Proofreading & Editing Copy Editing 3

Question 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'fewer' vs. 'less'?

Accepted Answer

There are fewer errors in the final draft.

Answer

'Fewer' is used for countable nouns (errors you can count); 'less' is used for uncountable quantities.

Question 2

What does 'sic' mean when used in edited text?

Accepted Answer

The quoted error appeared in the original source as written

Answer

'Sic' (Latin: 'thus') is placed in brackets after a quoted word or phrase to indicate it appeared this way in the original, even if it seems incorrect.

Question 3

Which sentence contains a double negative?

Accepted Answer

She didn't find no errors.

Answer

'Didn't find no errors' uses two negatives ('didn't' and 'no'), which is grammatically incorrect in standard English.

Question 4

Which is the correct way to write a time in AP style?

Accepted Answer

3 p.m.

Answer

AP style uses lowercase 'a.m.' and 'p.m.' with periods, and drops the ':00' for times on the hour.

Question 5

What is an 'em dash' used for?

Accepted Answer

To mark a strong break or parenthetical statement in a sentence

Answer

An em dash (—) is used to create a strong break in a sentence or to set off a parenthetical element with emphasis.

Proofreading & Editing Practice Test

Proofreading & Editing Practice Test

Proofreading & Editing Copy Editing 3