Tests

U.S. English Proofreading Skills Test (Chicago)

Search Questions:

Compare the following manuscript copy to the final proof copy and identify the line that contains an error. MANUSCRIPT: Darling, Helga L. Ext 2331 hdarling@millingscuff.nz.cc Hilyam, Harper S. Ex...

Darling, Helga L. Ext 2331 hdarling@millingscuff.nz.cc 0.0%

Hilyam, Harper S. Ext 2535 hhily@millingscuff.nz.cc 0.0%

OffHart, Nellie A. Ext 3323 noffha@millingscuff.nz.cc 0.0%

Parvcel, Jerome M. Ext 3330 jparvc@milingscuff.nz.cc 100.0%

Ralston, Lucrezia F. Ext 2393 lralsto@millingscuff.nz.cc 0.0%

Compare the following manuscript copy to the final proof copy and identify the line that contains an error. MANUSCRIPT: To Mr. Brian Brenner, Boxing and Labeling Department: Please be advised tha...

To Mr. Brain Brenner, Boxing and Labeling Department: 50.0%

Please be advised that as of May 15 the company will discontinue 0.0%

its use of clear packing tape. New packing tape products in red, 0.0%

blue and yellow have already been ordered for delivery on Friday. 0.0%

Please clear inventory of old stock and advise your staff of the change. 0.0%

a and d 50.0%

a, c, and d 0.0%

Compare the following manuscript copy to the final proof copy and identify the line that contains an error. MANUSCRIPT: One plane, eight yachts, sixteen luxury cars, numerous houses, villas, and a...

One plane, eight yachts, sixteen luxury cars, numerous houses, villas, and apartments— 0.0%

my grandfather was disgustingly rich, but also disgustingly stingy. Upon his death, we 0.0%

discovered that, rather than divide his estate equally among his family members, 0.0%

Grandpa had decided to leave a tiny morsel to every person in town—total strangers!— 0.0%

so that none of us, and I quote, "slip into the lap of luxury on the sweat of [his] brow." 100.0%

b and c 0.0%

No error 0.0%

Compare the following manuscript copy to the final proof copy and identify the section that contains an error. MANUSCRIPT: Dr. A. Altobelli draaltobelli@office.org Confirmation #65E1ZT Flight BA5...

Dr. A. Altobelli draaltobelli@office.org 0.0%

Confirmation #65E1ZT Flight BA5648 Dep London 16:05 Arr Berlin 18:30 10/11/08 0.0%

Ms. Eliza Bartholomew 16548-22 Pleasant Valley Dr. Almond Grove, NH 22578 858-942-7724 100.0%

No error 0.0%

Compare the following manuscript copy to the final proof copy and identify the section that contains an error. MANUSCRIPT: Invoice #32158-65 10/08/06 22:15:30 Rcvd J. Cannaro, Dep 535 Ord#65998 ...

Invoice #32158-65 10/08/06 22:15:30 Rcvd J. Cannaro, Dep 535 Ord#65998 0.0%

50 Part#665LU @ $27.50 65 Part#805ZT-1 @ $32.35 25 Part#22322-X @ $102.40 100.0%

Delivery: ManhattanTrucking FOB New Brunswick Tel 858-654-3323 x56427 0.0%

No error 0.0%

Identify the type of error contained in the following sentence. Because I have an extreme allergy to nuts, I only ate the cake and not the pecan pie.

Dangling modifier 0.0%

Diction or wrong word choice 100.0%

Misplaced modifier 0.0%

Comparison 0.0%

Identify the type of error contained in the following sentence. Each of the choristers know when and how to warm up and get ready for a performance.

Pronoun case 0.0%

Pronoun-antecedent agreement 0.0%

Subject-verb agreement 100.0%

Parallelism 0.0%

It is imperative to include the author's last access date when citing online sources.

True 100.0%

False 0.0%

Read the following options and select the line that contains an error in grammar or usage.

