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Question 1. Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to join two independent clauses? A) The manuscript was overdue; however the author submitted it on time. B) The manuscript was overdue; the author submitted it on time. C) The manuscript was overdue, the author submitted it on time. D) The manuscript was overdue: the author submitted it on time. Answer: B Explanation: A semicolon can join two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction; option B does exactly that. Question 2. Identify the correctly punctuated sentence with a non-restrictive clause. A) The editor, who has won three awards, will review the article tomorrow. B) The editor who has won three awards will review the article tomorrow. C) The editor who, has won three awards will review the article tomorrow. D) The editor, who has won three awards will review the article tomorrow. Answer: A Explanation: Non-restrictive clauses are set off by commas on both sides, as in option A. Question 3. Choose the sentence that correctly uses an apostrophe for a plural possessive. A) The writers’ conference was scheduled for June. B) The writer’s conference was scheduled for June. C) The writers conference’s was scheduled for June. D) The writers conference was scheduled for June. Answer: A
Explanation: When a plural noun ends in “s,” the possessive is formed by adding an apostrophe after the “s” (writers’). Question 4. Which option correctly distinguishes between “affect” and “effect”? A) The new policy will affect the company’s profit margin. B) The new policy will effect the company’s profit margin. C) The new policy will affect the company’s profit margins, causing a positive affect. D) The new policy will effect the company’s profit margins, causing a positive affect. Answer: A Explanation: “Affect” is a verb meaning to influence; “effect” is a noun meaning result. Question 5. Select the sentence that maintains proper subject-verb agreement with a collective noun. A) The team are preparing their final draft. B) The team is preparing its final draft. C) The team have preparing its final draft. D) The team have preparing their final draft. Answer: B Explanation: Collective nouns are singular when the group acts as a unit, so “team is preparing its”. Question 6. Which sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a list? A) The following items are needed; pen, paper, and ink. B) The following items are needed: pen, paper, and ink. C) The following items are needed—pen, paper, and ink.
D) The author wrote, editing, and published the manuscript. Answer: C Explanation: All verbs in the series must share the same form; “wrote, edited, and published” are parallel. Question 10. Identify the sentence that avoids a comma splice. A) The report is thorough, it includes many charts. B) The report is thorough; it includes many charts. C) The report is thorough, and it includes many charts. D) Both B and C are correct. Answer: D Explanation: Both a semicolon (B) and a coordinating conjunction with a comma (C) correctly join independent clauses. Question 11. Which option correctly uses “than” in a comparative sentence? A) She is more experienced then her colleague. B) She is more experienced than her colleague. C) She is more experienced then her colleague’s. D) She is more experienced than her colleague’s. Answer: B Explanation: “Than” is the proper conjunction for comparisons; “then” indicates time. Question 12. Choose the sentence that correctly uses a hyphen in a compound adjective before a noun. A) The well known author will speak tonight. B) The well-known author will speak tonight.
C) The wellknown author will speak tonight. D) The well known-author will speak tonight. Answer: B Explanation: A hyphen links the two words forming a compound adjective preceding a noun. Question 13. Which sentence uses the correct form of the verb in a conditional (second conditional)? A) If the manuscript were accepted, we would celebrate. B) If the manuscript was accepted, we will celebrate. C) If the manuscript is accepted, we would celebrate. D) If the manuscript were accepted, we will celebrate. Answer: A Explanation: Second conditional uses past subjunctive “were” and “would” + base verb. Question 14. Identify the sentence that correctly places a quotation mark with punctuation. A) “The editor said, the manuscript is ready.” B) “The editor said the manuscript is ready.” C) “The editor said, ‘the manuscript is ready.’” D) “The editor said, ‘The manuscript is ready.’” Answer: D Explanation: Inside a quote, the period goes before the closing single quote; the outer double quotes enclose the entire spoken sentence. Question 15. Which sentence correctly uses a parenthetical element to add information? A) The study (which included 200 participants) showed significant results.
C) The study involved ten participants. D) The study involved 10 participants, and nine completed it. Answer: B Explanation: APA uses numerals for numbers 10 and above; “10” is correct. Question 19. Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier? A) After reviewing the manuscript, the deadline was extended. B) After reviewing the manuscript, the editor extended the deadline. C) After reviewing the manuscript, the deadline was extended by the editor. D) After reviewing the manuscript, the deadline was extended, which pleased the author. Answer: B Explanation: The subject performing the action (“the editor”) follows the modifier, preventing a dangling modifier. Question 20. Choose the sentence that correctly uses “its” versus “it’s”. A) The journal released its latest issue today. B) The journal released it's latest issue today. C) The journal released its’ latest issue today. D) The journal released its’ latest issue today. Answer: A Explanation: “Its” is the possessive form; “it’s” is a contraction for “it is”. Question 21. Which option correctly applies the Oxford comma? A) The reviewer checked spelling, grammar and style. B) The reviewer checked spelling, grammar, and style. C) The reviewer checked spelling, grammar, and, style.
