearsal?
Correct answer: Facilitators only
Only facilitators are assigned the earlier arrival for setup. Observers are not included in that instruction.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL TEXT — EXHIBIT LABELS Several exhibit labels use unfamiliar abbreviations. (A) ____, some visitors cannot understand the descriptions without help. Please (B) ____ each abbreviation the first time it appears.
Which expression best links the cause and result in blank A?
Correct answer: As a result
The unfamiliar abbreviations cause the comprehension difficulty, so as a result fits. The sentence does not introduce a contrast, prior event or example.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL BRIEF — FEEDBACK CARD More people returned the new feedback card, although most responses came from visitors who stayed for the full event. People who left early were less likely to receive it. The results therefore tell us more about the views of full-session visitors than about every attendee. At the next event, cards should also be available near the exit throughout the day.
Which limitation does the feedback brief identify?
Correct answer: Early leavers were less likely to receive a card
Distribution favoured those staying to the end, so the responses may underrepresent early leavers. A higher response count does not remove that limitation.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL TEXT — MODEL DROP-OFF The door will remain open (A) ____ teams can drop off their models without waiting. Please (B) ____ fragile models with a small label.
Which expression states the purpose in blank A of the drop-off text?
Correct answer: so that
Keeping the door open serves the purpose of allowing drop-off without waiting. The alternatives indicate concession, later time or an exception.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL EMAIL — RECIPE FOLDER Hi Émile, Add the plant-based recipes to Saturday’s folder, but keep the ingredient list separate. Léa will check that list to prepare the allergen display. Wait for her confirmation before printing the display. You may still print the recipe sheets that have already been approved. Clara
What does “still” mean in the final printing instruction?
Correct answer: Another printing task is permitted despite the wait
The final sentence creates an exception to waiting: approved recipe sheets may be printed now. It does not permit printing the unconfirmed display.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL BRIEF — QUIETER EQUIPMENT A short trial found that the new floor-cleaning machine was quieter, but operators needed more time to prepare it. The trial covered only the small meeting wing. We recommend a longer trial in the large hall before replacing the existing equipment. Lower noise is useful, yet preparation time may offset that benefit on larger jobs.
What is the recommendation in the equipment brief?
Correct answer: Run a broader trial before replacing the equipment
The recommendation is conditional and explicit: test the large hall before replacement. Neither immediate adoption nor complete rejection follows from the short trial.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL NOTICE — SUPPLY DELIVERY For Thursday’s delivery, carts will enter through Door B. Door A will remain open to pedestrians. Between 1 and 2 p.m., keep the striped area in front of Door B clear. Bicycles may remain in the outdoor racks.
What does the delivery notice require between 1 and 2 p.m.?
Correct answer: Keep the striped area by Door B clear
The time restriction applies to keeping the striped zone clear. It does not close the pedestrian door or require moving the bicycles.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL TEXT — REUSABLE CUPS The reusable cups have arrived. (A) ____, the washing station is not ready, so please keep the cups in storage for now. We will (B) ____ everyone when the station can be used.
Which word best completes blank A in the reusable-cup notice?
Correct answer: However
However introduces a contrast: the cups are available but the washing station is not ready. Therefore would signal an unsupported consequence.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗ORIGINAL BRIEF — VISIT LENGTH Shorter visits allowed more groups to attend, but several guides report too little time for questions. We could retain this format for introductory visits and offer a longer session to groups seeking more depth. One format may not meet both needs.
What solution is proposed for the groups’ two needs?
Correct answer: Offer lengths suited to the visit’s purpose
The proposal distinguishes introductory visits from visits seeking depth. It is a flexible option rather than one compulsory length for everyone.
Based on: Original fictional workplace text shown above; the answer follows from that text. PSC resources describe test format, not this practice item.
Official reference ↗20 original multiple-choice practice questions covering inference and tone, words and connectors in context, notices and instructions, emails and precise details. Each answer includes an explanation. This mixed practice set does not reproduce the official exam format or predict an official score.
Yes. Practice test 3 always has the same 20 questions, so you can repeat it until you get them all right. The other 2 sets use different questions.
No. The official question bank is not published. These are original questions written from the official handbook, which is what the real PSC SLE English Reading test is based on.