Everyone in town, intent on sending that crook of a mayor to jail, testified 100.0%

in front of the judge. Even the judge testified, asking himself questions 0.0%

and giving himself carefully considered responses. The mayor didn't stand a chance. 0.0%

No error 0.0%

Read the following passage and identify the line that contains an error or inconsistency.

Her photo has been on that piano for more than twenty years. I don't have the courage 0.0%

to remove it because it had always been there—has always belonged there. And who 100.0%

knows—perhaps it will still be there twenty years from now, when I am long gone. 0.0%

No error 0.0%

My mother does not have a green thumb—as witness, I 0.0%

call the numerous drooping plants that that huddle sadly on her 100.0%

balcony like the frightened survivors of some strange calamity. 0.0%

That boat has cost us a fortune so far: more than $25,000 to repair the hull 0.0%

after the hurricane; $10,000 upgrading the interior; and $5,000 to keep it docked 100.0%

for the summer. What do you say we get rid of it and buy a beach cottage? 0.0%

I found an opening in my schedule to come see you next Friday; however, from 0.0%

what I under stand, you'll still be out of town at that point. Please let my assistant 0.0%

now when your next available so she can pencil me in—the sooner the better. 50.0%

b and c 50.0%

a and b 0.0%

Read the following passage and identify the type of error or inconsistency it contains. Charlie has never learned to speak German very well; he still thinks in his mother tongue, which distracts h...

Subject-verb agreement 0.0%

Pronoun-antecedent agreement 0.0%

Tense or verb shift 100.0%

Pronoun case 0.0%

No error 0.0%

Read the following passage and identify the type of error or inconsistency it contains. The baby giraffe just loved to play with the puma cub. Their games came inevitably—and painfully—to an end, ...

Comma splice 0.0%

Pronoun reference 100.0%

Faulty modifier 0.0%

Parallelism 0.0%

No error 0.0%

Read the following passage and identify the type of error or inconsistency it contains. The tomato factory effuses such a strong odor of rotten produce that I can't help but be skeptical about the...

Capitalization 0%

Diction or word choice 0%

Plurals 0%

Tense or verb shift 0%

No error 0%

Read the following passage and select the line that contains an error in grammar or usage.

We expect only three things—three very important things—from 0.0%

our camp counselors: Loyalty, enthusiasm, and the desire to help 100.0%

those in need. If those simple things are not in your repertoire, 0.0%

please don't bother applying to our program. 0.0%

No error 0.0%

To the Esteemed Members of the Partners in Crime Adventure Club: 100.0%

Due to my deep-seeded fear of spiders and bats, I 0.0%

regret that I will be unable to join you in the spelunking 0.0%

expedition scheduled for next week. 0.0%

Read the following passage and select the line that contains an error in number usage, style, or consistency.

Seeing as our train wasn't scheduled to leave until 12:10 p.m., we decided to 0.0%

drive the thirteen miles to Albany to do a little shopping—it was, after all, 0.0%

only fifteen days until Christmas and we hadn't even thought about gifts. 0.0%

7 grandchildren, including a three-year-old, were counting on us! 100.0%

Read the following passage and select the line that contains an error in punctuation.

The amount of warmth received by the various regions of the globe and thus the 100.0%

temperature characteristics of the four seasons, depends largely upon the angle at 0.0%

which solar radiation reaches the Earth, which is in turn a function of the time 0.0%

of day, the geographic latitude, and the time of year. 0.0%

No error 0.0%

My colleague, in an effort to win the pity vote and therefore shield himself from blame, 0.0%

told our boss that he had recently, and quite unexpectedly, separated from his wife; that 0.0%

his neighbor—whom, incidentally he had once saved from a burning building—had 0.0%

reported him to the police for disturbing the peace; and that he suspected foul 0.0%

play in the recent disappearance of Sophie, his beloved cat. 0.0%

No error 100.0%

The main character's shift in attitude is apparent when she 0.0%

says: "Hilda swore up and down that she would never again speak to 0.0%

that awful man [her one-time lover.]" Indeed, that passage marks the 100.0%

beginning of the end of the relationship between the long-time friends. 0.0%

Review the following examples of main headings for index entries. Which example does not follow best practice for creating main headings?

