Ellipsis: Omission in Quotations and Trailing Thought (B2)

What does an ellipsis (…) signal when used inside a quotation?

That the speaker paused dramatically before continuing.That words have been omitted from the original text.That the quotation is longer than one sentence.That the quotation ends the paragraph.

Correct answer: That words have been omitted from the original text.

Which version of the quotation correctly uses an ellipsis to omit the middle of the original sentence?

"She argued … costly and poorly designed.""She argued that the new policy was both costly … and poorly designed.""She argued that the new policy … costly and poorly designed.""She argued that …"

Correct answer: "She argued that the new policy was both costly … and poorly designed."

In creative writing, what does an ellipsis at the end of a sentence signal?

That the sentence has been interrupted by another speaker.That the sentence is a question.That the speaker's thought trails off or is left unfinished.That there is a long pause between two independent clauses.

Correct answer: That the speaker's thought trails off or is left unfinished.

How many dots make up a standard ellipsis?

Two dots (..).Three dots (…).Four dots (….).Any number from two to five, depending on how much was omitted.

Correct answer: Three dots (…).

Which sentence correctly uses an ellipsis to shorten a quotation in an essay?

The author writes, "… was a turning point."The author writes, "The discovery … changed the course of history."The author writes, "The discovery changed the course … ."The author writes, "The discovery changed the course of history…!"

Correct answer: The author writes, "The discovery … changed the course of history."

Which dialogue tag is correctly punctuated to show a character trailing off?

"I thought I heard something—" she whispered."I thought I heard something…" she whispered."I thought I heard something." she whispered."I thought I heard something," she whispered.

Correct answer: "I thought I heard something…" she whispered.

When omitting the end of a sentence in a quotation, which punctuation comes AFTER the ellipsis?

Nothing — the ellipsis ends the quotation.A closing quotation mark (and possibly a full stop, depending on style).An exclamation mark to show the omission is important.A comma before the citation.

Correct answer: A closing quotation mark (and possibly a full stop, depending on style).

Which sentence INCORRECTLY uses an ellipsis?

"I don't know what to say…" he admitted.The report states, "the evidence … clearly supports the hypothesis.""She was… running to the shop," he recalled."Maybe if we tried harder… but I suppose it's too late now."

Correct answer: "She was… running to the shop," he recalled.

What is the difference between an ellipsis and an em-dash in dialogue?

An em-dash shows hesitation; an ellipsis shows an interruption.An em-dash shows an abrupt interruption; an ellipsis shows a trailing off.They are interchangeable — both show pauses in dialogue.An em-dash is used in fiction; an ellipsis is used in academic writing.

Correct answer: An em-dash shows an abrupt interruption; an ellipsis shows a trailing off.

A student quotes: "The scientist argued that … the results were inconclusive." Is this a correct use of the ellipsis?

Yes, provided words were actually omitted from the original text at that point.No, an ellipsis cannot appear directly after "that".No, an ellipsis must always appear at the end of a quotation, not the middle.No, an ellipsis should be used only to omit whole sentences, not phrases.

Correct answer: Yes, provided words were actually omitted from the original text at that point.

Which sentence correctly uses an ellipsis in informal writing to create suspense?

And then I opened the door… nothing was there.And then I opened the door. Nothing was there.And then I opened the door; nothing was there.And then I opened the door: nothing was there.

Correct answer: And then I opened the door… nothing was there.

Which action is WRONG when using an ellipsis in a quotation?

Omitting unimportant adjectives to shorten the quote.Using an ellipsis to remove a parenthetical aside from a sentence.Omitting words that change the original meaning to support your argument.Placing the ellipsis where words have been removed.

Correct answer: Omitting words that change the original meaning to support your argument.

Which is the correct way to begin a quotation mid-sentence using an ellipsis?

"[…] The evidence suggested otherwise.""… the evidence suggested otherwise.""...The evidence suggested otherwise.""— the evidence suggested otherwise."

Correct answer: "… the evidence suggested otherwise."

In which context is an ellipsis MOST appropriate?

After every comma in a sentence to show a longer pause.Before the conclusion of an academic paragraph for dramatic effect.In a quotation where words have been omitted, or in dialogue where a thought trails off.To replace a semicolon between two independent clauses.

Correct answer: In a quotation where words have been omitted, or in dialogue where a thought trails off.

Which sentence uses ellipsis OVERUSE — too many ellipses for clear writing?

So I was thinking… maybe we could… I don't know… just try something new?"The policy … was described as revolutionary," the report noted."Maybe if you studied harder…" her teacher said gently."We stand … committed to excellence," the CEO declared.

Correct answer: So I was thinking… maybe we could… I don't know… just try something new?