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Quizzes > High School Quizzes > English Language Arts

AP Stylebook Practice Quiz

Ace your exam with style guidelines

Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 11
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Colorful paper art promoting a fast-paced AP Style Showdown trivia quiz for high school students.

Which of the following is the correctly formatted date in AP style?
5 April 2023
04/05/2023
April 5, 2023
April 5th, 2023
AP style requires that dates be written without ordinal indicators such as 'th'. 'April 5, 2023' adheres to this rule, ensuring clear and consistent presentation of dates. This format is the standard in news writing.
Which of the following headlines adheres to AP style headline capitalization rules?
New study Reveals Climate Change Impacts
New Study Reveals Climate Change Impacts
New study reveals climate change impacts
new study reveals climate change impacts
AP style dictates that only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized in headlines. 'New study reveals climate change impacts' correctly applies sentence-style capitalization. This approach enhances readability and aligns with AP guidelines.
How should numbers below 10 be written in AP style?
Spell out numbers one through ten
Write all numbers in numerals regardless of size
Always use numerals for all numbers
Spell out numbers zero through nine
AP style guidelines require that numbers less than 10 be spelled out in running text. This rule maintains consistency and clarity in reporting. Numbers 10 and above are generally written as numerals.
Which state abbreviation is correctly formatted in an AP style dateline for Chicago?
Chicago, Ill.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, IL
Chicago, Ill
In AP style, state names in datelines are abbreviated with a period, as seen with 'Ill.' for Illinois. This standard minimizes space and maintains uniformity across datelines. 'Chicago, Ill.' correctly applies this rule.
What is a key characteristic of AP style writing?
Extensive use of technical jargon
Flowery, descriptive language
Complex sentence structures
Emphasis on brevity and clarity
AP style emphasizes clear, concise writing that is accessible to a broad audience. The focus on brevity and clarity helps deliver news effectively and efficiently. This principle is fundamental to maintaining journalistic integrity.
How should the number 4 be written in a sentence describing game losses according to AP style?
four games
IV games
FOUR games
4 games
According to AP style, numbers less than 10 should be spelled out in running text. 'four games' complies with this guideline, ensuring clarity and consistency. Using numerals in this context would deviate from the standard.
Which sentence adheres to AP style guidelines regarding the use of the serial (Oxford) comma?
The ingredients included bread; milk; and eggs.
The ingredients included bread, milk and eggs.
The ingredients included bread milk, and eggs.
The ingredients included bread, milk, and eggs.
AP style generally omits the serial comma unless its absence creates ambiguity. The sentence 'The ingredients included bread, milk and eggs.' is correct under this guideline. This streamlined punctuation enhances the flow of the sentence.
How should percent be formatted in AP style when accompanying a numeral?
75 percent
75%
Seventy-five%
seventy-five percent
AP style specifies that when a numeral is used with a percentage, the word 'percent' should be spelled out. '75 percent' thus meets the AP style requirement, providing clarity and uniformity. This rule is consistently applied in news writing.
Which of the following correctly follows AP style for using a job title before a person's name?
actor Tom Hanks
Actor Tom Hanks
tOM hanks, actor
Mr. Tom Hanks
AP style recommends that common job titles used before a name should be in lowercase unless they form part of a formal title. 'actor Tom Hanks' adheres to this convention by using the descriptor in lowercase. This approach avoids unnecessary formality in news writing.
What is the AP style recommendation for including academic degrees in bylines or after a person's name?
Spell out academic degrees in full after a person's name
Do not list academic degrees after a person's name
Always list academic degrees after a person's name
Include only the highest academic degree
AP style advises against including academic degrees after a person's name to preserve simplicity and focus. This guideline prevents clutter in bylines and maintains a clear presentation of information. Academic credentials, unless essential, are therefore omitted.
Which of the following time formats is correct according to AP style guidelines?
9 a.m.
9:00am
9 AM
9:00 A.M.
AP style specifies that time should be written with lowercase 'a.m.' and 'p.m.' and include periods. '9 a.m.' follows this format exactly. This standardized form ensures clarity and consistency in time expressions.
In an AP style dateline for a U.S. news story, how should the location be formatted when using only a city?
New York
NEW YORK, NY
NEW YORK
New York, NY
AP style mandates that datelines for U.S. stories are written in all capital letters, with just the city name if no further detail is necessary. 'NEW YORK' meets this criterion perfectly. This consistency aids in the quick identification of location in news reports.
Which of the following sentences correctly punctuates the attribution in accordance with AP style?
The mayor said 'We are working diligently.'
The mayor said, 'We are working diligently.'
The mayor said: 'We are working diligently.'
The mayor said, We are working diligently.
AP style requires a comma to separate the attribution from the quote. The sentence 'The mayor said, "We are working diligently."' correctly places the comma before the opening quotation mark. This punctuation aligns with AP's standards for attributions.
When first referencing an organization with a known abbreviation, what does AP style advise?
Spell out the full name every time it is mentioned
Spell out the full name followed by the abbreviation in parentheses, then use the abbreviation thereafter
Use the abbreviation exclusively throughout the text
Include both the full name and abbreviation each time
AP style recommends that on first reference, an organization's full name should be spelled out with the abbreviation following in parentheses. Subsequent references can then use the abbreviation alone. This ensures clarity for readers while keeping the text concise.
How should directional words be capitalized in AP style when used as part of a geographic designation?
Never capitalize directional words
Always capitalize all directional words
Capitalize them only when they are part of a proper name
Capitalize them only if they appear at the beginning of a sentence
AP style dictates that directional words should be capitalized only when they constitute part of an official geographical name. When used merely as descriptors, they remain lowercase. This rule helps prevent overcapitalization and maintains consistency.
Which of the following sentences correctly uses a numeral as an exception to AP style's general rule for numbers below 10?
The 4-year-old won a prize.
The four year old won a prize.
The four-year-old won a prize.
The 4 year old won a prize.
AP style allows the use of numerals for ages, even for numbers below 10, when they form part of a compound adjective. 'The 4-year-old won a prize.' correctly uses a numeral with proper hyphenation. This exception improves clarity in contexts where precision is important.
When referring to a person with a title in multiple instances, how does AP style recommend handling subsequent references?
Alternate between using the title and the full name
Repeat the full title every time
Use only the title without the last name
Use only the last name on subsequent references
AP style advises that after the initial full reference, a person should be referred to by his or her last name only. This practice avoids redundancy while maintaining clarity. It is a standard approach in journalistic writing.
In preparing an international dateline, which of the following formats best aligns with AP style guidelines?
ROME, Italy
Rome, italy
ROME, ITALY
Rome, Italy
For international datelines, AP style requires that the city name is in all capitals while the country name remains in title case. 'ROME, Italy' accurately reflects this guideline. This format helps distinguish the location clearly for international audiences.
Which of the following attributions best aligns with AP style for quoting a well-regarded author and professor?
Dr. Jane Smith, an Award-Winning Author and Professor, said, 'Innovation drives progress.'
author and professor Jane Smith said, 'Innovation drives progress.'
Jane Smith, Professor and award-winning author, said, 'Innovation drives progress.'
Award-winning author Jane Smith and Professor Smith said, 'Innovation drives progress.'
AP style recommends using descriptive terms in lowercase without unnecessary honorifics when attributing quotes. Option A correctly refers to Jane Smith as an 'author and professor' without added titles or capitalization. This attribution is clear, concise, and adheres to AP guidelines.
Which of the following sentences best adheres to AP style guidelines for clear and concise sentence structure?
The committee postponed the vote because of a lengthy discussion that had taken far too long.
After the meeting, the committee, which had been waiting all day, decided to postpone the vote.
After a lengthy discussion, the committee decided to postpone the vote.
Following an extended debate and a prolonged discussion, the committee chose to defer the vote.
AP style values clarity and brevity in its sentence construction. Option B communicates the essential information succinctly without unnecessary modifiers. This clear and concise structure is preferred in AP style reporting.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Analyze AP style guidelines and understand their applications in written texts.
  2. Apply punctuation, capitalization, and abbreviation rules as outlined in the AP stylebook.
  3. Evaluate written examples to identify and correct AP style errors.
  4. Interpret the rationale behind key AP style conventions to support effective writing.
  5. Demonstrate increased confidence in utilizing AP style for academic and journalistic writing.

