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Quizzes > High School Quizzes > English Language Arts

MLA Quiz Practice Test

Sharpen your MLA style and citation skills

Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 10
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Colorful paper art promoting an MLA Citation Challenge quiz for high school language arts students.

Which punctuation is used to separate the author's last name and page number in an MLA in-text citation?
No punctuation
Comma
Colon
Semicolon
MLA style requires that the author's last name and the page number appear without any punctuation between them in the parenthetical citation. This format allows for a clean and simple presentation.
What two pieces of information are typically included in an MLA in-text citation for a direct quote from a printed source?
Author's last name and page number
Author's first name and publication year
Title of the source and page number
Author's last name and publication date
MLA in-text citations normally include the author's last name followed by the page number where the quoted material appears. This format makes it easier for readers to locate the source in the Works Cited list.
Which punctuation mark properly concludes a Works Cited entry in MLA format?
Period
Comma
Semicolon
Colon
Each Works Cited entry in MLA style ends with a period to denote the end of the citation. This punctuation clearly separates each entry.
When citing a source with two authors in MLA style in-text, how should the authors be listed?
List both authors' last names connected by 'and'
List only the first author's last name followed by 'et al.'
List both authors' full names
Combine the names using a slash (/)
For a work with two authors, MLA style instructs you to list both authors' last names, connected by the word 'and'. This method properly credits both contributors.
According to MLA rules, which of the following titles should be italicized in a Works Cited entry?
Book titles
Article titles
Chapter titles
Essay titles
MLA style prescribes that titles of standalone works such as books, films, and plays should be italicized. Shorter works like articles or essays are placed in quotation marks instead.
How do you format a Works Cited entry for a source with no author in MLA style?
Begin the entry with the title of the source
Omit the source from the Works Cited
Use 'Anonymous' as the author
List the publisher in place of the author
When a source does not have an author, MLA guidelines recommend beginning the citation with the title of the work. This ensures that the entry is still organized alphabetically by title.
Which of the following details is considered optional when citing an online article in MLA style?
URL
Publication date
Access date
Title of the article
MLA guidelines state that the access date is optional when citing online sources, unless the content is likely to change. This allows flexibility while still retaining the critical publication information.
Which is the correct method in MLA style for indicating repeated authors in a Works Cited list?
Repeating the author's name in each entry
Replacing repeated names with three em dashes (---)
Using the word 'same' instead of the name
Omitting the author's name entirely in subsequent entries
MLA style instructs that when listing multiple works by the same author, the author's name in subsequent entries is replaced by three em dashes. This visual cue aids in organizing the bibliography.
When citing a film in MLA style, which of the following elements is essential in the Works Cited entry?
The director's name
The lead actor's name
The film's runtime
The screenplay writer's name
The director's name is a key element in an MLA citation for a film, as it provides essential creative context. While other details can be included, the director is typically prioritized in film citations.
How should the title of an article and the journal in which it appears be formatted in an MLA Works Cited entry?
Italicize the article title and use quotation marks for the journal title
Place both titles in quotation marks
Use quotation marks for the article title and italicize the journal title
Underline the article title and italicize the journal title
According to MLA guidelines, the title of the article should be enclosed in quotation marks, while the journal title - the larger container - should be italicized. This formatting distinction helps readers locate and identify sources.
For sources with three or more authors, how should an MLA in-text citation be formatted?
List all authors' last names
List only the first author's last name followed by 'et al.'
List the first and the last authors' last names
Use the initials of all authors
When a source has three or more authors, MLA style recommends citing just the first author's last name followed by 'et al.' This approach simplifies the citation while still crediting the source.
When citing a chapter from an anthology, which details should be included in the MLA Works Cited entry?
The page range of the chapter only
Only the title of the anthology
The title of the anthology, the editor's name, and the page range
Both the anthology's title and the editor's name
When citing a chapter from an anthology, MLA guidelines require you to include the anthology's title, the editor's name, and the specific page numbers of the chapter. This detailed citation helps readers locate the exact source material.
How do you indicate omitted text in a direct quote according to MLA guidelines?
Insert an ellipsis (…) to indicate omitted text
Leave a blank space where text is missing
Use square brackets with ellipsis ([...])
Insert a series of dashes (---)
MLA style recommends using an ellipsis (…) to show that a portion of text has been omitted from a quote. This clear indicator informs readers that the quote is not continuous from the original source.
How should the publisher's name be presented in an MLA Works Cited entry?
Include the full official name without any changes
Simplify the name by omitting common business abbreviations
Omit the publisher's name entirely
Enclose the publisher's name in quotation marks
MLA guidelines advise that the publisher's name should be presented in a streamlined form by removing unnecessary business terms like 'Company' or 'Inc.' This simplification leads to a cleaner, more consistent citation.
What formatting style is recommended for a long title in an MLA Works Cited entry?
Use title case, capitalizing major words
Convert the title to all uppercase letters
Use sentence case, capitalizing only the first word
Abbreviate the title to a shorter version
MLA style recommends formatting long titles in title case, meaning that major words are capitalized. This method maintains a uniform and professional appearance in the Works Cited list.
How should the publication date be formatted in MLA style when day and month are available?
12 May 2018
May 12, 2018
2018-05-12
05/12/2018
When a publication date includes both a day and a month, MLA style recommends formatting it as day month year without commas. This method adheres to international standards and MLA guidelines.
How do you indicate the edition of a work in an MLA citation?
By writing the edition number followed by 'ed.'
By writing the edition number in Roman numerals
By using the word 'edition' after the title
By omitting the edition information entirely
MLA guidelines require that the edition be indicated by the number followed by the abbreviation 'ed.' This convention clearly identifies the version of the source being cited.
If a source does not provide a publication date, what is the correct MLA convention to indicate this?
Leave the date blank
Use 'n.d.' in place of the date
Enter 'unknown'
Use the current year
When a publication date is missing, MLA style instructs the use of 'n.d.' (no date) to signify the absence of this information. This practice maintains consistency across citations.
For a source such as a website with no page numbers, how should the in-text citation be formatted in MLA?
Include a placeholder 'n.p.'
Omit the page number entirely
Use the abbreviation 'np.'
List the paragraph number instead
MLA guidelines advise that when a source lacks page numbers - as is common with websites - the in-text citation should simply include the author's last name. This omission accurately reflects the source's format.
In an MLA Works Cited entry for a website, which element should be italicized?
The title of the webpage
The name of the website
The URL
The author's name
In MLA format, the name of the website - which acts as the larger container - is italicized. The title of the specific webpage is placed within quotation marks, distinguishing the two elements.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand the fundamental rules and guidelines of MLA citation style.
  2. Apply proper MLA formatting techniques to a variety of source types.
  3. Analyze examples of citations to identify errors and inconsistencies.
  4. Evaluate the accuracy and completeness of MLA citations in sample texts.
  5. Create correctly formatted MLA citations from provided sources.
  6. Synthesize MLA citation rules to enhance readiness for academic assessments.