Nardo, Alison, 34 0.0%

hibiscus, cultivation of, 269-72 0.0%

yellow marigolds, 55 100.0%

American Society for Horticultural Science, 72, 85, 101 0.0%

The following represents a complete bibliography for a scholarly paper. Review the entries and identify the line that contains an error.

Salmon, Harry R. Digestive Tracts: News and Views from the Belly of the Beast. New York: Oxford University Press, 1987. 0.0%

———. "The Hiccup and Its Role in Digestion." In Neurobiology Now, edited by M. LaCrosse, 221-228. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995. 100.0%

Talley, Annie O. and Alice Talley, eds. Gastroenterology in the Modern Hospital. University of Chicago Press: 1983. 0.0%

Yarnoff, Malek, trans. Signs of Recovery. London: Stratton Books, 2004. 0.0%

Which of the entries below does not follow best practice for indexing the names of titled persons?

Elizabeth II (queen), 28 100.0%

Albert II, Prince of Monaco, 67 0.0%

Sussex, 3rd Earl of (Oliver Ashton Cooper), 45 0.0%

Pope (John Paul II), 88 0.0%

Which of the entries below does not follow best practice for indexing titles of publications?

Bald Soprano, The (Ionesco), 67 100.0%

Arms and the Man (Shaw), 12-32 0.0%

The New York Times 0.0%

Verdi, Giuseppe, works of: Don Carlo, 37; Aida, 38-41; Otello, 42 0.0%

Which of the following author-date style text citations is incorrect?

(Harrison 2004, vol. 3) 0.0%

(Talley 1983, 12-14) 0.0%

(2004 Keegan, sec. 7) 100.0%

(Salmon 1995, 2:325–28) 0.0%

Which of the following index entries is incorrect?

Blumenthal, Dr., Richard, 105 100.0%

King, Martin Luther, Jr., 15 0.0%

Thomas Aquinas, Saint, 34 0.0%

Twain, Mark (Samuel Langhorne Clemens), 98 0.0%

Which of the following is not a duty generally performed by a proofreader?

Comparing a galley or first proof word for word against an edited manuscript 100.0%

Correcting minor errors of accuracy and consistency in spelling, grammar, capitalization, hyphenation, and other style elements 0.0%

Checking for errors in running heads, page numbers, word breaks, and formatting 0.0%

Checking the overall consistency and effectiveness of the author's voice and of the plot, characterization, organization, and structure of the text 0.0%

Ensuring that the author's final changes to the manuscript have been correctly transferred to the proof 0.0%

Checking the accuracy of numbers, abbreviations, titles, bulleted lists, tables, figures, and captions 0.0%

Which of the following lists is punctuated correctly?

When compiling the mailing list, please be sure to check addresses for accuracy and consistency; verify titles, positions, and department names; and double check all phone numbers and extensions. 100.0%

The goal of the mailing list update is to check the accuracy of company addresses, titles, and positions of contact names; and phone numbers and extensions. 0.0%

To update the mailing list, you must check each company's directory to verify its mailing address: call each department to verify the name and title of its supervisor: double check the phone numbers and extensions against the master list. 0.0%

The goal of the mailing list update is to: check the accuracy of company addresses: titles and positions of contact names: phone numbers, and extensions. 0.0%

Which of the following represents a correct bibliographic entry?

Keegan, Michelle. The First Rule: Societal Restrictions at the Turn of the Century. New York: Rand McNally, 2004. 0.0%

Barrington, Gavin R., and T. R. Yang. History of the Universe. 2nd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1964. 0.0%

Harrison, Walter C., trans. "Crossing the Divide." AMA Newsletter 25 (January–February 2007): 4–12. 0.0%

U.S. Senate. Committee on Public Lands. National Parks Report. 104th Cong., 1st sess., 1995. 0.0%

a and c 0.0%

All of the above 100.0%

Which of the following represents the correct way to write the publication information for a cited work in a bibliography?

