In the vocabulary sub-test, one word in a sentence is underlined and you choose the synonym or definition that fits it best. The words are common ones you might meet in police reports, not rare dictionary words. POST is frank that vocabulary grows slowly, so this page focuses on what still helps in the short term: context, roots and careful comparison of close options.
15–18items on the test
4options per item
15questions on this page
What the vocabulary items look like
From POST's description and its sample items:
One underlined word in a full sentence. The sentence is there to help: it shows how the word is used.
A synonym or a definition among the options. Either can be the answer.
Everyday report language: words for evidence, statements, behavior and procedure, the kind an officer reads and writes.
Close distractors: options that fit the sentence but don't mean the same as the underlined word, or that mean its opposite.
Trap: an option that fits the sentence but not the word
In The deputy detained the driver at the roadside, “arrested” fits the scene, but detain means to hold or keep back, not to arrest. The question asks what the underlined word means, not what could happen in the story. Swap each option into the sentence and check that the meaning stays the same.
15 vocabulary questions
0 of 15 answered · 0 correct
Question 1 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
The informant refused to DIVULGE the name of his supplier. Choose the word that most nearly means the capitalized word.
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: To conceal is the opposite of to divulge.
B
Incorrect: To confirm a fact is to support something already known; to divulge discloses something hidden.
C
Incorrect: Indulge sounds similar but means to give in to a desire.
D
Correct: To divulge is to reveal information that was kept private.
Question 2 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
Neighbors reported "sporadic" gunfire throughout the night. As used in this sentence, "sporadic" most nearly means:
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: Sporadic describes how often something happens, not whether it is distant.
B
Incorrect: Each burst may be sudden, but sporadic describes an irregular pattern of repeats.
C
Incorrect: Continuous is the opposite of sporadic.
D
Correct: Occasional fits: sporadic gunfire comes now and then, at irregular intervals.
Question 3 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
The trainer "enumerated" the steps for packaging evidence. As used in this sentence, "enumerated" most nearly means:
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: Simplified steps are made easier, not counted out one by one.
B
Correct: To enumerate is to name items one by one, so the steps were listed.
C
Incorrect: Steps can be explained without being counted out; enumerating names them in order.
D
Incorrect: Skipped steps are left out, the reverse of enumerated ones.
Question 4 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
Someone tried to "vandalize" the new bus shelter. As used in this sentence, "vandalize" most nearly means:
Answer explanations
A
Correct: To vandalize is to deliberately damage property.
B
Incorrect: To occupy a place is to stay in it, not to harm it.
C
Incorrect: To repair property is the opposite of vandalizing it.
D
Incorrect: To steal takes property away; vandalism harms it in place.
Question 5 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
The detective weighed the suspect's CULPABILITY in the burglary. Choose the word that most nearly means the capitalized word.
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: Credibility is how believable a person is, not whether they are to blame.
B
Incorrect: Capability looks similar but means the ability to do something.
C
Correct: Culpability is responsibility for wrongdoing, which is guilt.
D
Incorrect: Innocence is the opposite of culpability.
Question 6 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
Despite the shouting, the subject did not POSE a threat to the officers. Choose the word that most nearly means the capitalized word.
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: To remove a threat is to take it away rather than create it.
B
Incorrect: Officers detect threats; the subject is the one who would pose one.
C
Correct: To pose a threat is to present one.
D
Incorrect: To ignore a threat is a reaction to it, not the act of creating it.
Question 7 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
The chief publicly "endorsed" the new youth program. As used in this sentence, "endorsed" most nearly means:
Answer explanations
A
Correct: To endorse a program is to publicly back it, so the chief supported it.
B
Incorrect: Someone else may have designed the program; endorsing means backing it.
C
Incorrect: Opposed is the opposite of endorsed.
D
Incorrect: A program can be announced without being backed; endorsing expresses approval.
Question 8 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
The neighbor remained ALOOF during the canvass, answering questions with one-word replies. Choose the word that most nearly means the capitalized word.
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: Feeling nervous is anxiety; aloofness is reserve, not fear.
B
Incorrect: Friendly is the opposite of aloof.
C
Correct: Distant fits: an aloof person is cool and reserved toward others.