D) The reviewer checked spelling grammar, and style. Answer: B Explanation: The Oxford (serial) comma appears before the final conjunction in a list. Question 22. Identify the sentence that correctly uses a numeral in a sentence that begins with a number (APA). A) Twenty participants were recruited for the study. B) 20 participants were recruited for the study. C) Twenty-two participants were recruited for the study. D) 22 participants were recruited for the study. Answer: A Explanation: When a sentence begins with a number, spell it out regardless of size. Question 23. Which sentence correctly uses “discreet” versus “discrete”? A) The editor made a discrete comment about the author’s tone. B) The editor made a discreet comment about the author’s tone. C) The editor made a discrete comment about the author’s tone, which was discreet. D) Both A and B are correct. Answer: B Explanation: “Discreet” means careful or unobtrusive; “discrete” means separate. Question 24. Choose the sentence that correctly employs parallelism with infinitives. A) To edit, to proofread, and proofreading the manuscript took all day. B) Editing, proofreading, and to revise the manuscript took all day.
D) Both A and C are correct. Answer: B Explanation: “Fewer” modifies countable nouns (errors); “less” is for uncountable quantities. Question 28. Choose the sentence that avoids a run-on by correctly punctuating two independent clauses. A) The manuscript was accepted the publisher sent the contract. B) The manuscript was accepted; the publisher sent the contract. C) The manuscript was accepted, the publisher sent the contract. D) The manuscript was accepted— the publisher sent the contract. Answer: B Explanation: A semicolon correctly separates two independent clauses. Question 29. Which sentence correctly applies the rule for capitalizing proper nouns that are titles? A) Dr. smith presented her findings at the conference. B) Dr. Smith presented her findings at the conference. C) dr. Smith presented her findings at the conference. D) Dr. smith presented her findings at the conference. Answer: B Explanation: Titles and surnames are capitalized; “Dr.” and “Smith” both require capitals. Question 30. Identify the sentence that correctly uses “its” as a possessive pronoun for an inanimate object. A) The report lost its original formatting during conversion. B) The report lost it's original formatting during conversion.
C) The report lost its’ original formatting during conversion. D) The report lost its’ original formatting during conversion. Answer: A Explanation: “Its” is the correct possessive form; “it’s” is a contraction for “it is”. Question 31. Which sentence correctly uses a comma after an introductory infinitive phrase? A) To improve clarity, the author revised the conclusion. B) To improve clarity the author revised the conclusion. C) To improve clarity; the author revised the conclusion. D) To improve clarity— the author revised the conclusion. Answer: A Explanation: An introductory phrase is followed by a comma. Question 32. Choose the sentence that correctly uses “affect” as a noun. A) The new policy had a positive affect on productivity. B) The new policy had a positive affect on productivity. C) The new policy had a positive affect on productivity. D) None of the above. Answer: D Explanation: “Affect” as a noun is rare and means emotion; the correct noun for “result” is “effect.” Thus none are correct. Question 33. Identify the sentence that correctly uses “who” versus “whom”. A) The editor, whom reviewed the draft, gave feedback. B) The editor, who reviewed the draft, gave feedback.
A) Its obvious that the paper needs revision. B) It’s obvious that the paper needs revision. C) Its’ obvious that the paper needs revision. D) Its’ obvious that the paper needs revision. Answer: B Explanation: “It’s” = “it is,” appropriate in this context. Question 37. Which sentence correctly uses a comma to set off a non-essential participial phrase? A) The manuscript, reviewed by the senior editor, was accepted. B) The manuscript reviewed by the senior editor, was accepted. C) The manuscript, reviewed by the senior editor was accepted. D) The manuscript reviewed, by the senior editor was accepted. Answer: A Explanation: The participial phrase is non-essential and must be enclosed in commas. Question 38. Choose the sentence that correctly uses a numeral for a time expression according to Chicago style. A) The meeting starts at 3:00 p.m.. B) The meeting starts at three:00 p.m.. C) The meeting starts at 3:00 PM. D) The meeting starts at 3pm. Answer: A Explanation: Chicago style spells out “p.m.” with periods and uses a leading zero for minutes.