AP Stylebook Cheat Sheet

  1. Master the art of capitalization - Spice up your sentences by capitalizing proper nouns, official titles before names, and specific regions like "the South." But don't overdo it - lowercase general directions and job titles after names, such as "the president, Abraham Lincoln." Stick to these guidelines, and you'll sound sharp and savvy. AP Stylebook
  2. Understand the use of numerals - When counting becomes a quest, spell out numbers one through nine, then switch to numerals from 10 upward. Always stick to numerals for ages, dates, and percentages to keep things consistent - think "two kittens and 15 puppies" or "She's 7 years old." Master this rule, and your stats will stand out cleanly! AP Stylebook
  3. Get comfortable with abbreviations and acronyms - Introduce an organization by its full name on first mention, then drop in the abbreviation in parentheses - like "The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)." After that, the sky's the limit to use your snappy acronym in place of the long name. Nail this technique, and your writing will stay both clear and concise. AP Stylebook
  4. Learn the rules for dates and times - Write dates with Arabic numerals without "st," "nd," "rd," or "th" so "April 16, 2025" shines crisply. Use figures for clock times like "3 p.m." - except for "noon" and "midnight," of course. Stick to these tips, and you'll never time-travel to "April 16th" again! AP Stylebook
  5. Practice proper punctuation - Separate items in a series with commas but skip the Oxford comma in simple lists: "red, white and blue." Use hyphens to link words in a compound modifier before nouns, such as "a well-known author." With these tools in your kit, your sentences will flow flawlessly - and look fantastic! AP Stylebook
  6. Understand the use of titles - Capitalize formal titles when they directly precede a name - like "President Biden" - but lowercase them if they stand alone or follow a name: "the president, Joe Biden." This tweak will keep your headlines and prose polished and professional. Nail this, and you'll command respect from every reader. AP Stylebook
  7. Know the guidelines for addresses - Abbreviate words like "St.," "Ave.," and "Blvd." only when there's a numbered address - think "221B Baker St." Otherwise, spell them out in formal names: "Baker Street." Follow this map, and your mail letters will arrive spot-on! AP Stylebook
  8. Familiarize yourself with the treatment of state names - Spell out state names in the body text - "She moved to California" - but switch to official postal abbreviations (CA, NY) in datelines, lists, and captions. This approach keeps your narrative smooth while satisfying format rules. Plug in this tip, and you'll be state-savvy! AP Stylebook
  9. Learn the correct usage of "more than" vs. "over" - Reserve "more than" for numbers ("More than 100 students attended") and pick "over" for spatial relationships ("The bird flew over the fence"). Using the right phrase makes your writing precise and prevents runaway confusion. Practice this rule, and watch your clarity soar! AP Stylebook
  10. Understand the guidelines for composition titles - Wrap titles of books, songs, movies, and other works in quotation marks - "To Kill a Mockingbird" - instead of italics or underlines. Use this simple trick to honor original works and keep your articles publication-ready. Quote away, and let your creativity strike a chord! AP Stylebook
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