Numbers: Sentence Start, Ordinals, and Consistency (B2)

Why should you NEVER begin a sentence with a numeral?

It looks wrong typographically — sentences must begin with a word, not a figure.Numbers at the start of a sentence always refer to ordinals, not cardinals.Style guides forbid numerals in the first third of any sentence.A capital numeral is required, but capital figures do not exist.

Correct answer: It looks wrong typographically — sentences must begin with a word, not a figure.

Which sentence correctly avoids starting with a numeral?

42 participants completed the survey.Forty-two participants completed the survey.A total of 42 participants completed the survey.Participant forty-two completed the survey.

Correct answer: Forty-two participants completed the survey.

Which ordinal number is correctly formed?

Twenty-firstTwentyfirstTwenty-oneth21th

Correct answer: Twenty-first

Which ordinal suffix is CORRECT for these numbers: 1___, 2___, 3___, 4___?

1th, 2th, 3th, 4th1st, 2th, 3th, 4th1st, 2nd, 3th, 4th1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th

Correct answer: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th

The numbers 11, 12, and 13 are special. What ordinal suffix do they take?

11st, 12nd, 13rd11th, 12th, 13th11st, 12th, 13rd11nth, 12nth, 13nth

Correct answer: 11th, 12th, 13th

A paragraph discusses items in a list. Which version shows CONSISTENT number usage?

The study had one group, eight subgroups, and 14 participants.The study had 1 group, eight subgroups, and 14 participants.The study had one group, eight subgroups, and fourteen participants.The study had 1 group, 8 subgroups, and 14 participants.

Correct answer: The study had 1 group, 8 subgroups, and 14 participants.

How should "the 1990s" (a decade) be written in formal prose?

The 1990'sThe nineteen-ninetiesThe 1990sThe ninety's

Correct answer: The 1990s

Which sentence correctly uses an ordinal number for a date?

The conference is on 5 March.The conference is on 5th March.The conference is on the fiveth of March.The conference is on five March.

Correct answer: The conference is on 5 March.

A sentence starts with "2023 was a record year." How should it be fixed?

A record year was 2023.Two thousand and twenty-three was a record year.2023 was a record year for many businesses.23 was a record year.

Correct answer: Two thousand and twenty-three was a record year.

In a ranked list, which option correctly uses ordinal numbers?

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place were announced.1, 2, and 3 place were announced.First, second, and 3rd place were announced.First, second, and third place were announced.

Correct answer: First, second, and third place were announced.

Which sentence is INCONSISTENT in its number usage within a list?

She came first in 100m, second in 200m, and third in long jump.Teams finished in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.The winners were first, second, and 3.The report covers chapters 5, 8, and 11.

Correct answer: The winners were first, second, and 3.

Which sentence correctly uses "one" vs "1" in a formal text?

One of the key findings was surprising.1 of the key findings was surprising.The 1st of the key findings was surprising.1st of the key findings was surprising.

Correct answer: One of the key findings was surprising.

A sentence starts with a percentage: "___ of respondents disagreed." How is it correctly written?

62% of respondents disagreed.Sixty-two per cent of respondents disagreed.Sixty-two % of respondents disagreed.Sixty-two-percent of respondents disagreed.

Correct answer: Sixty-two per cent of respondents disagreed.

Which sentence shows the BEST use of number consistency in academic writing?

Three studies, 7 participants, and 14 data points were analysed.Three studies, seven participants, and 14 data points were analysed.Three studies, seven participants, and fourteen data points were analysed.3 studies, 7 participants, and 14 data points were analysed.

Correct answer: 3 studies, 7 participants, and 14 data points were analysed.

Which statement about number usage in academic writing is CORRECT?

All style guides agree on exactly the same number rules.Numbers are always written as words in academic writing.Different style guides differ on thresholds, but all forbid starting a sentence with a numeral.Academic writing always uses numerals for all numbers to avoid ambiguity.

Correct answer: Different style guides differ on thresholds, but all forbid starting a sentence with a numeral.