Practice Quiz Questions

The following pages have several sample examination questions, including content set out in the
curriculum and that you may find on the Ministry required examination. The recommended
study methodology is to answer as many of the questions as possible, without reviewing the
material and sections presented in this manual.

Once you have answered all the questions you are able to, without looking, go back and review
the sections for the questions you cannot answer. Answer the remainder of the questions, to the
best of your ability then check your results against the answers provided at the end of this
exercise.

1 Which of the following are basic Security Guard duties?

A Enforcing traffic rules on city streets
B Patrolling public places and enforcing laws

C Enforcing rules and regulations on private property

D Finding and capturing wanted criminals

2 The Criminal Code of Canada allows:

A Special authorities for police officers and Security Guards

B Security Guards the same authorities as other private citizens

C Security Guards to use reasonable force arresting people named on a warrant

D Prevents Security Guards using force to remove trespassers

3 What is the best description of a site patrol duty?

A Assigned to a speciltc site, patrolling the property

B Assigned to a specific static Post

C Assigned to patrol between many sites

D Assigned to patrol a specific area for the purpose of detecting fire

4 Which of the following regulates the security industry in ontario?
A The Criminal Code and Charter of Rights

B The Private Security Investigative Services Act,2005

C The Police Services Act

D The Private Investigators Security Guards Act, 1990

5 What is the maximum penalty for an individual's violation of the code of conduct?
A $1000.00 fine

B Community service
C $25,000.00 fine and/or a year in jail

D Suspension or revocation of the Security Guard license

6 Licensees are prohibited from the following acts:

A Following someone without their consent for the purpose of gathering information
B Forcibly removing an unwanted patron from a night club

C Assisting an owner of an apartment by reporting a tenant's activities

D Providing information about a person in a witness protection program

7 Which of the following are valid surveillance techniques?

A Observing the physical environment and using situation awareness

B Using parabolic microphones to listen in on private conversations

C Using telescopes to peek into windows of residences

D purposely following a vehicle closely to intimidate the subject who is a criminal

8 Which of the following is a benefit of mobile patrol compared to foot patrol?

A Greater ability to carry equipment

B Greater ability to chase and catch fleeing criminals

C Greater ability to closely assess the protected building

D Greater ability to enforce parking laws

9 Access control is considered for which types of people?

A Employees

B Customers

C Everyone entering the Premises

D The general public

10 Which of the following is true about alarms?

A Security Guards can easily obtain prompt back up when needed

B Security Guards always work with partners so they can investigate alarms

C Security Guards often respond alone and do not have immediate back up

D Security Guards only respond to false alarms

11 Which of the following are possible indicators of a person intoxicated by drugs?

A Signs of nervousness, body twitching and sweating

B A limp right arm

C Speaking in a high pitched and loud voice

D Increased abilities to reason and think rapidly

12 What patterns should be avoided by Security Guards?

A Regularly scheduled rotating shifts

B Knowing where you are at all times and how to summon help
C Regular people and their activities on the site

D Completing patrols routinely at the same time each day

13 What are the following types of reports a Securify Guard may normally complete?
A Shift logs, incident reports, briefing reports and use of force reports

B Crown briefs and private information

C Timetables, needs assessments and recommendations

D Executive summary and progress reports

14 What word best describes what is required regarding statements?
A Recorded

B Verbatim

C Paraphrased

D Hand written

15 What is required of employers according to the Occupational Health & Safety Act?
A Provide body armour to employees

B Provide a reasonably safe and healthy work environment

C Provide higher pay rates in riskier work environments

D Ensure that two guards are assigned to a site at night time

16 When responding to an alarm and detecting a lot of smoke a Guard should:

A Call the fire Department and start a search for people inside

B Call the Fire Department and put the fire out

C Enter the building to check for trapped people

D Call the Fire Department, stay a safe distance and keep people back

17 What is the first priority when responding to an emergency?

A Preserve the evidence and ensure the scene does not get contaminated

B Gather witnesses and take statements

C Assess hazards and ensure the area is safe to approach

D Triage injuries and treat life threatening injuries

18 What of the following is a failure to provide duty of care?

A Fail to report a normal looking car in the parking lot, later found to be a crime scene

B Fail to confiscate a barbeque from a balcony at an apartment that later starts a fire

C Fail to report a broken window noticed that turns out to be the entry for a theft

D Fail to assess the root causes ofa fire

19 What should you do when preserving a crime scene?
A Remove broken glass, knives, blood and other safety hazards

B Secure the perimeter and investigate the scene, personally

C Determine the centre of the scene and work your way out

Secure the scene and ensure no one enters, touches or moves an1'thing until
police arrive
D

20 What should you do when receiving a bomb threat?

A Remove suspicious looking packages from the area

B Notify people working in the building there could be a bomb

C ImmediatelY call 911

D Contact property management, report the matter and follow their instructions

2l What is statute law?