New York: Macmillan, 1980 0.0%

New York: Macmillan 1980 0.0%

Macmillan, New York, 1980 100.0%

Macmillan: New York 1980 0.0%

Which of the following sentences contains an agreement error?

We only have time for one poem—which one shall we read? 0.0%

Do you know whether the horses and sheep have come back to their stables? 0.0%

Each acrobat will have a chance to show their special skills to the judges. 100.0%

Only one of the nuns was allowed to drive the van. 0.0%

Which of the following sentences contains an error in apostrophe usage?

My sister hopes to open a clinic that will offer programs on women's health. 0.0%

Fortnoy loved to sneak into the art studio's storage room and alter Phoebe's paintings. 0.0%

I have all of Austen's novels, but I've read only one of them. 0.0%

Isabel had no intention of ridding the dog of it's fleas. 100.0%

Which of the following sentences contains an error in comma usage?

Sarah took the cats to the vet, and Alan took them to the groomer for a bath. 0.0%

My husband wanted to borrow my Ferrari, but he couldn't find the keys I'd hidden. 0.0%

Larry's recent investment left him fifty thousand dollars richer, and confirmed his financial prowess. 100.0%

Zippy painted the wall from left to right, but Zappy painted it from top to bottom. 0.0%

Which of the following sentences contains an error in grammar or usage?

Five top hats, two of which are covered in sequins, have been donated to the theater. 0.0%

Abigail, who desperately needs a new car, has started skiing to work. 0.0%

Here's a list of all the animals that are currently in need of new homes. 0.0%

Ronald is just one of those people that can't take a joke. 0.0%

None of the above 100.0%

The media is apparently united in their efforts to slander the candidate. 0.0%

There's no way our customer base has grown so much; the report is clearly flawed. 0.0%

Petra, an alumna of Harvard, has always engaged in good-natured rivalry with her brothers, alumni of Yale. 100.0%

Which of the following sentences contains an error in number usage, style, or consistency?

I drove seventeen miles in the rain at 30 mph to pick up some 35 mm film for you, and all you can do is complain that I got only one roll instead of two. 0.0%

Please write your memos on 8½ x 11-inch paper rather than on the A4 size. 0.0%

The biggest lasagna in the world was forty-five M long and used one hundred and 22 KG of tomatoes. 100.0%

Only 36 percent of our town's population voted in the last election, which means that more than five thousand people stayed away from the polls. 0.0%

The fact that you've run our debt up to 5.2 million dollars peeves me to the nth degree! 0.0%

Sue told me for the thousandth time that she had only 127 chickens, not 130 as I had thought. 0.0%

Nineteen seventy-three saw the largest population increase since 1952. 0.0%

4 of the girls live 15 kilometers away, while 2 of them live only six kilometers away. 100.0%

Which of the following sentences contains an error in punctuation?

Although the allowance for dart width determines the shape of the garment, it does not always have to be sewn into a dart (or so I read). 0.0%

My sister, who is a consummate seamstress, taught me four new design techniques; the mandarin collar, the dolman sleeve, the contoured waistband, and the French cuff. 0.0%

The man who designed Ralph's tuxedo also designed dashing ensembles for Ricardo, my Chihuahua, and Esther, my hedgehog. 0.0%

Having scolded me for my carelessness, the tailor proceeded to repair the gaping hole in my jacket. 0.0%

a and b 0.0%

b and c 100.0%

"What do you think they meant," asked Lucy, "when they said, 'You should prepare yourselves emotionally?'" 0.0%

The butler (I almost died laughing!) told the story of Millie's indiscretion to the whole staff. 100.0%

Horace said that he intends to return the stolen goods; his word, however, has never been golden. 0.0%

Malcolm's sudden and bitter reply, "Leave me in peace, you magpies!" left us all scratching our heads. 0.0%

Maria loved the production of Cymbeline: she went back to see it three times. 100.0%