D
Incorrect: Hostile implies open anger, while an aloof person simply keeps others at arm's length.
Question 9 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
Despite the head injury, the driver gave a "coherent" account. As used in this sentence, "coherent" most nearly means:
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: A coherent account need not be truthful; coherence is about clarity, not honesty.
B
Correct: Logical fits: a coherent account holds together and makes sense.
C
Incorrect: Rambling is the opposite of coherent.
D
Incorrect: An account can be detailed and still disorganized; coherent means it hangs together.
Question 10 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
The suspect remained "compliant" throughout the arrest. As used in this sentence, "compliant" most nearly means:
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: Being confused is a mental state; compliance means doing what one is told.
B
Incorrect: Defiant is the opposite of compliant.
C
Incorrect: A suspect can be compliant while talking; silent describes speech, not cooperation.
D
Correct: A compliant suspect follows instructions, so obedient fits.
Question 11 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
By dawn the neighborhood was "tranquil" again. As used in this sentence, "tranquil" most nearly means:
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: A tranquil street can still have people on it; deserted means empty.
B
Incorrect: Chaotic is the opposite of tranquil.
C
Incorrect: A neighborhood can be safe without being tranquil; the word describes peace and quiet.
D
Correct: Calm fits: tranquil means peaceful and quiet.
Question 12 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
The new recruit approached every foot patrol with ZEAL, volunteering for extra shifts each week. Choose the word that most nearly means the capitalized word.
Answer explanations
A
Correct: Enthusiasm fits: zeal is eager energy for a task or cause.
B
Incorrect: Apathy, a lack of interest, is the opposite of zeal.
C
Incorrect: Caution means care to avoid risk, not eager energy.
D
Incorrect: Obedience is following orders, while zeal is eager drive.
Question 13 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
Residents were warned about the "impending" storm. As used in this sentence, "impending" most nearly means:
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: Impending means close at hand, the reverse of distant.
B
Correct: Upcoming fits: an impending storm is about to arrive.
C
Incorrect: Impending gives no sign of whether the storm will be violent.
D
Incorrect: A storm can be predicted weeks ahead; impending means it is near.
Question 14 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
Delays in reporting can be "detrimental" to an investigation. As used in this sentence, "detrimental" most nearly means:
Answer explanations
A
Incorrect: An irrelevant factor has no effect, while a detrimental one does damage.
B
Incorrect: Helpful is the opposite of detrimental.
C
Correct: Something detrimental causes damage, so harmful fits.
D
Incorrect: Common describes how often something happens, not whether it does damage.
Question 15 of 15 · Vocabulary · 15–18 itemsNot answered
The sergeant "procured" extra radios for the parade. As used in this sentence, "procured" most nearly means:
Answer explanations
A
Correct: To procure something is to get hold of it, so the radios were obtained.
B
Incorrect: Repaired radios were fixed; procuring means getting them.
C
Incorrect: Radios can be requested and never arrive; procured means they were actually acquired.
D
Incorrect: Returned radios are given back, the reverse of procured ones.
Answer every question to see your score
POST's two strategies, plus roots
POST's guide gives two strategies for this sub-test:
Put the word in context. If you don't know the word, work out its meaning from the sentence.
Watch for subtle differences. When two options both look right, name what separates them and pick the one that fits this sentence.
For readers who already have a solid vocabulary, POST adds Latin and Greek roots, prefixes and suffixes. A few that come up in report language: pre- (before), inter- (between), trans- (across), in-/im-/ir- (not), -ance/-ence (state of), loc (place), term (end). Knowing that ir- (a form of in-) means “not” turns irrefutable into “can't be refuted” even if you've never seen it.
The long-term fix is reading: POST says memorizing definitions without context won't be enough.
What kind of words are on the Pellet B vocabulary test?
Common words that may come up in law enforcement work, used in a sentence. POST publishes no word list, so you can't memorize the test; you can build vocabulary through reading and roots.
How many vocabulary questions are on the Pellet B?
15–18 items, part of the writing score along with clarity and spelling.
What if I don't know the underlined word?
Use the sentence: POST's first strategy is to work out the meaning from context. Then break the word into parts you do know, such as a prefix or a root, and test each option in the sentence.