A Written law
B Family law

C Provincial Law

D Case Law

22 Which of the following is true in most criminal law?

A Assumed guilty until proven innocent
B The onus is on the accused to prove innocence
C The onus is on the complainant to prove guilt
D The burden of proof is on both parties to the offence
23 Which of the following related to the court system is true?
A Ontario Court decisions supersede those of the Supreme Court of Canada
B Municipalities have the authority to make laws contradicting provincial laws
c Lower courts are bound by the decisions of higher courts
D Provincial Appeals courts are the highest courts in the land
24 When attending court, what should you bring?
A Your notebook and original reports you made

B Evidence such as the weapon seized at the time of the offence

C A photograph of the subject on the day they were arrested

D A co-worker for moral suPPort

25 What are two acts governing admissibility of evidence?

A Ontario Civil Law and The Constitution Act
B The Criminal Code of Canada and PIPEDA

C Tort Law and the Employment Standards Act

D Canada Evidence Act and The Ontario Evidence Act

26 Which of the following statements is true for Security Guards on duty?

A You can arrest a person you find committing a criminal offence or/in relation to the site

B You can arrest a person found committing a summary offence while off duty

C You can arrest a person for which there is a warrant

D You can arrest a person who on reasonable grounds you believe has illegal drugs

27 Which of the following is an example of an intentional tort?

A Theft
B False Arrest

C Fraudulently taking a sick daY

D Failure to provide a reasonably safe environment by not reporting a spill on the floor
28 What is the definition of negligence?
A An act one does intentionally to another resulting in injury or loss
B An act causing personal injury to a person
C Failure to provides a reasonably safe and healthy work environment

D Failure to use reasonable care and affention

29 What is duty of care?

A Anyone performing a duty must adhere to a reasonable standard of care

B Duty of an individual to do their best while working

C Duty to ensure everything is done to prevent injuries
D Duty to provide a l00Yo secure environment under Occupier's Liability

30 Which of the following is a closed question?

A Who attacked you?

B Describe to me what you saw?

C How did the accident happen?

D Is it true the car hit the truck after running the red light?

31 A Securify Guard working as a doorperson at a licensed establishment when an

is
obviously intoxicated person tries to enter. What should the Security Guard do?
A Arrest the person for drunk and disorderly in a public place

B Physically restrain the person and call for the police

C Refuse entry to the Person

D Allow them to enter and closely monitor their behaviour

32 A Security Guard is working as a doorperson at a licensed establishment. An
obviously intoxicated person is leaving the bar. What should the Security Guard
do?

A Arrest the person for drunk and disorderly in a public place

B Follow them to their car and call the police

C Ensure they have a safe way to get home

D Nothing, as you have no authority under the Liquor License Act

33 you are working as a Security Guard and your duty is to escort a large group of
people through a high security area. Where should you position yourself in relation
to the group to best accomplish your job?
A The front ofthe group

B The back ofthe group

C Beside the grouP on either side

D Access the group, then monitor their movements by closed circuit television

34 While working as a Securify Guard you are patrolling the perimeter of the
property. You come across an apparent crime scene. What is the first thing you
should do?
A Cordon off the area, contain the scene, keep bystanders away and call for the police

B Call 911

c Identify witnesses, interview them and prevent them from leaving

physical evidence
D Put up caution tape, photograph the scene, draw diagrams and collect

35 While working as a Security Guard you are responding to an emergency scene on

the property. What is your best course of action?

