Numbers: Spell Out vs. Numerals (B1)

According to the most common style guide rule, when should you spell out a number as a word?

Spell out numbers one through nine; use numerals for 10 and above.Always spell out every number in formal writing.Always use numerals — figures are clearer than words.Spell out numbers one through one hundred; use numerals for 101+.

Correct answer: Spell out numbers one through nine; use numerals for 10 and above.

Which sentence correctly follows the spell-out-vs-numeral rule?

She has 3 cats and twelve fish.She has three cats and 12 fish.She has three cats and twelve fish.She has 3 cats and 12 fish.

Correct answer: She has three cats and 12 fish.

In formal writing, how should money amounts be written?

Use numerals with the currency symbol: $50, £200, €100.Always spell out money amounts: fifty dollars, two hundred pounds.Use words for amounts under $10 and numerals for $10 and above.Never use currency symbols — spell out the currency name: 50 dollars.

Correct answer: Use numerals with the currency symbol: $50, £200, €100.

How should percentages be written in most formal writing contexts?

Always spell out: "seventy-five percent."Only use numerals for percentages over 50: "seventy-five percent" but "75%."Write "% seventy-five" with the symbol before the number.Use numerals with the % symbol: 75%.

Correct answer: Use numerals with the % symbol: 75%.

In British English, which date format is CORRECT?

March 15, 202415 March 202415/03/2024March 15th, 2024

Correct answer: 15 March 2024

In a sentence with two numbers — one below 10 and one above 10 — which version is consistent?

The project had three phases and 15 participants.The project had three phases and fifteen participants.The project had 3 phases and fifteen participants.The project had 3 phases and 15 participants.

Correct answer: The project had 3 phases and 15 participants.

When should you write times using numerals rather than words?

Always write times as words: "nine o'clock."Use numerals only for times after noon.Use numerals with a.m./p.m. in formal and technical contexts: 9 a.m.Use numerals only when the time includes minutes: "9:30" but "nine o'clock."

Correct answer: Use numerals with a.m./p.m. in formal and technical contexts: 9 a.m.

In scientific and technical writing, how are numbers typically treated?

Use numerals for all quantities, even below 10: "5 participants, 3 trials."Spell out all numbers in scientific papers for clarity.Use numerals only for measurements and spell out everything else.Follow the same one-to-nine rule as general writing.

Correct answer: Use numerals for all quantities, even below 10: "5 participants, 3 trials."

Approximate or round numbers are sometimes written as words. Which version is most natural?

About 20 people attended the meeting.About twenty people attended the meeting.About 20.0 people attended the meeting.About twenty (20) people attended the meeting.

Correct answer: About twenty people attended the meeting.

Which sentence correctly writes the year using standard style?

The report was published in two thousand and twenty-three.The report was published in MMXXIII.The report was published in '23.The report was published in 2023.

Correct answer: The report was published in 2023.

How should ages be written in general prose?

Always use numerals for ages: "She is 5 years old."Always spell out ages: "She is five years old" and "He is fourteen years old."Spell out ages under 10; use numerals for 10 and above.Always hyphenate ages: "She is 5-year-old."

Correct answer: Spell out ages under 10; use numerals for 10 and above.

Which sentence correctly writes a fraction in formal prose?

Three-quarters of the participants agreed.3/4 of the participants agreed.Three quarters of the participants agreed.0.75 of the participants agreed.

Correct answer: Three-quarters of the participants agreed.

Which sentence correctly writes a telephone number?

Please call seven-eight-nine, four-five-six, seven-eight-nine-zero.Please call 789 456 7890.Please call seven hundred and eighty-nine, four hundred and fifty-six, seven thousand...Please call seven-eight-nine, four-five-six, seventy-eight, ninety.

Correct answer: Please call 789 456 7890.

Which sentence correctly handles large numbers?

The company had 2,000,000 customers last year.The company had two million customers last year.The company had 2M customers last year.The company had 2 million customers last year.

Correct answer: The company had 2 million customers last year.

Which sentence correctly uses numerals for measurements?

The room measured four point five metres by six metres.The room measured four-and-a-half metres by six metres.The room measured 4.5 metres by 6 metres.The room measured four.five metres by six metres.

Correct answer: The room measured 4.5 metres by 6 metres.