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Free CI Written Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Court Interpreter Written Exam (CI Written) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free CI Written practice test to study every exam domain.

These 10 free CI Written questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Court Interpreter Written Exam blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.

Domain 1: General English Proficiency and Vocabulary 40% of exam

Question 1

Read the sentence: "After her third offense, the judge threw the book at her." The expression "threw the book at" most nearly means the judge:

  1. Imposed the most severe punishment allowed
  2. Cited the specific statute she had violated
  3. Dismissed the case on a technicality
  4. Held her in contempt of court
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Imposed the most severe punishment allowed

Question 2

Read the sentence: "Defense counsel requested that the court continue the matter until the following month." As used here, "continue" most nearly means to:

  1. Proceed without further interruption
  2. Resume after a brief recess
  3. Postpone to a later date
  4. Bring to a final conclusion
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Postpone to a later date

Question 3

Select the word that is most nearly OPPOSITE in meaning to VERBOSE:

  1. Wordy
  2. Eloquent
  3. Concise
  4. Articulate
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Concise

Question 4

MITIGATE most nearly means:

  1. Aggravate
  2. Justify
  3. Alleviate
  4. Overlook
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Alleviate

Domain 2: Court-Related Terms and Legal Concepts 35% of exam

Question 5

A defendant receives two five-year sentences that must be served one after the other, for a total of ten years. These sentences are described as:

  1. Concurrent
  2. Consecutive
  3. Suspended
  4. Indeterminate
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Consecutive

Question 6

In a jury trial, the attorneys have just finished their closing arguments. Which of the following happens NEXT?

  1. Cross-examination of the remaining witnesses
  2. The jury begins its deliberations
  3. Each side presents its opening statement
  4. The judge instructs the jury on the law
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - The judge instructs the jury on the law

Question 7

A court interpreter is handed a written waiver-of-rights form and asked to read it aloud to the defendant in their native language. This task is an example of:

  1. Consecutive interpreting
  2. Sight translation
  3. Simultaneous interpreting
  4. Summary interpreting
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Sight translation

Domain 3: Interpreter Ethics and Professional Conduct 25% of exam

Question 8

While interpreting a witness's emotional testimony, the interpreter notices the witness uses broken grammar and keeps repeating phrases. To comply with professional standards, the interpreter should:

  1. Correct the grammar so the testimony reads clearly in the record
  2. Summarize the testimony to convey only the essential facts
  3. Politely ask the witness to restate each answer in complete sentences
  4. Preserve the broken grammar and repetitions in the interpretation
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Preserve the broken grammar and repetitions in the interpretation

Question 9

After a hearing, a limited-English-proficient defendant asks the interpreter, "What do you think I should do about the plea offer?" The interpreter should:

  1. Tell the defendant to ask their attorney
  2. Explain the likely advantages of accepting the plea
  3. Share an honest opinion, since the interpreter knows the case well
  4. Recommend accepting the offer if it appears reasonable
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Tell the defendant to ask their attorney

Question 10

Moments before a hearing begins, the interpreter realizes that the defendant is a close personal friend. The most appropriate action is to:

  1. Continue, because the duty of confidentiality already protects the defendant
  2. Proceed while taking extra care to remain neutral
  3. Step aside only if the defendant objects to the arrangement
  4. Disclose the relationship to the court before proceeding
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Disclose the relationship to the court before proceeding

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