A Identify witnesses and ask them what they saw

B call your supervisor and enter the scene to offer assistance

C Take notes and return to the office to submit a report

D Stop and evaluate the scene is safe before approaching

36 What is the best type of extinguisher to use dousing an electrical fire?
A Class A
B Class B

C Class C

D Class D

37 You are on bicycle patrol when you witness a person smash a car window. What do
you do?

A Call 911 and ask for immediate assistance as there is a break and enter in progress

B Call for back up and wait but do not approach the person
'-C Immediately arrest the person for mischief to private property
D Observe and monitor the situation, take notes and submit an incident report at the end of
your shift

38 You are on patrol in the mechanical penthouse of a building when you notice a
puddle forming from liquid leaking out of a drum. What do you do?
A Call 911 and ask for the fire department to attend

B Place barricades down, contain the spill and use a squeegee to push it down a drain

C Make a note of the concern and submit an incident report at the end of your shift

D Keep people away from the area and check WHMIS and MSDS information on site

39 What radio 10 code is used when you don't understand what the dispatcher has said
and you need them to repeat their transmission?

A 10-78

B 10-99

c 10-9

D 10-4
40 What is the best course of action to take when you find people stuck in an elevator,
after hours late in the evening?
A Locate the elevator, reassure the occupants and call the elevator service company

B Call 911

C Attempt to force the doors open and rescue the trapped occupants

D Callthe site property manager and ask for instructions

4l You are working as a Security Guard at a large night club when you receive a radio
call asking you to respond to the ground level and provide assistance at the door.
What do you do?
A Run immediately to the area to determine how you can help

B Ask for more information and respond as quickly as possible in a safe manner

C Respond as quickly as possible in a safe manner and call 911 on your way

D Ask your supervisor to respond as you are engaged in other critical duties

42 Your supervisor asks you to write a detailed summary report briefing the client
regarding an occurrence. You have never written a report of this nature before.
What do you do?
A Write the report and seek the assistance and advice of your supervisor

B Advise your supervisor this is not in your job description

C Ask your co-workers to assist you with the report and detail all concerns the team may
have regarding the incident

D Do the best you can and submit the report as is

43 You are working as a Security Guard in a factory when you come across a small,
contained fire in an outside trash bin on the property. What do you do?
A Use a fire house to douse the flames before it gets out of hand

B Call 911 and request the assistance of the Fire Department immediately

C Throw a floor mat over the fire to smother it

D Use a portable extinguisher of the correct type to put it out

44 You come across a contractor on the roof that cannot provide the request for work
order and you have no record ofhim needing to be there, what do you do?
A Arrest them for tresPassing

B Properly identify them and contact your supervisor by radio to report the matter and
follow instructions
C Make them immediately leave the area with their tools and lock the roof access to
prevent further intrusion

D Take notes and submit an incident report at the end of your shift

45 A worker returns to the worksite after hours and advises he has forgotten his tools
in a secure area of the facility that he says he needs the next morning for work at
another worksite. What should you do?
A Let the worker get his tools and submit a report

B Properly identify the worker, escort him to the area and note all property he removes in
detail

C Refuse him access to the area and advise him to retum during business hours the next day

D Call the property manager at home to get authorization before giving the worker his tools

46 You are working alone on a site after hours at a fixed post in the lobby of the
building and you have been given strict instructions to not leave the desk unless
properly relived. You receive a mechanical alarm. what do you do?
A Stay at your post and submit an incident report at the end of your shift

B Immediately attend the mechanical area to determine the cause

C Contact mechanical personnel for the site and advise them of the alarm

D Continue to monitor the alarm condition to see if it gets worse

47 Which of the following items best describes paraverbal communication?
A Tone, pitch, cadence and pacing

B Volume of the voice

C Body language
D Firmness in direct proportion to the level of resistance received

48 You are on site after an emergency. A man suffered a heart attack and has been
taken away by ambulance to the hospital. What is your next step?
A Contact the hospital to determine the patient's condition

B Return to the security office, notify your supervisor or dispatcher and write a detailed
incident report

C Call the client at home to verbally notify her what occurred

D Make detailed notes and submit an occurrence report the next business day

49 You are working as a Security Guard when you become the victim of a criminal act
while on duty. What do you do next?
A Complete a detailed report and notify your supervisor

B Call the police and make a report

C Attempt to identify the suspect, conduct an investigation and arrest the offender once
identified

D Take notes and notify your supervisor on the next business day

50 You need to respond to an unusual situation on your site. What is the first authority
you should consider before formulating your plan?
A Federal and provincial statutes

B Post orders, daily briefs and your supervisor's instructions

C The client's policy

D Your security company's policy

 by a female reporting a
51 You are working as a security Guard and approached
sexual assault committed by someone known to you,
what do you do?

