Quotation Attribution: Punctuation and Capitalisation (B2)

Which sentence correctly places attribution BEFORE a direct quotation?

Smith argues, "The results challenge conventional wisdom."Smith argues; "The results challenge conventional wisdom."Smith argues "the results challenge conventional wisdom."Smith argues. "The results challenge conventional wisdom."

Correct answer: Smith argues, "The results challenge conventional wisdom."

Which sentence correctly places attribution AFTER a direct quotation?

"The data is conclusive." Smith argues."The data is conclusive," Smith argues."The data is conclusive.", Smith argues."The data is conclusive" Smith argues.

Correct answer: "The data is conclusive," Smith argues.

A quotation continues after a mid-sentence attribution. Which version is correctly punctuated?

"The study found," Jones notes, "that diet plays a key role.""The study found." Jones notes. "That diet plays a key role.""The study found" Jones notes, "that diet plays a key role.""The study found," Jones notes "that diet plays a key role."

Correct answer: "The study found," Jones notes, "that diet plays a key role."

A sentence incorporates only the END of a quotation as a fragment. Which capitalisation rule applies?

Always capitalise the first letter of any quotation.Capitalise only when the quotation starts a new sentence.Capitalise because the quotation was capitalised in the original.Use lowercase when the quotation is a fragment integrated into a sentence.

Correct answer: Use lowercase when the quotation is a fragment integrated into a sentence.

Which sentence correctly integrates a short quotation as part of a longer sentence without a signal phrase?

The author believes that: "education is the key to equality."The author believes that "education is the key to equality."The author believes that, "education is the key to equality."The author believes that; "education is the key to equality."

Correct answer: The author believes that "education is the key to equality."

When is it appropriate to use a block quotation (indented, no quotation marks) instead of inline quotation marks?

When the quotation is particularly important and you want it to stand out.When the quotation is from a primary source rather than a secondary source.When the writer cannot remember the exact wording of the source.When the quotation is four or more lines (MLA) or 40 or more words (APA).

Correct answer: When the quotation is four or more lines (MLA) or 40 or more words (APA).

Which sentence has an error in the capitalisation of direct speech?

She said, "The experiment was a success.""We must act now," the minister insisted.The report states, "the funding will be cut by 30%."Jones writes, "This finding has significant implications."

Correct answer: The report states, "the funding will be cut by 30%."

After an interrupted quotation resumes its second half, which capitalisation is correct?

"We found," she said, "that results varied.""We found," she said, "That results varied.""We found." She said, "that results varied.""We Found," she said, "that results varied."

Correct answer: "We found," she said, "that results varied."

Which version correctly introduces a quotation with a COLON?

Smith argues that: "The system needs radical reform."Smith makes his position clear: "The system needs radical reform."Smith makes his position clear,: "The system needs radical reform."Smith makes his position clear "The system needs radical reform."

Correct answer: Smith makes his position clear: "The system needs radical reform."

A writer quotes only part of a sentence. Which version correctly handles the capitalisation?

The paper believes "The approach is fundamentally sound."The paper believes that "The approach is fundamentally sound."The paper believes, "the approach is fundamentally sound."The paper believes that "the approach is fundamentally sound."

Correct answer: The paper believes that "the approach is fundamentally sound."

Where does the citation (e.g., a page number) go relative to the closing quotation mark?

Inside the closing quotation mark: "quotation (p. 45)"After the period: "quotation." (p. 45)After the closing quotation mark, before the period: "quotation" (p. 45).Before the opening quotation mark: (p. 45) "quotation."

Correct answer: After the closing quotation mark, before the period: "quotation" (p. 45).

Which sentence has the attribution error?

"The findings are clear," Jones said.Jones said, "The findings are clear.""The findings," Jones said, "are clear.""The findings are clear." Jones Said.

Correct answer: "The findings are clear." Jones Said.

The original quotation reads: "The economic model has failed." A student integrates it as: "Smith argues that the economic model ___." Which word(s) correctly complete the gap with a partial quotation?

"Has failed""has failed""Has Failed""The economic model has failed"

Correct answer: "has failed"

Which sentence correctly uses a colon versus a comma to introduce a quotation?

She said: "I'll be there."The committee reached a final decision, "The project is approved."His conclusion was clear: "all options had been exhausted."The committee reached a unanimous decision: "The project is approved."

Correct answer: The committee reached a unanimous decision: "The project is approved."

In a block quotation, which convention applies?

Quotation marks are still required around the indented text.Use a smaller font size to distinguish the block from the body text.No quotation marks are used; the indentation signals the quotation.The citation goes before the first line of the block.

Correct answer: No quotation marks are used; the indentation signals the quotation.