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Quizzes > Literature & Language > English & Grammar

Proofreading Skills Quiz: Spot the Errors!

Ready for the proofreading test? Dive into our practice quiz and sharpen your editing edge!

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Aspen WheelerUpdated Aug 26, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for proofreading quiz on dark blue background

This proofreading quiz helps you spot grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors and tighten sentences. Use it to practice for an edit test and build speed and confidence today. Start the main quiz , or warm up with this quick grammar check .

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
It's raining outside.
Its raining outside.
It is' raining outside.
Its' raining outside.
The contraction of it is requires an apostrophe before the s. Its without an apostrophe indicates possession, while it's means it is or it has. Proper use of apostrophes is essential for clear writing. For more details, see .
Which sentence shows correct subject-verb agreement?
The list of items are on the table.
Neither the teacher nor the students was prepared.
The group of students is presenting their project.
Each of the players were excited.
The subject group is singular, so it takes the singular verb is. Collective nouns require singular verbs when the group acts as a unit. Incorrect options either mismatch singular/plural or distribute the subject incorrectly. See .
Which word is misspelled?
Superior
Accommodate
Recieve
Guarantee
The correct spelling is receive, with the i before the e rule after the c. Recieve incorrectly swaps the letters. Common mnemonics like i before e except after c help avoid this mistake. Learn more at .
Which sentence is written in active voice?
The letter was written by Sarah.
John threw the ball.
The cake was baked by my mother.
The ball was thrown by John.
In the active voice, the subject performs the action: John threw the ball. Passive constructions place the subject as the recipient of the action. Active voice often makes writing clearer and more direct. More on voice at .
Which sentence uses their/there/they're correctly?
They're dog is friendly.
Their going to the park.
They're going to bring their books over there.
There house is on the corner.
Theyre is the contraction of they are, their shows possession, and there refers to a place. Option D uses all three correctly. Mixing these homophones is a frequent proofreading challenge. For more tips, see .
Which revision fixes the comma splice: I love to write, I find it relaxing.?
I love to write: I find it relaxing.
I love to write, and I find it relaxing.
I love to write; I find it relaxing.
I love to write I find it relaxing.
A comma splice joins two independent clauses with only a comma. Adding a coordinating conjunction (and) after the comma correctly links the clauses. A semicolon also works but isnt the chosen correct answer here. See .
Which sentence contains a misplaced modifier?
Mary only eats vegetables.
She wore a red hat to the concert that was too large.
The chef served a soup to the guests that was too salty.
At the age of five, Tim read his first book.
The phrase that was too large appears to modify concert rather than hat, causing confusion. To fix it, the modifier must be placed next to the noun it describes. Misplaced modifiers can distort meaning in a sentence. More examples at .
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
I finished my homework; then I went to bed.
She had lived in Paris; London; and Rome.
I have visited France; Spain, and Italy.
He bought apples; oranges and bananas.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses without a conjunction in option B. The other examples either misuse semicolons in lists or mix commas and semicolons incorrectly. Proper semicolon use improves clarity between related thoughts. Learn more at .
Which sentence shows correct plural possessive punctuation?
The childrens toys were scattered.
The childrens' toys were scattered.
The children's toys were scattered.
The childrens toys' were scattered.
For a plural noun ending in s, the possessive form adds only an apostrophe after the s. Since children is already plural but irregular, you add s to form childrens. This rule ensures correct possessive form. More at .
Which sentence contains a dangling participle?
Driving down the road, the house appeared.
Arriving late, the meeting started without me.
Walking through the park, I saw beautiful flowers.
Walking through the park, the flowers were beautiful.
In option A, the participle Walking through the park lacks a proper subject and incorrectly modifies flowers. A dangling participle creates illogical or humorous meanings. Correct sentences attach the participle to the intended subject. See .
Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?
She likes to dance, singing, and cooking.
She likes dancing, to sing, and cooking.
She likes dancing, singing, and cooking.
She likes to dance, singing, and to cook.
Parallel structure requires the same grammatical form for each item in a series. Option C uses three gerunds, making the list rhythmic and balanced. Inconsistent forms disrupt readability. More guidance at .
Which sentence correctly punctuates the introductory clause?
After reviewing, the results we celebrated.
After, reviewing the results we celebrated.
After reviewing the results, we celebrated.
After reviewing the results we celebrated.
A comma should follow an introductory adverbial clause like After reviewing the results. This separation signals the clauses end and clarifies meaning. Omitting or misplacing the comma can confuse readers. See .
Which sentence correctly uses a colon to introduce a list?
She brought three items - a book, pens, and a notebook.
She brought: three items, a book, pens, and a notebook.
She brought three items; a book, pens, and a notebook.
She brought three items: a book, pens and a notebook.
A colon properly introduces a list when the preceding clause is independent. Option A places the colon after a complete thought and before the list, which is correct. Dashes and semicolons serve different functions. More at .
Which sentence corrects the conditional error: If I was you, I would apologize.?
If I am you, I would apologize.
If I were you, I would apologize.
If I had been you, I would apologize.
If I was you, I would apologize.
In hypothetical or counterfactual conditional statements, English uses were with all subjects. If I were you correctly signals an unreal situation. Mixing tenses breaks standard usage. See .
Which revision is the clearest and most concise for: Due to the fact that she was unfamiliar with the software, she found it challenging to complete the task.?
The task was challenging because of unfamiliarity with the software.
She found the task challenging because she was unfamiliar with the software.
Because she didn't know the software she found completing the task challenging.
She found it challenging to complete the task due to her unfamiliarity with the software.
Option A removes wordiness like due to the fact that and keeps the causeeffect relationship clear. It uses active voice and maintains parallel structure. Concise revisions improve readability and impact. For advanced style tips, see .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Spelling and Grammar Errors -