A Locate the susPect and arrest him

and write a detailed report
B Advise the complainant that she can notify police
assist her with the arrest
C Advise the complainant she can arrest the subject and

Dlmmediatelycallthepoliceandreportthemattertothem

52 What does section 10 of the charter apply to?

A Freedom of religion

B The right to vote

C Security Guard's authority to search a person

D A person's rights on arrest or detention

to retrieve company
53 An employee has been fired and you are under direction
property they keep in their locker' What do you do?
seize the company property
A Immediately open the locker with bolt cutters and
witness what you remove and
B Ask management for a second key and have the foreman
turn over the fired employee's property at a later date
items to you at your post
c Let the employee empty their locker and bring the
everything belonging to the company
D Escort them, get them to open the locker, document
them sign that you have obtained these items from
them'
and have

54 What is the definition of statute law?

A Law written in official documents
for other court decisions
B Decisions of the courts recorded and used as guidance
code
c Law from the British common Law and Napoleonic
Laws used to right the wrongs by providing civil
remedies
D
55 You come upon a car parked in an unauthorized area on your property. What is the
best thing to do?

A Open the car and see if you can find the ownership, identify the owner and have them
move it
B Call 911 and immediately report the matter to the police

C Record the vehicle's information and call parking enforcement to attend, then submit a
report

D Call the towing company authorized on your site and have it removed

56 You have a statement from a person hand written on blue lined paper in pencil,
what do you do?

A Dispose of it and submit a proper report

B Ask the person who wrote it to re-write the statement in black ink and the proper format

C Ask your supervisor to speak to the person who made the statement

D Append the statement to your report

57 At what age is a personal legally an adult in Canada?

A 16 years ofage
B 12years ofage
C 18 years ofage
D 2l years ofage

58 A noisy group forms a protest at the entrance to your store/mall, what do you do?
A Direct them to leave and advise them if they fail to comply they will be arrested for
trespassing

B Monitor the group and call the authorities if necessary to protect people or property
C Arrest the leader for engaging in prohibited activity

D Call 911 and ask the police to attend and arrest trouble makers
59 What is the one piece of ID that a Security Guard on duty is required to carry by
law?

A Driver's license issued in the province or country of origin

B A Canadian Social Insurance Card or permit to work
C A current passport issued in Canada or the country of the worker's origin
D The Security Guard License issued to the Guard in the province of Ontario

60 who must a security Guard present identification to when asked?

A A peace office orjustice ofthe peace

B The client, supervisor or official from the contract company employing the Guard

C Any member of the public who asks the Guard to present it

D Appointed inspectors or investigators working for the Private security and Investigative
Services Branch

6l What statute provides for the use of force by Security Guards when justified?
A The Criminal Code of Canada

B Post orders and comPanY PolicY

C The Trespass to ProPertY Act

D The Duty of Care Act

62 According to the regulations, who is the owner of the memo book you complete
while on duty?

A The Security Guard completing the notes

B The security company you work for

C The client for the property contracting security services

D The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services

63 What does WHMIS stand for?
A Workplace Heavy Materials Industrial Standards
B Workplace HazmalMaterials lnformation Synopsis

C Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

D Workplace History Mandated Information Stories

64 You would likely be justified handcuffing someone when?

A They are younger and giving you a hard time

B They use words indicating they may be violent

C They fail to leave the property as directed

D You know they are wanted for questioning

65 You should report your use of force when?

A When I have to escort someone off property

B Only when I use hard physical control techniques

c The arrested person submits a complaint about being arrested

D The force used results in an injury to a subject that requires medical attention

66 The assessment process from the National Use of Force Framework is what?
A Profiled Subject Behaviours
B Assess, Plan,Act

C Act, Assess, Plan

D Plan Officer ResPonse OPtions

67 An actively resistant, arrested Subject pulls away from you when arrested, you
should do what?

A Punch him at least three times

B Ground the Subject and handcuff him immediately

c Kick his shin and use strong commands to stop his resistance
Use soft physical control techniques and tactical communications to control
him
D

6g An aggressive subject raises his fist and yells a threat, closing aggressively' This
action is considered what level of profiled subject behaviour?

