CLT Grammar & Punctuation for Legal Transcription

Question 1

In legal transcription, when two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction such as 'and' or 'but,' what punctuation rule applies?

Accepted Answer

A comma is placed before the coordinating conjunction

Answer

No punctuation is needed before the conjunction

Answer

A semicolon replaces the conjunction entirely

Answer

A colon is placed before the coordinating conjunction

Question 2

A legal transcriptionist must introduce a long block quotation from a witness statement. Which punctuation mark is most appropriate immediately before the quotation?

Accepted Answer

A colon

Answer

A comma

Answer

A semicolon

Answer

A dash

Question 3

How should the possessive form be written for a witness named 'Mr. Jones' in a legal transcript?

Accepted Answer

Jones's

Answer

Jones'

Answer

Jone's

Answer

Jones s'

Question 4

Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon in a legal transcript?

Accepted Answer

Counsel objected; the judge sustained the objection.

Answer

The defendant arrived at 9:00; a.m.

Answer

The exhibit was marked; as Plaintiff's Exhibit 1.

Answer

He testified; that he saw the vehicle.

Question 5

In formal legal transcription, how are cardinal numbers from one to nine typically written?

Accepted Answer

Spelled out as words (one through nine)

Answer

Always as numerals (1–9)

Answer

Written as Roman numerals (I–IX)

Answer

Either numerals or words are acceptable interchangeably

Question 6

When transcribing quoted testimony in a deposition, which rule governs the placement of a period at the end of a quoted sentence?

Accepted Answer

The period is placed inside the closing quotation mark (American style)

Answer

The period is placed outside the closing quotation mark

Answer

The period is omitted when a quotation ends a sentence

Answer

The period is placed on a new line after the quotation

Question 7

Which of the following demonstrates correct subject-verb agreement in a legal transcript sentence?

Accepted Answer

The panel of judges has issued its ruling.

Answer

The jury have reached their verdicts.

Answer

Neither the attorney nor the witnesses was present.

Answer

Each of the exhibits are admitted into evidence.