    Pinpoint common spelling mistakes and grammatical slips within sentences to strengthen your editing accuracy. This outcome helps you recognize errors quickly during any proofreading test.

  2. Detect Punctuation and Formatting Issues -

    Spot misplaced commas, incorrect apostrophes, and formatting inconsistencies to ensure polished text. You will gain confidence in handling punctuation challenges in the proofreading quiz.

  3. Differentiate Correct and Incorrect Sentence Constructions -

    Compare properly structured sentences against flawed ones to understand clear writing principles. This skill sharpens your ability to choose the best phrasing on proofreading practice quizzes.

  4. Apply Structured Proofreading Techniques -

    Use systematic approaches - such as reading aloud or backward scanning - to uncover hidden errors. Applying these methods improves efficiency during a proofreading test or real-world editing.

  5. Evaluate Your Proofreading Performance -

    Interpret feedback and quiz results to identify strengths and areas for improvement. This outcome encourages continuous growth in your proofreading skills quiz journey.

  6. Revise Sentences for Clarity and Conciseness -

    Transform error-filled sentences into clear, concise prose by rewriting awkward or redundant passages. You'll practice this essential skill through targeted proofreading questions.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master Common Spelling Pitfalls -

    Review homophones and confusable words by memorizing tricks like "i before e except after c." For example, in a proofreading quiz you'd catch "their" vs. "there" by substituting words in the sentence to test meaning. Reliable sources like Merriam-Webster and Oxford Dictionaries list top misspellings to practice.

  2. Strengthen Subject-Verb Agreement -

    Brush up on rules ensuring singular subjects pair with singular verbs and plurals with plurals, e.g., "The team is" versus "The teams are." Purdue OWL's grammar guide provides clear charts and exercises that mirror proofreading test questions. Mnemonic: "One subject, one verb" helps you spot mismatches quickly.

  3. Refine Punctuation Usage -

    Practice placing commas correctly in compound sentences and after introductory phrases; for instance, "After reviewing the report, she approved it." The Chicago Manual of Style offers detailed examples to steady your comma confidence. Remember the FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) mnemonic to guide connecting independent clauses.

  4. Detect Passive Voice -

    Learn to convert passive constructions like "The draft was edited by Alex" into active ones: "Alex edited the draft." Cambridge University Press emphasizes active voice for clarity and conciseness, a common focus in proofreading practice quizzes. Ask "Who does the action?" to uncover hidden passives.

  5. Ensure Consistency with Style Guides -

    Follow a single style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago) for capitalization, numbering, and formatting; Platforms like the APA Style website offer free quick-reference sheets. Consistency in hyphenation (e.g., "well-being" vs. "wellbeing") is a frequent proofreading question. Keep a style sheet handy as you tackle a proofreading skills quiz to maintain uniformity.

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