A CooPerative

B ActivelY Resistant

C Assaultive

D Passively Resistant

69 The best way to describe a Fire Safety Plan is which of the following?
the legal
A A legal document, which is approved by the local fire department and specifies
to fire safety'
responsibilities of the site owner and agents of the owner with respects

B A legal document containing the laws governing all aspects of fire

C Laws that are approved by the city for the site

A legal document listing all of the emergency equipment and first aid cabinets on a
site
D

a suspicious
70 When conducting a bomb search after a threatening call is received and
object is found. What you should do next?
Prevent anyone from going near oI touching the object, notify the
property manager and
A
follow instructions
Blmmediatelyevacuatethebuildingbypullingafirealarm
c call 911 and notify the dispatcher there is a bomb in the building
D Locatea bucket of water to douse the explosive and prevent it going off
jl you encouter an irrate individual and another person in a heated conversation'
What should You do?
A Arrest both individuals for causing a disturbance

B Target your efforts to the individual speaking the loudest

c observe from a safe distance and monitor the situation

D Ask both individuals to leave the property

72 In emergencies the role of Security is what?

liability
A Always to protect life, the property, confidential information, and minimize
and document
B Contain spills, keep innocent people inside; expedite response of security
who is at fault.

C Leave the site when an emergency occurs

cancelling them if not
D Assist the authorities by conducting a preliminary assessment and
needed

73 During a labour dispute, which situation would best describe an Injunction?

Guards'
A Special rights and authorities for police officers and Security

B Legalright under the Charter of Rights & Freedoms'

c A juncture point of an intersection where more than two streets meet'

D A court order limiting the number of picketers allowed on the picket line

74 Which of the following are examples of questions that woulD NOT need to be
answered in an incident report/notebook?

A Was there any damage to people/property?

B Where did the incident occur?

C Who was involved?

infraction committed?
D What the appropriate ban length should be for the trespassing
75 which of the following situations best describe an Indictable offence?
or justification
A One person applies force to another person without permission

B A petty crime committed on federal property at an airport

a lockout of the
C A Labour Relations Act violation during a labour dispute involving
employees

D A serious crime witnessed by a Security Guard or another person

76 which of the following is a definition of continuity of evidence?
A Chain of custody controlled by a police service'

Unbroken chain of custody and control which protects integrity

of an object'
B
C Chain of custody unbroken and controlled by only one individual'

D Evidence presented in proper sequence'

to
77 what is the legal drinking age for a person in a licensed establishment according
the Liquor License Act of Ontario?

A 18 years ofage or older

B 17 years ofage or older
C 19 years ofage or older
D 2l Yeats ofage or older
7g In what circumstances may an entry be made into a residential premise by a
landlordoranagentofthelandlordundertheResidentialTenanciesActwithout
notice?
in the premise'
A In the case where there is suspicion of illegal acts going on
wants to confiscate
B In the case where the tenant is behind on their rent and the landlord
proPertY to recouP monies owed'
to prevent major damage
C In the case of an emergency situation where access is required
and/or injury.
potential renters'
D In the case where a Realty agent wants to show the unit to
 clerk
79 while working in a mall as a security Guard you receive a call from a store
What should
regarding a theft occurrence in their store that they have witnessed'
you do next?
clerk has identified the
A You go to the store in question and make the arrest once the store
susPect
a lawful arrest.
B You go to the store in question and assist the store clerk in making
the suspect'
C You go to the store in question and use physical force to apprehend
leave the store.
D You go to the store in question and arrest the suspect once they

the property
g0 while on duty a security Guard notices a youth skateboarding on
under protection. upon approaching the youth and requesting
that he stop
Guard refusing
skateboarding and leave, the youth swears and yells at the security
to leave. under the Trespass to Private Property Act RSO 1990 the
security Guard
can do what?
received'
A Swear and yell back at the youth in response to the treatment
the Security Guard'
B Arrest the youth as he has just committed a verbal assault against
for committing a
C Immediately contact 911 and have the police arrest the skateboarder
nuisance criminal offence
to do so'
D Arrest the youth for failure to leave immediately when directed

o'stereotype"?
81 Which one of the following would be an example of a
A Men on average are larger than women'
People who exercise a lot are in better shape than those
who do not exercise at all'
B
C Older PeoPle are Poor drivers'

DPeopleofAsianethnicitytendtohaveblackcolorhair.
 a disability having
82 While working as a Security Guard you notice a person with
you do?
difficulty entering the doors with their wheelchair. what should
A Approach and ask if they would like your assistance'
push the wheelchair to correct the
B Approach quickly before they have an accident and
problem.