MLA Citation & Format Cheat Sheet

  1. Core MLA Citation Elements - Master the essential building blocks of any MLA citation - from author and source title to container, publisher, date, and location - so your Works Cited page is rock-solid. These components work together like puzzle pieces, ensuring you credit every source correctly and dodge the dreaded plagiarism trap. Get comfortable with each part and watch your citation skills level up! Purdue OWL MLA Formatting Guide
  2. In-Text Citation Style - Nail the MLA in-text citation by listing the author's last name and page number in parentheses, like (Smith 23), and you'll make sure your readers can trace every fact back to its origin. It's your roadmap to connect snippets of text with full entries on the Works Cited page. Master this tiny-but-mighty format to keep your writing seamless and credible. Purdue OWL MLA Formatting Guide
  3. Citing Different Source Types - From books and scholarly articles to blog posts and websites, every source type has its own citation recipe. For example, a book gets an italicized title and publisher, while an article needs journal info and issue numbers. Learn these tailored formats to handle any research challenge like a citation ninja. Purdue OWL MLA Formatting Guide
  4. Works Cited Page Formatting - Think of your Works Cited page as the grand finale where all your citations take center stage - double-spaced, hanging indents in place, and entries sorted alphabetically by author surname. This clean, consistent layout helps your reader glide through your references. Follow the MLA rules, and you'll have a professional-looking bibliography in no time. Purdue OWL MLA Formatting Guide
  5. Online Source Citations - When you cite websites or digital articles, include the full URL or DOI and the date you accessed it, since online content can change or vanish. This gives your readers a direct path to the info you used and shows you've followed the digital breadcrumbs. Pro tip: make sure your URLs work before you hit "submit!" Purdue OWL MLA Formatting Guide
  6. Non-print Source References - Films, TV episodes, podcasts, and more need extra credits like directors, performers, and release dates to fully acknowledge the media you're discussing. Citing these non-print gems shows you appreciate the full spectrum of research materials. Treat it like giving a shout-out to every creative mind you reference. Purdue OWL: Other Common Sources
  7. Quotations and Block Quotes - Short quotes slide smoothly into your text with quotation marks, but when a passage runs over four lines, switch to a block quote and ditch the quotation marks. Proper punctuation and indentation keep the original meaning intact while fitting your own narrative style. Practice these formatting rules to integrate even long excerpts without a hitch. Purdue OWL MLA Formatting Guide
  8. Abbreviations in Citations - Keep your citations concise using standard abbreviations like ed. for editor, trans. for translator, and vol. for volume. These little shortcuts help you pack essential details into tight spaces without losing clarity. The right abbreviations are like secret weapons for citation efficiency. Purdue OWL MLA Formatting Guide
  9. MLA 9th Edition Updates - Stay up to date with the 9th edition's fresh guidelines, including inclusive language recommendations and expanded advice on writing mechanics. Keeping your citations current means you're playing by the latest rules of the MLA game. This edition's improvements ensure your academic voice is both precise and respectful. Andover MLA 9th Edition Guide
  10. Citation Practice and Templates - Use MLA templates and citation generators for hands-on practice until crafting references becomes second nature. Regular drills will build your confidence, speed, and accuracy, turning citation chores into an easy part of your writing routine. Soon, you'll be whipping up perfect citations in record time. Purdue OWL MLA Formatting Guide
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