My mother said, "Be careful of what you wish for." 0.0%

Deb has only three desires: to be happy, to be safe, and to be loved. 0.0%

The professor used only the words "drab" and "tasteless" to describe Arthur's poetry. 0.0%

Alice intended to climb the mountain; however, she changed her mind once she'd seen the weather forecast. 0.0%

"You're nuts," said Brindel, "and we refuse to take any more orders from you. 50.0%

No Swimming — piranhas congregate here! 0.0%

I read Nathan's manual, entitled "How to Raise Peaceful Chickens," from cover to cover. 50.0%

Colonel Parker lived in Saratoga from 1847 to 1859; for more about that period of his life, see chapters: 8 and 11. 100.0%

The years after World War II saw a large increase in non-English-speaking immigrants. 0.0%

"Well, I have never been so insulted," began Mrs. Tisdale, but the head waiter of the trendy restaurant cut her short. 0.0%

It's obvious that Glinda's love of dashes—which she displays even in her prose pieces—was inspired by the poetry of Emily Dickinson. 0.0%

Which of the following sentences contains an error in sentence structure?

As a homeowner, do-it-yourself projects have just become too expensive and time-consuming for me. 0.0%

Do-it-yourself projects have just become too expensive and time-consuming for me as a homeowner. 0.0%

I find, as a homeowner, that do-it-yourself projects have just become too expensive and time-consuming. 100.0%

As a homeowner, I find that do-it-yourself projects have just become too expensive and time-consuming. 0.0%

Which of the following sentences contains an error in the author-date style text citation?

The recent literature has examined such aspects as the role of hiccups in digestion (Salmon 1995), post-operative and recovery concerns (Yarnoff 2004; Talley and Talley 2001), and new surgical practices (Salmon and Sculley 1999). 0.0%

Harrison (Harrison 2007) contends that there is a direct link between the attitude of a company's employees and the company's level of success. 100.0%

Keegan's book on the social mores of turn-of-the-century New York (2004) uncovers a sometimes surprising underbelly of vice and corruption. 0.0%

One is certainly made more aware of the dangers when confronted with the so-called professionals "who care more about the bottom line than about the health of their patients" (Stern, Lipkin, et al. 2003). 0.0%

Which of the following sentences contains an error or inconsistency?

Margaret seldom misses an error when she proofreads others' papers, but proofing her own is a whole different story. 0.0%

You've put me in the awkward and embarassing position of having to report you for harassment. 0.0%

Don't forget to bring what we need for the picnic (cups, napkins, plates, etc.) 0.0%

My birthday falls on a Monday this year, just two days before Thanksgiving. 100.0%

All of the above 0.0%

None of the above 0.0%

Which of the following sentences contains an inconsistency?

We are preparing shipments to Augusta, Sacramento, and Kansas City. 0.0%

Dr. Amanda Bellingham will be the guest of honor at the dinner. Please have the driver pick up Dr. Bellingham at her hotel at 5:00 p.m. 0.0%

Today is Monday, August 15; the committee will not meet until Friday, August 20. 100.0%

The 10% discount he negotiated on that $730 printer saved the company $73. 0.0%

Which of the following sentences correctly punctuates a run-in list?

You are required to provide (1), three watercolor brushes (2), three oil brushes and (3), one easel. 0.0%

The professor will lead workshops in (a) working with pastels; (b) working with watercolors, and (c) working with oil paints. 0.0%

The workshops are offered in three one-week summer sessions: (a) the first week in June, (b) the third week in July, and (c) the second week in August. 0.0%

You are required to provide (1) watercolor brushes, oil brushes, and a palette; (2) a variety of pencils, pens, pastels, and charcoals; and (3) two sketch pads, two frames, and an easel. 0.0%

a and b 0.0%

c and d 100.0%

Which of the following sentences does not contain an error in comma usage?

That gigantic balding man was easy to distinguish in the crowd. 100.0%

That gigantic, balding man was easy to distinguish in the crowd. 0.0%

That gigantic, balding, man was easy to distinguish in the crowd. 0.0%

That gigantic balding man, was easy to distinguish in the crowd. 0.0%

Which of the following sentences does not contain an error or inconsistency?