C Monitor them until they ask for assistance'

D Continue your duties as the situation is personal and none of your business'
g3 which of the following is an example of a Bias that a security Guard may have?
A People under the influence of illegal drugs may be dangerous'
else'
B People from their own background are friendlier than people from anywhere
c Peace officers are considered experts in the field of law and legal mafiers'
D Fire Fighters are best suited to fight large fires

34Section25oftheCriminalCodeallowsanyonewhoisrequiredorauthorizedunder
law if acting
to do anything in administration or enforcement of the
the law
reasonablY to do what?

AUseasmuchforceasreasonablynecessaryforthatpurpose.
BUseforcetoreasonablyprotecttheirselfagainstassault.
C Use force to reasonably protect others against assault'

Use reasonable defensive force to prevent injury

to self or others.
D

35WhichofthefollowingaresymptomsofExcitedDelirium?
A Hallucinations, paranoia and difficulty breathing'

B Cold skin, bad body odour and very aggressive behaviour'

C Chest pains, nausea and shortness of breath'

abnormal tolerance of pain'
D Unexpected physical strength, impaired thinking and
g6 Working as a Security Guard you arrest an individual for committing a
crime'
person's
What is a o,best practice" step you should take to ensure the arresting
rights have been met?
A Searchthem and confiscate any evidence you find'

B Inform them of their right to legal counsel'

C Make sure they are comfortable and their handcuffs are not too tight'

D Provide a translator immediately if they do not speak English.

g7 What does private Information & Protection of Electronic Documents Act

govern?

A Use of internet, computers, email and electronic devices'

B The collection, use and disclosure of personal information'

C Protection of private and personal documents against theft.

D The types of documents that can be collected and stored electronically.

88 What is a common physical access control method employed on a building?

A Doors and mechanical locks.

B A gate, barricade or a fence'

C A guard dog.
D An alarm sYstem.

You are working at a manufacturing facility where employees have signed

a
89
workplace contract agreeing to a search of their person and parcels
prior to exiting
to search
the building. An employee is leaving at the end of their shift. You ask
you do?
them and they refuse to allow you to perform the search. what should

A Search them under the authority of the Trespass to Property Act.

all employees and
B Do not search them, advise them it is the company policy to search
request they await a facility manager.
something'
c Anest them on the reasonable and probable grounds of having stolen
have signed a contract to
D Insist that they submit to a search by reminding them that they
that effect.
 Section 494, subsection L(a) of the criminal
code of canada allows what authority
90
to persons?
who they believe on reasonable grounds
A peace officers to arrest people without warrant
be arrested without warrant
to have committed an offence for which they may
warrant who they believe on reasonable grounds
B Security Guards to arrest people without
may be arrested without warrant
to have committed an offence for which they
offence
c Anyone to arrest a person whom he finds committing an indictable
or authorized to do anything in the
D The authority for anyone who is required
much force as is reasonably necessary
administration or enforcement of the law to use as
for that purpose
 Answer Key

1 C 24 A 47 A 70 A
7 B 25 D 48 B 7t C

3 A 26 A 49 B 72 A

4 B 27 B 50 A 73 D

5 C 28 D 5l B 74 D

6 D 29 A <., D IJ D

A 30 D 53 D 76 B
7

A 31 C 54 A 77 C
8

9 C 32 C 55 c 78 C

l0 c 33 B 56 D 79 B

11 A 34 A 57 c 80 D

12 D 35 D 58 B 81 C

13 A 36 C 59 D 82 A

t4 B 37 B 60 c 83 B

15 B 38 D 6t A 84 A

t6 D 39 C 62 B 8s D

l7 C 40 A 63 c 86 B

18 C 4t B 64 B 87 B

t9 D 42 A 65 D 88 A

20 D 43 D 66 B 89 B

A B 61 D 90 C
2l 44

1t C 45 B 68 C

23 C 46 C 69 A