Prioritizing Tasks

Explanations Summary

Urgent/Important: Requires immediate action due to security concerns.
Urgent/Not Important: Needs timely attention but does not impact broader security or operational duties.
Not urgent/Important: Important for records and accountability but can be addressed after urgent matters.
Not urgent/Important: Important for future planning but not immediately pressing.
Not urgent/Not Important: Neither immediate nor critical to current operational needs.

A Border Services Agent  is working at a busy airport in Toronto. He encounters the following situations that require his attention and decision-making:

1. An individual on the no-fly list has just arrived at the border crossing and is attempting to enter the country. How would you classify this task? 

a. Urgent/Important
b. Urgent / Not important
c. Not urgent / Important
d. Not urgent / Not important

2. A passenger is frustrated because they left their wallet on the plane and need assistance retrieving it. How would you classify this task? 

a. Urgent/Important
b. Urgent / Not important
c. Not urgent / Important
d. Not urgent / Not important

3. A monthly report on the number of processed travelers needs to be compiled and submitted. How would you classify this task? 

a. Urgent/Important
b. Urgent / Not important
c. Not urgent / Important
d. Not urgent / Not important

4. An email arrives about a planned upgrade to the border security system next quarter. How would you classify this task? 

a. Urgent/Important
b. Urgent / Not important
c. Not urgent / Important
d. Not urgent / Not important

5. A colleague invites you to join a social event after work. How would you classify this task? 

a. Urgent/Important
b. Urgent / Not important
c. Not urgent / Important
d. Not urgent / Not important

1. A
Urgent/Important Explanation: This situation requires immediate attention due to the potential security threat posed by the individual. It is urgent because of the immediate risk, and important because it involves national security and safety concerns.

2. B
Urgent/Not Important Explanation: While the passenger’s concern is urgent to them and requires timely customer service, it does not impact border security or operations. Therefore, it is urgent but not important in the larger context of Agent Turner’s duties.

3. C
Not urgent/Important Explanation: This report is important for maintaining accurate records and performance metrics, but it does not require immediate action. It can be completed after more urgent matters are addressed.

4. C
Not urgent/Important Explanation: The planned upgrade is important for future operations and efficiency but does not require immediate attention. It can be scheduled and planned for in due course, making it important but not urgent.

5. D
Not urgent/Not Important Explanation: While social events can be beneficial for team morale, they are neither urgent nor crucial to the immediate operations of border security. Therefore, this action is not urgent and not important.

Written by, Brian Stocker MA.,
Published by, Complete Test Preparation Inc.

Updated:Monday, December 15th, 2025
Published: Thursday, July 11th, 2024