Proofreading & Editing Proofreading Assessment 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence contains a comma splice?
- The rain fell heavily, and the streets flooded.
- She studied hard, she passed the exam. (Correct answer)
- Although it was late, he continued working.
- He ran quickly but missed the bus.
Correct answer: She studied hard, she passed the exam.
A comma splice joins two independent clauses with only a comma and no coordinating conjunction.
Question 2: What does 'stet' mean as a proofreading mark?
- Delete the marked text
- Move the text to a new paragraph
- Let the original text stand as written (Correct answer)
- Insert a space
Correct answer: Let the original text stand as written
'Stet' is Latin for 'let it stand,' used to cancel a correction and restore the original text.
Question 3: Which is the correct plural of 'criterion'?
- Criterions
- Criterias
- Criteria (Correct answer)
- Criterium
Correct answer: Criteria
'Criteria' is the standard plural of the Greek-derived word 'criterion.'
Question 4: Find the error: 'The data shows a significant increase in sales.'
- Incorrect verb tense
- 'Data' is plural and requires 'show' in formal usage
- Missing comma after 'data'
- No error — 'data' is treated as singular in modern usage (Correct answer)
Correct answer: No error — 'data' is treated as singular in modern usage
In modern usage, 'data' is widely accepted as a singular mass noun, especially in non-scientific contexts, making 'data shows' acceptable.
Question 5: Which sentence has an error in parallel structure?
- She likes hiking, swimming, and to run. (Correct answer)
- He enjoys reading, writing, and coding.
- They planned to eat, to sleep, and to rest.
- We need to budget, to plan, and to save.
Correct answer: She likes hiking, swimming, and to run.
The list mixes gerunds ('hiking,' 'swimming') with an infinitive ('to run'), breaking parallel structure.
Question 6: Which word pair is commonly confused and used incorrectly in: 'The affect of the medication was immediate.'
- No error — 'affect' is correct here
- 'Affect' should be 'effect' — a noun is needed (Correct answer)
- 'Affect' should be 'afflict'
- 'Immediate' should be 'immediately'
Correct answer: 'Affect' should be 'effect' — a noun is needed
'Effect' is typically the noun meaning 'result,' while 'affect' is typically the verb meaning 'to influence.'
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses an em dash?
- She had one goal - to finish first.
- She had one goal—to finish first.
- She had one goal — to finish first.
- Both B and C are acceptable depending on style guide. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Both B and C are acceptable depending on style guide.
AP style uses spaces around em dashes, while Chicago style uses no spaces — both are correct depending on the style guide followed.
Proofreading & Editing Proofreading Assessment 3
Which sentence contains a comma splice?