Quotation Marks: Punctuation Inside/Outside and Nesting (B2)

In American English, where do periods and commas always go relative to closing quotation marks?

Always inside the closing quotation mark.Always outside the closing quotation mark.Inside if the punctuation belongs to the quotation; outside if it belongs to the sentence.It depends on whether the quotation is a single word or a full sentence.

Correct answer: Always inside the closing quotation mark.

In British English, which sentence correctly places the period relative to the closing single quote?

The letter said, 'Please confirm your attendance.'The letter said, 'Please confirm your attendance'.The letter said, 'Please confirm your attendance'The letter said. 'Please confirm your attendance.'

Correct answer: The letter said, 'Please confirm your attendance'.

The surrounding sentence asks a question about a quotation that is not itself a question. Where does the question mark go (American English)?

Outside: Did she really say "I agree"?Inside: Did she really say "I agree?"Both inside and outside: Did she really say "I agree?"?Replace with a period: Did she really say "I agree."

Correct answer: Outside: Did she really say "I agree"?

Which sentence correctly handles a question mark when the quoted speech itself is a question (American English)?

She asked, "Where are you going"?She asked, "Where are you going?"?She asked, "Where are you going."She asked, "Where are you going?"

Correct answer: She asked, "Where are you going?"

In American English, which sentence correctly places a colon after a closing quotation mark?

She quoted "love thy neighbour:"; then paused.He read the poem titled "Ozymandias": its final lines were memorable.He read the poem "Ozymandias:" its final lines were memorable.He read "Ozymandias"; and was moved by it.

Correct answer: He read the poem titled "Ozymandias": its final lines were memorable.

In American English, what happens when both the surrounding sentence AND the quoted speech are questions?

Use two question marks: "Did he say, 'Are you ready?'"?Use no question mark — they cancel each other out.Place a period inside and a question mark outside: "Are you ready." ?Use one question mark inside: Did he say, "Are you ready?"

Correct answer: Use one question mark inside: Did he say, "Are you ready?"

In British English, the nesting order for a quotation within a quotation is:

Double outside, single inside — same as American English.Only single quotes for all levels.Single outside, double inside.Only double quotes for all levels.

Correct answer: Single outside, double inside.

Which sentence correctly punctuates an exclamation in reported speech (American English)?

"That's incredible!" she exclaimed."That's incredible"! she exclaimed."That's incredible!." she exclaimed."That's incredible," she exclaimed.

Correct answer: "That's incredible!" she exclaimed.

A writer quotes someone who said, "She told me 'be careful.'" Where does the final period go (American English)?

"She told me 'be careful.'".""She told me 'be careful.'""She told me 'be careful'.""She told me be careful."

Correct answer: "She told me 'be careful.'"

Which sentence incorrectly applies the American "period/comma inside" rule to a semicolon?

She called it a "disaster.""Close the file," he said.She used the term "leverage," but defined it differently.He referenced the chapter "Introduction;" then moved on.

Correct answer: He referenced the chapter "Introduction;" then moved on.

In British English, a sentence ends with a quoted word that is NOT itself a complete sentence. Where does the period go?

Inside: He described the result as a "failure."No period is needed when a sentence ends with a quoted word.Outside: He described the result as a "failure".After the attribution only: "failure" he said.

Correct answer: Outside: He described the result as a "failure".

Which statement correctly summarises the American vs. British difference for periods?

American: always inside. British: inside only if part of the quotation.American: always outside. British: always inside.American and British both place periods outside.American: inside for short quotes, outside for long ones.

Correct answer: American: always inside. British: inside only if part of the quotation.

What is the correct punctuation when a quoted exclamation ends a sentence that would otherwise end with a period (American English)?

Add a period after the exclamation mark: "Fire!" .No additional period needed: He shouted, "Fire!"Replace the exclamation mark with a period.Add both: He shouted, "Fire!".

Correct answer: No additional period needed: He shouted, "Fire!"

A student writes (American English): "The professor assigned the short story 'The Yellow Wallpaper', which we discussed last week." Is this correct?

No — short stories use italics, not quotation marks.No — the comma after "Wallpaper" should go outside the closing quote.Yes — single quotes with a comma inside is correct.No — American English uses double quotes: "The Yellow Wallpaper,"

Correct answer: No — American English uses double quotes: "The Yellow Wallpaper,"

Which sentence most clearly illustrates the American rule for commas after a quoted title?

She read "Araby" and found it moving.She read "Araby"; then she wrote a response.She read "Araby," then wrote a response.She read "Araby", then wrote a response.

Correct answer: She read "Araby," then wrote a response.