CCE CCE Tables, Figures, and Special Elements Questions and Answers

Question 1

When should a table title appear in relation to the table itself?

Accepted Answer

Above the table, according to most editorial style guides.

Answer

Below the table, following the same convention as figure captions.

Answer

Beside the table in the left margin.

Answer

Only at the end of the chapter.

Question 2

A manuscript has a figure labeled 'Fig. 3' in the caption but referred to as 'Figure Three' in the text. What should the copyeditor do?

Accepted Answer

Standardize the reference style consistently throughout the manuscript per the applicable style guide.

Answer

Keep both forms since they refer to the same figure.

Answer

Delete the in-text reference to the figure.

Answer

Change the caption label to 'Figure Three' to match the text.

Question 3

What is a 'stub' in the context of a table?

Accepted Answer

The leftmost column that lists the row headings or categories.

Answer

A short caption beneath the table.

Answer

A footnote attached to a specific cell.

Answer

The horizontal rule separating the header from the body.

Question 4

A figure caption reads 'The results of all the experiments conducted during the 2024 study year are displayed above.' What editorial issue exists?

Accepted Answer

Captions should not use directional words like 'above'; figures are identified by number.

Answer

The caption is too short.

Answer

The word 'displayed' should be 'shown.'

Answer

The year should be spelled out as 'two thousand twenty-four.'

Question 5

In a table footnote, symbols are typically used in what order?

Accepted Answer

*, †, ‡, §, ‖, ¶ (asterisk, dagger, double dagger, section, parallel, pilcrow).

Answer

a, b, c, d (lowercase letters).

Answer

1, 2, 3 (superscript numerals).

Answer

Either letters or numbers but never symbols.

Question 6

A copyeditor notices a table is mentioned in the text as 'see Table 4' but the manuscript only contains three tables. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Flag the discrepancy to the author; a table may be missing or the reference may be a numbering error.

Answer

Silently renumber the tables to add a Table 4.

Answer

Delete the in-text reference.

Answer

Assume the author meant Table 3 and change it silently.