After dividing up the loot, we realized that Lightfoot and Drake had taken the lions' share. 0.0%

Hugh isn't a close friend; still, I wish he would have invited me to the party. 0.0%

Having been awakened by the screaming sirens, the policeman met me in my pajamas. 0.0%

This year I learned how to tune a piano, make old-fashioned taffy, and speak French. 100.0%

Which of the following sentences does not contain an inconsistency?

The marketing team will include Harlon Welsh, Emily DeAngelis, Ms. Rumson, and Jim Cash. 0.0%

I sent out invoices 1518, 1533, 1585, 1572, and 1591 yesterday. 0.0%

Their telephone number is 518-555-7423, and their fax number is (518) 555-7424. 0.0%

Maryann's Ice Cream Shoppe has just ordered 35 pounds of toppings: 10 pounds of miniature nonpareils, 10 pounds of crushed chocolate wafers, and 15 pounds of multicolored sprinkles. 100.0%

Which of the following sentences is correct in terms of number usage, style, or consistency?

Dr. Hahn had to give up his yacht when he filed for Chapter 11 protection. 0.0%

The bowlers, who were all in their forties, brought in scores that included two 289s and four 300s. 0.0%

My 5-year-old daughter has already read ¾ of the encyclopedia. 0.0%

Refer to pages 36-62 for information on activities for age groups 3 to five, 6-8, and 9 up to eleven. 0.0%

a and b 100.0%

Which of the following sentences is most correct in terms of punctuation?

My carpenter friend, did I already tell you this?, will look at the work tomorrow and give you an estimate. 0.0%

My carpenter friend (did I already tell you this?) will look at the work tomorrow and give you an estimate. 0.0%

My carpenter friend: did I already tell you this?: will look at the work tomorrow and give you an estimate. 0.0%

My carpenter friend—did I already tell you this?—will look at the work tomorrow and give you an estimate. 100.0%

Which of the following sentences is/are punctuated correctly?

According to the surgeon, no one had ever left his operating room alive, why he boasted of such a thing remains a mystery. 0.0%

My dog is not only trained to bring me my slippers: but also to dry the dishes and hang out the laundry. 0.0%

Terrence's audition repertoire includes the songs "Luck Be a Lady" and "Lily's Eyes." 0.0%

"My favorite part of the movie," said Alice, "is when he yells out the window." 0.0%

c and d 100.0%

Which of the following sentences uses correct punctuation?

According to these records, the school years 1998 and 2001 were plagued by dwindling budgets. 100.0%

For a more in-depth analysis refer to Smiths study, [2002], and Huffingtons enlightening essay, (2007). 0.0%

The final scores in the international championship were as follows; England, 6; Germany, 4. 0.0%

Italian has two terms for the word 'face' one for the face of a human, (viso), and another for the face of an animal (muso). 0.0%

Which of the following statements about typeset matter is correct?

There should be no character space after any mark of punctuation that ends a sentence. 0.0%

A single character space should follow any mark of punctuation that ends a sentence. 100.0%

Two character spaces should follow any mark of punctuation that ends a sentence. 0.0%

One or two character spaces may follow any mark of punctuation that ends a sentence. 0.0%

Which of the underlined parts of the following sentences contains an error or inconsistency?

Were these fourteen zebras ordered by you and her or by Sam and Al? 100.0%

Herbert and Peg have always been so rude to Arthur and me. 0.0%

Stella's and Alma's puppies usually frolic together at the dog park. 0.0%

Each of the climbers has undergone a rigorous physical assessment. 0.0%

Which of the underlined sections in the following sentences contains an error in diction?

We racked our brains to come up with a solution to the problem. 0.0%

It's wonderful how little affected Agnes and John are by the ravages of time. 0.0%

The mysterious letter implied that my wife was having an affair with the butler. 100.0%

I was overwhelmed by the growing amount of protesters outside my window. 0.0%