USPS Error Detection Street Name and Number Errors Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An operator is verifying an address change. The original address is '1831 E OAKWOOD RD' and the new entry is '1813 E OAKWOOD RD'. Which specific type of error occurred in the street number?
- Omission Error
- Directional Error
- Transposition Error (Correct answer)
- Suffix Error
Correct answer: Transposition Error
A transposition error occurs when two adjacent characters are swapped. In this case, the '3' and '1' in the street number '1831' were swapped to create '1813'.
Question 2: Which of the following address pairs contains a spelling error in the street name?
- 470 WASHINGTON BLVD / 470 WASHINGTAN BLVD (Correct answer)
- 100 Main St / 100 Main Ave
- 250 N Elm St / 250 S Elm St
- 75 PINE RD / 75 PINE RD APT 3
Correct answer: 470 WASHINGTON BLVD / 470 WASHINGTAN BLVD
The street name 'WASHINGTON' is misspelled as 'WASHINGTAN' in the second address. The other pairs show differences in suffix, directional, or the addition of secondary information, not a spelling error.
Question 3: An address is listed as '245 MAPLE AVE', but the correct address in the USPS database is '245 W MAPLE AVE'. Why is the missing directional 'W' considered a significant error?
- It is not significant and will be ignored by automated sorting.
- It only affects the carrier route, not the specific delivery point.
- It changes the ZIP+4 code but the delivery location is the same.
- It likely refers to a completely different location on another street or side of a dividing line. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: It likely refers to a completely different location on another street or side of a dividing line.
Directionals (like N, S, E, W) are critical parts of an address. Omitting or using an incorrect directional often points to a completely different street segment or an entirely different street, leading to misdelivery.
Question 4: During data entry, a correct address of '9021 BROADMOOR DR' is entered into the system as '9021 BROADMOOR ST'. Which address component has been incorrectly altered?
- Street Number
- Street Suffix (Correct answer)
- Street Name
- Predirectional
Correct answer: Street Suffix
The street suffix, which designates the type of road, was changed from 'DR' (Drive) to 'ST' (Street). According to USPS standards, these are distinct and not interchangeable, potentially representing two different physical roads.
Question 5: Compare the following two addresses: Address 1: '4009 VALLEY VIEW LN'; Address 2: '409 VALLEY VIEW LN'. What type of error has occurred in the street number of Address 2?
- Omission Error (Correct answer)
- Substitution Error
- Transposition Error
- Suffix Error
Correct answer: Omission Error
An omission error occurs when a character is left out. In this case, the second '0' was omitted from the street number '4009', resulting in '409'.
Question 6: An automated mail sorter flags '135 W MAGNOLIA PKWY' for manual review. The system's database shows valid house number ranges on 'W MAGNOLIA ST' and 'W MAGNOLIA CIR', but not on a 'PKWY'. What is the most likely error?
- The street number '135' is out of range.
- The directional 'W' is incorrect.
- The street suffix 'PKWY' is incorrect. (Correct answer)
- The street name 'MAGNOLIA' is misspelled.
Correct answer: The street suffix 'PKWY' is incorrect.
The system recognizes the street name 'MAGNOLIA' and the directional 'W' as valid but cannot find them associated with the suffix 'PKWY'. This indicates that the street suffix is the most probable error and the address is likely located on either the 'ST' or 'CIR' found in the database.