Question 39. Identify the sentence that correctly uses “which” for a non-restrictive clause. A) The guidelines, which were updated last year, include new citation rules. B) The guidelines which were updated last year include new citation rules. C) The guidelines, which were updated last year include new citation rules. D) The guidelines which, were updated last year, include new citation rules. Answer: A Explanation: Non-restrictive clauses require commas on both sides. Question 40. Which sentence correctly uses “may” versus “might” for present versus past possibility? A) The editor may have missed the typo. B) The editor might have missed the typo. C) The editor may miss the typo yesterday. D) The editor might miss the typo tomorrow. Answer: B Explanation: “Might have” refers to a past possibility; “may have” can also be used, but “might” is the standard past modal for unrealized past events. Question 41. Choose the sentence that correctly uses an ellipsis to indicate omitted text within a quotation. A) “The findings were…significant,” the report stated. B) “The findings were … significant,” the report stated. C) “The findings were… significant,” the report stated. D) “The findings were …significant,” the report stated. Answer: A Explanation: An ellipsis (three periods) is placed without spaces before and after when indicating omission inside a quote.
Explanation: In formal usage, “data” is a plural of “datum”; thus “are” is correct. Question 45. Identify the sentence that correctly uses a colon to separate a title from a subtitle. A) Editing Essentials: A Practical Guide B) Editing Essentials; A Practical Guide C) Editing Essentials—A Practical Guide D) Editing Essentials, A Practical Guide Answer: A Explanation: A colon separates a main title from a subtitle. Question 46. Which sentence correctly uses a comma in a compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction? A) The author wrote the draft, but the editor suggested revisions. B) The author wrote the draft but, the editor suggested revisions. C) The author wrote the draft but the editor suggested revisions. D) The author wrote the draft; but the editor suggested revisions. Answer: A Explanation: A comma precedes the coordinating conjunction “but” in a compound sentence. Question 47. Choose the sentence that correctly uses “each” with a singular verb. A) Each of the reviewers were thorough. B) Each of the reviewers was thorough. C) Each of the reviewers are thorough. D) Each of the reviewers is thorough.
Answer: B Explanation: “Each” takes a singular verb; “were” is incorrect. Question 48. Identify the sentence that correctly uses a hyphen in a compound numeral. A) The study involved twenty-two participants. B) The study involved twenty- two participants. C) The study involved twenty-two participants. D) The study involved twenty--two participants. Answer: A Explanation: A hyphen links the two words of a compound numeral when written out. Question 49. Which sentence correctly uses “fewer” with a countable noun after a comparative phrase? A) There are less than twenty errors remaining. B) There are fewer than twenty errors remaining. C) There are less than twenty error remaining. D) There are fewer than twenty error remaining. Answer: B Explanation: “Fewer” modifies countable nouns (errors). Question 50. Choose the sentence that correctly uses “its” as a possessive adjective for a collective noun. A) The committee submitted its final report. B) The committee submitted it's final report. C) The committee submitted its’ final report. D) The committee submitted its’ final report.
Explanation: “Who” functions as the subject of the clause; “whom” would be object. Question 54. Identify the sentence that correctly uses a colon to introduce a block quotation. A) The report states: “Effective editing requires attention to detail.” B) The report states; “Effective editing requires attention to detail.” C) The report states— “Effective editing requires attention to detail.” D) The report states, “Effective editing requires attention to detail.” Answer: A Explanation: A colon precedes a block quotation. Question 55. Which sentence correctly applies the rule for capitalizing the first word after an em dash? A) The manuscript—it was overdue—was finally submitted. B) The manuscript—It was overdue—was finally submitted. C) The manuscript—it—was overdue—was finally submitted. D) The manuscript—It—was overdue—was finally submitted. Answer: B Explanation: After an em dash that introduces a new independent clause, the first word is capitalized. Question 56. Choose the sentence that correctly uses “affect” as a verb meaning “to influence”.
A) The new policy will affect employee morale. B) The new policy will effect employee morale. C) The new policy will affect employee morale, creating a positive affect. D) The new policy will effect employee morale, creating a positive affect. Answer: A Explanation: “Affect” as a verb means to influence. Question 57. Identify the sentence that correctly uses a comma after a dependent clause at the beginning of a sentence. A) Because the deadline was tight the team worked overtime. B) Because the deadline was tight, the team worked overtime. C) Because the deadline was tight; the team worked overtime. D) Because the deadline was tight— the team worked overtime. Answer: B Explanation: A leading dependent clause is followed by a comma. Question 58. Which sentence correctly uses “its” versus “it’s” when the contraction means “it is”? A) Its clear that revisions are needed. B) It’s clear that revisions are needed. C) Its’ clear that revisions are needed. D) Its’ clear that revisions are needed. Answer: B Explanation: “It’s” = “it is”. Question 59. Choose the sentence that correctly uses a hyphen in a compound adjective before a noun. A) The well-known author will deliver the keynote.
